Need a 250 for A2 Mod 1

[Tony Norton]

Hi all,

having passed both my A1 tests I am now struggloing to get through A2 Mod 1 on my 500 Rebel. I have tried 4 times and, on the last 2 got through everything up to the avoidance. This last time, today, I hit the inside blue cone with the RH crash bar.

I am advised by the examiners to try doing the test on a more manoeuvrable bike, say 250 or 350. Since 01/03/22 the minimum engine size required for A2 is now 245cc.

Can anyone recommend a suitable machine that has a low seat height, something around 700mm to 720mm. Anything much higher than that, like the industry standard 800mm, and I can only touch the ground with one toe on one side, a fact that does zero for one's confidence.

Any suggestions would be most welcome and would be investigated.


Best Regards
Tony

[Evil Hans]

Although the new A2 regs have reduced the minimum capacity to 245cc, they also state a minimum power output of 20kw (about 27hp)

Most modern 4 stroke 250s don't get anywhere near that. For example even the GSX250R only makes 25hp.
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Triumph Sprint ST 1050. And it's Red.

[Nobby the Bastard]

Suzuki RGV250. If you can find one...
____________________
trevor saxe-coburg-gotha:"Remember this simple rule - scooters are for men who like to feel the breeze on their huge, flapping cunt lips."
Sprint ST 1050

[Evil Hans]

[Fat Angry Scotsman]

[rpsmith79]

Can your training school not suggest a better bike to do the tests on, surely they must have some A2 complient bikes you can test on?

Also, are you school not giving you further taining on the parts of the Mod 1 you cannot do, as all of this should be easy to practice on the training pad
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Current Bike: Honda CG125 ES4 // Honda CB600FS Hornet // Triumph Street Triple R

[Tony Norton]

Good to hear from you, Scotsman,

I have grown to trust your judgement. You're exactly right, about me. I am more than confident of getting through Mod 1 on my Rebel prior to the emergency stop and avoidance. After struggling to manhandling it from one garage into another, at my age 190Kg (418lbs in real non-euro money) makes me puff a bit, I just put it into first and do the lot on tick-over. I've now done that 3 times without problems. The examiners at Poole reckon I should have a loyalty card!

My problems with the last 2 parts are firstly, it seems a short distance from the cornering curve to the "trap" to get up to 32mph, with no time to check the speedo. (OK I did manage it on my A1 AJS, that was just a matter of, a few cones before coming out of the curve give it full throttle in second, and 30mph was as much as it could muster). If I did that on the Rebel my guess is that I would be doing something more like 40mph+ through the trap with very little time to set myself up for the last bit. The emergency stop is not too bad, just stay on a straight line and stand on everything when signalled to stop. Secondly, it's a different matter with the avoidance, I feel I need to reduce speed immediately after the trap to be able to make the swerve. Is there a trick to the swerve? I'm always too close to the first blue cone. The examiner suggested trying to aim for the outer cone. I'm always too concerned about missing the inner one to have time to look towards the outer one.

Whilst doing the cornering curve I think I do have time to check the speedo. What speed ought I be able to control through the curve? If I could get that somewhere near 30mph I might feel that I had time to sort myself out for the last bit.

Cheers

[Nobby the Bastard]

How long does it take to glance at the speedo? TBH you could just learn what the engine note sounds like at 32 ish.
____________________
trevor saxe-coburg-gotha:"Remember this simple rule - scooters are for men who like to feel the breeze on their huge, flapping cunt lips."
Sprint ST 1050

[Tony Norton]

Hi rpsmith79,

you have probably read the Angry Scotsman's comments, and my reply. The main problem is the need for a low saddle height, I have more confidence if I know I can reach the ground with both feet. On a test it's not a "get out of jail free" card but at least I know I'm not going to hurt myself, or, more importantly, hurt the bike.

The school I was with shut up shop during all of January and bugger off to the Bahamas, so, on the recommendation of the examiners, I've made a date with another school for a day's training on Feb 11th. I intend to give the whole idea a rest until then. The instructor is going to come to my house, and I will then get a full day on the Rebel; while he susses out my problems.

Cheers

P.S. I don't remember seeing your name on my first post, "Advice needed for a newbie". My D.O.B. is 6/12/37 so you can work out what this silly old bugger is up to.

[Easy-X]

Having owned a Rebel 500 previously I don't recall the handling being that bad (obviously not up to the MT07 I did my test with) I found it more than sufficient to whip through city traffic. Maybe a bit more practice required? TBF 4 goes would put a dampener on things.
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Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

[Kentol750]

The rebel is fine for it. A student with us got through on their own bike (they were 5'2"). 56kph for e stop and 51 for avoidance. They also passed their a1 on an intruder 125.

You need to practice in a car park. You've done it once on a 125 don't get put off.
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Some bikes.

[to v or not to v]

Enfield Meteor 350 has a low seat. take one for a test ride.
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current bike Yamaha Thunderace.
its old and fat, but its a damned good ride. the bikes not bad either.

[Tony Norton]

Thanks guys for your encouraging comments.

I'm going to give all thoughts about the A2 Mod1 a rest now and I'm feeling a lot more relaxed about the whole thing. I reckon Steve, my instructor on the 11th, will be able to point out what is holding me back from something that should be reasonably possible.

Will update you as to progress on the 12th.

Cheers

[Tony Norton]

I've never had a Renault 5 in my life, and wouldn't have one as a gift. Current wheels, BMW 530i circa 2003, AJS Cadwell & Honda Rebel 500. Who puts those tags below one's name, and how do I change it?

[Evil Hans]

[Nobby the Bastard]

[Easy-X]

[P.]

[Nobby the Bastard]

Dillon and Paddy, sitting in a tree. K I S S I N G.
____________________
trevor saxe-coburg-gotha:"Remember this simple rule - scooters are for men who like to feel the breeze on their huge, flapping cunt lips."
Sprint ST 1050

[AlanSmith7]

Your expectation is way too much high it's not a normal thing that we can deal with this. You have to compromise this with one aspect probably if you need the perfect one. But as for all the above discussion, I also go with rebel this is a better fit for you as your requirements. But you need to practice this more and more.

[dave001]

you should be able to do it on any bike you just need more pratice not a diferent bike

it dont take any strenth you ride a bigger bike around the cones

its just practice its just as easy on full dress ultra glide as is on a 125

to go around the cones just pratice you slow work more

to you are ready for the test

if you just forgetting the crash bars take em off for the test

in trtrhe nicest posible way if you cant do it on your honda
your not ready to do it on any bike

maybe a change of instructor may help