MOD2 Advice

[bobclayton]

Hi guys,

New member, so hi! Just wanted to get some pro advice really!

I passed the MOD1 on Monday no problem, and have MOD2 booked for this coming Monday.
I have a couple of questions because I have picked up some habits while riding:

1. Lifesavers - I'm presuming these need to be done EVERY time you move position/set off/stop?
2. When I am braking for traffic lights and things like that I have a habit of pulling the clutch in and shifting down to first before I stop. Will the examiner fault me on this?

Thanks in advance!

[blurredman]

Hi and welcome!


1) As for lifesavers, every time you move / change direction.
2) Yeah, you could do that, as long as you have a hand on the brake to signal the light.. as engine braking does not do that. It is not the best way to slow down, only change down when the revs aren't going to stress the engine (engine braking)- and if it is, double clutch technique comes to mind where you have to balance the revs with the current speed/gear as not to stress the engine.



Good luck!
____________________
CBT: 12/06/10, Theory: 22/09/10, Module 1: 09/11/10, Module 2: 19/01/11
Past: 1991 Honda CG125BR-J, 1992 (1980) Honda XL125S, 1996 Kawasaki GPZ500S, 1979 MZ TS150.
Current: 1973 MZ ES250/2 - 18k, 1979 Suzuki TS185ER - 10k, 1981 Honda CX500B - 91k, 1987 MZ ETZ250 - 40k, 1989 MZ ETZ251 - 52k.

[pinkyfloyd]

[bobclayton]

Hi,

I don't think I explained my stopping habit very well - what I mean is I pull the clutch in and keep it help in, and as I slow for things like lights shift into first, ready to take off from the lights again. I don't over stress the engine because i have the clutch in, but obviously I won't have an engine break, and it's that bit I'm wondering if I'll be faulted on?

Martin

[pinkyfloyd]

Need to get out of that habit. You'll probably get pinged for it. A bike has 3 brakes. First brake you use is the engine. Then the front brake. Then the back. Pretty much in that order. The examiner will be looking for it so try and get used to using the engine to brake.

Theres nothing wrong with pulling the clutch in at the last moment and shifting down from 5th to 1st but holding the clutch in could be seen as improper use of the clutch and given a mark for it.
____________________
illuminateTHEmind wrote: I am just more evolved than most of you guys... this allows me to pick of things quickly which would have normally taken the common man years to master
Hockeystorm65:.well there are childish arguments...there are very childish arguments.....there are really stupid childish arguments and now there are......Pinkfloyd arguments!
Teflon-Mike:I think I agree with just about all Pinky has said.

[bobclayton]

Thanks for the advice, I will try and kick that habit!

[Rogerborg]

Good job on the Mod 1.

Based on digesting Motorcycle Roadcraft, I'd suggest:

Always take an obvious "rear observation" before any change in position or before braking. That means at least a mirror check, and be sure to turn your head, not just your eyes.

Lifesavers should be taken:
1) Before setting off.
2) Just before turning at a junction (right or left) - but before you commit to the manoeuvre.
3) Before changing lane, although at speed, a "shoulder check" rather than a full look behind is appropriate.
4) Shoulder-check the other lanes before entering a roundabout to see who's sharing it with you.
5) Shoulder-check or lifesaver to the left before exiting a roundabout.

You're more likely to be failed for not doing enough rear observations rather than doing too many.

On the gears, the examiner is behind you, so is unlikely to see details of your clutching. Just don't lock the rear by unclutching in the wrong gear and you should be fine.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[Teflon-Mike]

Before undertaking a manouver, you do a SHOULDER CHECK.

That means before pulling away from the side of the road; before indicating to turn left or right. When you are aproaching a roundabout, or other 'hazard' such as a crossing where you may have to undertake a manouver... etc etc etc.

And is a FULL rearward observation. Ie you look 180 degreed behind you.

A Shoulder Check is NOT a 'Life-Saver' nor vica verca.

A 'Life-Saver' is a 'confidence' check undertaken DURING a manouver.

And is a 3/4 rearward glance and confidence check.

Eg, aproaching T-Juntion, intending to turn right.
- Mirror checks and 'situation' observations (looking around you, hazard scanning, checking for cuties etc!)
- after judging apropriate distances, and speeds, you PLAN your manouver, and at the point JUST before you intend to actually do anything different....
- SHOULDER CHECK..... to ensure that it is SAFE to undertake manouver.
- Then Signal
- Then Adjust Road-Position towards right of carriageway.... AND life-Saver (in this case to the Right!)
- Draw up to junction.... covering brakes, ready to stop if needs be, etc etc.
- Left, Right, Left, observations of road you are about to turn into
- LIFE-SAVER, (in this case to the left) 3/4 behind you.
- Observe Right.....
- Complete manouver, turning right.....
- (not essential, but worth while)'final' life-saver' LEFT.
- Cancel indicators.

First Shoulder-Check is to observe following traffic, and ensure there is nothing bearing down on you, and you aren't about to wobble into the path of an over-taking Ovlov IF you undertake the manouver you are planning. (If there is, you do something different!)

First Life-Saver over RIGHT shoulder, AS you change road possition, is to ensure that the situiation hasn't changed and Ovlov hasn't suddenly decided to try and over-take you and is heading into that same bit of road space you are. (if there is, Evasive action called for!)

NEXT life-Saver, at the give way point, is to check that no one is trying to steal your road-room, as you turn, sneaking up the inside, and that AS you turn you have all the space you need. THAT is actually the more critical one.

In the suggested scenario, THAT is where, road-hog in Ovlov, if turning left, decide that the single carriageway, is wide enough for two vehicles, and he can turn left while you are turning right, and rather than waiting for you to complete your manouver, shoved his monet up the inside of you... with risk that he'll 'jink' to the right to get his arse end round the corner, JUST as you jink to the left making your turn to the right... the alternative is that they decide that they are going to turn right AS WELL, which can be significantly nasty for you, and they SHOULDN'T do, but still do anyway! Again, avasive action, MAY be called for if theres anything in that check.

Last life-saver as you are completing manouver, is to again check for any hazards intruding into your road-room. In this scenario, its to the left again, as having pulled into 'clear' road space from the right, you want to check for anything like cars pulling out of driveways on the left that are looking up the road behind you, and not down the road into the space you have just occupied, that was probably clear the last time they looked at it..... again, incase you need to take evasive action.

In summary:-

SHOULDER CHECK - 180 degree FULL rearward observation, BEFORE undertaking a manouver.
LIFE SAVER - 3/4 rear observation for changes of situation, and unanticipated hazards undertaken DURING the manouver.

Helpful hint:-
- Shoulder-Check... nose points past shoulder.
- Life-Saver... nose points beyond edge of mirror
Make observations clear, considered and DISTINCT.

Examiner, following only has HALF thier attension on you. THEY have to watch for hazards to them, as well as watch what you are doing.

Make it easy for them to KNOw that that little movement of your head is a propper shoulder check, not a half hearted life-saver, and that life saver is a proper life-saver, not a glance in the mirror.

Do NOT bob abd dart your head about like a headless chicken.... (err how can a headless chicken bob its head?!?!... anyway!).... lots of indistinct head movements, will infuriate an examiner, and he will NOT give you credit that it 'might' have been a propper observation, at the propper time.... he'll believe that you simply dont have a clue what you are doing and hoping that by looking everywhere and anywhere, you'll get by! You wont!

Be 'confident', deliberate and distinct.

Goes for everything else. LIKE slowing for junctions.

If you dont have drive to the rear wheel, you are NOT in full control of the vehicle, is the official line.

Slow, in gear. DONT pull in the clutch and 'coast'. THAT you will be chastised for.

You do NOT have to arrive at the junction in 1st.

You can do all your slowing down, and even stop, in the higher gears, IF you are more comfortable doing it that way, and many are, PROVIDED you are in the 'apropriate' gear when you start to pull away.

So, leave the clutch out. Slow for the junction, and at the last moment, IF you have to stop, STOP. Clutch in, click down to 1st, assume Safety Possition, proceed when safe to do so.......

If you DONT have to stop, at the moment before transitioning from slowing to accelerating, GIVE YOURSELF TIME... dont panick, and IF needs be, clutch in and block change down to second, or if you really must first, BUT if you are still rolling, 2nd should be good enough, and MAY actually make the manouver smoother.

Meanwhile, I'd suggest a riding lesson before the event might be quite helpful, to give this kind of polish 'all-round'.
____________________
My Webby'Tef's-tQ, loads of stuff about my bikes, my Land-Rovers, and the stuff I do with them!
Current Bikes:'Honda VF1000F' ;'CB750F2N' ;'CB125TD ( 6 3 of em!)'; 'Montesa Cota 248'. Learner FAQ's:= 'U want to Ride a Motorbike! Where Do U start?'

[Dilyan]

To add to all the above (and to put you at ease):

Unless they follow you by car (which has happened in the past), its very unlikely you'll get picked on every mistake. If you mess up big time even once you will fail as that would be the only thing going through the instructor's head for the rest of the test.

For example, I was waiting for a left turn to join a major road at a T-junction and left too much space on my left handside. The instructor stopped there with his bike and started shaking his head. At the debrief he told me he would have failed me if he did that with a car. That has stuck with me for life now and you'll never see me doing that again

Best of luck on your MOD2.

[Rogerborg]

Remember everything that Mike told you, and go over all of it in your head before every change in speed or direction.

I'ma go read my Roadcraft again and see if they meant a "shoulder check" as turning your shoulders to look behind (i.e. before setting off), or a look to the side over your shoulder.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[Paxovasa]

Also make sure you move your head when checking the mirrors
____________________
Suzuki GSF600 K3 (in the fastest colour, black).

[Teflon-Mike]

[Teflon-Mike]

[Oldie]

I passed my Mod 2 yesterday so the training is still fresh in my mind.

I did two "road" days with my instructor (on a CBF500) and I think that I can break it down as follows:-

1. Most of the time you are simply riding straight ahead and occassional mirror checks are required. Keep roughly in the middle of your lane at close to the max speed limit allowed.

2. Before a (L or R) turn - quick mirror check, indicate, shoulder check (L or R) then move to that side of the lane and up to the junction. Another shoulder check before you commit to the turn. Cancel indicator after the turn. Check mirrors.

3. At roundabouts, as well as checking for traffic coming from your right, always do a L shoulder check before entering it and another just before exiting. Indicate well in advance for a L/R turn and just before your exit at all times.

4. When pulling away from the kerb, indicate, mirror check then shoulder check. Wouldn't bother about doing mirrors first.

5. Note all road signs although the most important one is the 20mph. Some are full time and others flash. Do not break the speed limit. Also know your bus lane times. Use them if allowed.

6. If you are on a fast road, get right up to the allowed speed, but dont push it or the examiner will assume that you are being "adventurous"

7. Mirror checks before accelerating or braking. Helps to do a R shoulder check before going from a 30 to a 60 for example.

Good luck, and remember that you are allowed quite a few mistakes and still pass. My first pull away from the kerb was a disaster as I wasn't in gear! Also went too fast in a 20 and picked the wrong lane on a roundabout - so lots of leeway