Mods 1 & 2 on a cruiser?????

[Intruder_Andy]

Hi all, recently done a DAS and failed mod1, rebooked and failed again. (Skidding both times)

Am now toying with doing A2 (due to cost of redoing on DAS bike)on my own bike which is an Intruder 125 but not sure as I feel it would be too un-manouverable for mod1.

Any of you guys done mod1 on a cruiser and how'd did you get on?

Andy

[EazyDuz]

Interesting topic as i just got my first bike which is a Marauder...

been practicing turn in the road which i think is probably the hardest one on a bike like that because of its dire turning circle but im starting to be able to do it without bailing with my feet. I tend to have to put it on full lock or near enough to be able to make it.

I dont think mod2 would be a problem on one unless you consider the speed issue. Maybe the swerve might be a bit of a problem as well but i think its do able.

Cant say much else because im in the same situation

[Intruder_Andy]

it's a bugger aint it! I agree Mod 2 shouldn't be an issue, mines pretty fast for a cruiser too - re-jetted the carbs due to str8 thru exhausts (which also poses an issue due to noise!).

But the idea of getting such a long bike through the slalom and figure of 8 don't sound like fun. I'm gonna cone up a local car park and practice all the bits tho and see if it's feasable. If not i guess i'll flog it and get a different 125 or use money for another DAS.

[EazyDuz]

Just take the slalom wider? As long as you dont take the piss with it, it should be ok. DAS? How much does it cost to do MOD1 once on a big bike for DAS? Because as its only £15 to try it on your own 125, you could probably attempt it quite afew times before you would meet the rough cost of doing it via DAS.

[Intruder_Andy]

Yeah thats why i figured I'd give it a go.

My local training school charges £65 for mod 1 including bike hire and gear. This means meeting them at the centre and only covers the test time and not riding to and from the centre or any practice time.

With 2hrs training prior to test it costs £155 so thats just about 10 mod 1's on my own bike so i think i'll try this.

[EazyDuz]

Thats ridiculous lol, considering you have the bike, insured etc im assuming, and you have your own gear? No brainer. But some people dont like the whole 2 year restriction thing i guess.

[Skinned]

I did my mod 1 on a marauder, it was ok handled well on the slalom, figure of 8 and u turn. You have to give it some stick on the speed parts but I passed first go on it.

[Intruder_Andy]

Not fussed about restriction, just want a license! Gotta redo CBT 1st tho as it just expired so startin from scratch again

[Alex_B]

Whats the distance of the U-Turn.

I have the cones on the slalom and the figure of eight but I still lack the U-Turn area.

Any info please?
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[kingley]

I believe it's now 23 feet. It used to be 21 feet, 6 inches I think.

[Intruder_Andy]

if u can do a u turn within 2 car parking spaces u'll be fine - i think!

[blurredman]

[moppy]

Interesting topic since I own an Intruder as well and if I pass my theory tomorrow, will be booking that Mod 1 ASAP. Its only £15 so prepared to try a few times. Mod 2 should be a piece of piss, but the U turn and slalom are worrying me a bit. I have been practising U turns, but not with measurements, just in an empty (unmarked) car park.

Will try the 2 parking space method. Lots of revs, clutch and footbrake is the way I do it.

[EazyDuz]

Ive done it a couple of times without slipping the clutch at all, the Marauder goes really slow in first anyway.

[Intruder_Andy]

cheers for the replies guys, looks like i'll go A2 route for license, more cost effective as i already have bike and gear.

My intruder does always tend to feel like it wants to fall over when turning tho, any ideas??? Do yiu also fibd this moppy????

[moppy]

[supZ]

if you're skidding how about you learn to control the bike properly rather than trying to find ways round it?

when it comes to it (i presume its the back skidding) just rest your foot on the brake, dont push it. that way when you brake with the front and you rotate forward you'll push it anyway. this is what causes locking as not only are you pushing on it but you're rotating onto it from the forward momentum you have when braking.

in short, just rest your foot on the brake, dont push it.

gl
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CBR600RR - Trackbike

[blurredman]

I only used the front brake on my cg drum brakes and stopped in a decent distance.

You don't need to use your hydraulic disc brake AND your rear drum for this exercise.
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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 (295cc) - 40k, 1989 MZ ETZ251 - 51k.

[Intruder_Andy]

[supZ]

just seems to me like you're taking the easy way out.

you've done all this work and training to get your full licence and now because you've had a few mishaps on the test you're now thinking about doing on your bike so its easier and subjecting yourself to a restricted licence for 2 years.

i dont see the logic.

wouldnt you rather stick at it, succeed on the 500 and get a full licence with all the freedoms that entails rather than spending 2 years on a restricted bike; and every time you rode it being a stark reminder of how you 'took the easy way out' and gave up?

i realise money can be an issue but to me its a waste of all the money and effort you've already put in getting this far.

if you keep failing on the emergency/controlled stop then thats good. it means you know where you're weak and where you need to practice. save a bit of money, get a lesson on the 500, explain you want to practice that part, get tips, etc.. and go for it!

think about how good it'll feel when you PASS!

sorry if i sound a bit harsh, im just trying to give you a positive kick up the backside to go and succeed at something you know you can do!
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CBR954RR - Daily toy
CBR600RR - Trackbike

[FerretFing]

Be your own boss.....if you feel the A2 is best for you then go for it I say...A pass is a pass. I can understand the financial part of it completely as it was a decision I faced also - my wife & I did our A2 tests at the same time so it was a double saving really (we had no training other than CBT). I understand the "Knowing your bike" bit also & you have complete faith in your bike & how it responds. Too much is made of being restricted for 2 years, it's no big deal at all IMO.

Whatever you decide, good luck with it!

[moppy]

After passing the mod 1on my intruder, I can tell you its quite doable.

[chris-red]

Do the DAS Don't press the rear brake at all just cover it.
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[Shielder]

I passed my Mod 1 (at the third attempt) on my Intruder on Monday. I had problems with the U-turn in the past, but that was nothing to do with the bike, more my technique that was the problem (I was doing it too fast). The swerve test is a doddle too.

Just be aware that you'll need to have documentation to prove that the Intruder is an A2 class motorbike. It isn't on the DSA list (too old) so you have to get a letter from Suzuki before they will class the bike (and hence, your licence) as an A2 class bike.

I've got the letter, and I just need to scan it and send this to the DSA so that they can update the list. The examiner guidelines also state that, unless they have sufficient evidence to the contrary, they have to assume that the bike is A1 not A2.

Hope that helps,

Andy

[andy_uk]

Ooooh! Thanks for pointing that out... I had never even considered that!
Mine's not on the list either :/
I'm assuming it's an A2 but now waiting for a reply from Aprilia.
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Aprilia Classic 125, GS500E, ER5-A1, ER5-C4, ER6 & an XJ6 project frame...