Mod 2 - indicated speed or... (who cares - passed!! )

[johny2bikes]

Hi all...

I have only been biking 3 months or so. After getting through my CBT I have been comuting on a CBF125 daily. As I have no ambitions of getting a bigger bike anytime soon (make that I have no cash to get a bigger bike), I thought I would try for my liecense on my 125 before the new rules come in next year. I am 37 and have been driving 20 years, so have been doing it off my own back so far, with plenty of reading and great tips from the forum.

Got the through the theory no problem, and did the mod 1 yesterday. Only got 1 minor, but it was a close call on the e-stop. Another foot further and he said I would have failed. On the run I thought I was well under speed and lost focus on the fact I had to stop. Funny enough i ended up with 52 and 56kph on the fast runs. Examiner was a good guy though and made his point without sending me home empty handed.

Got mod 2 in a couple of weeks, and one of the things I am not sure on is regarding speed again. I know my bikes indicated is about 10% down on actual speed, as I have measured it against a gps bike watch. On the test are you expected to compensate for the speed difference? If I end up going through a 40mph limit and measuring 40mph indicated, could I get a fail because in reality I am only doing 35/36mph which could be seen as lack of progress?
At the same time I don't want to do 45mph to compensate I case the examiners bike has the same error and sees it as speeding.

Is it common for most bikes to have this much error on the speedo?

Thanks for any help, and all the tips so far from other threads!!!

[Derivative]

Not done a Mod 2 but I wouldn't worry about it.

Less than 10% under the speed limit is not failing to make progress - it's erring on the side of caution IMO.

[Pete.]

It's not common at all for a speedo to read low. In fact, type approval requies that it doesn't. They can read 10% high but not low at all. The problem is if yours reads 10% low and the examiner's 10% high that's 10mph difference at 50mph.

If you are worried, place some temporary markers on the dial at the proper speeds as proven by GPS.
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a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[johny2bikes]

Sorry... Like an idiot, I got things arse about face here....

What I ment was my speedo is "up" on the actual speed (not down).

Hopefully that makes more sense.

Thanks so far....

[P.]

Just do a clock 30mph, chances are his is pretty close too

[Pete.]

[pendulum]

These examiners WILL know that the speedo reading can vary between vehicles. Whether you ride to your speedo (= slightly under the limit) or above it to compensate (aiming to ride to the true speed limit) you should have no worries.

Just keep it consistent, whatever way you choose. Sticking to your speedo reading is probably the safest bet because that's probably what most people do, but I chose to compensate for my overreading speedo (and didn't encounter a problem).

You could always ask him before the test starts if you're that concerned.
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1998 CG125 (Sold) CB500 [+ Clio 172]
Usually_Wrong: I tend to fail more than pass. [Speaking about Theory Practice]
Usually_Wrong: im on unemployment at the moment

[AlexW]

I went between the indicated and the real, Indicated felt too slow.

[Sload]

Do the indicated, i.e if the limit is 40, do 38/39. If you go over just let it ease off. You really shouldn't be worrying about that, you will have worse to stress over on the day.
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Honda Varadero >> Triumph Speed Four >> Honda CBR1100xx

[Llama-Farmer]

Unless you're going significantly faster or slower, the examiner probably won't notice 1 or 2 mph especially if you're slowing and speeding up with traffic and corners and that.

[janner_10]

Don't get bogged down with crap like this on your Mod 2, you will have plenty going on in your head to give this nonsense any thought.

Just use the speedo.
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Yamaha FZS600 (Now gone to heaven) > CBR600F4i (SOLD) > '99 YZF-R1

[johny2bikes]

Ok nice one fellas...

You're right, more important stuff to worry about on the day. Just wanted to clear this one up.

Thanks all !!!

[Matt B]

[promufa]

The speed limit is what it says really... the limit. You are not supposed to ride at 30mph in a 30mph zone, you are supposed to ride at no more than 30. I doubt they will see it as lack of progress if you are doing anything in the 25 to 30 area.

Good luck
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'02 Triumph Speed Four

[Teflon-Mike]

If you are worried about such a minor issue........
You either dont have any REAL worries about the test
..... or you dont know what you should REALLY be worrying about!
Speedo accuracy?
Yeah!
OK.... if you are going to be obscessing about what the dials say; then you WONT be paying enough attension about the stuff that REALLY matters.

Dont sweat the small stuff!

STOP THINKING - START RIDING
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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?'

[johny2bikes]

Thanks for the advice again...

I am a bit OCD when it comes to stuff like this. I like to have as much covered as possible. I always think its no good wishing I had asked the question when I am sitting there having failed no matter how daft the question (even if the answer is stop being a moron )

Anyway i have got the message..... and i certainly won't be fixated on the dial when doing the test. As mentioned above, I will have more important things on my mind during the test like the tread depth of my tyres, and charging level of my alternator !!!!! (I am definitely gonna fail now!)

Thanks again and good luck to anyone doing anyone else doing the test...

[Teflon-Mike]

[sidewinder]

.Id be more worried about obs and indicators .On my test i was never on the actual speeds posted usualy about ÷-2mph and he never said a thing.THe only one he did mention doing 15mph in a 20 was a little slow any thing above 17mph was good So stop worring young man you,ll do fine and good luck.

Sw

[TamaJosh]

Hey dude, I have the same bike, CBF 125 and I've always had a sneaking suspicion it reads lower than it should. I did my mod 2 sticking to indicated speed and didn't pick up any points for that. In fact I only got one minor but failed due to a total balls up at a junction that anyone with 20 years experience could nail easily.

Stick to indicated, you don't want to be done for speeding. Isn't GPS less accurate anyway? It measures to within the nearest metre at best, sometimes more so might estimate speed.

[johny2bikes]

Hello again...

Managed to pass Mod 2 today . Had a lesson yesterday, which made loads of difference as he cleared up all the nonsense I had going round my head.

If you are going it alone, I can't recommend enough, getting a least a couple of hours lesson in to settle the nerves and clear up any questions. Watching YouTube is fine for tips, but I realise now much of what I was watching was over complicating things way to much, especially with the obs, and filling my head with unecessary stuff.

Thanks again for all then help from the forum !!!!

[mjn51]

well done

[Derivative]

Congratulations on the pass.

[JoeDougieDoug...]

Luck of the CBF there mate

Congratulations mate!
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CBT Passed - 22 / 10 / 11 >> Theory Passed - 16 / 02 / 2012 >> Mod 1 Passed - 07 / 03 / 2012 >> Mod 2 Passed - 18 / 05 / 2012.

[dungbug]

Congratulations, ride safe!
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CBT: Pass 25/06/2011 Theory Test: Pass12/06/2012 Mod 1: Fail 08/07/2012
Mod 1 Retest: Pass 15/0702012 Mod 2: Pass 03/08/2012
Suzuki GN125 (Sold) ~ Current bike: Yamaha YZF 600R Thundercat

[HJM]

Congratz!
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"90% of all statistics are made up"

CBT-18/04/2013