Failed MOD1

[Lord Percy]

Oh wait, no I didn't, I just turned up on the wrong day

It's tomorrow morning, hah.

Anyway quick question - what's more difficult in general, the U-turn or the slalom or the figure of 8, or is all just about the same, as long as you can control the engine properly?

Basically I've had no training with an instructor, so it's just been a case of trying what I can on public roads, so I have the U-turn down pretty well, which I presumed to be the most awkward to do, but I tried a little slow weaving to replicate the slalom and it seemed more difficult, although I didn't have any cones set out so I probably pushed myself tighter than I had to.

Personal experience and opinions?

[Shinigami]

figure of 8 is the hardest of those 3 purely due to it being the longest.

Slalom is easy, U turn....give yourself a bit a of run straight ahead before turning or you may put your foot down like i did
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Current: Honda City Fly CLR125 2003 Honda CB600F Hornet 2008 Yamaha FZ6 S2 + 1991 Kawasaki GPZ500
"Once you realize what a joke everything is, being the Comedian is the only thing that makes sense.

[Lord Percy]

[thepuma]

To be honest they are all exceptionally easy. Neither is easier or harder....the only reason you may find them an issue is if nerves get the better of you on the day.

The figure of 8 is probably the slightly easier one because you can go as wide as you like so really shouldnt be an issue as you have plenty of space. The U-turn area is something like 7 metres wide, its massive....just remember your obs,keep a good steady pace and youll be ok. Start turning too slow and youll feel the urge to put your foot down.

For me the slalom was the one i kept thinking id mess up on, it was all in my head though as id never once touched a cone on any of my practice runs....but it was the one i felt most uneasy with, but in reality its so bloody easy.

Best of luck.

Ps, get yourself a diary
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YBR125 (SOLD) - CBR250R(SOLD) - CBR650F(SOLD) Current - Street Triple
765 RS

[cimbian]

They are all relatively easy but the U-turn is the one that psychs people out because you are moving-off from standstill and have a width restriction. Don't think about the width, keep your head-up and look at where you WANT to be, not at the road in front of you and NEVER at the white lines. You'll be fine.
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22PlusY
Current: Moto Guzzi 1100 Breva. Previous: Honda XL650V TransAlp
Bearded, Balding, Born again Buddhist Biker

[Shinigami]

p.s my advice is probably worthless as i've failed it twice so far, retest on monday.

(failed on uturn & figure of 8)
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Current: Honda City Fly CLR125 2003 Honda CB600F Hornet 2008 Yamaha FZ6 S2 + 1991 Kawasaki GPZ500
"Once you realize what a joke everything is, being the Comedian is the only thing that makes sense.

[DonDino]

I found the slalom to be the hardest, as it requires constant adjustment of steering at slow speed, no matter how far away the cones are they still felt way too close. Plus it's something you never ever do in real life, only for preparation of this test.

The U-turn is actually not so bad. Practice on the road, in safe places, and then the mod1 u-turn will seem easy as the width is bigger than what you get on the roads usually.
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First bike: CBF125, Feb. - Oct. 2012
Currently riding: ER-6N since Oct. 2012

[Elffie01]

depends which YOU find the most difficult...

Mind over matter

There is plenty of space to do all the manoeuvres, its not as small as you think

Take each part of it as one step, concentrate on each bit and you will sail it

Good Luck for TOMORROW

[Magnet]

I didn't think any of it was difficult, but there again I had some days training. The space you hve to do the maneuvers is quite vast so theres plenty of room. Just remember to do shoulder checks before moving off and a life saver just as you start to do your U turn. I would suggest watching this video as it could help:-

https://youtu.be/bYOUWHrqDJg

https://www.desicomments.com/dc2/02/183761/183761.gif
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It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer.

GPZ600R Sold, Now ZZR600

[DannyBhoy]

Its more of a mental battle in my experience, I had convinced myself I was rubbish at the figure of 8 but my instructor was constantly telling me that I was completely fine at it.

Mind over matter is my advice.

[alexinlondon]

I just failed on the turn, so for me that's the hardest

I think the slalom is pretty easy as you don't have to turn too much, therefore easy to maintain balance.

Figure of eight just go super wide and it's not difficult, you don't even need much clutch control.

Uturn, I've had issues with, but tips I've heard are:
- keep the revs up and use the clutch to keep the bike stable
- don't look at the lines
- look where you want to go, but don't look too far round as it may make you turn too tight and put a foot down.

Best bit of advice would be to go out to a car park and put some markers down and do a little practice just to get your confidence up

Best of luck !!

Alex

[Lord Percy]

PASSED! ZERO FAULTS! Even did the U-turn twice, just because I was in the position to do it again when he asked me to turn the bike around, hah.

So anyway, during the debrief I asked the guy if there was anything a bit 'iffy' with my test for me to consider (this was before I knew it was faultless ( ), and his reply was that I should definitely consider at least having one lesson before booking my MOD2, but he didn't say why. Do you reckon he was just trying to get a bit of business for the local instructors?

I really wanted to go the 'totally no training' route, just for the smugness factor...

[GeordieMick]

Well done good luck with number 2

[Flatbadger]

sa1988-

I reckon that's what he's likely to say just to improve your chances, he likely knows a lot of the local instructors but it sounds just like a genuine tip.

It's up to you - others have done mod2 without any instruction, but the £30 (+ bike hire?) odd that it'll cost for an hour might be a good idea. You'll get tips a plenty here as you've had for mod1 but any errors you're making on the road will be pointed out to you by any instructor.

Weigh it up - risk a serious, or culmination of minor faults and have to rebook mod2, or get those errors ironed out beforehand. Only you know how good your riding really is so it's your choice.

Well done for mod1 by the way!
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If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
You're in ISIS

[Billo63]

Or more than likey his advice for you you to have an instructed experience prior to mod 2 is more likely based on his view of how well you handled manouvers, positioning etc: on mod 1.

Cannot see him touting, yes most instructors will be known to most examiners in their test area, but as for drumming business up I just don't see it.

You can of course as you say go the no instructor route, but everyon's intention is to only ever sit mod 2 once & perhaps an instructors perspective of your abilities after having ridden behind you observing much more than you are probably aware of may well prove to be money well spent.

The choice is yours.
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I might not be a gynecologist, but I know a cunt when I see one

[Lord Percy]

Oh right, just 30 or so quid for a brief lesson?! For some reason I imagined it would be a lot more, probably because all the prices for complete DAS courses are usually 500+.

Yeah, for that price I'll get a quick lesson in, methinks!

Anyone know any good instructors around Reading/Newbury?

[thepuma]

You really dont need lessons for mod 1 or 2. All the guidance and information is available online. Youtube is a great place to get tips on your Mod2...i found RoadCraftNottinghams channel to be particularly useful.

Yeah, when i passed my mod1 and he was writing my cert out he said the same to me about maybe thinking about a lesson or 2 before Mod2....didnt need one though....personally i thought it was an unnecessary expense.
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YBR125 (SOLD) - CBR250R(SOLD) - CBR650F(SOLD) Current - Street Triple
765 RS

[Shinigami]

[leecook385]

well done on the pass.

If you feel that you do not need a lesson that's fine.

If your not sure it would not hurt to get an assessment/lesson done with an instructor. could ask them to do a mock test with you.
You then get the feedback from them and can work on any improvements in you own time.
They may how ever tell you you need more lessons before your test.

I am currently in the same position as you having passed mod 1 1st time without any lessons and plan to do the same with mod2.
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cbr 600 f

[Rogerborg]

Nice one. I wouldn't (and didn't) waste any money on lessons, because what are the chances that you'll get a decent instructor who's genuinely engaged in prepping you in return for just 1 hour's worth of £££?

Up to you though, it probably can't hurt.
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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

[Lord Percy]

Yeah, a quick lesson seems out of the question. Not that I asked, but all the local schools seem to work in days instead of hours, so the best I could get is about £125 + test fee, for a whole days, so fook that. I've got plentttty enough car experience to know the general rules of the road, what to be aware of, etc etc, and I'll just have to keep in mind the extra important bits that are exclusive to motorbiking. Failing the mod2 would be a better lesson than paying for an actual lesson, in my opinion!

[Amnesty]

I got a minor for going wide on my 8 just so you're aware, some people seem to mark you down for it.
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I ride a scoot, so what? >_>

[U_W v2.0]

erm he passed his module one already.
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BCF's biggest cunt list: Cansa, Pits, Rob

[Shinigami]

[andy_uk]