Have you taken the NEW Motorcycle Test?

[roadrider]

Hi all,

Just interested if any of you have tried and passed or failed the new MOD 1 (carpark) test.

As a training school 'RoadRider School of Motorcycling'. Our biggest headache has been buying the tests and of course the location of the MPTC (multi purpose test centres). With the nearest permanent one to Manchester being in Atherton.

We hoped that the new test may help in some respects. As students used to worry so much about the U-turns. However this has just turned into fears about the swerve/avoidance exercise. Mainly due to bad and over hyped press.

We have not had any accidents as yet on this manoeuvre.

With this new 2 part test we have found that most will pass the MOD 1 first time and again with the MOD 2, so no change there. The fails we get on the MOD 1 do tend to be speed or brake related. ie; not getting up to the required speed or skidding on the E stop. Strangely enough those taking the test on the 125cc bikes usually reach the required 50kph. Where as the much faster 500cc Das bike riders are sometimes struggling.

SO HOW HAVE YOU GOT ON???

Thanks from Alex at

http://www.ROADRIDER.co.uk

'For the ride of your life'

[7755matt]

I took my test under the new style. To be honest I'd read all the bad press and the hype about how its dangerous etc etc.

The instructr I had (Nick @ RJH in congleton) was brilliant. He explained what was involved, showed the spacings and gaps used and had us praticing the manouvers as best he could.

When I got there it was a breeze. I was really surprised at how 'easy' it was, and teh swerve and emergency stop, that everyone had hyped as being evil, was the easiest part. The centre we used had the special tarmac in teh relevant areas so even though it was a damp day the test area was brilliant.

I was there with another learner doing his Mod1 so I satyed and watched a few. It seemed to me that the ones who were struggling with the speed manoubers were fixating on the speed trap, getting through it and immediately shutting the throttle before the swerve.

Id love to be able to use an area like that after the test to see how far over it will go and so on, get used to more of the bike control now I have a few miles under my belt.

Anyone worried about Mod1 really shouldnt. I really enjoyed it. As for mod2 that wasnt so enjoyable, Friday morning rush hour around streets I'd never ridden in Hyde :( Still, a pass is a pass :D

[kellyjo]

Hi Alex,

I passed in July at Peterborough. I had no problem with getting test dates as my trainer block books well in advance and the test centre is in the town so no problems there for me either. However, since then there has apparently been a huge increase in numbers of trainees outside the area (up to 50-60 miles away) using up test spaces as they dont have nearer centres meaning local people are now having to wait much longer.
It took me a few attempts at mod1, the first time i kicked a cone coming into the bend before the swerve (no, i dont know how i managed it either :-)) then i totally stuffed my E stop at the next attempt due to nerves, kicked the swerve cone on the next and passed with no minors on the next, thank god!! It seems mad to me that you have to wait 3 days inbetween though as problems can be easily corrected with little training, i should have passed first time!
Mod 2 was straightforward, and tested my riding in traffic, on fast dual carriageways and twisty country roads, i ended up with only one minor cos i tried to pull away in 2nd gear, doh!! But having passed i did feel confident that i could handle whatever the roads would throw at me.

I took both parts on an ER5 and had no problem with reaching required speeds, and i also took my first mod1 when it was pi$$ing down, but at no time did that feel dangerous - i had been well trained and well prepared. As far as im concerned those who have had accidents have not had enough training and its probably just aswell they failed cos they probably didnt have good enough control to be on the road anyway. At least they were tested in a controlled environment away fron traffic, pedestrians and other hazards.

Theres been a lot of negative press about the new 2 part test but i feel that as a result of such extensive testing my slow control is very good, and my road riding safe.

As i said previously, my trainer was well organised with his booking system and always had both mod1 and 2's available at short notice, and always timed tests so any failures and cancellations didnt mean losing cash, its already expensive enough as you know!

Thats just my experience, hope it helps!!!

[Noble Ox]

Its easy. Had no lessons and passed fine. The thing that gets most people (and me at first) was the idea that the emergency stop must be completed in no less than 6 foot! Now in the wet being this enthusiastic garantees a lock up and a fail. People need to realise that its not the distance thats the key, its stopping in a safe manner. Youve got so much room in which to stop theres no need to be so harsh on brakes. I think with the speed issue is that if youre on a 125 you just rag the living s*it out of it in 2nd gear - 99% of time your just over the speed required. So its easyer to judge.

Other than locking up its pretty basic stuff and if people are continously failing... well they should get the message!!

Although saying that I think the whole new test is a farce!!! Sorry if im being rude, I have strong opinions on the matter, especially the complete scamming of good peoples hard earned money! but thats a different story altogther!

[madnlooney]

Took mine about a month ago. It was down in burgess hill. mod1 was fine and i do think the swerve was an over hype which did make me nervous but after doing it there isnt anything to worry about. Also while down there i saw a couple of people fail for not stopping in the box after the swerve as they concentrated on doing that then slow to brake over shooting it. Mod2 for me was fine although tipping down with rain. i guess it takes alot of pressure off as the maneuvers are all done well except for pulling in save spot and hill starts.

[RobH13]

I'm another who also took the new test, however i binned mod 1 twice on the U-turn :rolleyes:, purely down to leaving the second life saver until the last seconds then trying to turn when i was of balance.

Never had a issue with the swerve. I took my test in Macc, the centre there can only be setup to do a right handed swerve. It's amost possible to do it without a swerve if the angles are right.

I was just told to open the throttle, when coming of the turn and keep it in second. Recorded speeds of 53-59kph and that was 3 each for swerve and E stop.

Rob

[hindle8907]

I did mine at atherton and passed first time on a 125cc found it a doddle tbh then did my mod2 a week later and passed that first time also .
It was a bit danutin all the cones everywhere but once it was explained found it quite enjoyable.

[Jonjo123]

First post so hey everyone.

I actually found this new test far far easier than the old one (which I failed twice).

The swerve test is really not hard at all. You can almost take it straight, don't believe MCNs rubbish lol! Like you say the hardest bit is reaching the required speed but I found by ignoring what speed I was going and simply wrenching the throttle open I was going through at about 55Kph.

The U turn is easier too, 7 metres is plenty of room.

Module 2 was easier for me as with the U-Turn out of the way I could take it on my bike (i couldn't do a u-turn on it so save my life) so I was much more comfortable.

As you run a school the biggest tip I can give you is to make sure your students are on good, reliable easy bikes and preferably the exact same one they have been training on. The school I was with was excellent on training but come test day they would shove me on this AJS 125 commuter whose speedo conked out on the way back from the test.

[RedMacgregor]

Hi Alex - took my Mod 1 & 2 both in July and passed both. The Mod 1 test centre was in Birmingham adjacent to B'ham airport and the main London train line so plenty of distractions from planes coming in to land just over your head and high speed trains blasting by at 125mph. I found the test area so much larger than the car park I'd been trained on and the tarmac much grippier. No real problems except nerves.

Mod 2 was done in Redditch and as luck would have it the examiner turned up in a car. I'm sure he couldn't see everything that was going on control wise as he was not always directly behind me. Still I'm not complaining if I benefited from him being in a car. Nearly 2 months down the road my confidence in the SV gets better everyday.

Anyone thinking of taking a Mod 1 test should not be put of by stories regarding the swerve test - it's so much easier on their grippy tarmac.

[hindle8907]

Thats a really good comment by jonjo123 making sure your pupils have the same bike is really important.
i was on the same bike for every day training and then on the pratical i was on a totaly diffrent bike which put me off alot .

[pms jones]

Took my cbt on the Monday,mod 1 on the Thursday than mod 2 on the Friday. Think its better having the two tests now.

[beabert]

Hi Alex - took my Mod 1 & 2 both in July and passed both. The Mod 1 test centre was in Birmingham adjacent to B'ham airport and the main London train line so plenty of distractions from planes coming in to land just over your head and high speed trains blasting by at 125mph. I found the test area so much larger than the car park I'd been trained on and the tarmac much grippier. No real problems except nerves.

Mod 2 was done in Redditch and as luck would have it the examiner turned up in a car. I'm sure he couldn't see everything that was going on control wise as he was not always directly behind me. Still I'm not complaining if I benefited from him being in a car. Nearly 2 months down the road my confidence in the SV gets better everyday.

Anyone thinking of taking a Mod 1 test should not be put of by stories regarding the swerve test - it's so much easier on their grippy tarmac.

+ 1 passed same places in july, it was a silly place to put the offroad course.

[Nostrils]

Thats a really good comment by jonjo123 making sure your pupils have the same bike is really important.
i was on the same bike for every day training and then on the pratical i was on a totaly diffrent bike which put me off alot .

I passed on the old system but have to agree that for me, using the same bike helped my confidence - it was my request (perhaps superstition) instead of a newly delivered bike being offered on the morning of the test.

[LK-SV]

I've taken the new test ..... passed both parts in one day, and with ZERO faults all day !!!

[sookie]

A wee bit off-topic and a very big "up" to all passing their tests but please remember, people, that even the eldest most experienced riders still learn things and improve their riding, safety etc. almost every day.

[sv-robo]

Nope,passed mine just after my 17th birthday(1988...........jeez 21yrs ago,i must be getting old