Mod 1 on Thursday

[DomP]

I've got my mod 1 in Newport on Thursday, feeling mildly confident. Any tips/advice that may help? Obviously my instructors have given me all the help I need but just in case there are any 'non instructor' tips.

On the subject of Newport, what's it like for mod 2? I've learnt in Hereford so I'd imagine it's going to be easy different.

Don't drop the bike... Haha
Relaxing is very important, if you get stressed and worked up you tend to make mistakes.
Don't try to rush through, take your time and listen to what your instructor. I learnt that with car driving, I was al alright driver before having lessons (after years of driving round a private field) but I've listened to my instructor and I feel like a much better and safer driver now.

Good luck

[DomP]

That's the risk I suppose, nervous energy.

As you're learning no one's going to expect you to be perfect (otherwise you wouldn't be learning would you?) Knowing that should help cos a lot of nerves come from being afraid of making mistakes

[DomP]

Thanks mate that makes complete sense

Good friend of mine is a DAS instructor, and i hear plenty of stories....I actually redid my test 3 years ago, as i'd not been on a bike in over 10 years, and wasn't prepared to "throw a leg over and just hoon it"

People usually fail Mod1 for one of 4 reasons.

1. Nerves, gets you every time. Once you've turned the bike around in the green cones, sit on it, get your head clear, and your nerves out of the way before you do the slalom / figure 8. It helps. The instructor will give you all the time you need, so don't feel rushed.

2. Not enough revs/too little clutch resulting in putting your foot down. No revs, the bike starts to drop in one of the turns, and down goes your foot, you fail. Keep your revs up and haul the bike around the slow stuff on the clutch. U turn is a good example of this.

3. Observations. The Mod1 is designed so if you don't look at all, you'll fail. Do your look around observations before every manouvre.

4. Speed through the trap. There is a natural inclination to either not go fast enough, or to roll the throttle off early before the speed trap. While you're out training practice gunning the bike in 2nd gear til you're doing 35mph. Learn what the engine sounds like at that speed. As you come off the banking on the test, pin 2nd gear til it sounds right (you won't have time to look down). Even if you roll off a little you should be doing 50km/h give or take the 2kmh allowance. Stops you becoming a member of the "47km/h club" and having to take another stab at it.

This should greatly improve your chances.

HTH.

The reason I failed my first one was on the emergency brake, I locked the back wheel up pretty good (Blue smoke, it was epic)

I learned that its easier to just cover the rear brake with your foot and do 80% - 90% braking with the front.

[DomP]

Yep nerves are my biggest threat I think, I've been doing it all fine in practice.

[Kenzie]

Don't go in on an empty stomach.

[DomP]

Well I passed today! Pleased about that but I did some real stupid stuff riding around Newport having pretty much never been there before. Some of it in embarrassed to even think about. Still in going with the idea that it's better done now than in two weeks in my test