As Green As They Come

So the crusade lost a battle today...

Failed the mod one...

Tough one today. Trained all morning in the rain, then had to ride 60 miles to wheaton to do the test, by the time we got there I was so cold and wet could hardly hold the bars.. had to do the test straight away and my left hand cramped, slipped the clutch, put my foot down on the figure eight... did the rest perfect.. but its a fail.

rode back in the rain...

I have to say despite the fail it was awesome riding on the big bike on the motorway and being able to move on it.

Simbo, thanks for the knees on the tank thing.. made a huge difference to yesterday and by moving my left hand further out I had that clutch control sorted.. too bad it cramped.

Any we may lose a battle as long as we win the war! On with the crusade.

And thanks to all for the good luck .. and yeah funny one Morgan.. knees down

Bad luck Justyn, Onwards and upwards! hopefully you'll get a better day for it next time 

Justyn you will get there, for or even second time fails are not unusual. A good rider could fail under test conditions a number of times, while a shite rider passes first time. Keep at it, you'll get there & when you do it'll feel lie a lottery win.

Good luck next time, you will do it and it will be well worth it

don't let it get you down keep at it

Don't worry Justyn ..... move forwards from this experience - it will help you to secure your goal.... & as all the others say - best of luck for next time - hope the weather is kinder for you too !

  Yam

Put it behind you it's not a fail it's experience, go and nail it next time.

As others have said, just put it down to experience. I failed my MOD2, I was on a bike I was not used to  coming up a slip road to join a Dual Carriageway, looked over my right shoulder to make sure it was clear to join and nearly ran into the back of the vehicle in front of me. Shall not be doing that again!!
Good luck, relax and try to enjoy it. When I re-took my MOD2 the examiner congratulated me on a very nice ride when he said I had passed. I put it down to nerves the first time and relaxing the second time.

I feel your pain Justyn! Onwards and upwards it will be worth it in the long run.

Very sad to read of your news Justyn Sir, better luck next time. Just put it down to experience, next time you will do it.

Unlucky mate. Next time you'll be fine.

Keep your pecker up Justyn as next time wont be so bad mate. Try taking another pair of gloves with you wrapped in a plastic bag under your jacket covering your chest for 2 reasons. 1 they will be dry if your others get soaked & 2 they will keep the cold off your chest a little also.
Best luck for next time ok!

To all of the above..

Thanks for the words of encouragement... needed that today... Looking forward to the next one. Hoping to rebook this week sometime.  Also want to switch to a Suzuki gladys. I was on a Honda and was never comfortable on the bars. Say on my mates suzi and felt  a lot better... also booking in Oxford this time so no exposition to he'll. .. cheers 

Looking forward to riding with you all one day.

Oh yes learnt another lesson today. .. went out to my bike this morning and it was totally frozen up.. wouldn't even turn over.. just frozen solid... missed the train... had to stick it in the sun and wait for it to thaw out before it would start... 

I forgot  to dry and cover it last night.. lesson learnt.. but it was a good laugh in the end...

Good idea Peter.. thanks

Hi Justyn, sorry to hear about your test results,as others have said use it as an experience,next time you will know what to expect,and hopefully the weather will be a bit better for you.

Afternoon guys and gal,

Took my second Mod 1 today,

The crusade won the battle.. Passed.. Perfect..

Was so much more comfortable on the bike. Just rode it. Really happy. Thanks to all for the little tips they all helped. With a bit of luck I can do my mod 2 this coming week. Can't say how stoked I am. This crusade is nearing Jerusalem.. just the final battle.

Happy days.

Congratulations Justyn 

Well done Justyn  another step along the way

Well done.

Well done that man 

Congrats Spaniard, thou hast fared well! Tis time to partake of some refreshment methinks!

  ... Well done Justyn - sounds like a    ..... all the best for that final push

 Yam

well done mate good luck on the next step wont be long till your

Thy end of thy quest is nigh brave night ..... Now ya just need to get past this !

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mjEcj8KpuJw

Well done that man, good on you.

Well done Justyn.

Sim, Alan, Jeff, Peter, Skid, Yam, Morgan, Mick, Dave, Alfie

Thanks to all for the words.

Been riding Oxford flat on the pony learning the routes for the Mod 2.

Mick - pissed myself laughing at that video clip . I haven't seen it in years, love it. It JUST a flesh wound... kinda worrying how the black knight looks similar to my profile image... Good old Monty Python.

oh and it looks like its gonna drop to -3 on Monday here. Joy. Any specifics for riding in the snow if it comes? I dont have a choice if it does.

Well done fella

Just take your time Justyn easy throttle little brake if any at all, in fact let the engine do most of it & look a lot longer in front & don't always drive in the car tracks as they get polished with ice & there is often grit in the centre of the road ok. Best of luck young un!

Thanks Peter,

Question if the tire tracks are iced and the sump line is grit.. where the heck am I supposed to ride..lol

NOT ON YOUR EAR thats where! LOL!

I'd have thought they'd have cancelled if snow fell?

Normally do Sim.

hahaha yeah someone said to keep upright no mater what. But I was referring to riding to the station in the week as my car is in the garage, don't know if its worth fixing and I have to go in on the bike every day.. with amazing British weather predicted!!

Hi if you have no choice but ride in the snow,one good tip is to remember to try and keep both feet on the pegs,you will get a better feel and balance on the bike,you are not in a speedway ring.Failing that you could always use the horse.(No offence ment.)

Thats a shitter, better luck next time matey

So here is a question.. cos I get two answers... coming out if a round about.. Life saver  to the left or the right? Clearly if you on the inside changing lanes then left but on a single or double on the outside lane exiting.. left or right?

I'd have thought you did a 'Life Saver' according to the direction of the maneuver, ie, turning/moving to the left,  left shoulder, turning/moving to the right , right shoulder, so as your leaving a roundabout to the left, it will be left shoulder, to check nothing is coming up your inside.

  to Sim's wise words .... life saver to direction of manoeuver .... so leaving a roundabout it would be left ..... BUT if leaving on a roundabout exit which is a dual carriageway is trickier & depends on you positioning on the roundabout as that is also likely to be a two laner .... but basically it is to the left as you leave. You may find yourself exiting into the left hand lane of the dual carriageway & the traffic in that lane is slower than you anticipated - you then need to check to the right before changing lanes. ..... & don't get carried away with overlong life savers & end up running into slower moving traffic in front of you !!!!!!

Many bikers will say 'life-savers' are common sense ..... but as many an accident investigator will tell you  .... the trouble with common sense is that it isn't that common !

The main thing is don't push your luck .... but do enjoy your ride.

Cheers  Yam

Thanks. I think it was the dual round abouts that were getting me. Yes logical to check direction going in but instructor kept telling me to check right when leaving left out the round about but thinking about it it was always on a dual round about. Git my mod 2 tomorrow. It's either gonna be a great weekend with the new m800 or a crap y one on the 125... We will see

.

Yes Justyn .... I think the instructor is trying to remind you on a 2 lane roundabout/exit, you need to be aware of both right & left - but it is left first to check nothing is coming up your 'inside' so it is safe to make that move - but then a secondary check to your right to see there is nothing immediately behind you (can be a 'blind spot' ) invading your 'safety space.
There is a riding/driving concept of maintaining a safety space around you - it is all about you monitoring that space and making adjustments when other road users compromise YOUR safety space (usually by 'invading' it). If you have done the secondary 'right' life saver - you will know if you have clear space to move into the right hand lane if the left hand lane is going slower than you anticipated etc.
Hope you get out on the M800 !

Cheers  Yam

Brilliant. Thanks Yam

SO the crusade continues..

Failed my mod 2 today.. left my indicator on past a side road.. it must have been 20feet after the turn.. was a hectic test.. heavy traffic, small roads, a hundred turns and then I left the bloody indicator on once ...

well miffed at the moment.. they even had my M800 prepped for me to pick up..now got to wait two weeks before can take it again...

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

Been there, done that........... stick at it Justyn

Sorry to hear you failed,dont get to angry with yourself,in two weeks time you will be riding your new machine.

That's a shitter Justyn   , Good luck for the next one 

Sorry to see you have not passed, keep the faith and all will be good in the end.

Oh mate, that is pure shit.

Gutted. ..

But onto the next one...

Guess there is a reason bikers are only 2.6% of the drivers on the road...