Module 2 - Diary

[UK Bike Forum Member]

Module 2

…. this is the next instalment of my “adventures” leading up to and when the time comes taking my Module 2 motorbike test.


Practice Day 1

It was in my late teens that I saw the scene and I can remember it vividly still, deep blue waves smashing into jagged rocks, a virgin beach hugging the coastline and a long deserted road snaking alongside, all topped off by a glorious deep red sunset. The place was California although I forget the exact location. It is this image that always triggers my desire to ride, I imagine jumping on the bike, opening the throttle and lapping up the miles, sun on my back, until I pull over at a motel or even just camp on the beach, freedom, heaven…. It is also this image that enters my mind as I pull off the M4 this morning (Fri 7th May 2010) rushing on my way to meet my Instructor and Valentino for our first full day’s Module 2 practise session (big thanks to instructor for making it a full day .. cheers K.). The California sun has disappeared to be replaced with the grey, overcast and industrial site that is Newport; but hey I’m about to get back on the Big Bikes and hopefully finish the first part to getting the freedom and escapism biking will bring…

Having lost out twice to Valentino on the ‘arrive early, impress instructor with keenness’ on my Module 1, I decide to arrive about 20 mins early… unfortunately for some reason every man and his dog have decided not only to rebel against the usual 9 to 5 and arrive in work later today, but to also take the well known M4 – Tredegar exit as their delaying road of choice. I pull up bang on our half 9 start to find Valentino huddled over an A4 ring binder swotting up on Show Me, Tell Me Module 2 questions (note to self: bring apple on Tuesday!). Ha Ha, I win, I win; Tinternet Wizz as I am has already downloaded these and memorised them; I’ve even gone to the stage of not allowing myself to eat or switch on the tv until I successfully answer at least 1 Show Me, Tell Me question. And as an added bonus, they are also a surprisingly good delaying mechanism for any love making sessions; word to the wise though .. best not express verbally “Pump the Pillion” when getting carried away in the moment trying to multitask answering “what would you adjust when carrying a pillion or load” and shagging!

Anyway… after a few questions from our instructor and some helpful demonstrations we are onto the bikes and ready for our first days Mod2 practice. The obligatory lifesavers are carried out before we move onto the main roads and face the Mensa test that is the roundabout layouts of Newport. Christ no wonder lifesavers and “check your blindspot” are drilled into you .. “stay in left hand lane to go right”, “straight on is to the right”, “pull over if it is safe to do so, else go round the roundabout again” … these words echo in ours ears as we orbit the McDonalds roundabout, praying for a gap in the traffic to pull off whilst simultaneously working out what is in that 99p McFlurry!

Having successfully negotiated Roundabout number 1, its off into the more condensely populated areas of Newport, going over some of the test routes … it is at this point that we hit the second biggest issue with Newport roads and that is they are bloody busy, way too busy for a Friday morning, God haven’t they got work to go to! It appears that everyone who happened to take the M4 – Tredegar delaying road have also decided to park on any free gap on the side of the road. This First Come First Served parking strategy doesn’t help when it comes to our Module 2 runs. The quant let of making progress and when to go versus the Number 52 City Centre bus, is a skill I will surely never get. Nevertheless a quick mirror and lifesaver and we head forwards, the instructor giving wise words of encouragement and desperately needed assistance when we hesitate. A few more miles and some busy junctions later, our “Who Dares Wins” attitude to oncoming traffic appears to be working, just have to remember if its small enough gap for a car, do it but go slower … my mind wanders back to love making and tactics for some reason…

Next we hit a set of traffic lights on a hill, bloody Newport council, don’t they know I’ll have to not only do a hill start but also slow control turn, followed by a quick right turn which the instructor throws at us, all with traffic behind me and coming towards me. In all fairness the Council have put on a couple of dedicated lanes, but alas the 9 to 5 rebels have parked in them. Lights on red, think, think, look in mirrors you haven’t done that for 5 seconds, look man, look…. Now what, oh yeah, look at lights have they changed, no, good, now mirrors again, yep they’re still there … now look at her, yep that’s reason number 2 for getting the bike, attract the ladies by not being a 9 to 5er, a reb…. shit lights have gone to green , damn, damn front brake, clutch in stamp on gear, bit of throttle, release clutch, shit lifesaver, lifesaver … I lurge forward, throwing the bike to the left, yep that impressed her, Easy Rider my arse! Shit right, right lifesaver, indicator man, good, move over to right, phew cars coming so can stop and compose myself. Ignore woman, focus, focus, shit mirrors, mirrors, any cars coming, no, lifesaver and right turn. Yes, yes, no problems there, if that didn’t impress her nothing will!

It is at this point that I now realise that the right turn leads onto a bloody mountain and yes the voice from above directs us to pull over when safe on the left hand side. God a hill start, ok, I can do this, I have done this plenty of times without problem. Unfortunately this time its an angled start from behind a nearby car, now what did instructor do, oh yea, rotate all of your body and look behind you, also look well ahead and when safe Go for it! Back brake, clutch in, select first, throttle, release clutch, get biting point, release back brake .. now that’s how its supposed to go and not a roll backwards and a mad dash for anything that can stop a 200kg Kawasaki on K2.

We move on and after copious swerves past road bumps and traffic calming measures … a strange concept which doesn’t calm traffic, but annoys motorists and pisses on the environment! (bit of politics there!) … we arrive in Asda’s car park. I must state at this point and apologise for my total lack of direction and for not taking the turns as instructed to .. it wasn’t a ploy to only take easier bends, but a genuine mistake (well that’s my story!). Must admit the instructors “cancel the indicator rider number 2, he’s gone straight on” did make me chuckle.

After some light refreshments, its back to the testing centre for a mock test. For some reason the nerves come flooding back and I nearly fail and haven’t got out onto the main road yet … what is it about me and practical tests! “Pull over on the left please when safe to do so” .. indicate left, look for safe place, not by the junction and avoiding Carls Burgers “Probably the best burgers in Wales” van, we pull up. “Pull away when ready”, right lifesaver, engage first and pull off, shit no indicator, is that a fail, damn, damn, 3 mins into test and its all over. Shit, no no don’t do it again and it will be a driver fault, concentrate “He Who Dares”…

We then go through some magic roundabouts and into a weird 20mph “optional/if you fancy it” road, leading onto a “30mph” limit and then .. damn, damn, where’s the speed limit signs gone, oh for God’s sake, Newport council can design a traffic island that you can turn left and right on from both the left and right hand sides, but run out of bloody speed limit signs. Ok, what’s highway code say. See many lampposts, must be 30, that’s it I’ll do 30 .. oh wait, instructor and Valentino have slowed down, ah be cunning and slow down, no wait they’re slowing down for that speed bump … this fortunately slows me down when I hit speed bump set number 2, well get to 20mph any which way you can!

After some more junctions and a hill start we head back to the test centre. Hold it together, some more lifesavers, mirrors all the way and we’re back. I realise we’ve failed when we’re not asked any pillion questions .. “I’m sorry to tell you, but you’ve been unsuccessful in your test”; shit, shit shit, I thought I’d done alright, fair play playing chicken with Maude and Alice on the zebra crossing wasn’t the best idea, but I was making progress…

We then drive solemnly back to the training school and after a debrief are told to relax, have a nice chilled out weekend and forget about today’s mishaps … I jump back into the car and drive home, leaving grey Newport behind and as it appears my California dreams (god that sounds shite, but hey its nearly half 11!!).

Back for second day of practice on Tuesday … hope I do better this time…

[UK Bike Forum Member]

Great report Stuey, it will all come together in the next few lessons and you will breeze the test, on a serious note though did you manage to find out  what was in the Mc Flurry nom nom nom

[UK Bike Forum Member]

 

[UK Bike Forum Member]

Nice one, thanks Keith 

Hey I passed!!!! First time, two minors .... the grin hasn't left my face all day 

Be prepared for a raft of questions about the first big bike to get, maintenance advice and how to become a better rider.!

[UK Bike Forum Member]

  well done its a great feeling i couldnt wait to get my first big bike, just get what you want as long as you dont go mad you will be fine    

[UK Bike Forum Member]

Nice one, thanks Keith 

Hey I passed!!!! First time, two minors .... the grin hasn't left my face all day 

Be prepared for a raft of questions about the first big bike to get, maintenance advice and how to become a better rider.!

Welldone  Stuey great news   

Now get yourself booked on one of Pope's knee down school classes......................

[UK Bike Forum Member]

 

well done - safe riding

[UK Bike Forum Member]

  well done Stu!!

[UK Bike Forum Member]

Nice one, thanks Keith 

Hey I passed!!!! First time, two minors .... the grin hasn't left my face all day 

Be prepared for a raft of questions about the first big bike to get, maintenance advice and how to become a better rider.!

GREAT isn't it? WELL DONE                

[UK Bike Forum Member]

Superb, nice one mate 

[UK Bike Forum Member]

Thanks all ...  still grinning 

[UK Bike Forum Member]

Well done stuey great news 

[UK Bike Forum Member]

Stuey my hat comes off to you kind Sir that was one hell of a report & I don't know how I missed it first time around

I really enjoyed reading it, You should think of writing for a living

& great news on the pass 

So what bike you getting then?

[UK Bike Forum Member]

Well done Stuey 

I'm with Stig on this one, full write up on each bike you test ride please! 

[UK Bike Forum Member]

Thanks Stig/Yoyo, very much appreciate the comments, pleased I haven't bored everyone 

As for first big bike, well I really like the Triumph Street Triple, unfortunately its well out of my price range, but it looks so good and has had some very good reviews ... I can see why they hold their value so much!

I'm also finding that due to all the theiving gits deciding to live in my neighbourhood the insurance quotes I'm getting on new(ish) bikes are high (and the excess is usually a minimum of about £400-£500!); hence am lowering my expectations 

In fact I wouldn't mind some advice about this, as its my first big bike I'm getting insurance quotes on a fully comp basis, reasoning that my lack of experience or arrogance will cause accidents/drops and hence I'll cover myself too. You think getting fully comp for first big bike a good idea or go with Third Party Fire & Theft (I'm looking at a 5+ year old bike)?

Anyway forgetting the Street Tripple, I'm looking at some sort of Sports Tourer (will be doing a good few miles/week, but want something sporty and fun too). Currently the shortlist is:

• 1. Honda CB600 Hornet
• 2. Honda CBF600N
• 3. Suzuki GSX 650F
• 4. Suzuki SV650
• 5. Yamaha Fz6/FZS600 Fazer
• 6. Yamaha XJ6 Diversion

- also been told to look out for Honda VFR800
Can you/anyone recommend a big from the above?
I'm looking to spend around £3000-£3500, so if anyone knows of some decent ones ,please let me know

Due to the insurance and me not having a clue about motorbikes, I'm looking at bikes based more on age than miles (hence about 5-8 years old); not sure this is the right approach though. Also based on lack of knowledge I'm leaning more to a dealer than private purchase, is this a good or bad thing (suppose I get some form of warranty from a dealer???)..