Posted: 07-March-2010 at 17:59 | IP Logged

Well pretty much as it says in the title, I failed my module 1 for the second time today.

Im not quite sure what I did on the swerve but I think i turned too late because I was still straightening up very late on and only my back wheel stopped in the box. Last time it was because I pulled the clutch in too early on the emergency stop and had a bit (ok a lot) of a wobble.

I was far more nervous today than last time and my figure of 8 was PAINFULLY slow. Not sure whether to have another go or leave it for a while and reassess the situation?

Posted: 08-March-2010 at 10:57 | IP Logged

Thanks. I do have a bike (bought a cbr125 about a month ago) but Im also training to be a teacher at the minute. It seems that teacher training and having a life are mutually exclusive! Im trying to ride to school whenever Ive not got loads of books to carry and put in extra hours during the week so I can go out at weekends.

My instructors want me to have another go on sunday but im not so sure. Was thinking a might just take a time out.

Just wondering if anyone has any advice, do i get straight back in the saddle and to the test centre or was all this a really bad idea?

Posted: 08-March-2010 at 18:51 | IP Logged

I'd say get back in the saddle, get as much practice as you can - lighter evenings good, cold weather not so much... take your time and practice heaps, then go back to the test centre when YOU'RE READY for it - it's probably the worst thing, to be rushed into something before you're prepared, and this is serious stuff, you don't want to be getting railroaded into something that you're just not prepared for. If you're almost forced into it, you may fail again due more to nerves than anything else, and it could start to seriously demoralise you and you lose the joy in riding becase it's not so much fun...

Take your time, you make the call when you want to.

That's just my 2p worth...

Posted: 09-March-2010 at 17:13 | IP Logged

Boadicea wrote: Yep get back in the saddle, don't be put off.  Keep at it and you will succeed.  It does not matter how many times you do it, and in any case it's all experience (although costly). I did mine before all the changes but I failed twice and third time lucky.  I think it also depends on who is the examiner. Keep going.

I totaly agree with Boadicea, I was the same passed 3rd time, but I would have passed 1st  time had I got the last examiner on my 1st test!!  On my 1st one I got 2 minors, but failed on my u turn, because he took me into a tiny rd on.....wait for it ...a hill!!!!   The examiner I got 3rd time said he never uses that rd!!  What an !!

After failing I almost gave up after falling off doing a u turn in that rd (hubby was worried I would get the same examiner next time & he would take me back to the same rd) so made me go back there and practice, the more I tried, the more I couldnt do it, in the end I dropped the bike in the middle of the rd, cutting my leg and snapping the brake leaver!!  I had already booked another test, but in tears went home and cancelled it.  I just enjoyed riding for a couple of months to get my confidence back then put in for my test again! 

You will get there in the end,  just try to relax and enjoy riding.

Good luck with whatever you decide

Carol xx

Posted: 09-March-2010 at 20:26 | IP Logged

Sorry to hear it didn't go your way this time. Try and get a bit more practice in to build your confidence. I used to practice my U-turns in a big carpark on a quiet sunday morning. Don't worry yourself too much though. I did much the same as Spooks, practicing my U-turns on a really difficult road which used to be used on the old test (if you were unluckly enough to get that spot), and in the end I just wound myself up and shredded my nerves to pieces instead. Also dropping the bike. What I really needed to do was chill out!

If you can't find any time to practice then leave it until you can. If you can get a ride in every day, and do some slow speed riding each time then you will rapidly be ready to try again. Whether you decide to try again soon, or postpone it till later, just be sure to have fun!

Posted: 10-March-2010 at 09:08 | IP Logged

I agree GET BACK IN THE SADDLE

my instructor put me in for my 3rd test then phoned me to tell me when it was the day before...best thing he could have done...............I passed

Posted: 10-March-2010 at 10:50 | IP Logged

well I rode to school today. Its the first time ive been out since I failed and it felt ok. I will hopefully go for a ride out after school tonight. My test is re-booked for the 21st and my instructors have decided that now I only have to pay the £15 test fee and not for there time....

did anyone else find the test process so completely demoralising?

Ive also had my instructors and (only) friend who rides say im not allowed out with them until i go faster

Posted: 10-March-2010 at 20:06 | IP Logged

Going faster comes with confidence. I was like a snail on my CBT and the instructor keep telling me to get up speed but it felt sooooo fast, even riding slowly! Once I was out on my L plates on my own I tried to ride a little faster. This involved taking corners about as quickly as an 80 yr old granny who drives a metro once a year. I was quite disappointed at my speed as I had expected to be getting my knee down and going 80mph like all the other bikers that overtook me. However, the more miles I got under my belt, the more confident I grew and the speed came naturally. Now I am proud to be able to take bends faster than I can in my car.

So my big piece of advice would be TRY NOT TO WORRY!  It will be nerves that are keeping you from picking up speed. Don't let other people pressure you, and don't put pressure on yourself. Everything will come in time.

Posted: 10-March-2010 at 21:54 | IP Logged

Hi Amy

Sorry to hear you didn't get the pass this time.  Don't give up!  I would say though, if you are on teaching placement at the moment, definitely shelve the mod 1 until you've completed that, you have enough on your plate at the moment (i have a 3rd  year in my classroom!)  Enjoy your runs to and fro school and build up confidence that way.  Take an alternative route home at the end of a stressful day and just try and enjoy the bike.  Once your practice is complete, start thinking about the mod 1 again.   On the plus side the kids will think you are "well cool" being a biking teacher!!!

PS No you're not allowed a life when you're on your placement!  In fact, your life gets shelved until the holidays in this job... we binge-work!!

Posted: 11-March-2010 at 08:09 | IP Logged

Sabi: binge-work! thats an amazing phrase! Traning to teach is just such an emotional rollercoaster, add to that the rollercoaster that is learning to ride and I just feel exhausted constantly, i want my life back! The only consolation is that the highs are amazing.

I am booked back in for my test on sunday 21st. My instructors arent charging me for their time on the test days anymore because im on my own bike. It shouldnt matter but money is always an issue so it wont feel like such an enormous waste if i do fail again.

Also my instructor has offered to take me out next week after school for free, im not sure why but im not going to argue! I think that will help my confidence, riding with him makes me feel much more at ease

Posted: 12-March-2010 at 09:16 | IP Logged

Ooooh sounds good

With the speed thing Amy, like everyone has said, just take it in your own time.  I was much the same on my 125.  Hubby used to moan all the time that I didnt go fast enough or overtake enough!  But it is just confidence, and I think lack of power on the 125!   Once I got my big bike my confidence just grew and I felt much better going faster and overtaking.  Like Rhapsody I was really nervous of corners and would slow up quite a lot (p*ssing off the car drivers behind me)  But believe me it will come for you.  Good luck for the 21st

Carol x

Posted: 13-March-2010 at 19:11 | IP Logged

Don't give up! I was awful when I started and just felt like packing in but I'm so glad I didn't - it felt so good when I eventually passed it! Do you ever get to practice in the actual test ground? I found that it helped me a lot. Now for the Mod2..  Anyway, good luck for the 21st!