Mod 2 Test Tip - Gears

[philshaq]

Hi guys,


Got my MOD 2 test on Tuesday this week, I've been learning on an ER6n, which  has a really long (bordering on ridiculous) throw from 3rd down to 2nd and 2nd to 1st, I've got used to it but the method I use takes a little longer hence my question;


Example of a 40mph zone, travelling along in 6th gear, approaching a junction / red light.


Is it acceptable to down-shift before breaking if approaching a junction / sequential change down a couple of gears and then just knock it down the gears from say 4th to first without engaging the clutch if you know you have to stop. (does that make sense!?)


The alternative is to use a lower gear (4th / 5th) to enable me to have enough time to get down through the gears sequentially while using the engine braking.


(by sequential I mean - down a gear - engage clutch to bite point - down a gear - engage to bite point - etc as opposed to clutch in, down all gears while coasting up to the stopping point with the clutch disengaged)


I'm pretty much confident of everything else, and would be 100% happy if I had a better gear box! but its too close to my test date to swap the bike really...


Thanks in advance for all the helpful / piss taking responses to my clearly green riding skills!!


Phil

[rustyrider]

What are you doing in 6th at 40mph?  No higher than 4th I would have said (or 2nd in real life!).

DON'T coast with the clutch in.  No idea about Mod 2 or any of these other new tests but it's an instant fail in a car test and you have hardly any control.  Not a problem changing down and using engine braking (not breaking unless you really are going to break something) before using the brakes.  Change down as far as second then as you are about to stop, clutch in and down into first.  I mean, just before, as you are stopping.  You could even leave it in second, stop and then select first but you could have  have a problem engaging a gear when completely stationary or forget to change down and then try to pull away in second.

[philshaq]

Cheers rusty, the instructors have been telling us to use all the gears 1st for slow speed, 2nd and 3rd for acceleration and 4/5/6 for holding road speed.


I agree with the none coasting tip, but just can't practically imagine (and haven't been able to in practice) going down 6 gears and effectively using engine braking in the majority of them in the space it takes to slow a bike down in the example I've given.


I'll probably just do what comes naturally and that will probably be what you suggested and using a lower gear so I don't have to concentrate so much on the downshifts!


Any other suggestions?

[Buzz]

According to http://www.gearingcommander.com the ER6n is at 2850 rpm at 40mph in 6th....seems way to low to be of any use.

3rd would give you 4750 rpm at the same speed which would be much more responsive.
I really only use 4th/5th/6th on the fast bits...but what do I know, I've only been riding for 3 months myself  :lol

[AdieR]

Personally I tend to use engine braking mostly and go down gears as necessary, using brakes as little as possible. I also use 6th in 30 / 40 zones in town to keep revs down (the joys of 5.30am start at work). If you're on a test, use your brakes slightly more, even if only lightly (so your examiner can see the brake light).

The key point is anticipating - if you're coming up to a situation, set your speed so that if possible you can keep rolling (or at least, minimise any waiting) - if you can see up ahead that lights are on green, account for the fact they might be back on red by the time you get to them (so that you don't rush up and brake heavily at the last seconds). Likewise at junctions (and indeed, roundabouts): if there's sufficient visibility, look for traffic as early as possible, set your speed / gear and try to roll through. Anticipate also the road after that point - if your coming on to a 30 / 40, then gentle acceleration will be sufficient, if its NSL then use a gear that'll give you enough pull to match traffic speed.

I would suggest sequential changing for the test - block changing (going down multiple gears) is fine but your road speed / rpm will need to be spot on, otherwise the bike may well lurch and wallow when you release the clutch.

Other points for the test: get your lifesavers in (at the right moment, and the correct direction).
Your examiner (for the test) is "any other road user" and needs to be "told" what you're doing (as regards signalling / braking etc). He's looking for SAFE riding skills, not perfect riding.

At junctions / crossroads controlled by traffic lights: a green light doesn't mean "go", it means "go if it's safe" - therefore always look right / left / right when "your" light goes green; there may be traffic from another side which has tried to "beat" the lights (going through on amber or red instead of stopping) or indeed, emergency vehicles coming through a red light.

[philshaq]

Cheers guys, I like the suggestion of thinking of the tester as another road user, should help me chill out a bit I think!!


The only other think I'm worried about is indicating on the angled starts, I know that sounds odd, but the method the instructor has given me, of not indicating until you see a gap big enough seems counter intuitive. I get not looking over your shoulder and just using your mirrors before seeing the gap, but leaving the indicating till that late seems a bit off.


Any opinions welcome please!!


Thanks,


Phil

[Panthor]

I did my mod2 a couple of months ago on the same bike. Just because the instructor tells you to use all the gears doesn't mean you have to (they won't have any idea what gear your in). My instructor just said not to ride in a gear that make the bike struggle.
When your on the test just ride like you have been doing with your instructor and you'll be fine. For the angle start I only indicated when I knew was ok for me to go, instructor was happy with this and that's what I did on my test.

[rustyrider]

The only other think I'm worried about is indicating on the angled starts, I know that sounds odd, but the method the instructor has given me, of not indicating until you see a gap big enough seems counter intuitive.

My missus was told exactly the same when doing her car test.  The argument is that if you are indicating while waiting for a gap you can make others think you are indicating because you are about to pull out and haven't seen them.  The instructors words were, you aren't a bus so you don't just indicate then pull out whether there is a gap or not!  However, it does beg the question.  If you wait for a gap before indicating then pulling out, if the gap is big enough, who are you indicating to?  So why bother?  Indicators are to tell other road users what you intend doing, if there's nobody there why are you telling nobody (in fact, you'd get marked down on the IAM advanced test for indicating when there is no point)?

[philshaq]

My thoughts exactly! Oh well, I'll have to incorporate it into my riding for 40 minutes and then not bother with indicating to no-one other than the birds for the rest of my riding!!


Thanks for all your comments guys, I'll have to put it all into practice now, will report back with my results...

[Panthor]

[quote author=philshaq link=topic=3860.msg31526#msg31526 date=1342382687]If you wait for a gap before indicating then pulling out, if the gap is big enough, who are you indicating to? 

Remeber you have the examiner or instructor sitting behind you on his bike. If you dont indicate he could say he was pulling out and nearly went into you because you pulled out without indicating.[/quote]

[rustyrider]

If that's the case then there is somebody to indicate to so you would.  No idea how this modern test works as the examiner wandered the streets on foot while I rode round the block when I did my test.....

[philshaq]

Sadly I failed  :'( I got 4 minors and then towards the end of the test I left an indicator on which counts as a major. So peed off, the tester even said I rode well! Argh!

Got to wait 10 working days now before re test. On the plus side all your comments helped!

[Skippernick]

Bad luck philshaq.
I feel for you, as that is what happened to me. The mod 1 test was new when i took it and everyone was worried about that more that mod 2, passed mod 1 with one minor. Took 3 goes to pass mod 2, failed on stupid little mistakes. Every time the examiner said i rode well.
You will pass it next time. I believe it makes you a better rider though as you have more instruction and more exam time.
Nick

[Phil TK]

I would get that  ER6 looked at. I had one for a few years and the gearbox was very sweet and certainly didn't have any long or longer throws between the gears. Perhaps the rose joints/knuckles on yours are worn or maybe the lever isn't adjusted to meet your foot properly.

[AdieR]

The thing is, as difficult as it might seem, to not get too hung up on a fail - it might help keep you alive after your test when you pass.

As for leaving an indicator on, it may well confuse other road users (possibly leading to cagers pulling out on you because they think you're about to turn off the road you're on).

[Grahamm]

Sadly I failed  :'( I got 4 minors and then towards the end of the test I left an indicator on which counts as a major. So peed off, the tester even said I rode well! Argh!

That's a bugger, but don't let it get to you.

Try to get into a routine of watch the road ahead, check mirrors, road ahead, instruments and repeat.

Most of your time should be spent looking ahead, of course, but regular mirror/ instrument checks will help prevent unwelcome surprises or accidentally creeping over the speed limit.

[Buzz]

Leaving indicators on were my worst thing on DAS, 15 years of cycling in London removed the concept of "stopping indicating", I just lowered my hand, done.


Eventually I had to just keep my thumb over the indicator switch after I'd turned it on, as well as repeating "indicate, indicate, indicate" in my head. 


After 4 months of riding I think the repetition has finally sunk in.  Good luck for the next one!

[Lazarus]

Eventually I had to just keep my thumb over the indicator switch after I'd turned it on, as well as repeating "indicate, indicate, indicate" in my head. 


After 4 months of riding I think the repetition has finally sunk in.  Good luck for the next one!

thought it was just me that did that!!!! nice to see someone else as looney as me

[Lawrence]

Bad luck, if it makes you feel any better I got mine on my 3rd attempt.  Just remember to take your time; I cocked my first two up by rushing things.  Third one I got three minors... one was for hesitation but I'd prefer that to a serious one.  One of the others was for being in too high a gear (brakes on down a hill, should've used engine braking) so I'd definitely agree with what was said previously about gears.

[philshaq]

Thanks as always for the comments guys. I'll nail it next time I reckon! I was too critical on myself and thought I'd failed for something else and was thinking about that when I left my indicator on!

Sounds daft but I've been practicing getting into a routine on my daily cycle to work. Imaginary indicator switch and everything!! Makes me a less dangerous cyclist as well. Test re booked for first week in August. Will report back.

Thanks again

Phil