Hello!

First topic message reminder :

Hi I just bought a N reg blue and silver Thundercat for my first bike!

I did jump the gun a bit and have bought the bike before getting my license which hopefully is only a few weeks away, as I have passed the theory, cbt and module 1 so far!

So not been able to take it out for a ride yet and can't wait until I can!

Unlucky on the Mod 2, hope you get through it soon.

Got my mod 1 next week and I'm bricking it, my mate failed last week for putting his foot down on a U turn. I can do 49 out of 50 U turns no problem but every once in a blue moon I slip a foot down, I'm becoming obsessed with it now which is no way to prepare for a test.

Also the infamous swerve test is causing mesome anxiety.

Any tips or suggestions welcomed.

Hi Steve, i would suggest just taking time to breathe... make sure you relax a little bit. Remember everything you have been taught. With the U turn, you probably know why you put your foot down, for me it was that i was looking at the wrong place. And with the swerve, you only have to do 50kph through the speed trap, then you can turn off the throttle. You will be ok, it will all be alright on the night.....

Thanks for the support me ole banana, I'll take that on board and give you an update after my prep lesson tomorrow.

So there are others on here that have got there cat's before the full license, good so I'm not the only one

nanabanana I take it you passed the second time? Well done!!!

Steve best thing to do with mod 1 is just not think too much and just do it, if you let yourself get nervous its far easier to make them mistakes. Just remember it's not loads of money to redo mod 1 and its pretty much winter now so no real rush to get that license, don't put too much pressure on yourself!

Hi INB

Good choice of bike. Hopefully you sail through the test and get on the road with the rest of us.

Mod 1 Prep update, must have done like a million U-Turns, figure 8 a bit iffy at first, it just felt unnatural going slow the other way but my instructor helped by getting me to do a few reverse (right to left) U-Turns for practise.

THe "swerve test I was panicking about was a piece of cake, I actually went a tad too fast on the practise so need to keep an eye on that. Another helpful thing I found my instructor had us doing (in a quiet road near the off road centre) was counter steering round the speed humps in alternate lefts and rights. That one exercise alone gave me absolute bundles of confidence and I found I later handled the bike in general as a result knowing how to "throw it around".

I am really in debt to my instructor, she'll be getting a nice pressie at the end of this and best of all apart from a little nerves I feel fully prepared for Thursday's test.

I'll let you all know how I get on

Best of luck for the test.

Cheers
Rosco

Hi all, just thought I'd let you know I had my Mod 1 today and guess what........I PASSED!! Couldn't be more pleased, especially considering the conditions, it p*ssed down but got through it, Mod 2 test booked for next Wednesday, can't wait. My girl will (hopefully) be out before I know it.

Big congrats on the mod1!! Now you have the easier part of the test (well was for me anyway) take mod2 as just a normal ride and try not to think to much about any mistakes you think you may have made, I was convinced I had made to many mistakes half way though mine but then passed! Sad as this sounds talk yourself through the thugs you are having to do, helped me a lot.
Good luck for next week

Congrats and well done.

So just had my first ride on my Thundercat! Passed module 2 today, so happy!

May I be the first to congratulate you. How did you find the Cat?

John.

The cat is much nicer than the ER500 i've been doing my lessons on lol, even tho it needs a fork service, hopefully can get that sorted this weekend with some luck. Also need some new tyres as the rear has about 2mm left and don't fancy riding that in the damp at all. Any suggestions for a decent set of tyres?

Only got about 25 mins ride on it before it got dark and didn't fancy staying out in the dark for my first ride.

Tyres all fall down to personal Prefference and budget.

I get on well with the Michelin Road Pilots (It's also fun trying to scrub the little Michellin Men off the side of the tyre) but others don't get on with them.

I will be switching to a Bridgestone Dual Compound next as i do track days (The centre of the tyre is Hard Compound and the Outer is softer). This give me benfits of longer life while on the road and the extra grip when I am on track. A lot of track tyre wear very quickly on the road as they are soft all round for the extra grip.

Hopefully that hasn't confused.

You need to have a good look around and maybe try a search on here and see what others have posted about tyres.

I'm in Wittering near you, I will PM you my mobile and we can arrange a ride together now you have passed.

John.

Congratulations and well done.
Enjoy

Congratulation on passing. It's the best feeling ever!

Do get the fork seals and tyres sorted asap. You'll feel a lot happier riding the bike and you won't be tempting fate. Then you can have fun getting to know your bike!

Oh, and what's the pressie to be for the instructor?

Congrats on the pass . . . . Well done in deed

Well done, hearty congrats, tell me it's not the best feeling in the world :3

Congratulations - now the learning REALLY begins!

hello welcome , and good luck , the TCat is brilliant incentive to pass first time... worked for me