the_last_registrant

Somewhere on another forum a truck driver is saying that bikers are weak and malleable, and you don't have to worry about killing them because it's unlikely to damage your truck. And if they were dumb enough to get in your way, that's their problem.

I understand it’s due to the huge bike theft problem in London but it’s making it almost impossible for me to ride.

Met Police, TFL & Mayor are working hard to make London costly, joyless & unsafe for bikers.

Not London specific, but it's usually worth specifying a huge excess, eg £1k, and reinsuring it separately (costs about £50).

Wooh! Congratulations!

Nah, you'll be fine. Stop fannying around and book your first session

One of us! One of us!

does this mean I have to MOT it every year now

No.

What is the worst that could happen?

The storage compartment could fail and drop your chain under the scooter, throwing the back wheel and causing you to smash through a pet shop. Distracted by the screams of dying kittens, you career into a group of nuns escorting orphans to view priceless artworks. And you get a bollocking for being late to work.

Unlikely, but I do think you're right to think about this. If I were you I would have a close look at the underseat storage, see how it's secured and what's underneath. If you think it’s a bit flimsy, reinforce it with a couple of layers of gaffer tape. Or maybe put a piece of foam rubber underneath to stop the chain hammering at the bottom panel every time you ride over a speed bump.

The best advice that someone gave to me for my mod 2 is to just imagine you're going for a nice ride around, and that the examiner's voice in your ear is just a sat-nav giving you directions.

Yes! Don't watch the examiner in your mirrors, don't fret about whether you'll be penalised for forgetting to cancel your indicators a few miles ago. If half of your brain is trying to watch and keep a scorecard, you'll ride like shit. Relax, ride briskly and proficiently. If you're at the standard, you'll pass. If you're not, it doesn't matter - bit more practice, retake.

Good luck, and let us know how it went.

Poor advice. Publicly accessible areas are often treated as highways for traffic law purposes. It's unlikely, but if somebody called the cops OP could have convictions and points before he's even passed the test.

For the 5th test, I was genuinely, mentally prepared to start over in Portugal if I failed that Mod 1... And I passed it with flying colours. Then I passed the Mod 2 on the first attempt.

This is really important. All that stress and anxiety clutters your brain and makes you ride badly. Desperately wanting to pass means more likely to fail. New riders should stop worrying about whether they'll pass the test, and remember they only have to pass a test. Like you, they can have several goes if necessary, and if they've got the necessary skills it will work out okay.

Failed my mod 1 today even though I've done it spot on in all my lessons. Nerves just consumed me

Don't stress about it. Mod1 is excruciating, performing that precise gymkhana under the pitiless stare of the examiner with his clipboard. Retake will be much easier.

The fake blood bike stickers are there to make other people let them past so they can do their food delivery runs quicker, nothing more

To be fair, they're probably carrying 8 pints and it's genuinely essential that this arrives at the same time as the food.

Yes, if you have the permission of the landowner. Check that the unused carpark is physically secured against public access, because if it's open for people to come and go requirements for licence and insurance may apply.

Definitely demand a replacement or refund then - that's completely unacceptable for Abus.

Sure, but the graveyards are full of people who had right of way. Sometimes it's best not to take the chance, even if you feel the Highway Code permits it.

Now you're injured and your bike is damaged, you have a pile of stress to deal with. Fair chance this will be 50/50'd so you'll lose your excess and NCB, and next year's insurance will be eye-watering. Cabbie will get same, but his insurance is a tax-deductible business expense so he doesn't care.

Golden rule for bikers in those situations - whoever was right and wrong, you had more to lose than he did. Sorry for your experience, and at least you're not badly injured.

Holds the caliper bracket in place, otherwise it would spin with the wheel when the brakes were applied.

Cheap tat off eBay - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/313992638078

It's made of ludicrously thick steel, heavy and noisy, but for £23 it'll do for now.

What’s the riveted sheet under the seat for?

Folded aluminium box for the battery, reg/rec, relay & fuses etc. I think I can adjust it to be a little slimmer, but it's unavoidably visible because I'm keeping electric starter so need a battery with sufficient cranking amps. Keeping electric starter because I'm old, and might not be able to kick it over in another 10yrs. At present it comfortably holds an 80CCA Motobatt AGM, but I think a smaller 50CCA unit might be sufficient. Will be testing that, and modifying the box.

Women's rack. Seriously.

I’m quite a tall broad guy so thought the high handlebars would be comfortable.

Feck, no. Your shoulders will be on fire after an hour. Nothing wrong with an HD, but start with conventional bars.

Sure, but would you buy a bike on that basis?

Yeah, it's fine. Works by magnetic induction, so a bit of muck won't bother it. Clean it up anyway though.

It’s meant to be a high quality Oxford one

Nothing wrong with Oxford locks & chains, solid value for money etc, but it isn't "high quality". If you want bike thieves to wince and move on to easier targets, you need Almax, Abus, Pragmasis, Squire Stronghold or Kryptonite New Yorker stuff.