Got my licence AND my bike (and cbt now) - 3 out of 3

[Trickypl4]

Well, after a short period of time when I thought the forces of evil were conspiring against me, I have finally got my licence and bike.

I turned up for my cbt on the last bank holiday only to find out my licence didn't cover me as it was an old, green one. So I sent off to the dvla for a new one. I rang them and the girl said it's really busy so it'd take the full 15 working days to sort it out. Bummer. But lo and behold, 9 days after posting off my application our lass phones me at work yesterday and says I have some post from the dvla and should she open it? It was my licence. Fantastic.

I get another call from her just after 1pm, "It's here!" and she sends me an mms message on my mobile showing me a picture of my new bike, just to confirm it. A lovely, black, shiny, new YBR125. There's still several hours to go before I finish work but I manage to get through it. Just.

First impressions when seeing it for the first time? "Ooohhh bollocks, it's big isn't it?" I've only ever been on a bike once and that was when I did my cbt the first time, about 15 years ago (approx), so I'm a bit nervous. Because getting, and actually owning, a bike is a big thing. Especially for someone who has never done anything like this before. So anyway, our lass gets her camera and takes some photos so I can email them through to my parents. I have a sit on it and it feels great. The next door neighbour pops out and has a look, "Ooohhh that's a lovely bike, nice colour as well." Over the course of the evening half the street pop around (we live in a cul-de-sac) to have a look and a chat. Shame we didn't have the bbq out and a few cans really, because it was turning into a real social gathering!

I've phoned in my cbt again and I'm doing it tomorrow (sunday), I had wanted to do it today but the guy at the training school was very reluctant, mumbling on about some football game on the telly?

All being well, after my cbt tomorrow I'll practice around the streets to get used to it and hopefully it'll be a bit quiet. Then I'll take it into work from tuesday.

I say 'it' cos it's just a bike to me, but find it very amusing that almost without exception, everyone who's commented has said, "She's lovely," and "She's a beauty," etc. My girlfriend has said it's something to do with the french?

I was dying to read the manual but couldn't as it was in french. I've phoned the dealer I bought it from and they're sending me another, but in English.

I'm just itching to get out on it now

[syl]

Congratulations on the new bike.

But...... if you did your first CBT about 15 years ago (they only introduced them in December 1990, you must have been one of the first) you must be over 21 by now. Why are you splashing out on a brand new 125cc bike on L plates with CBT only rather than doing the DAS course and getting a bigger bike?


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Current bike: Kawasaki Z750S

[Trickypl4]

Hi,

Thanks for the reply.

I'm really new to all of this so I don't want to kill myself. My thoughts were to get a new or used 125 for around the £1500 price range and ride it on L plates for 6 months or so (?) to get experience of the bike and the roads, before taking my test on this bike. After passing my test I would then have the option of upgrading to something bigger (up to 33bhp for the first two years) or just stay with my 125 for a while.

Initially it would just be commuting I would use it for, but it's a confidence thing as well.

I'm a complete novice to all of this so I just wanted to take things easy and not go crackers. After all, I've got plenty of time, I'm only 35

[Sephiroth]

Smart thinking about not wanting to kill yourself
.

Get some pics up here then!

When you're over 21 you can do DAS which is a few days training, theory test and the practical test on a 500cc bike. If you pass that then you'll be able to ride any bike, no restriction.

Good luck .

[Trickypl4]

Here's a few pictures............

[Sephiroth]

That's pretty damn nice, I wish my first bike was like that!

[Sephiroth]

lol On another note, seeing it wrapped up in the van reminded me of Argos selling 125's in their catalogue!

[syl]

Delivery by DHL. How much do they charge to ship a bike? Could be useful to know when you come to sell it (August is probably the best time) and look at getting a bigger bike. It's addictive - my first bike was a Z750 6 months ago and I find myself already looking at litre sportsbikes.
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Current bike: Kawasaki Z750S

[Trickypl4]

I'm not sure how much they charged the dealer, but the dealer charged me £70.50 and that was coming from Ilkeston, Derbyshire. Quite cheap I thought.

[stinkwheel]

Jolly good. I think you are doing the right thing by getting some experience on a 125 first.

It's a good idea not to sit on the bike with it on the mainstand. On a 125 anyway, they can be pretty flimsy and liable to break as it is.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Trickypl4]

Well I did my cbt today, started at 10am and finished just before 3pm this afternoon. It flew over.

I was a bit worried beforehand, what with me starting from scratch again, but as everyone has said on here you soon get the hang of the gears. The main problem I seem to have is remembering which gear I'm in. Anyone got any tips for that, or is it something I'll get the hang of over time?

As soon as I got back I had a quick cuppa then took my own bike out on the supermarket car park next door to where I live. It's one of the few that don't open on a sunday! I just practised going up & down through the gears, T junctions & lifesavers etc. Then I did a couple of circuits around the nearby industrial estate, roundabouts etc.

I only had one hairy moment which someone might be able to help me out with. I was approaching a t junction and was going down through the gears and the back wheel seemed to lock for a bit and I did a little skid. I've read elsewhere on here that when going down through the gears you have to let the clutch out slowly or this could happen. Is this what happened to me do you think?

Tomorrow I'll go out again, but when all the work traffic has died down a bit, and build it up slowly.

Really enjoying it so far though

[h00dwink]

[JBurrows88]

Black YAY

I got a black YBR - 125 and all i can say is that IT IS better than a CG - These things can do 100mpg + are very comfy and the rev counter is quite good. Just make sure you clean your exchaust cos mine went rusty after a week (little spots of rust)

They aint to fast but you will like it and good luck with it!




Has it got a front L plate??
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Dave
XJR400 Kenney Roberts Paint Job

[Trickypl4]

[JBurrows88]

[kevingranger]

really nice bike! I don't think ive seen one of those before? I prefer that to the CG125. What a great feeling getting a brand new bike it will be hard to let it go when you choose to upgrade (if you decide to) in a couple years. Have fun and take it one day at a time.

Kev
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I love my VFR400

[Trickypl4]

Cheers.

Everyone's talking about when I pass my test and upgrade. I know I've only had the bike for 1 week today but I'm getting quite attached to it.

Speaking from the point of view of never being able to drive/ride anything before, I quite like the idea of being able to go anywhere I want, when I want.

For it being a 125 it gets plenty of admiring looks though. It's only the L plates that give it away to a lot of people I think.

Best Regards

[kevingranger]

that sounds cool mate. thats what has happened to me i get 'attached' to my bikes i had 3 in my garage at one time but being at college at the time and the deal of paying my dad some money he lent me meant that i had to sell the bikes. Enjoy your new found freedom on the bike just you, the machine and miles of varied roads makes a perfect day out.
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I love my VFR400