Lessons and Stuff

[karen_moomin]

My situation is I've done 2 CBT's as the first one expired and I didn't make any effort to have lessons or anything. However, today I've had another 2-hour lesson (had one last week too) and I've got to say I'm really starting to enjoy it.

My main problem is confidence, or lack of it should I say, and also I get into a panic/flap whenever I get something wrong or stall, or can't do a hill start etc. I get annoyed at myself for being so crap.

The instructor is super and really supportive.

The things I need to work on most are:

More revs when moving off to prevent stalling (always had this problem, whether I'm on an NSR or a 4-stroke)

Better road positioning - avoiding cow shit/diesel/mud/wet grids

Gears - I need to use them more

U-turns - I haven't mastered this yet

I'm still learning on a 125, I really don't think I could ride a big bike (or I certainly couldn't walk a big bike round for the U-turn). I am pretty scared of big bikes actually. I'm in no rush to have one in fact.

So my question is, has anyone taken their test on a 125 and what are thoughts about this?

I feel a bit stupid because I'm 25 and have been driving for over 8 years, yet I don't think I could ride a 500cc.

[Kickstart]

Hi Karen

I did my test many years ago but then you could only do it on a 125 or less. To be honest I would not worry about it. Take your time, build up your confidence at your own pace.

In some ways larger bikes are easier. Tend to be more stable than small bikes (remember one guy having lessons at the same time as me having real problems with the stability of a CB100N, because he was a big chap, on a small bike lumbered with a top box and a screen), but the down side is that larger bikes have more momentum to keep going where they want to.

If you get your test out of the way on a 125 then you can always continue on the 125 for a bit, then go for a restricted larger bike when you feel like it.

Ironically one of the easiest bikes to ride I have had was the old 400 Superdream. Very heavy for what it was, and no great amount of go. But very stable and easy to ride every day. Just not sure I would want to try doing a u turn without putting my feet down on it for a stroppy examinor who has chosen a narrow road.

All the best

Keith
____________________
Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[Spoon261]

karen_moomin

What motorbikes have you been using.

Have you ever tried a Honda CG125, thats the one the instructors normally loan to their students.

[bin]

Hiya Karen, you have a lot of things that are bothering you but they all point to experience, just using the bike and the roads as often as you can......if we are honest most of us have gone through the same types of problems, I know I have......I could tell you the story of when I bought my gsx1400 but you have enough on your plate.....anticipate what others are going to do and keep those lifesavers active......enjoy your biking.
____________________
...its what you make of it...
...Silver Suzuki gsx1400...

[BanditBitch]

[yambabe]

I did my test on a 125 Karen, and as you know I'm a hell of a lot older than you! I was 40 when I finally passed my test.........

The main reason I used the 125 for my test rather than doing DAS was exactly the same as you. I lacked confidence in my riding and (having actually tried to ride a GS500 on a couple of abortive DAS lessons) found the whole idea of a bigger, heavier bike to be really daunting. Once I was on the DAS bike and riding it wasn't too bad, but slow manouveres like the u-turn and sometimes even just coming to a stop and holding it up were really difficult for me.

I talked it over with my instructor, and decided to do it on the 125 because I had reached the stage where I was confident on that and was really enjoying riding. I felt ready to move up, but not as far up as the 500 I had ridden!

I knew I didn't want to stick with a 125 once I'd passed my test so deciding what to move up to was quite a task too. I knew I wanted a bit more power than the 125 could give me, and I thought I could handle some extra weight if I kind of went up in stages so I managed to find my 250 which was perfect - it was sub-33bhp so fitted in with my restriction, it was also bigger and heavier than the 125 but not so much that I thought I couldn't handle it. LOL the first time I went out on it after passing I couldn't get it to go round corners for about an hour! After the 2 year restriction was up I moved up again, and am now riding 400s with a fair bit of confidence. I have also ridden a couple of John's other bikes including his VF700 without any problems too, although I know in my head that I am still not ready to own one myself.

The main thing about riding your bike is that it should be enjoyable for you, and riding doesn't necessarily come easily to everybody. That doesn't mean that you aren't meant to be doing it, just that maybe you will need to try a little harder than some others in the early stages.

Take it at your own pace and don't be pushed into anything before your head tells you you are ready. The more you ride the easier it will get, and it also helps to have an experienced and supportive partner (even if he does sometimes get a bit impatient over how long it's taking you! ) particularly if he will moderate his own riding to go out with you sometimes.

It will be 3 years this summer since I passed my test. On that first day I thought I was never going to get the hang of riding my 250 and I'd be stuck on 125s for ever. By the time the anniversary comes around I am hoping I will be out and about on a rather shiny 800cc v-twin!

There are bikes out there that will be perfect for you once you have a little more confidence, and that confidence will come with time.
____________________
Sod falling in love, I wanna fall in chocolate.

[iooi]

[Spoon261]

Some bikes are top heavy, sounds like you hate those.

Some bikes are heavy but the weight is low down, you will not notice it as much as top heavy.

Sports bikes are hard to ride comfortably, other types of bikes have advantages and disadvantages.

Some bikes are tall and others low.
Low bikes are easier.

The engine and its power band will effect how easy it is.

Some frames handle well on a race track, others are good on long straight journeys, some are good off road, some are good for commuting etc.

Their are so many bikes out their with so many different combinations. Theirs one to suit everyone. You just need to find the right one, then your confidence will grow since its so easy for you to control and use.

Tyres are also important, good bike, bad tyres, tyres can make the bike twitchy round bends, slide at the slightest thing etc. good by confidence and your constantly fighting the bike.

You need advice, your instructor is your best bet, he or she has seen it all before.

[karen_moomin]

Thanks for all the comments.

I'm feeling much better about the whole situation, and am 99% sure I want to take my test on a 125. I like the idea that it matures into a full licence, so I can choose what I like in a couple of years if by then I have more confidence.

I think I've been feeling like it's expected of me to want to progress to a big bike, and that 125's are just meant as a quick stepping stone. The pressure has been getting to me, so I've been panicing about how I'll cope on a 500. It's also getting to me how virtually everyone I've spoken to says that bigger bikes are easier. Maybe they are when moving, but my problems are town riding, stopping and starting and slow riding. I can't hold one upright, and since that's an element of the test, then I know that would end in tears.

I've just spent over a grand on a brand new YBR 125, and now I'm starting to like the idea of keeping it, (without L plates) rather than getting rid of it for something bigger just for the sake of it.

[Polarbear]

[Spoon261]

karen_mommin

The Yamaha YBR125 original tyres are real trouble, I have no experience but have been reading about other Yamaha YBR125 owners, I really think you need to read what they are saying, its all related to your problems. If you have not ridden the bike yet, still read it, it could save you from falling off it’s that bad.

Start from the beginning of the Just bought a Yamaha YBR125 topic and really look at everything about tyres.
Hears the direct link, it’s on the same forum as we are on now = New Bikers.

https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=107104

I have read all of it and have been posting to try and help them.

If you have no choice but to keep the bike. Their are some things you really must do to make the bike safe for your ability and to help you.

When you read all the information about the tyres and how several people have slid off the bike, I personally think it’s not their fault it is the tyres as they say. The original tyres are a very cheapo Chinese or something like it, these makes of tyres are legendary for having no grip and are lethal, they will also make the bike twitch all over the place when going round corners making you and it wobble all over the place, you will have to fight it all the time to stay on the road.

Theirs a very simple but expensive total solution to the tyres, change them for quality branded ones. Theirs only one available at the moment and I am using them on a different bike (Honda CG125). They are the exact size and weight carrying ability your bike states must be fitted.

They are called Michelin Pilot Sporty.
The front is a 2.75-18
The rear is a 90/90-18

If your dealer says they do not exist, tell them to check with the uk importer and also make sure they no it’s the Pilot Sporty not a Pilot Sport tyre, they often get them mixed up and say its not available in your size. Also tell them its for a Yamaha YBR125. These tyres have only been out a short time and their books have often not been updated.

I can not begin to tell you how these tyres will give you so much more confidence and control and ease of use.

The problem is a pair costs around £100 fitted depending on how much you shop around, going to a car tyre firm is often the cheapest but only half of them will do motorcycles and even less of them will take the wheels on and off the bike for you. Often the small firms and small chains do it all. Best to shop around, some will quote silly prices like £130.

People have reported the mirrors do not stick out wide enough, so you see only your elbows not the traffic behind = very bad for learning, if you have trouble get new ones that stick out further.
Yamaha YBR125 owners complain about the bike is top heavy (that’s the worst place for weight and means it tries to fall over all the time unless your very careful and strong). Nothing you can do.

The Yamaha handle bars are not wide apart, wide apart gives you a lot more control over the bike and makes it a lot easier to change direction with very little force. Nothing you can do unless you get a shop to fit new ones that are wide.

The Honda CG125 does not suffer any of the problems above, the original tyres are not as good as the Michelin Pilot Sporty but they are good enough not to need to be changed, you can always fit the Pilot Sporty later when they wear out.

You should easily be able to try a Honda CG125, most instructors own several and put their students on them during their lessons since many do not own a bike. The reason nearly all instructors supply the Honda CG125 to their students is because it’s the best learner motorcycle.

[Stiffler]

The tyres aren't the best, but they don't "need" to be changed at all. I rode my YBR into Manchester every day through winter and never actually had a single problem. They can sometimes be a little bit twitchy on greasy roads but thats it. It would benifit from better tyres there is no question in that, but it's most definitely not a matter of staying upright or not.

The mirrors do stick out enough to have good visibility, I've only ridden 5 bikes in my time (Honda CG125, Suzuki GS125, Bandit 600, Honda VFR400) and the YBR has the same if not better visibility than all of them.

The weight is top heavy? Definitely not... The centre of gravity may be high as the bike stands tall, but the weight is distributed more towards the bottom of the bike. However the bike is so light I find it very hard to believe this causes anyone any issues at all.

I've spoken to a few instructors who think that the YBR is an absolutely cracking bike and they have started to recommend them to new learners above the other options. And in my own opinion having ridden one (Unlike you spoon) is that I find it very hard not to think that some of the complaints are a result of inexperianced new riders...

Tim
____________________
Current Bikes - Kawasaki ZX-6R (636) | BMW G650GS

[karen_moomin]

Just for the record - the problem is with me and not my YBR. If anything the bike is really forgiving and has been brilliant to learn on compared to my NSR.

I can't say a bad word about it

[andymarks]

I turn 17 in may and will be doing lessons. Because o my age i have no choice to do it on a 125 but even if i was over 21 i am not sure weather or not i would do my DAS. Its all down to your own preference.

I have a CG125 and that looks great and with all the recommendations to go with it i am really happy with it.

I was looking at a ybr and was going to get that and the only reason i didnt was cos someone else beet me to it. It looks a great bike to learn on and good luck with the lessons and test.
____________________
Bikes--2002 GS500---2006 CG125(For sale, PM me for details)
Theory-PASSED -------Practical-PASSED.
33bhp restriction ends 6/7/2009 .

[Spoon261]

[yambabe]

[Spoon261]

babyyam

Because stiffler posted what he did and had a go at me and what he’s said to me in the past is why I said what I said.

You have now wound me up so I will wind you up some more without using bad language, every thing is the honest truth, I would not have told people the following since I no it would cheese off loads of people.

I never had motorcycle lessons, I just passed my test as simple as that. And many other people manage it as well. I had to take my CBT basic training by law and that was it.

The way I managed it was simple, at 17 I learned to drive a car with help. When I passed my test I went straight on to a motorcycle. I taught myself how to ride and got so board of the L plates that I took my test in the middle of winter.

The secret was I had past my car test, all I had to learn was how to actually control a motorcycle (that’s easy if you’re a natural).

I had a terrible bike to learn on, tyres slid on every white line even in the dry, bike had sudden unexpected power surges half way around the bends and the carbureta got water in it when the rain was at a certain angle resulting in sudden engine power failure. The bike tried everything to put me in hospital and failed, it never even managed to make me fall off. My only luck was the tyres did not get a puncher and blow out at speed.

As soon as I past my test I got rid of that lethal bike as soon as possible.

Of course the bike was in the repair garage loads of times and I was loaned bikes while it was being fixed.

Well one was a Honda C50 4 stroke scooter and it was so old it had no restrictor so would do 45mph. It managed to have a complete engine seize on me at 35mph, this totally locked up the back wheel, the C50 is an automatic with no clutch so I had no way of disconnecting the engine from the back wheel. I managed not to fall off, all this and I was still on L plates.

[yambabe]

Good for you! Can I suggest therefore that as you have absolutely no idea how hard it can be for someone who lacks confidence in themselves to learn to ride a bike you respectfully bow out at this point and leave it to those of us who have been there, done that to help Karen out because we actually understand how she feels and what she's going through?

Although before you go you could satisfy my curiosity maybe?

What was your learner bike? And what do you ride now?
____________________
Sod falling in love, I wanna fall in chocolate.

[Spoon261]

[Kyzia]

[crazymotorbik...]

[Ariel Badger]

I agree with Shaun.
You have a good attitude towards biking Karen, you are awair of your own abilities, you will not be dictated to by the mob and you are willing to listen to advice. Keep on as you are and you may end up on a 900cc Duc or you may stay on a 125 all your life but let it be your descision.
____________________
Bikers make great organ donors, get 115 on your licence today.