To those who find learning to ride difficult

[Kitten]

I decided to write this post in a section that I haven't visited for a little while now.

I passed my test on a 125 two years ago today, and hence got my 400 derestricted from 33bhp today!

I was thinking about how it doesn't feel like two years, but how far I have travelled, in miles, ability and confidence since then.

For me, learning to ride was not easy. I had been driving for over 10 years before I got on a bike. I know that no one is a 'natural', but I definately felt that I found learning more difficult than most people.

A month after doing my CBT, I got a CBR 125 and spent twenty minutes in a car park near my house, with a very good friend, trying to will myself to release the clutch! The next two evenings were spent in the car park riding round. I thought I would NEVER be able to ride on the road with confidence.

However, slowly but surely, with the help and encouragement of others, I gained confidence and got better. There were times when I felt like I was going backwards in my ability and lost confidence, but these things come back and improve if you keep trying.

Two or three weeks after passing my test I got my 400. I was back in the car park again with my mate for support! This time it took me 20 seconds to have the guts to release the clutch and I immediately rode out of the car park. I was amazed at the power and thought I'd never use it! On it's first proper outing I tried and saw what it had got

Last summer I rode from East Anglia to Cardiff in torrential rain, having not really ridden in weather that bad much before. This was when I realised that I was actually able to ride a bike! I had left the feelings that I would never be able to ride ok behind me!

Today, I feel like I have reached a point that I NEVER thought I would. I have plenty more to learn, and always will, but I could never have seen this day happening.

I think what I am trying to say is, all those of you who are finding learning difficult, or not as easy as your mates, have lost or lack confidence in yourself, or feel like you will never be able ride without concentrating 100% on everthing you are doing. . . . DO NOT LOSE HEART AND KEEP TRYING, it will come.


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RVF400 (NC35) My baby

[Louise]

Ill add my little bit here......

Ive been driving since, maybe 2001 on a proviosnal licence... Never driven a car in my life, yet my partner at the time took the time out to teach me.

However, cars arnt for me, even tho I have a son, cars are just no - no no no I am a bike girl - end off.

I did my CBT, never done a geared bike in my life. I just did the normal Auto CBT.

I kind of flung myself into the deep end. I got knowledged from this site onto how to ride a 125 geared, but never riden a geared in my life.

Got there, big ass 125 enduro, thought I was going to faint

But yep got used to it - pretty much as driving a car but with your hands.

Ran out of petrol 3 miles down the road, didnt have a clue what the reserve was all about yada yada yada

Got home and enjoyed what I did.

The info I got from this site is second to none, it really isnt.

from this site, I learnt to ride, do everything that was needed from the test.
I passed, With 1 minor - My fault tho.

Since then I have given ever opportunity to who ever has asked about the test.

Main thing being my other half now, I got her a 125NSR. I brought it, then Again I had to down gear to a 125 - great


It is a good bike a 100% fun to go back to the old days, and im still insured to rag it for wheelies
Then I got to learn about the bike............
fantastic for a 125. & Im still insured till 2009
Done dusted.


Its just learning her on to a 125, considering she has been driving for 5 years almost, She has managed 3rd gear on a normal road - But people may laugh, but after driving for 'X' amount of years I think she has done bloody well.
Next time is with my 650, Ill ride behind her to stop the unwanted twats pushing the 125's aside and give her a freedom ride which I think will be really good.

[Cigaro]

May as well put my tuppeny in two.

I had three (actually it may have been four) attempts at my CBT. Up until the year before last I couldn't even ride a push-bike, that's gods honest truth, so as you can imagine it was a steep learning curve to go from my first mountain bike to a 125 within a year

I was amazed how quickly I've built up confidence since then though, I've had a few minor spills but I'm getting better and have started lessons for my full license.

So to anyone especially who's having trouble passing their CBT, take note. For me a big part of it was finding the right instructor

[Ghost]

I picked up riding a bike really easily, it all came together with very little practise and I passed my CBT and 33bhp test first time with no minors, but it still makes me smile to read about other people's success stories. Not everyone can jump on a bike and ride confidently from the off, so if you're one of those people just remember to keep practising, riding and having fun and it will all come right in the end

[Stevep]

I taught people how to ride bikes for more years than I care to remember and it comes very natural to some and to others it is extremely difficult. This is where a good instructor counts as it is his skill that is needed to build the confidence step by step and then to take someone from complete novice to getting them passed the tests to becoming an advanced rider and onto instructing themselves is a great achievement

Good Luck to all you learners out there and remember it is not the fastest that lives to ride tomorrow but it may well be the safest
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Harleys run Forever

[st3v3]

My riding is more how not to do it.

I learnt on a 50cc thing at 16 and as got older moved to a auto 125, then a manual but tried to mess around and find our limits.

I didn't know what to expect and think I've had roughly 7 crashes in a year and a half(that's about 2 thirds of my total crashes). All of them costing roughly £30+ each in odds and ends.

I suppose the point of this post - is go careful and don't rush yourself. And wear the right gear. I'm sat in a cast with scars because of an off where i wasn't wearing any gear except lid and gloves. Even if you have to temporarily skint yourself - it dos pay to get the right fitting gear.

Ride safe.
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Roger wrote: Women don't get damp for clingy puppies. Get some better happy pills, hit the gym & buy a medallion the size of a dinner plate. Job done

[Dragonfly]

Nice one girls gave me a bit of a boast as I am doing some lessons soon then the bike test. I know I can ride I just feel nervous about being watched and do lose confidence in my ability. Comes from years of being put down. So I know I will be grand when I pass it. Just have to get past the nerves and do it. I hope to be soon adding to your story kitten and Louise.

I started on a moped about 4 years ago and then a race bike. Read all the books and studied that theory for all that time and got up the courage to go and do that as I dont like failing. Better to make sure I pass than take a chance. So 4 years later I am at this stage where I feel I am ready for it. My advice to anyone learning is go and learn dont just jump on a big bike. Not everyone is Chuck Norris.
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All the breast.
Muzza on Binge:
He's too busy beating the everloving shit out of Lizzie to notice this thread has taken a turn down Drama Avenue and stopped off at the popcorn shop.

[gusto]

Great post, Kitten I've been struggling with my 125 (not taken the test yet, did CBT last Autumn). But your post reminded me that learning to drive was the same -- I remember at the time that some days I'd do well, and other days either not improve at all or feel like I was getting worse -- and I've been driving confidently and safely since passing my test for many years since then.

I'm really looking forward to the weather warming up so I can get out and get used to riding properly. I went out last weekend but after skidding the front wheel on a downhill corner I decided to give it another week or two for the roads to hopefully get less greasy.

[bin]

There are old bikers and bold bikers but there are no old bold bikers.
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...its what you make of it...
...Silver Suzuki gsx1400...

[Dragonfly]

[truslack]

May as well throw my story in as well. Up until about April last year I had no interest in ever getting a bike, I was going to wait till I turned 17 and get a car.

One day, walking along the road with a mate of mine (who has a bike), and his friend pulled up on an RS50. When he pulled away, I just said "I'm getting one of them" and that was it, my mind was made up.

Did the CBT on the 10th June on a twist-n-go that was falling to pieces, passed and had to wait till I could get a bike.

On 22nd June, I handed over £650 for a 1999 Aprilia RS50, Custom Red bull decal job. Over the coming months I learnt to ride properly (ok, maybe not properly) and had my fair share of off's. I have dyspraxia, so my coordination is a bit to-pot, but struggled on.

Offs on the RS50:

[list=]Horse crap on a corner, put her down on the grass verge
Braking on gravel, bike went down
Doing a bit of off-roading (yeah, road bikes don't like this too good)[/list]

On 24th September I was SMIDSY'd and left with a written off bike, and a Yamaha Jog hire bike.

I hated the jog, as much as is humanly possible and forked out for a 2003 Derbi Senda, for £505 from a friend - needed a bit of work but not too much.

From October through till now I've loved the Senda, it's not quite as fast as the RS, but gets me around, and doesn't complain too much about having panniers bolted onto the back.

Everything about clutch control, and maintenance I have learnt from this site, looking forward till this June when I can take the A2 test!
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Current: Suzuki RG 125 Gamma, Honda H100, Triumph Tiger 800XC, Suzuki SV650 (minitwin)

[Method]

[Kitten]

[st3v3]

[Kitten]