HI..new..birthday today....getting new bike...ps..I am 31 HA

JodieWodie · Reflective Banana Joined: 22 Jul 2004 Karma :

Yes,...it is my 31st birthday today..not 17th....and one of my goals before this age was learning to ride a GEARED bike...which I did. Mr. Green

I passed my CBT last Sunday..it was strenuous, sweaty and sickening..but I did it !!
(I only just did it as I kept forgetting to knock the gears down at traffic lights..idiot..HA!) Laughing

I have a new Honda CG125 arriving today.....I can't wait...need to practice those gears !
My lessons for my test start Monday evening... Confused

Anyways, more about me...I live in the West Midlands...am a Nursery Nurse...don't drive a car...wanted a bike for independence
Thumbs Up

Any on-road advice for me ?

Luv Jo xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Jake · L Plate Warrior Joined: 22 Jul 2004 Karma :

Congrats

good luck for your test.

Just keep looking out for people not seeing you, pulling out of junctions in front of you. I was surprised at the amount of people that did that to me when i first started on my bike.

Most of all, enjoy riding your bike

Bendy · Mrs Sensible Joined: 10 Jun 2002 Karma :

Nice one.

Assume everyone else on the road is out to kill you and act accordingly.

'Own' your bit of the road. Don't be intimidated, command your space.

Practice, practice, practice.

Good luck. Thumbs Up

Frost · World Chat Champion Joined: 26 May 2004 Karma :

Learn how to dodge and perform emergency stops, as sooner or later you will need to do one to save your bacon!
And allways ride with a light on, even if its not very bright.
Then get your test passed and get rid of those L plates

Davo · Davo To The Rescue! Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Karma :

As no one else has said it. Happy Birthday Thumbs Up

Enjoy your CG, and don't worry about the gears too much, i kept doing the same thing (trying to pull away in second or third) it will start to become more natural as time goes by.

Which route are you taking to your full license?

Either way, have fun, ride safe and keep us updated to how you get on. Thumbs Up

dainesefreak · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Apr 2003 Karma :

Vision is a big part of staying alive. When you are a new rider your vision and awareness centers around the area close to you and the bike. Because you spend a lot of time trying to get used to riding and controlling the machine you tend to not look very far ahead.

When you're out practicing try looking further ahead, you will feel like you still need to be watching stuff 5 feet in front of the bike, but try moving your view point further up the road each time. You will start to see hazards before they are on you and therefore have more time to react. Junctions, roundabouts, crossings, etc will all be easier to make progress over if you see what's happening nice and early. Potential accidents can then be turned into none events.

Good luck and keep it going. Thumbs Up

Lee_367 · Brolly Dolly Joined: 22 May 2004 Karma :

My 2 top tips,

1-Have a go at off-road riding, it will teach you many aspects of throttle and clutch to control and how to control slides and improve your wet weather riding.

2-Always use your horn, when you see somebody doing something you don't like blast you horn at them, especially cars ready to pull out on you at t-junctions.

have fun Thumbs Up

____________________
?It?s mercy, compassion, and forgiveness I lack?not rationality.?

JodieWodie · Reflective Banana Joined: 22 Jul 2004 Karma :

I am doing weekly lessons to gain my A test....

It is SO difficult trying to remember where the controls are without looking !