???Hello???

[spit1972]

Alright people, i have been hanging around for about 3 months and thought it was about time i introduced my myself.
Steve and im 36 and have 3 kids,well i say 3 the eldest is 18.....nah stick with 3

Started thinking of riding probably about 7 years ago now...we were all on our way to great yarmouth for a few days in summer.
Usual case got caught in the traffic(always made room for bikers)the kids were starting on each other the missus(ex) was givin it the kids and i had enough

At about that point this biker pulled up in front of me,gave me the and then continued on....it was then it hit me,i gotta have me some of that FREEDOM


So a few years passed and back in November decided i would get a bike and get the ball rolling,bought a Honda Varadero 125.

This morning went for my Theory.I know it's not needed until i go for the bigger bike,but as it was fresh in my mind from helping my lad,i thought id just go for it.Thank god i passed.I cant stand the Hazard percption part.


hopefully booking my CBT for next week

Excuse the poor grammar as im totally Sh*t at it

Cheers steve

[iSinBlood]

Hey welcome to the Forums, I'd like to say good luck with your CBT.

As im sure everyone here will say, Listen to the insructor he will teach you everything you need to know .

[bootsbiker]

[fiveus]

good luck with the training.And youv'e choose a good bike in the varadero .

[pinkyfloyd]

[FretGrinder]

Welcome, mate!

Good choice of bike on the Varadero, I have one myself.

Like the others have said about the CBT, just take note of what the instructor says and you'll fly through it and above all good luck!
____________________
Yamaha MT-09

ಠ_ಠ

[Paxovasa]

Hello and welcome.

The two important things too remember are..

1. Breathe
2. Try and stay relaxed.

Enjoy the CBT and keep us informed.
____________________
Suzuki GSF600 K3 (in the fastest colour, black).

[Rogerborg]

I started at 36 as well - the best age.

What they all said. It's a great laugh and the CBT is training, not a test, so just enjoy it.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[mickfulton]

I am more or less in the same boat mate, and completed my CBT second time round.

I had never touched a bike until the CBT and there is quite a lot to pick up if you are used to driving cars. I found the throttle control quite difficult in the training area as a lot of it is in first gear and can be quite jumpy. Also the noise of the bike revving can be a bit daunting when doing slow control. (plus the fact I was nervous as hell) As soon as I realised I was in control and the clutch will control the bike no matter how many revs are on the meter I began to relax.
I stumped up for the gauranteed pass CBT and fully comp insurance and glad I did as I had a crash and damaged the bike first time round
On the open road is much more relaxed with way more space and time to think and the time spent on the training area paid off.
Just remember that everyone in a car is a potential w$$$er and will prob and try and bully you around especially with L plates and a hi-vis bid on. Relax, take your time, talk yourself through things and f@rk the other motors on the road.......drive for yourself.
Once you pass you will fucking love it, I know I did. Just spent two hours in the rain grinning like a loon driving around, and going to get petrol is not the bank-breaker it used to be either.

[blurredman]

Good luck for the future buddy!
____________________
CBT: 12/06/10, Theory: 22/09/10, Module 1: 09/11/10, Module 2: 19/01/11
Past: 1991 Honda CG125BR-J, 1992 (1980) Honda XL125S, 1996 Kawasaki GPZ500S, 1979 MZ TS150.
Current: 1973 MZ ES250/2 - 18k, 1979 Suzuki TS185ER - 10k, 1981 Honda CX500B - 91k, 1987 MZ ETZ250 - 40k, 1989 MZ ETZ251 - 52k.

[spit1972]

Thanks for the big welcome people.

My plan is to do the cbt,then have a lesson once a fortnight and go for the direct access by june.

Thanks for all the info guys,really appreciate it,you have all got the old and will keep you updated.

Cheers
steve

Meant to say the Varadero seems to be a great bike, especially for me being 6'"2 and a bargain at £800 for a 2004

[brendan002]

As already said relax and enjoy the CBT, once you are out onto the road you will love it.
____________________
08 Honda Hornet 600

[fiery tupp]

Hi & welcome steve , as said nice bike to start on
____________________
If you can't fix it with a hammer , use your head .

[Dilyan]

Welcome to the forum, its full of useful (and not so) information

Passed my CBT on a 125 without even being told how to switch gears (quick learner I guess). Passed my full test 20 months later (after never even had a bike) on a 500cc.

Good luck and I have to support the above - its NOT a test, its training. Can't fail it, coz you are not being tested
____________________
Current: 2007 VFR800; Ex: 2001 YZF600R Thundercat
Škoda Octavia (yes, a taxi driver)

[lihp]

With years of driving, you have the advantage of knowing the rules of the road also.

So get yourself a couple of months road experience on the 125 then go for the DAS training and test.

After DAS, do some advanced rider training with the big bikes.

[spit1972]

Thanks for all the advice and info people


Well have my CBT booked for tomorrow,god know's why but a bit nervous about it.

I did speak to a couple of places,one of which i mentioned i had a geared bike but they suggested i do it on a rev n go....are they completely nuts or what?i told them i would rather do it on the geared so im not a danger to myself or other's on the road.

cheers steve

[totalllama82]

My experience was similar to you. It occured to me when sitting in the tailback in to work one morning when a biker filtered past me in March-April last year.

I thought how much faster i'd get to work, how much fun the speed would be, all the touring I could do up north etc and it suddenly became my latest obsession

I sat my CBT on Fri 7th July, on my own after the other guy got halfway through the morning and suddenly rode the bike uncontrollably across the pad and up a wall. My instructor was/is a Police Motorcycle cop so my CBT was very regimented and actually felt like a test After all this I still managed to squeeze a pass out of him.

The CBT is a laid back day of training to ensure you are ready to tackle the road safely, provided you can make it stop and go (this really doesnt take long if you drive & know how to go a pedal bike) and go around corners etc you'll be fine . Don't be too nervous!!

Because you already have the Valdero I'd suggest riding around for a couple of months without the lessons. This is how I got my real life experience and ended up taking 3 lessons in total to cover the MOD1/2 on a 650cc bike gaining the Cat A license. This'll save you a bit of cash and get you ready for the big bikes

Best of luck!

[spit1972]

Well sat my CBT yesterday,gotta say..........Why didnt i do it years ago??it was absolutely brilliant,the most fun i'd had on the road in years!

The only thing i really found difficult at the start was the figure of 8 but i soon got the hang of that once it was explained to keep the throttle on and use the clutch and back brake.The rest came pretty naturally.

Gonna ride my Varadero 125 for a few months get some road experience and some funds saved and go for the DAS.

Cheers steve

[waffles]

Congratulations! Now you can glide through the traffic and give thumbs up to guys stuck in cars with their kids screaming in the back and the missus yelling at them.....

Good choice with the Varadero, I was suprised at how big they are considering its a "learner" bike.
____________________
Theory test - 19/8/09, CBT - 11/10/09, MOD 1 - 16/8/10, MOD 2 - 27/10/10
Past rides Yamaha XT125X, Triumph TT600, Honda XR250
Current rides Suzuki GSXR 600, Honda MSX125

[Muscle Bike Rider]

Well done and welcome mate, good bike choice I have one myself, just look after the chain, do the usual checks and it will serve you well.
____________________
Previously Known As A5tra_G
Old Bikes :2010 Kawasaki ER6 F & 2000 Honda VTR Firestorm
Current Bike : XJR1300

[spit1972]

Got out for my first solo ride today

Heading to a friends house,was a little nervous but enjoying the ride.

As i started reaching the outskirts of Derby started hitting more traffic,which wasnt to much of a problem until the taxi drivers and white van men started coming from nowhere!!

What is it with them thinking they own the f**kin roads,i had about three taxis try n squish me while they overtake parked cars and as for the white vans,u just gotta get out the bloody way

Apart from that,i can't wait until it's play time again

Cheers Steve

[Rogerborg]

Occupation hazard. All you can do is be visible, own your lane, and assume that they'll all pull out on you - which they will. It's nothing personal, they're just mongs.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[Dilyan]

Lol, im a taxi driver
Yes, we are prix but we wanna be on time coz we wont get repetitive business. Times are hard
A transit van ran into my back about 2 weeks ago while i was on my bike. Great fun
____________________
Current: 2007 VFR800; Ex: 2001 YZF600R Thundercat
Škoda Octavia (yes, a taxi driver)

[nokiakeys]

Nice one Steve on complete the CBT and theory.

While riding, always look what's going on around you, as you will always find some tosser trying to bully you.
Remember you pay road tax as well, so own your part of the road.

Just pass your test and get your big boy bike, then you can leave them in your dust while filtering (and keeping to the speed limit of course)
____________________
CBT: 04/2010 -> Theory: 09/2010 -> MOD1 & 2: 10/2010 (That's right baby, both on same day)
Honda CBF125 -> Honda CB600FS

[spit1972]

Dilyan- No offense intended,they just seem to be the majority that come for ya


nokiakeys-Cheers mate,gonna get some road experience then hopefully sometime in june go for the big-un!

Just out of curiosity do many places give hourly lessons or a couple of hours?Im based around Draycott in derby.


Cheers
Steve