Another noob - thought I'd dived in too deep but...

[RNDdave]

Hello,

I have been loitering for a little while, checking out some of the threads here, commented on one other, but this is my first real post.

I have been thinking about getting a bike for a long time now but only recently decided to do something about it. I started with the theory test and booked a DAS with CBT.

CBT was yesterday, we did the class stuff, all simple enough, then we went on the bikes, Uh, I realised I have very little balance and comfort on the bike, especially at low speeds, and those u turns, they kill me

We got to the road Drive and I was seriously wondering if I've thrown some money away here, I was really uncomfortable with the bike.

We went out, did some simple laps around a trading estate and I wasn't feeling too great, but the instructors are ace, they gave pointers, offered reassurance and took it slow and steady. I felt a bit better and we went on the road drive, I still made mistakes, i still suck at the u-turn but once out there, riding, yes, I bloody loved it!!!


Today I went back for the conversion, they felt it better to keep me on the 125 rather than move up to a 600 and tbh I was probably happy with that, I still made a few mistakes but I def felt better. There were 3 or maybe 4 mistakes that I could not believe I did, I just don't know wht went through my head at that time, but again the instructors are great.

I've got a couple of days rest before going back and moving up to the 600 as ling as both I and the instructors feel it's the right move I guess and then, assuming I don't mess up too badly then the mod 1 test is later in the week, kind of nervous about it already, i hate the slow stuff and every time I feel my self messing up I clam up and hate the bike, but as soon as we move back into the road riding I love it, can't believe I've left it so long to get round to doing something.

Anyway, assuming my story hasn't made you fear for the reputations of bikers everywhere at the thought of another noob getting on the road, then wish me look please, I probably need it :-p

Oh, and assuming it's not frowned upon, the 'school' I'm with is called '<snip>' in Swindon, next to the George whites place, ace bunch of instructors and lots of nice bikes and kit to drool over at break times

Cheers,

Dave
____________________
Flickr/Me - Twitter/Me

[Jodie]

Were you one of two guys following the bloke on the Versys, we were up there today. One was on a Ybr custom and an ordinary Ybr .


Welcome btw and good luck, don't think I'd like to learn there with all the bikers watching.

[RNDdave]

Ah, yeah, there today but I think that might have been the CBT bunch for today, they had 2 different groups in today.

My group had 2 instructors with a Suzuki Bandit 1250 and a Yamaha FJR 1300.

I was on a little ybr 125 and my fellow trainee was on a XJ6 diversion
____________________
Flickr/Me - Twitter/Me

[Jodie]

I found the slow stuff hard to get to grips with too, try to stay calm, take your time and don't be afraid to ask questions.
It's a lot to take in, in such a small amount of time.

Fingers crossed for you

[fiveus]

you will find the bigger bikes a lot easier to use than the 125's.They seem to have better balance...

[pinkyfloyd]

[moppy]

Pfft I've been riding a year and I fucked up a U turn today on a very wide road just because someone was looking

Dont worry about it, it comes with time.

[CaNsA]

Stick with it dude

And if you think you are going to fast then roll off the throttle, dont grab the front brake.

Good luck

[RNDdave]

Cheers all.

People keep telling me that the bigger bikes are easier to handle, which does sound to my none biker brain a little odd

BUT pretty much everyone, all bikers that know their stuff, says the same thing so I would be stupid and rude to believe otherwise.

Appreciate the words of wisdom though, just need to let my brain absorb everything for next day or so and be ready to take on next day of training on Wednesday.

Kind of wish I had a little old rust bucket and some land to play on for next 48 hours but maybe just giving my brain a little time to absorb it all is just as important as playing and possibly building on any bad habits I havent yet ironed out
____________________
Flickr/Me - Twitter/Me

[ajbsmirnoff]

They are heavier with the centre of mass lower down, which makes they feel alot more stable (probably something to do with inertia). you never really feel the extra weight*.

The extra power and torque make the bike easier to ride, as you don't have to revs the knackers off the bike to move it - a big help during slow control.


*until you you have to pick them up after under-steering across a wet road on wet leaves.

[waffles]

Keep your head up and look to where you want to go, dont focus on what is in front of you as you will follow whichever direction you look in.

Have fun on Wednesday!
____________________
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

[dan0h]

Good luck with it Dave - I'm taking the plunge of CBT myself on the 9th of May
____________________
CBT: 9/5/11 (PASS) - THEORY: 15/6/11 (BOOKED) - MOD1: ?? - MOD2: ??
Commute weapon: 2008 Derbi Mulhacen 125 (3/6/11)

[crackfinder]

[RNDdave]

Hi all,

Thanks for the kind words all.

A couple of updates, 1st off I pulled out in front of a fellow biker in Swindon on Wednesday, very sorry, my obs were shockingly bad, no excuse, luckily I did eventually spot the biker and didn't move out into his path (or hers) too much but the fact that I started moving obviously caught the much more experienced and much more observant bikers attention... For this I'm sorry. I think it was a bit of an eye opener, I don't think I'll be doing that again...

2. I took and Failed my MOD 1 today. Possibly a good thing after number 1 huh - btw it was a single fault, just a big one, hit a cone with my foot on the hazard avoidance, when I say hit it, I knocked it about 3 feet

3. I am loving the road riding, my slow control is loads better and my observations are already better (yesterday's mistake has really helped me step it up on this front).

Ok so I know I have more to learn, I need to rebook my mod 1 and I probably committed a cardinal sin by not only skimping on my observations but in front of a fellow biker as well, but I still love this and am looking forward to trying the mod 1 again.

Sorry the post is such a long one.
____________________
Flickr/Me - Twitter/Me

[pinkyfloyd]

Unlucky on the fail. These things happen. Just dont beat yourself up about it and rebook.
____________________
illuminateTHEmind wrote: I am just more evolved than most of you guys... this allows me to pick of things quickly which would have normally taken the common man years to master
Hockeystorm65:.well there are childish arguments...there are very childish arguments.....there are really stupid childish arguments and now there are......Pinkfloyd arguments!
Teflon-Mike:I think I agree with just about all Pinky has said.

[Frog]