Craving More Power Already

[Andy J]

I'm still really enjoying my bike but I'm thinking of upgrading already. It provides me with enough thrill but only when I rag the gears.

My daily commute is 50mph+ and unless your shifting gears at like 9k revs its a really tedious experience tbh; especially slowing down for speed cameras then speeding up again etc.

For around town and going on trips out to the sticks etc its still great fun, but it just feels like I'm raping it everytime I go out for a ride. I know if I had a bike of say 250cc I wouldn't be changing gears at 9k+ revs etc so much.

I'm going to have the bike for at least another 6 months, because although I feel confident I know there's still a lot of experience to be gained and like I said I am still having lots of fun... But not on fricken dual carriage ways to college and one of my bests mates houses I'm often at. Feels like it's struggles, and I don't wanna have to change from 4th gear upwards and above at 9k+ revs to get a reasonable amount of acceleration because frankly it can't be good for the engine.

I wonder what the chance of success would be to do at my test in 6 months time.. cos I reckon after I've got my knee all the way down (still a good half inch of tread to go) and been on a few more trips with my friend I'm gonna really want a new bike.

I was just wondering when people usually take their test, and am I getting ahead of myself to want to do this reasonably soon? (i.e 6 months). Also do most people that rode 125's, or their first bike felt the same way I do a bit quite quickly. Tbh if I only ever rode around town and didn't go out to the country for trips or had my commute or best mate on at the same high speed roads it wouldn't be such an issue.

[Nexus Icon]

I'd say get it done this summer. You can get as much experience on the 250 (if that's what you choose) after the test and, tbh, you don't need a lot of experience to pass the test itself.

After all, plenty of people turn up for a CBT on a Monday morning, having never touched a motorbike before, and are all licenced up by the Friday afternoon.
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Greetings from Shitsville!

[Paris2]

I have only been riding my 125 for 3 weeks now. And yes, I am craving more power already. But I think that comes from driving cars for 6 years, where I was able to cruise along at 70-80mph with ease. Now I have to rag my bike to get to 65mph-ish and like you say its a struggle to keep it up at that speed.

Though if I avoid dual carriageways its more than fast enough for me, so I will stick with it for at least 6 months if not longer. If I get frustrated I can just think about how much less its costing me to get to work than everyone else around me
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Current Ride: Daytona 600

[Timbo Foggins]

You dont need to be getting your knee down to be able to do the test, infact I think they might not be best pleased if you did.

I did my CBT in september and was still buzzing around on a DT50 until I did my test last week. It's more about the time you've spent on the bike than the time you've had a license. I wouldn't say your timescale is at all unreasonable provided you've been out a fair bit ( and it sounds like you have).

I had to absolutely rag the balls of the 125 I did my test on so I know the feeling of redlining it in every gear and barely going anywhere. The DT felt fine acceleration wise in town, but A roads to college were beginning to get tiresome.

Short answer, if you have the means and the confidence, get it done.

[Livefast123]

Get it done as soon as you can, 250's handle dual carriageways with ease

You should be concentrating on your road position, observation and riding smoothness rather than getting your knee down....lol
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Current ride - Yamaha MT-07

[Teflon-Mike]

[Andy J]

Thanks guys, glad I'm not the only one .

I'd quite like a 250 ninja for my next bike, I'd be more than happy with that for a couple of years I reckon. They start at around 3k though second hand so maybe not .. although it will probably happen tbh lol.

I can't believe how much the bike test costs, I mean £400-£500 that's ridiculous isn't it?! I know once you got you got it but that's not the point!

Hmm, well screw thinking about that right now.. Gonna continue to enjoy and destroy what I have now and stay away from those damn dual carriage ways if I can avoid it.

[Andy J]

[chillyman0]

Dont ever feel pressured by other drivers riders tailgating you!!

I usually find it ammusing to see cars shit themdelves when you dab on the back brake when you feel they are following to close!

Let them know if you think they are too close, wave them to back off or tell them to fuck off (may lead to more agressive behavior towards you mind)
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preivious : 2007 Skyjet 125 (died), 1991 gsf400 (problems, rotting in garden)
1996 gsf600n (sold)
current : 1996 VFR750 for sale, PM for info! 2000 E1 ZX-9r

[weasley]

[clancy]

[Livefast123]

I haven't got bored of my 250 in over a year but then I guess it depends what you want out of the bike. If the just wants to commute on it as cheaply as possible then it's a tool for the job. If he wants to wizz around at the weekend then get a bigger bike.

Why waste £3000 on a 250 Ninja when you can get a better, bigger and prettier bike for much less.

https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2010-HYOSUNG-GT-250-R-ORANGE-BLACK-FSH-IMMACULATE-/180669857533?pt=UK_Motorcycles&hash=item2a10c33efd

And that's an expensive one
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Current ride - Yamaha MT-07

[Teflon-Mike]

[carwynpritcha...]

i think mike has covered about everything there and a bit extra


just have one thing to say

id be more concerned about whats happening with the cars in front of me rather behind because if the car in front of you breaks suddenly and you don't notice because you are more concerned about being tail gated and speeding up then you are going flying across the road

[ace-card]

Agree with Mike I'm afraid mate.....biking wise, I'm a newbie, but I've been on the roads for 9 years, my last decent motor being 270hp (current one 90hp ).....therefore I would say I'm sensible. It's all about progression, SLOW progression, so that you don't find one day that your lust for more power outweighs your experience......then, you get hurt or die

I'm currently riding everywhere to test standard, coz I'm not fully licensed up yet. One day last week, doing an EXACT 30mph, I had two dumbass car drivers tailgate, then overtake me within 20mins of each other.....one of them a bloody pensioner in a shite Skoda! But who gives a rats-ass? Ride YOUR ride.
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2007 Skyjet SJ-125, 2001 Aprillia RS125, 1988 Honda CG125, 1997 Yamaha YZF600R
Mama said "life is like a box o' chocolates....have what's nice, then offload the crap to everyone else!"

[clancy]

true that you do need to be sensible and be carefull you dont get something way to powerful for your abilities. i rode a small bike for a year before moving onto something more powerull and im very comfortable riding my bike pretty much flat out, its all about how you feel.
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KLX 300r

[Rogerborg]

[Timbo Foggins]

Like most, I've got to agree with Mike.

I've already had a fair few people barge past in stupid places because I was doing the limit and they wanted to go faster. I didn't once think "maybe if I go over the limit they will back off". It doesn't work like that.

[bigboy85]

I would love to take all of your rants mike and make it the highway code for learner riders!!! Lol

[clancy]

[Clanger]

If you are feeling a little bit bored with your bike, how about setting yourself a new goal. Set yourself a route, which encompasses roundabouts, traffic lights, pedestrian lights and many junctions etc.

The aim of the game is, you are not to put your feet down once until you have got to the destination.

I have friends who challenge themselves like this, sometimes fully loaded with panniers and camping equipment, just to throw a bit of heavy weight versus natural balance into the equation. The one who reaches destination with the least amount of feet/foot down wins.

Do this, and then come back and tell us how you got on. But make sure it's a proper decent circuit with changing situations, otherwise it's not cricket.
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Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter won't mind - Dr. Seuss

[MikeyBrown]