Geared Motorcycle?

[AaronG97]

Hey,

I've been riding my 50cc moped for nearly 3 months and I'm enjoying it a lot. I'm eager to continue and get my A1 licence when I'm 17. I'm on a CBT that will be valid on my 17th so I'm considering getting a Honda CBR125 - however, I have a question that probably gets asked a lot, are geared motorcycles hard to ride?

Obviously I'm used to a twist & go bike so it might take a bit of getting used to. Is it worth me paying for some geared motorcycle lessons before or do you pick it up quite easily?

Any help/advice would be appreciated!

Aaron

[Supermoto_Fan]

Nothing 2 hours in a car park or down some lanes can't fix. The issue normally lies when someone tries to learn the concept of riding a bike and matching this up with gears/clutch etc. your only doing the latter, you already know about balance etc
____________________
Yamaha MT-09 - Triple powerrrr

[Dave_R]

Geared bikes are dead easy to ride.

Since you're already on a moped I don't think you'll need any lessons, although it might be worth watching tutorial vids on youtube on using gears and a clutch on a motorcycle.

[Kol]

As said mate, it's easy enough and you already have the basics of riding a bike under your belt. I'd say definitely practice on the geared bike off road in a car park and then some local quiet roads, as it will take some time to get used to the clutch and timing all your control inputs.

Just take it easy and steady, don't be in too much of a rush at first, there's plenty of time. These things take time to get into your neuro-muscular memory and you don't want to get yourself into a situation that you don't have the skill or experience to deal with safely.

Go for it mate, have the confidence to get on with it and do it, just don't be an idiot!
____________________
Current bike - 2008 Street Triple R

[Andy_Pagin]

A one hour lesson is well worth the expense, you can't beat professional training. I'm sure you'll find it way easier than I did, thirty years of car driving before I got into bikes was a sod, having to learn a new set of reflexes similar to but slightly different from car driving was hard work.

You'll love geared bikes, man and machine become one entety, which is what makes biking so rewarding.

There is a price to pay though, you'll probably need a larger helmet to accomodate your grin
____________________
They're coming to take me away, ho-ho, hee-hee, ha-haaa, hey-hey,
the men in white coats are coming to take me away.
Yamaha Vity -> YBR125 -> FZS600 Fazer -> FZ1-S Fazer

[Matt94]

When I was 16 I was a on a twist and go, itching to get on a geared 125 I would be watching how-to videos on youtube and I would sit there with my arms out simulating a clutch and throttle and gear changes with my feet.

I had only ever been on a geared bike before hand about 3 times on a little 50cc two stroke, which I found is actually harder than a 125 because the gears are SO short.

Anyway sure enough after sitting there like a tard for months pretending to do gears, I got on my 125 and about 3 times going up and down the road I had picked it up instantly and was out on the road.

6 months later I had my full bike licence, 0 minors.

It DOES sound stupid and retarded but hey it worked for me
____________________
current; beemer 5 series!

[red5]

Its a doddle, you already know how to ride and read the road so your 3/4 of the way there.
My personal preference would be to stay on L plates till your 19 then take your test for a bigger bike. But each to there own.

[Nandonian]

I practised in the garden (it's a very big garden) a few days before going out on my 125 for the first time. Then pain problems I faced were setting off, especially on a hill, and feathering the clutch while turning. I just used to jerk about.

But once you have these things 3/4 of the way sorted off the road, you will be fine on the road as you pick these up more. I've been riding geared for three months, it's easy once you get it, don't worry!
____________________
Suzuki Katana AY50; Peugeot Jetforce C-Tech 05+06; Honda CG125 ; Yamaha YBR125; Aprilia RS125 FP; Lexmoto XTRS 125; Aprilia RS125 Race Replica; Aprilia RS125 Extrema FP; Seat Ibiza FR 1.9 TDI

[bhinso]

Geared bikes will be no problem after a few hours practice. The only thing i'd say is don't go for the A1 licence. Unless i'm mistaken that only lets you ride 125cc bikes, and it is the A2 that you want

[CG Sam]

[Ribenapigeon]

Easier than a car and think of the idiots who get car licences.

At your age I would recommend some lessons. Some traing now will give you road sense which will serve you well in the future. Take the tests as well. Its not too expensive and will reduce your insurance and allow you to take advanced riding courses which will also reduce your insurance and when your older make doing DAS much easier.

Take note as well of the scientific fact that young people have fuck all ability to asses risks acuratly so don't be a nob. Ride further within the limits you percieve you have to compensate for being young and stupid (scientificaly proven idiot of course)

[Andy_Pagin]