n00b alert!

[Mumrah]

Hi everyone. I've been browsing the forum for the last couple of hours and figured you seem like a nice bunch and I may as well sign up!

I've just passed my CBT last week - first time I've ever been near a bike so I'm still a little nervy and wonder how the hell the examiner felt I was ready to go out alone?!

My Honda CBR125 Repsol arrived today and my plans are to ride that around to build my confidence until I book my full test some time in April. I also have my theory in March.

I've held my driving licence for 19 years so not new to the road but have a whole new appreciation and respect for it! I'm a short (5' 3") female (not feeble) and really hoping that my nerves will die down and that I'll be able to take bends (even those turns that most wouldn't class as bends) with ease and sort out the damn controlled stops for turning at junctions - ASAP!

Oh, and I also struggle with finding the indicators without looking down or taking my hand off the grip to sort it out. It seems to be in a very odd position. . . yup, I'm sure that's just me being a numpty!

I feel I've already learnt a lot in the two hours I've been reading and hope to glean a lot more as I browse.

The Riding Tips & Advice link in the sticky thread above seems to be a dead link. Is there a new link or is the info no longer available? It looks like it might be essential reading for me!

The bike was delivered with an empty tank so I'm currently sat in my gear waiting for rush hour to be over so that I can venture down to the busy Tesco to fill up! Wish me luck on my maiden voyage

[arry]

Luck


Welcome aboard.

Take it easy, shiny side up, yadehyadayada etc

[wr6133]

Indicators and other things will come with practice just need your brain to build that little memory map.

Have fun!

..... and what tossers for delivering you, your bike with bugger all fuel!

[Mumrah]

Thanks, arry, WR6133.

Yup, the lack of fuel wasn't clocked by me until it was too late and I'm not too sure why I didn't mention it when 'doing the deal'. I'm a lot more savvy when it comes to car negotiations - I was just too damn green with the bike

Everything will need to come to me with practice as I really don't feel confident at all. I'm just crossing my fingers that the bike doesn't end up on top of me out on the street!

[arry]

You'll be fine. Not a lot of weight to pick up if it does, but you may have some expensive plastics to replace

I'd suggest getting out on roads you know in places that are quiet for a couple of weeks and just build your confidence.

When you're learning you spend a lot more time worrying about controls so less on road-craft. Once you've got controls nailed then you'll do that without thinking - more thought time for road craft. But one step at a time, so take your time in easy-going locations and build up to the next step

[mentalboy]

Welcome to the nuthouse

If you can manage to put up with us lot you'll find biking a breeze!!!
Congratulations on the new toy, take it careful out there - at this time of year the weather likes to throw a few curveballs on top of dealing with other road users (Although that's probably something you're already aware of!)
____________________
Make mine a Corona.

[unluckyluke]

For the first two weeks after my cbt every time I went to cancel my indicators I ended up beeping my horn! Got a lot of funny looks . Fair play on doing your cbt in the middle of January, that's dedication!

[Ribenapigeon]

Cheesy but worth a watch. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmOBZ9u0mag

welcome

[mic]

Tl;dr

Pics or gtfo

2 bad karmas..... suppose it's only acceptable when certain people say it then
____________________
zzr600

[mentalboy]

[Ribenapigeon]

[mic]

[Mumrah]

[Mumrah]

Mentalboy, I reckon I could just about handle a nuthouse - I probably belong in one. I was fortunate tonight in that it's not yet icy and it was dry - I think I would have given it a miss otherwise!

Unluckyluke - I did just that tonight. I was leaving my friend's house and he thought the kids around his place were playing up! I had to admit to the incorrect judgement on the indicator. I have notice that the left seems to stick though which explains why, in part, I'm having problems! Anyone know any good clockwise routes?

Thanks for the links guys. I'll check them out

[hedgehugger]

Things like indicators all come with practice.
When I was first riding after my CBT, it seemed a big achievement just to go up the road to the roundabout and back, in one piece .

Take your bike to a quiet area, close by, at a quiet time (if there is such a thing) and get used to it. Once you get your basic controls, things like indicators, gears, lifesavers etc become easier.
I used to go out on my SR with the intention of practicing a 'thing', be it hill starts, concentrating on gear changes, mirrors etc. Eventually it comes together naturally, and once you get the hang of one thing, the next thing is easier.

As for the petrol I had a leaky carb (didn't know) and it kept running out of petrol, after being stood up overnight.
The first time I just assumed the petrol was in there and conked out half a mile from home Had to push it back!

[Mumrah]

Hedgehugger, I can totally relate to the making it to the roundabout. . . petrol station. . . side road. . . every step of the way without incident feels like a relief. I feel like I'm playing a platform game and reaching 'safe' points to get a breather!

I was planning to visit Tesco car park early on a Sunday morning. I wasn't sure if they'd tell me off but my reasons for being there would be legitimate. I think I'll give that a go

I've fortunately only met with patient drivers so far - doing 20mph in a built up area is probably really frustrating for them but their distance is much appreciated by me. I'm not looking forward to the first tailgater!

[Rogerborg]

Hi, Mumrah, welcome onboard. You will get a few "tits or gtfo", I'm afraid. It's somewhat of a ritual, mostly to see how you react. Nothing is meant by it. Rolled eyes and a sigh are in this season.

The CBT is indeed verrrry basic, and personally I think it's inadequate. Still, most people do manage to not get dead or potato on their first soLo ride. It's when you get confident that you have to watch out.

It'll all come with practice, and that's what I suggest you do - go out somewhere quiet and repeat what you did on your CBT. Slow control, clutch work, brakes. Everything is easier when you're not worrying about what happens when you come to a stop.

Indicators take a while, I'm still in the habit of double-cancelling, and again when I change up a gear.

Definitely give ice a miss, my only tumble to date was on black ice on a deceptively mild morning 100 yards from my front door.

And don't sweat it. Practice means confidence means enjoyment - it really is a great way to get around.
____________________
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

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

[Mumrah]

Thanks Roger, it takes a lot to offend me and believe me, there was plenty of eye rolling going on behind the keyboard. Not sure I clocked the 'tits' part - I think it was more a critique on the length of my post. Pfffft, whatever!

What's double-cancelling? Yes I know, I should google it!

Why is it these things always happen close to home. Sorry to hear you took a tumble.

[Mumrah]

[Rogerborg]

I quite like the CBR 125, it's the sensible daft choice. Neat, very easy to ride, perky enough but without that daft "Yeah, it's 11kW, right at the license limit, innit, fastest 125 you can get, blud" bluster of the YZF-R125.

Plastics are easily available, and they don't necessarily assplode the moment they go horizontal - I've lifted a CBR125 off a downed chum and got him going again with nothing more than bending his gearshift back into shape. Pre-scuffed is definitely best, someone else has taken the depreciation and you don't have to worry about popping its cherry.

Double cancelling is just what it says, mashing the button two (or more) times. Then again for luck. And again when you change up. You won't always need to do that, but it'll get you through your test.
____________________
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

[ninja_butler]

https://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/Gallery%20%20A/Yamaha%20YZF600R%2096%20%204.jpg

[Mumrah]

Ah, okay, so double-cancelling is a good thing. I thought you were implying it was a mistake you were making. I'll take that on board!

Ninja, nice TCat ref!

[Ribenapigeon]

I spam my indicator off all the time. Its a good habit to have, it makes sure you switch your indicators off after turns.

You're not neccesarily going to drop your bike. The only people convinced you will are those who regularly do and don't want to feel like they're the only clumsy idiot on the block.

[Mumrah]

I'm almost sure I will drop the bike but I'd rather be dropping this one over the bigger bike I plan to get when I pass.

This is purely to get to grips with riding and then it's job will be done. I was attracted to it because it had already depreciated a good deal and there's only 700 miles on it. I'm hoping there will be little going wrong. The indicator hasn't been a good start but at least it's not a mechanical issue.