Brand new to everything! LOTS of questions

-Sin- · Derestricted Danger Joined: 30 Sep 2014 Karma :

Well, ever since I was little I've wanted a bike, but mentally opted against it a few years ago after deciding I wanted to work with horses (so a 4x4 would have been a more appropriate mode of transport) but after recently having a long hard think and a change of career path I've realised I can, in fact, get a bike like I've always wanted!

The only downside is I have very little knowledge and I'm more used to riding something with a mind (and opinion) of its own!

Currently looking for another job so that I'll be able to afford everything because my current temp job finishes around Nov. so I won't be able to save enough to get one any time in the next few months but at least this means I have time to learn as much as possible! Very Happy

Hints and tips for ultimate newbies?

I've been on the back of a friends bike a few times and love it, although I find leaning with the bike quite scary and all I can think is the bike sliding out from underneath me, is this normal?

Not sure where to begin in terms of looking at bikes/gear (online - I want a rough idea of what's good and appropriate and everything), I'm 5"8 and quite slim built and as much as I'd like to think so, I'm not very strong, so I'm assuming I'd need a more lightweight style of bike?

Also I keep getting told how dangerous it is, which I know already, and that I'm going to get seriously hurt/die which makes me feel a little anxious even though I know people are only concerned for my safety. Anyone got any positive thoughts/stories that go against this negative way of thinking? Smile

Thank you for reading! Smile

FlightRisk · Spanner Monkey Joined: 08 Jul 2014 Karma :

People get weird about it. If you said you were going skydiving you wouldn't get 'OMG so much dangerous!' lecture.
Lot's of things are dangerous. Horse riding is much more dangerous, allegedly.

Size of bike; it's about technique rather than how big or strong you are.
With that said, being physically fit or a bit beefy might give you a little bit more leeway when you're learning and you make a mistake at slow speed but it's no more than that really.
In some ways big bikes are easier.

Book a CBT and see how you get on. If you like the 125cc bikes buy a YBR and get miles in. If you find you'd like to try a bigger bike, do DAS instead. (Assuming you're old enough, what age are you?)

Oh, leaning over on the back of someone else bike freaks the living daylights out of me. Sick

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-Sin- · Derestricted Danger Joined: 30 Sep 2014 Karma :

I do believe the horse riding is more dangerous thing, I fell off last month and knocked myself out and the horse ran away whilst I was out!

Can only get a 125cc so that narrows down my choice!

And I'm glad its not just me! Is it different when you're not on the back?

Aff · World Chat Champion Joined: 05 May 2011 Karma :

20 times more dangerous on a horse. Jus' sayin.
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Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

20 times more dang-

-Sin- · Derestricted Danger Joined: 30 Sep 2014 Karma :

In all honesty the horse riding accidents thing makes me feel better xD knowing that one of my hobbies is already far more dangerous than something else I'm looking at takes a bit of the stress off

FlightRisk · Spanner Monkey Joined: 08 Jul 2014 Karma :

Ste · Not Work Safe Joined: 01 Sep 2002 Karma :

monkeybiker · World Chat Champion Joined: 23 Sep 2014 Karma :

I would say don't rush into it.

Book a CBT and then think about what you want to do.

If you want to slowly get into bikes then get a 125cc and ride that for a year or so. After that then you decide what to do.

Take your time, you don't need to be jumping in at the deep end, you've got your whole life to get into it.

-Sin- · Derestricted Danger Joined: 30 Sep 2014 Karma :

That video is amazing! xD

Takes a lot of trust to be on the back of someones bike it seems!

JP7 · World Chat Champion Joined: 22 Dec 2008 Karma :

Welcome!

As others have said, the best thing to do is to book in for a CBT. It gives you a taster of biking, learning to change gear, learning to lean, etc. See how you get on with that, and go from there.

www.geton.co.uk is a good site with loads of info about bikes, kit, licences, training schools, etc.

Have a go, you'll love it.

-Sin- · Derestricted Danger Joined: 30 Sep 2014 Karma :

I'll probably book it when I manage to secure a permanent because it'll suck to do my CBT, love it and then not be able to afford a bike for a long time :/

monkeybiker · World Chat Champion Joined: 23 Sep 2014 Karma :

Have a look at this

https://www.geton.co.uk/

My friend did it last year at silverstone and got a free ride on a scooter

Some might charge £10 but it's good to get a taster.

Clanger · Stirrer Joined: 27 May 2004 Karma :

talkToTheHat · World Chat Champion Joined: 21 Feb 2012 Karma :

Isn't the most dangerous thing for a young male themselves?

Ride, have fun, stay alive to spite the people who tell you it's dangerous.
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-Sin- · Derestricted Danger Joined: 30 Sep 2014 Karma :

That may well be true, but I'm not a male!

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

WD Forte · World Chat Champion Joined: 17 Jun 2010 Karma :

As said, doing the CBT will give you a taster
and will help you decide if its for you or not.
Riding a bike is a totally different experience to being a passenger on one
I've always hated being a passenger !
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bikers smell of wee

talkToTheHat · World Chat Champion Joined: 21 Feb 2012 Karma :

WD Forte · World Chat Champion Joined: 17 Jun 2010 Karma :

Course..
there's nothing wrong with horses

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzYzVMcgWhg
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bikers smell of wee

-Sin- · Derestricted Danger Joined: 30 Sep 2014 Karma :

(No offence taken!)

Yeah I'm actually quite looking forward to taking my CBT just for the experience more than anything!

And that is, indeed, a rather lovely horse xD

Said friend who's bike I've been on lately seems well on course to becoming more than a friend, so maybe I'll be able to get a lot more advice from him too! Delighted, needless to say.

Countrygirl · Derestricted Danger Joined: 12 Aug 2014 Karma :

Hi Sin,

Speaking as a newbie I would say go for it - furthermore, as an ex-horse owner, I have first hand experience of injury - I came off my horse four and a half years ago and sustained an open fracture of my tibia and fibula with the bones sticking out through my leg and had to be airlifted to hospital to be put back together.
I had been wanting to learn to ride for twenty years but for the most part lack of money got in the way, and also not one person I knew rode. My boyfriend of six years has ridden for 26 years so I decided to learn. The feeling of freedom now I have my own bike is unbeatable. I was a pillion for a few years and it wasn't the leaning that got me - I always felt I'd fly off the back at speed and never quite got over that fear.
Regarding the weight thing, I'm 5'9" and slim - handling the 600s at slow speed for the first time was a real shock. I'd only ever wheeled bicycles before so that was the only frame of reference I had; I was terrified I'd drop the bloody thing wheeling it around and had a worry I'd tip over on U turns but you do get used to it quickly. The trick is not to think about it too much - I am fine wheeling my CBR about and putting it on the centre stand but when my boyfriend is watching I get all flustered and anxious! Like me I am sure you're used to lugging hay, feed and pulling up big horses so you should be fine. Once you're actually riding it feels entirely different in any case, but I would say that being generally fit and strong helps - as a girl, you're just never going to be as strong as a strapping great bloke.
Lastly - I am 43, and after passing my Mod 2 recently, I have only just told my mum, as I knew exactly how she'd react (very badly). There's no doubt you are at risk riding - you have to factor this in and decide whether you accept that risk and try to mitigate it at every opportunity; you can't control other road users. When I was learning I felt confident and a bit cocooned by having my instructor behind me - now I have my own bike I have to admit it feels very different - it's me, and me alone, who is responsible for my safety. But man, when I am riding on a sunny day on my CBR it makes me so happy!

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

-Sin- · Derestricted Danger Joined: 30 Sep 2014 Karma :

Oh dear! Hope you healed quickly after that :/

And thank you I found that very reassuring! Smile

pinkyfloyd · Super Spammer Joined: 20 Jul 2010 Karma :

As said above. Book a CBT and arrive ready for a busy learning day. The instructor will give you all the info, including demo's of every element should you require it and most elements should you not when riding on the pad.
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