Learner

tatt0owarrior · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 09 Sep 2015 Karma :

Hi All I've recently bought a Suzuki GS 125 bobber Very Happy

I'm booked in for CBT on the 18th I've never ridden a motorbike before but i have been driving for 20 years, my question is can I practice on my bike on a field or car park somewhere or will i get in trouble?

BrownTrousers · Trackday Trickster Joined: 08 Sep 2013 Karma :

Your own field? Fine.

A public car park (i.e. one that Joe Bloggs can also drive into)? You may well get in trouble.

For the sake of a week, just wait and get CBT done. Then can practice in car parks etc. as much as you want.

Could spend the time learning how to do some basic checks/maintenance on your new bike... Will be more useful.

Edit for clarity; as I understand it, a public car park is the same as a public road, as far as "driving otherwise than in accordance with license and with no insurance" is concerned. Others may correct me...
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stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Indeed. You're fine on private land where you have permission to ride and which is not open to the public. Otherwise, no.

GS125 bobber? How does that work then? I'm intrigued.
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MCN · Super Spammer Joined: 22 Jul 2015 Karma :

CBT

Stay off the road until you do your CBT. The Po-Po won't show mercy. Smile

Practice taking the bike off and putting it on the stand.
Then walking along whilst pushing the bike turning it left and right.
If you're are not familiar with motorbikes they can feel awkward to manoeuvre due to them being bulkier and heavier than a push-bike.

Practice turning the indicators on and off.
And get it hammered into your head that you must turn them off as soon as possible. Your instructor will brae you for forgetting. Smile

Most bikes don't have self-cancelling indicators.
The fear is that you leave it on, someone thinks you're turning and pulls out. You T-Bone them.

You can also practice preparing the bike to start and shutting off the engine.

There's a clip (after that ^^^ Government one) of a CBT.

Best of Luck and chill.
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

tatt0owarrior · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 09 Sep 2015 Karma :

Thanks for the input people I'll post some pics of the beast soon

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

Teflon-Mike · tl;dr Joined: 01 Jun 2010 Karma :

Why do you want to ~~Play with your new toy~~ 'Practice'?

CBT is a Lesson, NOT a test.

No practice, in fact no prior knowledge is required.

Even such dexterity as the ability to walk and chew gum at the same time without bumping into lamp-posts is only 'moderately' useful.. I mean, come on, Pizza Delivery Boys can manage these courses!!!!!

Read the highway code; sort out a packed lunch, get a good nights sleep the night before, and dress 'sensibly'... that's ALL the preparation you should need worry about.
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Current Bikes:'Honda VF1000F' ;'CB750F2N' ;'CB125TD ( 6 3 of em!)'; 'Montesa Cota 248'. Learner FAQ's:= 'U want to Ride a Motorbike! Where Do U start?'