Never been on a Bike at 40yo - CBT Next week

[Rogerborg]

[wots]

That's my favourite and the one I thought of when seeing the other CBR. It's been doing the rounds, but still funny.
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Currently: Yamaha DT 125 LC2,Repsol Fireblade, and Bumblebee MSX 125

[BTTD]

My plan was CBT, hire 125 for some practice on a few weekends, then do a DAS course.
So I booked my CBT one Saturday, I managed to drop the bike early on, but still got through it all and got my cert. The following weekend I hired a 125 off the training school for a day to practice on and just went riding around all day. By late afternoon I was getting bored and didn't feel like I was learning a lot so I booked my DAS and a few weeks later did a three day course with the test on the final afternoon.
There were a few people on my course doing the same and they all passed with the exception of one woman who actually had more experience on a 125. She was more confident than the rest of us on the bike and was making it all look easy, until she locked up the back wheel on the way to the test center on a downshift. She didn't drop it, no drama, but it wrecked her nerves 10 minutes before the test.

That was back in 2000, the tests were a bit different, I think DAS courses tend to be 4 days now?

[Herb Bert]

Hello Guys,

Passed my theory and completed my CBT successfully last week, Hooray !!

Was an exhausting day, also had some hairy moments when instructor came in front of me and I was trying to keep up, and quite tense about not banging him from the back. It seems I had nothing to worry about and was relieved at the end of the ride. It’s really down to the training school, SN Motorcycle Training in Barking who were fantastic and taught me how to use the brake levers and other controls properly which I now realise I didn’t get in my previous attempt at a CBT, at a different centre which has since been closed down (rightly so), by the authorities for ahem… irregularities.

On the day had the chance to ride on both a 125cc geared bike and a 125cc scoot….(told you the schools fantastic !!) and one other student had a go on a big bike.

It’s funny how your opinions change after a CBT – before CBT I wanted a big faired bike- after CBT – and after being on the road in London traffic…realised a 125cc is more than enough, especially a twist n go .

I’m glad, I didn’t pay for a DAS at the same time, as I hadn’t had access to a bike since my previous CBT attempt and tbh I don’t think I would have passed it and at £750 a go, that would have been a financial disaster. Fail a DAS course again….without any access to a motorcycle …and I see the costs adding up considerably.

Its always said on this forum, that minds change after a CBT…I believe I’m starting to think …” Time on a tiddler is rarely wasted…..” I am also thinking of getting a scooter…something that’s been suggested here previously like a PCX ,Burgman or a Honda S-wing 125cc for a budget of 1K -1.5K … have to admit that some new Chinese scoots look great…but can’t really take the chance - even on a brand new one especially as no rider reviews seem to exist anywhere.
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hello

[grr666]

[Rogerborg]

There's a lot to take in, great to hear that you got through it.

[Andy_Pagin]

Personally I wouldn't want to ride a 125 on the North Circular anymore than I'd like to be on roller skates in the Ben-Hur chariot race scene.
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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

[Herb Bert]

Thanks for the advices guys. For clarity purposes when I went on the road, I was on the scooter hence my CBT was issued on that though I understand I can ride geared if I want to.

My concerns are;

Wanting to gain confidence on the road without the hassle of gears at first. Will not be looking to commute for now but looking to ride locally, having said I do see people on 125cc’s on A406, it is slow during peak hours and 50cc’s even whizz by.

I think what Im also worried about losing momentum now that Ive got my CBT and with my missus finally coming round to the idea of me getting a bike…..i don’t want to leave it long again - though now after re-reading my post following grr666 reply, i hope she never comes across my post as might assume double-life. LOL
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hello

[grr666]

In all seriousness I did my CBT and DAS at 40 in 2014. Did CBT on a Fazer 600 and all my DAS training and tests.
Bought a year old ER6f while the ink was still wet on my test certificate, chopped it in last year for a brand new MT09
Sport Tracker. In my youth I did a lot of naughty thrill seeking things and none of those come close to going out and caning
my bike on a nice sunny day. There's also a lot of sensible bike options out there that aren't overwhelming, and at our age
insurance is cheap. My first year on the ER6f was 111quid Full Comp as a brand new rider with zero no claims.
What part of London are you from? I've spent many many hours on the A406 in my time. I used to drive a truck out of
a yard in Tottenham every day for 4 years.
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Currently enjoying products from Ford, Mazda and Yamaha
Ste wrote: Avatars are fine, it's signatures that need turning off.

[Andy_Pagin]

[Herb Bert]

Im coming from Barking, know Tottenham a bit though ..as I'm from Walthamstow.
TBH being 5ft5 may have meant that's why maybe I got comfy on the scoot- a Honda Dylan.
What I may do is get a gear conversion course and maybe get a few hours on a geared bike in a controlled environment?
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hello

[Bigvern72]

[grr666]

[Herb Bert]

Indeed. A lot has changed...it must be years since you left though. Don't blame you...looking to exit London myself tbh.
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hello

[grr666]

Been away just over 6 years now. Don't miss it in the slightest. My Mrs is a Bristol girl who came to London for uni.
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Currently enjoying products from Ford, Mazda and Yamaha
Ste wrote: Avatars are fine, it's signatures that need turning off.

[Pjay]

[M.C]

I was scared to take my 125 on the North Circular, problem's at 50ish you're getting towards the bikes top speed, and don't have much/anything to get you out of trouble. Might not be an issue when commuting in traffic, I know someone who did the A13 for years on a CBF125 without issue (until the engine shat itself close to 30k).

[Herb Bert]

[Herb Bert]

[Herb Bert]

[SuperMike]

Well done for getting the CBT done. I first jumped on a PCX 125 about 4 years ago as like you I had had enough of sitting in traffic on my commute to work. I head around the South Circular for 10 miles each way, and the scooter was fine - there aren't really any sections where you can get anywhere near motorway speeds, so sitting at 30 - 50mph the scooter was happy as Larry.

Got knocked off however a couple of years ago and at the age of 37 decided to get my DAS done. I wouldn't say that on my big bike I get to work any quicker than on my scooter, but I am a lot more visible. The number of SMIDSY incidents I have to contend with has dropped considerably as I now make a lot more noise and am a lot bigger.

Having the big bike has also opened up the world of Sunday afternoon fun as well. Not something I do a lot, but heading off round the lanes now and again will put a smile on anyone's face.