Hello, new to the forum and i'm having some difficulties....

[Nobby the Bastard]

Most motorbike training centres will assume that you can ride a cycle. Quite frankly if you know you can't why try a motorbike? It's the hieght of stupidity.

For info, I've taught all 3 of my kids how to cycle and know that it's not inherently easy. The eldest took a week to get off stabilisers but he was 12 at the time so I could talk about the steering thing as well as the balance thing and have it understood and acted on.

The youngest finally achieved it at 6 after about a year on stabiliisers because he had to figure it out for himself as he really wouldn't have got the steering and deliberately tried to use it like the eldest.
____________________
trevor saxe-coburg-gotha:"Remember this simple rule - scooters are for men who like to feel the breeze on their huge, flapping cunt lips."
Sprint ST 1050

[Ste]

[gt alex]

I was so glad when I read you are ok riding around in yard.
I was not allowed to ride a bike as a child and as an adult I was always an embarrassment when we hired bikes at the park.
And riding motorcycles I struggled with low speed till I realized dragging
rear brake and clutch allowed power and speed control, but you are already good at low speed.
I will try to help,
When on the road don't look down, look ahead to where you are going and that's where you will go.
I was told look at the center of the road as far as you can. And in traffic try at least 2 cars ahead while being mindful that the car in front may do something else so allow a gap for reaction time.
Main thing look ahead don't look down, or that's where you will go.

Next big thing learn to counter steer and use it all the time except very low speed. It will become habit and it's magic.

I am not an expert so if others can comment agree or disagree feel welcome.

[Tony Norton]

I was nearly 83 before I tried motorbikes. One instructor told me to go away and log 20 hours road work on a pedal bike before coming back. This I did, but even that wasn't easy, I went through 3 push bikes before I found one that suited me. My first motorbike, a YS125, was perhaps not the best choice, I dropped it several times. After about a year of suffering I twigged the problem. I was not confident on 2 wheels if I knew I couldn't comfortably reach the ground with both feet whilst sitting on the saddle. Although I am about 5ft 9ins I have relatively short legs, so the standard saddle height of around 800mm is too tall for me. I researched the market and found that there are bikes around with saddle heights of about 700mm. I now have 2, an AJS Cadwell 125, on which I have passed both the Mod1 and Mod2 so have a full A1 licence, and a Honda Rebel 500 on which I will be doing my A2 Mod1 next week, weather permitting.

To summarise, my advice would be, don't attempt to ride a motorbike unless, when seated on it, you can plant both feet flat on the ground. The difference this makes is quite substantial and would, hopefully, give you more confidence when venturing on to the road. Knowing that, if everything goes pear shaped, one can at least stop and plant one's feet safely on the deck is comforting.

Good luck with your efforts, just keep at it, you'll get there.

Tony