Glasses and Shortness

[pirate_wench]

go easy on me this is my first post on here, i'm due to take my cbt this saturday and completely looking forward to it. i love bikes and especially speedway the only problem is im 5,2 and dont want to look like an idiot not being able to actually gt on a bike also i wear glasses unfortunatly i cant get contacts cos my eyes dont like them i know this sounds stupid but do you think the people im learning with will have a helmet il be able to waer and a bike thats low enough for me to get on?!

[Paivi]

You should be OK, as the CBT bikes I've seen in London are all really low (I'm 5'3" and did a gear conversion course on a CG125 which was tiny). I wear glasses and haven't had a problem.

Your main problem with the lid might be the size and the fact that countless of unwashed heads have worn it. Wear a balaclava or at least a small cotton scarf underneath to give you some hygiene. From your name, I assume you're female, so you'll probably need XS or S helmet, which might be a problem, as they're more likely to stock M-L sizes for the guys.

Good luck tomorrow!
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My other bike's a Monster...

[pirate_wench]

yup i am indeedy, and thanks thats helpful bit gross but cheers now just hope i dont fall off lol

[Karbon Kid]

Hi pirate_wench

I would'nt worry too much, I bet your not the first person whose 5-2" tall that they've had, and you can get glasses under most helmets, some take a little more fiddling than others ( my son wears glasses) but you'll get there.
All the best for Saturday
StevieH (Karbon Kid)
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A mate said life begins at 40 ( LYING GIT) so I got to 50 and bought a bike again!!!

[Walloper]

[ncrn]

I've got a mate and she's about your height and also wears glasses, and has had no problem with bikes at all, so you'll be all right.

In regards to glasses with the helmet, just take your glasses off put the helmet on and then put on your glasses you should be able to slide them in. I've done it with sun glasses loads of times just remember to take off your glasses again before trying to take off your helmet !
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Past: 55 Sym Jet, 91 ZZR250, 03 NSR125R. Present: 97 ER-5.
https://www.nsr125.co.uk - NSR Owners forum.

[cicatrez]

ohhh! that tip about bringing a balaclava is a good one!!
Nothing worse then having to use a helmet thats been used by hundreds of grubby, probably dirty heads!

[lofty]

Height wise you will be fine, im 4ft 11 (actually about 4ft 10.. but we don't say that!) and I can fit onto the bikes they use for a CBT fine, so you will be fine, don't worry about being a bit short!

[speed1]

youll be fine!!

also if you do your bike test and get a bigger bike there are plenty of low seat bikes out there and some bikes have seats that can be lowered and raised eg suzuki bandit honda cbf600

good luck!
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old: 2005 piaggio nrg power l/c 2005 vespa px125

current: Honda Hornet 600F6

[Dan O]

If you are buying a helmet then you should consider the ones with a flip-up front like the Caburg or Schuberth. You might be able to put the helmet on/off without removing your specs, which can be a bit of a fiddle.
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Daniel

[Karbon Kid]

Good Idea what Dan O said about the helmet,there are lots of good designs to chose from and those flip fronts should be ideal for anyone that wears glasses.
StevieH
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A mate said life begins at 40 ( LYING GIT) so I got to 50 and bought a bike again!!!

[UnknownStuntm...]

[Paivi]

Another thing about glasses, Wench: make sure your lenses are plastic, not glass, in case you have an accident. Also, when choosing frames, go for those with thin arms, so they don't interfere too much with your peripheral vision.

FWIW, flip up helmets tend to be 100-200g heavier than normal full face ones, and as a girl, the extra weight may be noticeable until you get used to it.
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My other bike's a Monster...

[Walloper]

[fourten]

[Smousie]

When I did the CBT I found it difficult to get my glasses inside the helmet, I managed but it was a bit uncomfortable and tight, my glasses didn't really sit right. But when I bought my own helmet the salesperson suggested a Shoei helmet which comes with slots in the padding at either side of the head to make room for the arms of your glasses. My new helmet is really comfortable and I can get my glasses on no problem. So when you buy a helmet make sure you get one that's designed to fit a pair of glasses under it. You have to put the helmet on first then flip up the visor and slide your glasses on.
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Time is an illusion; lunchtime doubly so.

[Rowey]

I wear contacts pretty much 99% of the time. I'm sure that contacts can fit anyone now-a-days, as long as you can pay for the privilege.

Also no-ones mentioned fogging, glasses tend to fog up in this weather. You can get some anti fogging treatments from bike shops, for helmets, works just as good on glasses. Also get ones with strait arms and ask the opticians if they can shorten the arms so they don't dig in. Or do it yourself with some pliers.
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ZX6R C6F.
Never argue with an idiot. They'll only bring you down to their level, and beat you with experience.

[bin]

I class being short as.....no money ....and wearing glasses as...so what.
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...its what you make of it...
...Silver Suzuki gsx1400...

[Jenkinz]

Was fine wearing glasses on my CBT with the helmet they supplied, but make sure you take your glasses off before trying to take you helmet off or they won't last long
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Aprilia MX 125 - '57