Young & Sensible

[blindside666]

My name is Steve, I am 17 years old and a motorbiker.
You might judge that, but I pride myself in being a sensible young one.

Side Notes: I did just type all this out but accidentaly clicked "Rules & Guidelines" and lost ALL my info... I am also addicted to "Motorcycle Madness" on facebook.

I come from a family of bikers. My mum passed her test a year ago, DAS, and rides a sports style bike, 700cc or something like that. My dad has been riding all his life, he was even an instructor at one point, he currently rides an FZR-600. I have been riding since June. Here is my story.

April 15... My birthday, we book me in for a CBT. Dad has bought me a bike but it is off-road, needs ALOT of work. I fail the CBT. The instructor, given my background, assumed I had been riding bikes for a while - truth is I hadn't even touched the throttle on a bike.. ever! Til that day, I was shit scared. They gave me a scooter, now me being 6 foot.. that sucked! Every left turn I made, I set the horn off! Moving on.

Me & Dad both decided the bike was going to go. We sold it and bought a bike that worked! The bike I use to this day. A 125cc Japenese Import, "Lifan", "Dirt Pro". She is great, gets me where I need to be and all that. The only thing needs doing in my eyes is de-restriction so I can keep up with the parents on bike rides. 65mph top speed is abit weak. She is only a great bike now as I have practically replaced every bit of the bike besides the seat!
Heres a couple snaps.

https://img219.imageshack.us/img219/dscf1184qa7.jpg/1/w2592.png
https://img219.imageshack.us/img219/dscf1184qa7.jpg/1/w2592.png

https://img99.imageshack.us/img99/dscf1185jb2.jpg/1/w2592.png
https://img99.imageshack.us/img99/dscf1185jb2.jpg/1/w2592.png

I took a CBT on this bike on June 15th and passed with ease, my Dad can't even get on the bike easy as it is pretty well suited for my height! I am a lanky git in all fairness. I loved it, except the U-Turns, could not get enough of riding. I took my Theory about a month later and kept up the riding.

I have not taken any lessons or courses as such, but my A2 test is tomorrow morning at 8.15am (Christ!) Now I am not really expecting to pass, I am just going to ride and see how I do, what needs work etc. However, my dad being a former instructor has taken me to some roads and helped me. Taught me some stuff. I have been practising U-Turns in my own spare time and I feel I'm not too bad at them, 3 out of 4 I get perfect. As I read in a previous post that still leaves 25% of room to fail my test. It will be luck I suppose.

Dad is accompanying me to the centre on my freshl cleaned and shined bike, gives a good impression the examiner that I am not some snot nosed 17 year old who races around at 10PM at night (too many of those around here! Wreckless!) That I am actually sensible.

And so we come to now, I am about to sign off for a good night's sleep before the 6.30am wake up and preperation for the test! I am bricking it in all fairness, I found this forum as I literally googled, "nervous before my A2 test". This appears to be a great place. I shall post again tomorrow and tell you what happened, what I failed on and how I felt etc. I hope this has made a nice story so far and will try to keep you updated, my story. Cheers
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Current Bike: Lifan GY125
CBT: 15th June 2008
A2 Passed: 16th October 2008

[panrider_uk]

Welcome to the forum.

Mark
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Current bikes: Hondas - Forza 750, ST1100 Pan European

[Fitzy]

Welcome to the forum mate!

Good luck with the test!
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Bike: Honda CBR600 F3

[Rufus]

lifan are chinese not japanese i believe

the dirt pro is a 4 stroke i think so unfortunately you'll be unable to derestrict it on the bright side, you're not intending to keep it for that long are you?
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CG125 > ZX6r > GSX600F > CB250n + ZX7R+ Bandit 1200

[blindside666]

Hmm..
I'm thinking of changing the ECU. Might make it a bit faster.
Didn't know about the chinese thing, however when I bought it the bloke told me it was Japenese, obviously got confused there!
Yeah soon as I pass the A2 I'm gonna look at getting myself a 400cc, I have my eye on a good one that a neighbour is selling, not made a decision yet though, obviously "restricted" to 33bhp.. just for the next two years, then I get to ride what I want!

Also thanks for the luck on the test, think I will need it!
Don't think my pictures came out in the post up there.
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Current Bike: Lifan GY125
CBT: 15th June 2008
A2 Passed: 16th October 2008

[almac]

good luck with the test
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I'm just a recycled teenager?? or is it second childhood!!!!
bike kymco ck125 sold - HONDA VFR750-kawasaki zzr600e4

[Wise1]

Good stuff, I hope you pass, will be checking this tomorrow
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Current - 2007 Suzuki Bandit GSF1250 - 1999 Suzuki TL1000R
Previous - GSXR750 SRAD, Fireblade, ZXR750, CBR600

[Moonie]

Not being harsh just letting you know.

Chinese bikes have a rep for being absolutely shocking.

Whereas Jap bikes have a rep for being bulletproof most of the time.

If I was you I would pass, offload the Chinky before anything goes wrong for a decent price, and spend a little more on a Jap bike or other well known brand.

I know you have only just got it, but it could cause you some serious problems (Mattsprattuk's lifan's frame snapping in two springs to mind), and IMO it would be a wise decision to nip it in the bud so to speak.
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Don't practice it until you get it right, practice it until you don't get it wrong.
Presenting the one and only Chinkmobile

[colin1]

I wouldnt buy another ecu if i were you, it wont make much difference.

Enjoy your bike for what it is.

Sometimes on chinese bikes, bolts and screw heads can rust quickly, so try putting a bit of grease or vaseline on them to protect them from the weather.

Bikes can be fun without being best machine available.

Have fun
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colin1 is officially faster than god

[blindside666]

All I'm gonna say is yes.. It must be chinese. What I said about replacing parts? Not because I wanted to... because I HAD to. Will get a new bike after passing..

Anyway... Fail. Did not pass.

Turned up and all that, the examiner was a nice enough bloke. At first I lost him, I pulled out and he sat there, I swear there was a big enough gap in the early morning rush hour traffic. I thought that was a fail, no- just a mark down. Anyway we rode around and at one point I lost radio contact, which was okay as I went the right way anyway. Got marked down for indicating right at the roundabout when halfway across I realized he had said straight on, radio broke up.

So we got the turn the bike in the road, manually I did it fine, U-Turn I did great, which surprised me as I was having real trouble with them. We rode on some more, another rode... Emergancy stop, I had a weird feeling as I was riding up that this was going to go wrong. Apply the brakes and clutch. Back wheel locks up! I only even applied it slightly. I thought, f**k it, I've failed, so just let the bike slide down the road to a stop on the left hand side. We rode on.

Now we got back to the test center and he explained that if I had released the back brake and corrected the lock up, I could have still passed! I thought lock up = instant fail. I guess I was wrong. My dad also gave me some advice, leave the clutch out for a few seconds longer for some engine braking, and apply the front brake more. He has also adjusted my back brake for me, as it locked up with the slightest touch.

Needless to say, this is a knock down for me. I was gutted and felt really down about it. However my Dad pointed out how well I had done for my first attempt, literaly, the emergancy stop was pretty much the only bad thing in the test. So I have to wait 10 days to book another, I'm going to get out and practise some perfect emergancy stops, get them perfect, keep up the U-Turns, lifesavers and everything else and then get in to another test ASAP. Second times the charm? I bloody hope so! If I had it my way I'd be out there again NOW doing another test, I'd do it over and over til I got it right. I am that determined. But unfortunatly I have to wait.

As for when I pass, the L plates will come off and I will start looking for a nice new big bike. Once I've bought that (as I cannot afford to go without transport for any length of time) I shall sell this heavily upgraded chinese import.
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Current Bike: Lifan GY125
CBT: 15th June 2008
A2 Passed: 16th October 2008

[Tristan.]

[blindside666]

Hmm, so I need to work on getting it right, a 50/50 balance.
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Current Bike: Lifan GY125
CBT: 15th June 2008
A2 Passed: 16th October 2008

[Rufus]

[Enchanted_Myst]

Hi, I'm a newbie here, just wanted to say well done for doing your test. And don't be too hard on yourself, you only got that one bit wrong really so all you need to do is practice it as much as you can before the next test, and the u turns as well so that you are confident with them.

Good luck for 10 days time!

[blindside666]

Thanks guys thats some damn good advice.
I shall work on that one, trouble I had today was a wet road too, probably didn't help!

I'll be going back out later and I shall see if I can do them right this time. I shall keep you all updated on my progress, hopefully this story will end happily with me breezing down the main road on a nice big 500 or something, with a full license.
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Current Bike: Lifan GY125
CBT: 15th June 2008
A2 Passed: 16th October 2008

[MattHirst]

Remember, it isn't a emergancy stop, it is a controlled stop.

I asked my examiner if i had to stop before him (you know where he stands at the side of the road) and he said there isn't a set distance i have to stop in, i just have to show to him that i can stop the bike as quickly as i can in a controlled manner.

Leave the clutch out as long as possible, the engine should help keep the rear wheel from locking (as it will keep it turning in effect). I stalled on my test, i just clicked it into neutral (which was awkard at a stand still as i was in 4th or something hehe) and started it, road to the side of the road and waited for the dude to get on his bike. He then told me to set off when it was safe, i tried to set off in neutral didn't i (2nd time on test, i did it trying to set off right at the beginning in the test centre)

He just laughed at me afterwards

The examiners are mainly decent blokes, they just have to do their job and if that means failing you then they can't help it...they have to do it.

But i hope it hasn't put you off and you will rebook and go in for it again

It took me until my 3rd attempt to pass (then 1 1/2 month later i cant ride bikes anymore hehe) and i don't regret it after 3 years of riding bikes.
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It's all fun and games until someone gets hurt, then it's bloody hilarious!!!

[Stiffler]

[supersports]

hahahhaahh some sales guy told you some chinese bike was japanese heheehehehheheheh

[Keir]

[Moonie]

aaahahahahahahah your to stupid to maintain the world's simplest engine aaahahahaha.

Twat.
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Don't practice it until you get it right, practice it until you don't get it wrong.
Presenting the one and only Chinkmobile

[blindside666]

I THINK I have it sussed.
Possibly slow down slightly on approach, hand raised, front brake (70%), back brake (30%) slow down, clutch in last moment, stop, left lifesaver, right lifesaver, paddle the bike over to the side of the road and wait for instructions.

I put paddle because even if I havn't stalled I'll probably be in 3rd or something, and once its sat in stationary in 3rd, my bike is really hard to get down through the gears, youve gotta really kick it, wastes alot of time, so if I get to the side of the road then do that, I shouldn't loose marks. What dy'a guys think, am I getting it right?

I'm gonna give it a few practise runs and see how I get on with it, then on Sat 11th - I will rebook. 10 Days rule is far too long in my eyes!

Chinese yes, but a damn good bike, I've done alot of work to her, shes still breaking in the new chain & sprocket set and new front and back tires.
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Current Bike: Lifan GY125
CBT: 15th June 2008
A2 Passed: 16th October 2008

[Rufus]

[blindside666]

Ah right. Mother gives bad advice.
She took her test a year ago and did the exact same place as me.
You get asked to go around the block and ride up to the instructor for the stop. She sneakly reduced speed from 30-25 on approach just to make it that little bit easier on herself and the instructor didn't seem to notice.
I'm not gonna bother thinking about that, as ultimatly emergancy stops are there for a reason, so I need to get them right, and hope that I never need to use them and find out what that reason is.
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Current Bike: Lifan GY125
CBT: 15th June 2008
A2 Passed: 16th October 2008

[chris-red]

The emergency stop is piss, dont use the rear brake just make it look like you did thats what I did.
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Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

[Kal]

Feel free to ignore Chris and learn how to brake properly.



The key to the stop is progessive braking - not just grabbing a handful and trying to put the bike on its nose.

Should the back lock up then release the brake and reapply.

You can lock theback up as many times as you like as long as you release and reapply eachtime. It demonstrates that the bike is under your control all the way to a standstill, which is what they are looking for.

If you can nail it on the test then it will be a skill you have access to when riding free with the morons in the real world.
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Kal...
I Like To Hoon It Hoon It I Like To Hoon It Hoon It I Like To Hoon It Hoon It Ya Like To (HOON IT!).
1984 GB250 Clubman,1983 CB250N Superdream, 1999 GPZ500S