I am an absolute FUCKING TWAT

[RooRoo]

today i was out on the road, having just passed my cbt im not exactly experianced and imo dont have enough experiance to be on any busy roads...but i was moving down a busy road and changed lanes WITHOUT checking my mirrors for what was behind me...it just so happened a car was there and i pulled out infront of it, after having a load of abuse thrown at me i had to stop the bike, and sit down on the edge of the road just to stop shaking!

god that scared me, i'll never forget to check my fucking mirrors again

*punches self repeatadly*

*will also be staying away from busy roads for a while*

[G1_]

Don't let it get your confidence down, no biggy!

Everyone makes mistakes when they start out

[RooRoo]

its knocked my confidence a bit, after that fat woman shouted "learn to drive"

Well i wont be forgetting to check mirrors from now on, im still shaken up but im meant to be going to my girlfriends...im gonna leave now..

Im such a fucking twat!

[Robby]

As long as you learned from it, you won't do it again.

And this is why its a good idea to display L plates, drivers anticipate that kind of behaviour more.

You have probably also by now realised that bike mirrors are shit. In 5 or 6 road bikes, I've only had one where I had a good clear view in the mirror (only had one) without having to move my elbows or body. And that one used to loosen off its back nut and point down when the vibes got to it.

[KevTM]

Yup, atleast you wont forget your lifesavers on your test day

good that it wasn't that serious and your ok

[Keith]

[Milo]

I always check mirrors then do a lifesaver - it's made me jusp many times when I've checked mirror, started indicating then looked around only to find a car sat right next to me!
At least there wasn't an accident and the fact that it shook you up is probably the best way to learn - are you going to forget to check your mirrors now? Methinks not.

Adam
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Shaft drives rule.

[Hex]

You should be constantly looking around/in your mirrors so you know whats behind you and whats coming up behind/overtaking etc.

The act your only starting out means your probably too busy thinking about riding etc, in time that will become natural and you will be able to pay more attention to your surroundings. Just be careful.

[Keith]

[zaknafien]

Eventually it just becomes reflex to check your mirrors.
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02 Firestorm.

[NSR125-Kid-UK]

I was in a situation where I was at the left side of a road, needing to pull across the road into a layby. I hecked mirrors, looked over shoulder, indicated, began to move out, when i saw a bike appear over the brow of the hill behind me, screaming towards me. I hastily started to pull back in, when this Kwak 6R screams past me doing what must have been at least 80, missing my bike by inches, with his horn blaring. As he goes up the hill in front of me, he's giving me some of the most colourful sign language i've ever seen.

Needless to say, I rode back not just in *A* bad mood, but in all of them, and his fault or not, I still feel like a F*ck*ng twat, so I know how yer feel mate.
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https://www.bikepics.com/members/nsrandy/96rs250/ My Bike!

"I'm either going to teach andy to get his knee down, or I'm going to get him killed. One of the two" - Teaman

[mr.z]

Have a look in my sig for allot of useful tips, read and understand it, but most of all keep practicing, observation is the difference between keeping out of trouble and landing face first in it like a bag of angry rabies infected weasels..

My first go on the roads in 8pm busy traffic in the dark in the middle of derby city scared the living *%£# out of me, the bike cut out while i was in the middle of a junction and i had to push my self along to get out of the way again...

Try not to let it bother you, just stick to less busy times initially and make sure to look arround you plenty...
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>RidingSkills<->Tech Tips<->MyBikes<

[mr jamez]

I did the same a few days after passing my driving test, was going over a bridge, changed lanes without checking properley and nearly hit a police car

suffice to say I have now learnt my lesson, and it is easy to check over my shoulder in the mini as well (as the mirrors are crap )

[carvell]

Unlucky RooRoo, that's what being a learner is all about though, learning. Just remember LIFESAVERS! They're not called what they are for nothing.

The mirrors on the funmachine were brilliant, massive, in exactly the right place, didn't vibrate and covered my right hand blind spot perfectly.

The mirrors on the BROS have a lot to be desired, I have to do loads more over the shoulder checking to check what's around.

Ho hum.
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Yamaha TDM 850

[Claud 14.7 to 1]

after that fat woman shouted "learn to drive"

shouldda shouted, "learn to eat sensiblly"

People should be weary about any learner, especially on a bike.

Some people think that L plates mean nothing, (not literally of course).

Just look out for other people ALL the time. A lot of car drivers are stupid and dont care.

Learn from your mistakes, but also try not to make any in the first place.

You'll be ok.

[RooRoo]

hehe, thanks the bike is all fine, runs well...bit of a fucker to start from cold though, have to hit the started engine switch a few times + rev the throttle for a bit to get it to start ticking over then rev it til its warm and it'll idle fine! (thats normalish isnt it?)

I just had the biggest rush of my life, admittedly its nothing compared to what you guys do but i came back from my girlfriends in the dark (first time out at night) and it was amazing, my city was absolutely empty of traffic other than a few boy racers, was very fun!

[mr.z]

Best thing is it doesn't stop being fun

Best time for ridding imo is very early morning, no traffic and you can see where you are going

The trick to getting your bike going is careful use of the choke, always make sure to warm the bike up properly even if you are in a rush, my cg would run like a bag of *#@$ if it was not properly warmed up before setting off, oddly even after 10 minutes or ridding it would be no better...
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>RidingSkills<->Tech Tips<->MyBikes<

[bikedudextrm]

Things like that happens to us at some time or another and we learn from it. The other driver shouldn't have hailed abuse at you as your new to the road and a learner (you had L-plates right). I see new riders on peds all the time, and now again i notice them making mistakes (forgetting to do lifesavers, to indicate, etc) but i just give them time and space as should every one. At least you learnt from it and gaining experience.

[BIKELESS STEVE]

When I first started lessons my instructor told me that car drivers drive along with blinkers on and pay no attention to what's around them. I took offence at this at first till I went out on the road in a busy town... then I beleived him. I was guilty of not checking blind spots before lane changing before (I'd always use mirrors though) but now I do and it's improved my car driving as well!
What annoys me is the amount of young moped riders round our way who drive 2 or 3 abreast and right up your arse.. just want to get out and punch them.. It's no wonder it gives other riders a bad name.. It marrs other peoples opinions of bikers.
[/ rant off /]

[EuropeanNC30R...]

Early in the morning is possibly my favourite time for riding, it's so easy to make good time when you're covering a serious distance.

[NSR125-Kid-UK]

[Panther]

and don't forget ya life saver!!, I checked my mirrors yesterday on the A1, but forgot the lifesaver, just avoided side swiping a Fiesta..
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Mike

[mazza]

I counted 3 occassions during the weekend where a right lifesaver stopped me from changing lanes right into a car.

Mirrors are good too. Keep an eye on who's doing what. If you think you remember seeing a particular car but can't see it anymore and can't remember it passing you. Assume it's in your blind spot.

Looks like lessons have been learned at least.