Bike Newbie

[DannyBhoy]

Alright folks,

For years I have lusted after a bike and due to uncontrollable circumstances (headcase missus) I never managed to get myself one.

After binning her off I am finally sitting my CBT next Thursday and then straight onto a Direct Access course with Mod 1 - 08/10 & Mod 2 - 10/10.

I need to sort myself out with some riding gear, Any tips?

I also fancy a sports bike 600cc or less but im quite short 5'8. Any shorter riders got some tips for me?

Cheers

Danny

[Andy_Pagin]

[Rogerborg]

Oh, yes... yes, you'll do.

Gear is very much personal choice. I tend to bag things used on eBay; you can get barely worn stuff for much less than retail.

Given your location, you'll want warm and waterproof, which means either leathers with waterproofs on top, or textiles - by which I mean cordura or other hard wearing synthetic, with a decent waterproof later. Goretex for preference, my Sinaqua lined RST gear isn't completely waterproof.

Lid, whatever fits. Get yourself to the local clothing merchants, and go by fit. SHARP ratings give some basis for comparison on protection, but they all meet a minimum standard and the difference in an impact is going to be pretty minimal.

Gloves, well, you'll need to find your own preference. For winter use, I use thinsulate "lobster mitts" (or Vulcan Mitts as the missus dubs them, she's such a wit). Have a search around, you'll soon figure out what they are.

Bikes, phew. InB4 "Thundercat". I'm 5'6" with a 29" inseam (which is what matters) and had to do a bit of searching around to find bikes that suit. Don't believe any freak-legs that tell you that you'll get used to tippy-toeing around, it's not pleasant or confidence inspiring.

I'm currently on a GPZ 500, which is ideal for me right now. There are plenty of threads about it here, it's an "if you could only have one bike for the rest of your life" contenders. Other bikes will certainly do things better, if you want to lose your license without realising it then it's not for you, but I've yet to find anything that it won't do competently, and it costs buttons to insure and run.

Now over to the Fazer / Hornet / Bandit / CBR600F / Thundercat / SV650 / Diversion brigade...
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[dungbug]

[matto]

[Billo63]

double check size labels too, dependant on retailer etc: many items of bike related clothing are mentioned in EU sizes before UK sizes - muggins here learnt that to his cost!

Good luck, ride safe & above all ......... ENJOY!
____________________
I might not be a gynecologist, but I know a cunt when I see one

[DannyBhoy]

Thanks for all the advice folks.

I spent last night trawling the internet for gear and will head to the bike shop once im back in Aberdeen, reading through some of the posts on here some people have suggested boots with a thicker sole, Anyone got experience of these?

Thanks

Danny

[shereen]

[Billo63]

[DannyBhoy]

[DannyBhoy]

[Billo63]

Danny, there are shed loads of online shops you can look over,

I've use this one on several occasions, good prices & decent delivery timescale too.

https://www.getgeared.co.uk/

Cheers

Graham
____________________
I might not be a gynecologist, but I know a cunt when I see one

[pinkyfloyd]

As Shereen said. I'm just under 5'6 and I ride a 1000cc bike. Height isnt so much of an issue. If I can ride a big bike I am sure you can too.

Good luck getting the tests passed.
____________________
illuminateTHEmind wrote: I am just more evolved than most of you guys... this allows me to pick of things quickly which would have normally taken the common man years to master
Hockeystorm65:.well there are childish arguments...there are very childish arguments.....there are really stupid childish arguments and now there are......Pinkfloyd arguments!
Teflon-Mike:I think I agree with just about all Pinky has said.

[thepuma]

[DannyBhoy]

[DannyBhoy]

[DannyBhoy]

I thought I would post a wee update, Thanks again to everyone who replied initially.

I got stuck in over the 3 weeks I was home and managed to pass all the tests 1st time.

CBT - 02/10

Theory - 03/10

Mod 1 - 09/10

Mod 2 - 16/10

Now back at work for another 3 weeks looking for the perfect CBR600RR to top it all off!

Im absolutely delighted!!

[Billo63]

Congrats Danny

Now the real learning starts.
Ride safe & above all, enjoy
____________________
I might not be a gynecologist, but I know a cunt when I see one

[Magnet]

Nice one, don't forget pics of bike when you buy one
____________________
It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer.

GPZ600R Sold, Now ZZR600

[Rogue_Shadow]

congratulations buddy :y:

Good luck with the bike hunt and stay safe.

[shereen]

Well done matey
____________________
"The Internet is the first thing that humanity has built that humanity doesn't understand, the largest experiment in anarchy that we have ever had"

[DannyBhoy]

Thanks folks, Im getting ridiculous quotes for insurance is the only problem.

Anyone have experience of any companies who are more accommodating to new bikers?

[banditjohn]

Congrat's on passing , just keep hunting around but new rider and all that the insurance people love it
Good luck with your quest but each company can change quotes day by day.

John

[P.addy]

[DannyBhoy]

I had stupid feeling that if I got an ABS model (which I want anyway) That it might drop but it went up!? Doesnt make any sense!!

Nice bike Paddy, I have my eyes on a black one.