Really nervous getting on bike on my own after CBT

[SDBradfo]

So I did the CBT last Sunday and this Sunday I am picking up my new YBR from Derby (I live in Leicester). Naturally, I am feeling really nervous about picking up the bike and riding it back on my own. During the CBT I struggled with actually setting the bike off without stalling it and so I am worried that I'm going to be holding up traffic at roundabouts over and over. I've picked a less busy A road to bring the bike back on but am still feeling very very nervous.

Any advice?
Thanks.

[hedgehugger]

Just take it slow and try not to worry about other people.
You were given the certificate, the instructor deemed you to be safe to go on the roads by yourself.
First time solo can be nerve-wracking, but hopefully first of many journeys.... enjoy it !!

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

First thing - and this is crucial - relax. Get tense and you'll fuck everything up. Pulling away, cornering, junctions - everything. So just try to take it easy and do everything as smoothly and positively as possible. I know, easier said than done. But if you can focus on this, you'll be grinning like a turkey before you've changed up into fifth. Confidence can come really quickly - but don't do make the mistake of confusing confidence with competence. The latter comes a bit further down the line.
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"Life is a sexually transmitted disease and the mortality rate is one hundred percent."

Mobylette Type 50 ---> Raleigh Grifter ---> Neval Minsk 125

[HJM]

Tbh i can relate, i haven't even bought my 125 yet, and im dreading the ride home.

If im being honest with myself i dont think i deserved my cbt certificate, but i guess thats me being harsh.

Do you have anyone that can go with you, even if its a car, they can drive in front of you to slow things down.


Just an idea mate, hope it goes well
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"90% of all statistics are made up"

CBT-18/04/2013

[Sako]

You'll be fine, just relax

[GLove]

What HJM said about

"Do you have anyone that can go with you, even if its a car, they can drive in front of you to slow things down."

This is good, s'what I had when I de-flowered my solo ride; which was very similar to how you are describing yours is going down...

What time are you going? Because what I'd say is do it in the evening some time. That's what I did and the roads were comfortably empty of cars and traffic, which eased my mind a lot!

If you get into any crosswinds, grip the tank with your thighs and squeeze ;D

Be safe! Tell us when you get back home and how much you fucking Loved it!!

[BravoCharlie]

as mentioned, you've satisfied the examiner into letting you out into the world.

i'm sure you'll satisfy yourself too, after the first 5 minutes

just remember what you were shown on your CBT and you'll be fine!
____________________
Current: Kawasaki ZL600 Eliminator
Past: Suzuki GZ125, Kawasaki GT550, Kawasaki GPX600R, Honda vrx400,Kawasaki Zephyr 750, Suzuki SV650 K5
Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today.

[sidewinder]

As said you'll do great.maybe go to empty car park just to get used to the bike as well

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

Maybe you could get it delivered - then go out at 5.00am the first couple of times. Would cost, of course. But if you#re not skint it's one way of thinking about it.
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"Life is a sexually transmitted disease and the mortality rate is one hundred percent."

Mobylette Type 50 ---> Raleigh Grifter ---> Neval Minsk 125

[madness1802]

Don't Panic, stay calm and your be fine.

If you feel nervous: Do you know an experienced rider to go out on the weekend with you? It may help to just to go for a long ride, break the bike in and by the end of the day you will be so happy you wont want to get off

Plus, with a mate there you can learn some niffty tricks and pick everything up faster. (providing the show you the sensible ways first before anything nuts)
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Current: Suzuki Gladius 650cc ABS

[FireStorm-X]

When I picked up my shiny new bike after my CBT, the first thing I did was ride slowly down a few side streets until I was happy with how it felt, then off on a short 300km ride to get it ready for its first service. Which I had per booked when I picked it up for the next day you will be ok, just take it easy to start off with once you are happy. Then head home, just take your time before setting off it is not a race, you just need to get home in one peace
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Lexmoto Street 125 (sold) - Kawasaki ZR7S

[Jonathan A]

When are you picking up the bike?

[marsden1967]

Doing CBT next week. If I do end up getting a bike I intend to wheel it down my street to a quiet car park and practice there for a wee while before hitting the road. At 4 in the morning of course

[Andy_Pagin]

Just trundle around a few back streets to get a feel for the bike. before heading home, then just concentrate on your riding instead of worrying about what other road users think of your riding! You'll be fine.
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They're coming to take me away, ho-ho, hee-hee, ha-haaa, hey-hey,
the men in white coats are coming to take me away.
Yamaha Vity -> YBR125 -> FZS600 Fazer -> FZ1-S Fazer

[csaenemy]

I picked up my YBR a week after passing the CBT from a Triumph dealership which was very busy with bikers coming and going all the time. I was really happy to have made it out onto the main road without wobbling too much or stalling, but soon realised I'd forgotten to adjust the mirrors and couldn't see a thing behind me. A bit nerve wracking on the first trip, but every subsequent trip got easier.

[GeorgeB.]

I got my bike the day after my CBT, and though I was slightly nervous, I just went straight to work and back on it. I guess i was lucky in the the training centre was the carpark of the bike garage i bought my bike from, and they let me have a couple of laps round I'd spend a 20 mins or so in a carpark practising slow manoeuvres like you did in your CBT, then bobs yer teapot
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Current: '99 Fazer 600 | '99 Range Rover P38 4.6 HSE
Previous: Keeway TX125 | CBF 125 | CB400SF Project Big One
CBT 04/12/12 | Theory 03/12/13 | MOD 1 06/01/14 | MOD 2 13/01/14

[Linux]

Push the bike to a location that you can get used to it on, find a near by car park, or residential road to get used to it. Be about 15 minutes before you're confident enough to ride home.

Just bring the bike up to about 5k rpm and you can't stall unless you dump the clutch.
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Two wheels are all I need.

[Pigeon]

Don't panic, relax, enjoy it and do what you're supposed to, when you're supposed to. Use your training. Quite quickly it becomes second nature.

[thepuma]

As others have said, just relax amd remember all the stuff you were taught on your CBT.

I was in the same boat..I did my cbt and then the following week had to pick up a YBR125 which was a 60 minute ride back..I was crapping myself at the thought of me trying to navigate a 60 minute trip through towns and villages (couldn't go on motorway obviously).

On the day it went really well...after 5 minutes on the bike I felt a bit more confidentand relaxed a little. It was pissing it down with rain the whole way back which made it interesting but a good learning experience nonetheless.

If possible, plan a stop halfway so you can gather yourself and have a rest.

Best of luck.
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YBR125 (SOLD) - CBR250R(SOLD) - CBR650F(SOLD) Current - Street Triple
765 RS

[BTTD]

Don't let anything rush you at any point. If you pull up to a junction and there's people waiting to cross and they're all looking at you waiting for you to get out of the way and you can feel them staring.... fuck em. Take your time. You're boss.

[Rogerborg]

[CG Sam]

Just relax and enjoy it, if there's a carpark near by have 10minutes getting to know the bike there.
That's what I did last week after my CBT, but to tell the truth, I was still nervous about junctions and roundabouts so just rode round the village for a bit. Once you get used to the bike it'll come.
Don't let anyone rush you, those L plates tell people you're a new rider and they should treat you as such, dominate the road, don't stay on the left and let people try and squeeze past.
Junctions and roundabouts just wait till there's a gap you're comfortable with, doesn't matter if you wait 30seconds on 5 minutes, the only person you're trying to satisfy is yourself.

Good luck and you'll love it after a few minutes and you get going
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CG125, SV650S, CBR600F, GSXR600 SRAD

[bikertomm]

I can remember this exact feeling, cacked my pants when I got my 125.

But as soon as I was on, I forgot all worry, and just got on with it and started learning how to ride properly. It just all comes together, I can still remember it now, It will be a bloody brilliant experience so just look forward to it and go easy!


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07' Honda Hornet now full powaah! My guide on performing an oil change!

[Musketeer]

I was thrilled about collecting my first bike and riding it on my own. But all negative feelings were gone once I went on the road.. I was grinning all the rest of the journey home

Enjoy.. it feels really great. You will see.
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Current Bike: Yamaha XSR900 Previous bikes: Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade, Kawasaki ZX-6R Ninja, Aprilia RS125 2-stroke

[recman]

I suspect the op will get less nervous the further he gets into this journey, maybe to the point where by the time he reaches home, he'll just carry on riding past until he reaches a mates house to show off his new acquisition.

I know I did.