Born again what is best way back?

[Muldoon]

Hi everyone,

Long time lurker here making my first post, decided to take the next step and seek advice on returning to biking. A bit about myself - 44yr old bloke, passed my test back in 2001 on CG125 after a couple of goes on direct access but failing 3 tests for different errors decided to buy a tidy 125 and take my time.
Ended up passing and getting 33bhp restricted licence but then not long after had to sell the CG and never ridden since. However have never given up thinking about bikes on and off for the past 11 years! Have a full licence but no bike! I think it is true that once you get the bug it never leaves you.

Anyhow have been scanning ebay etc for local bargains and considering getting a 125 to ease back into it, or possibly go for a CB500 or GS500 as they seem just as cheap (less demand?) and easier to ride from what i remember of my DAS training..maybe a 125 is a bit too safe and would get bored in a week once the skills return.

Would anyone recommend some one day refresher training with a local school or is this just wasted money and better off buying some kit instead?

Not sure if anyone else out there has been in a similar position - lots are in the Mod1 / 2 routine starting off from new.

I am also aware my lightening reactions may have gathered some cobwebs in 11 years so not going to leap on the nearest R1 etc..

Cheers.

[nowhere.elysium]

Entirely depends on what sort of thing you want.

What sort of riding experience are you after? Do you like faired bikes, or nakeds? Do you want something that's very upright, or something that's tucked in?

The bike will only do what you tell it to, so don't worry too much about engine capacity at this point, get the idea as to what sort of thing you want to ride nailed down first.
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'10 SV650SF, '83 GS650GT (it lives!), Questionable DIY dash project, 3D Printer project, Lasercutter project

[Scutter]

Hi Muldoon,

Similar to you in that I'm 44 and returned to bikes last year after a gap of 20-ish years.

Bought myself an old GPz650 just to dip my toe back in again and see if I was going to enjoy it as much as I did back in the day, and I am just loving it!

It took a few hundred miles to start feeling comfortable again, and the more I ride the more confidence I'm building up. Just take it steady to start with - and if you've got any mates you can go out riding with (as long as they don' t mind keeping the speed down) you might find it helps with remembering road position etc.

I've started to go out with an advanced rider group, first ride out a few weeks ago, and I find that helps as you can see how others are riding.

I've since bought a newer bike, and started to commute on it too - and again just being out (even though its only going to work) and getting the miles on it is helping to improve my riding.

I'd say definitely go for the bigger bike rather than a 125 as if nothing else they are more stable on the road.


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Current bike: FJR1300
Previous: SS50, GS50, TS50, GP125, NS125, GSX250, GPZ305, GPz550 81 twin shock, GPZ550 UniTrack, GSX550es, 2x GPZ600r, GPZ1000rx, v Strom 650 GT

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

Another bloke of 44 here. I think the GS500 or CB500 should be fine! And as you say, in the 500 category you can get so much more bike for your dosh compared to a 125.

The only slight consideration might be weight. If you have to wheel a 500 down a narrow alley, into a small backyard - it might come as a bit of a shock as to just what a maul that kind of crap can be. In that sense a 125 is way better. And of course a 125 is much cheaper to run.

But if you're not too skint, and have a garage that you can wheel the bugger in and out of without too much trauma, it seems like a 500 is the way to go. Saw at least two very, very nice CB500s on eBay this week. 1500 should get you one with below 10k on the clock, in ex to mint nick and w/ just 1 or 2 previous owners. You can pile the miles on those bastards, and there'll be plenty enough of a turn of speed for someone who hasn't been near a bike for a while.
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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

[Deucalion]

I think I'm 3 years early !

I'm 41, not ridden for 20 years, and bought a bike last Friday which I take delivery of this Friday.

My debate was, do I get a middleweight and learn again on that or do I get a 1250 Bandit. It never crossed my mind to get a 125, why repeat that experience if you don't have to?

I plumbed for a ER6f as it seems a good all round bike. It can be a practical commuter, it can tour 2 up...a bit, and you can have fun on it on a Sunday.

I am bursting with excitement this week but there is apprehension too. As I am driving my car, I am imagining how I would drive the journey on a bike, such as looking for slippy bits on the road, cars emerging and the like.

I'm hoping it will come back to me quickly but if it doesn't, then I will just be very, very careful for a bit. I did email a company about refresher training but the email didn't work.

I think I would like to do the training just to ensure I am as safe as possible once I get the thing. If I can't sort that though, I reckon I have enough common sense to take it easy and enough experience of the road in a car to ensure I don't make too much of a mess of it.
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CB125 (seized it), GS125 (passed test on it) , KLR 250 (Stolen) , RD 350 YPVS (Insurance forced sale) , GPX250 (Girlfriend forced sale) , 20 year gap, ER6f.

[FireStorm-X]

When I did my CBT last year I had not ridden a bike for more then 18 years lol, within a few miles I was fine on a 125, did my DAS MOD1 a few months later after ridding a 125, 3hr lesson first passed np, Big Bikes feel a lot better, not so wobbly and much better brakes and more.
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Lexmoto Street 125 (sold) - Kawasaki ZR7S

[sidewinder]

I would first book a refresher day at your training center.get to grips with 500/600's again.then choose what bike you really want.my old instructor does a full day for £75 everything included.

[Muldoon]

[Muldoon]

[Hetzer]

I had a gap between 1995 and 2005 of zero bikeage. I went out and bought another Blade, coz I is well 'ard and ting. Innit.

Bikes, you never forget. It's like riding a bike.
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"There's the horizon! Ride hard, ride fast and cut down all who stand in your way!"

[Zen Dog]

I'd get a 500. Consider an ER-5 as well as the ones you've mentioned (its the Kawasaki equivalent), you can pick them up very cheaply.

All the 500 commuter bikes are friendly, simple and cheap, while having plenty of power to keep up with traffic.

Zen Dog
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Current - '94 VFR750FR (Dead), '00 VFR800FI, '11 600 Hornet - Previous - '11 CBF125, '10 Street Triple R, '92 MZ ETZ301, '05 TTR250, NSR125R, KMX125, "Honda" Win
My bike trip around S.E. Asia 2010/2011

[Confusion]

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

[Polarbear]

Oh there is something wrong with every 125.

They are too small physically. They are too small CC wise and can't even use that properly because of big brother emasculating the engine. They aren't particularly stable because they are so light and because of the learner laws are well overpriced for what they are. The only thing going for them is cheap running costs.

I really utterly cannot see a reason why anyone would buy a 125 unless he had to for license reasons or wanted a cheap to run town commuter.

Just get a 500/650. You won't regret it.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[andymach23]

Hi

Long term lurker but registered to reply to this.

44 years old and have returned to bikes after nearly 18 years. I did my test in 1995 and had a 535 Virago for a year or so.

My route back into bikes was hiring a 125 KTM Duke last summer for 2 days.

I booked a refresher lesson with an instructor before the hire but he cancelled it for some reason at the last minute.

Decided to do the hire anyway and ended up watching some You Tube vids with on bike footage from instructors doing lessons and this really helped to get an idea of road position etc.

Was shitting myself when I picked up the KTM but had a ball for 2 days.

After this I read Derek Hough's book 'Proficient Motorcycling' which I found really useful.

I bought a cheap Kymco Agility 125 scooter last October for 250 quid and after fixing it up, have enjoyed wizzing about on this to get my confidence up and practice my 'roadcraft'.

I got some decent gear cheap off Ebay and am now fully kitted out.

I've now got a 1998 GS500 E sitting in the garden that I bought last week for 600 quid. I've just stuck 2 new tyres on it and am taking a day off work tomorrow to head to the NW200. I'm based in Belfast so close by.

This bike is very good for someone like me getting back into it. It's reliable being air cooled so not much to go wrong. It has a decent turn of speed without being intimidating.

It's been about forever so there is no end of info and vids on the web for maintenance and repairs.

Low outlay and no depreciation hit. I should get my cash back ok If I decide it's not for me.

I had been thinking about a geared 125 but after reading opinions on BCF, went for a 500 and don't regret it. Decent stability, brakes road presence etc. Very cheap insurance. Less than 100 quid TPFT.

Can't wait to try the new rubber out tomorrow.

A bit of a ramble but getting back into bikes has been totally worth it for me.

No plans to sell the scooter as it's brilliant fun.

Good luck

[mentalboy]

What is this? The 44 year old noobs club? Welcome to it

My gap was only 13 years (why do kids cost so bloody much?). And then I was riding round on her commuters for a few years.

CG125 - don't go there!
GPZ305 - fun but needed plenty of tlc (bloody thing always seemed to breakdown when I rode it??? )
ER5 - tame but, as already mentioned, not a bad place to start. It'll give you a good reintroduction without too many handling scares.

In the last two years I've tried (and owned) a good few - 21 to be precise - and ended up with the ZZR1100
R6 was cramped and too damned twitchy, GSX600f and fazer too tame (along lines of ER5), ZX9R -nice
The 900 'Blade will make a fine batchelor toy.
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Make mine a Corona.

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

[BTTD]

I had a break from riding and did a refresher course. The weather was torrential rain showers broken up by light rain showers, which funnily enough gave me the confidence to ride in the wet.
The course was very useful and I cannot recommend it enough.
To get the good vibes back will take more time on the bike, but that first day on a refresher course will make it a lot easier, and get you there quicker.

[Muldoon]

[Muldoon]

[harscot]

I was 55 when I got back to bikes after a 35 year gap and bought a zimmer frame with an engine...........Honda Deauvile 650 welcome and good luck to you young un
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First bike R reg Suzuki 125 GT twin in 1978:
2nd bike X reg Honda 650 Deauville in 2011:
Wish bike a Triumph Thunderbird: Dream bike Triumph Rocket........

[andymach23]

I did 220 miles on the GS500 today on my NW200 trip. A proper sunny day for once. Blue sky all day

Bike was decent overall.

Some observations from today...

My right/ hand/wrist/forearm was getting sore and I had to take regular breaks. Not sure if that is due to the 'dropped' bar position on my 98 bike or if I just need to get used to it?
I don't recall having any issues with the 535 Virago. Getting older maybe?
The later bikes have a more upright bar which could be an option if I could pick up the top yoke etc 2nd hand.

I struggled with down shifting for corners on the unfamiliar twisty roads. Not the bikes fault. Just poor technique that I need to work on. I've been spoiled by the scooter CVT.
My Virago had a more laid back power delivery I think. The GS needs plenty of revs and to be in the correct gear for corners, so I wouldn't say it's a particularly relaxing ride for someone at my level. Maybe it will all come together more as I get more miles under my belt?

It was amazing riding round the race track. The roads were open as there is no racing or practice today.

I was able to sit on the motorway at 70 mph handy enough, for 40 miles or so on the way home without too much fatigue. A small screen would be a worthwhile buy I think.

It was very economical and I didn't get a sore arse from the seat at all.

Not a bad performance overall for a 600 quid bike.

[Deucalion]

Twelve hours into getting my new bike, I am struggling too. (Maybe it's because I'm a mere whipper-snapper at 41 !!)

Yesterday I did two trips of 1-2 miles, one on my own and one two up. This morning I have just got back from a 10 mile trip on mixed roads.

First problem is, my right wrist is really hurting. I think I am too tense and it is effecting my throttle and break control. I have some psychological hurdles to overcome too. I am very nervous and always aware of what could go wrong. I did not used to be like this.

The 10 mile trip has brought on my slow control. I've rediscovered how to feather the throttle. So progress here.

My slow corners are exactly that...slow. I either wobble around them feathering the throttle or, if I do lean, it feels like the bike is going to tip over. It hasn't yet though, maybe this is my over-active imagination !

I have also noticed myself breaking on corners. Not much, not great handfulls or I would've fallen off by now. Just slightly though. This is obviously a bad idea.

My wife wants me to ride 80 miles to West Wycombe later for an overnight stay. I am not making proper progress as yet, so I will have to disappoint her.

Later today I am going to see about refresher training. While I had the odd apprehension before I picked up the bike, I had no idea of quite how much I would've forgotten in the 20 years.

Bottom line...it's harder than you think !!
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CB125 (seized it), GS125 (passed test on it) , KLR 250 (Stolen) , RD 350 YPVS (Insurance forced sale) , GPX250 (Girlfriend forced sale) , 20 year gap, ER6f.

[carlosthejack...]

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]