Back on a bike

[pennelldj]

Hi Guys, wonder if I can get some advice;

I'm 36 and passed my motorbike test some 13 years (wow) dint realise how long it was, but never got a bike haven't been on a motorbike since;

Thought its a bit of a shame, so wondered if anyone had some advice on the best route to get back into it, take some refresher lessons?

Any advice on a cheap bike that would suit my abilities also?

Thanks
Darren

[Rigga]

Refresher lessons probably would be a good idea unless you have any friends whocan let you borrow their bike on a quiet industrial estate or something?

Bikes? What's your budget?
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Current bike: Honda CBR 1100xx

[thx1138]

I had a five year gap once, when I restarted I got a cheapo smaller bike for a few months and had a single refresher lesson before I did any real miles on it.

[arry]

What are you after from the bike? Commute, fun? What sort of budget do you have?


Personally, for the sake of a couple of hundred quid, I probably would go back and find a training school that'll take you out on the roads with them for a day or two, get your confidence up and see how you feel.

The other option is to do what I'm doing with my wife at the moment, but it does rather rely on you having a biking buddy. I bought her a bike then I'm taking her pillion across to quieter roads / industrial parks on the weekend and letting her loose in a controlled environment. That way she's getting to master the controls without having to worry particularly about road-craft. Once she's got controls nailed, we'll introduce some more main-stream roads to work on her positioning etc, with me behind her to provide a bit of cover.

[Pigeon]

Just as a note, since you passed your test the rules for getting a license have changed, meaning a lot of people are passing on >=600cc bikes. So there appears to be an increase of 500cc bikes available for really cheap money.

Just mentioning it in case it's of use.

Definitely grab a day with a riding school though, well worth it surely.

[pennelldj]

Thanks for the replies guys;

I'm rally after something to get some experience on, commute to work and maybe a small-ish run on weekends;

So many to choose from, as thinking should I get a little 125 or 250 or go bigger, not really sure what to do bike wise;

Think a refresher day or two will definitely be on the cards tough;

Bike wise its a bit of a minefield

[Minty]

What bike would you like to end up on? Buy that one.

Take it easy, you'll soon get back into it.
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My fingers smell of your mum.

[toadoftoadhal...]

back on a bike myself, last time I was 20, Honda CB200.
Now 58, and bought a Yam 125 Custom, as I never passed my test. If I were you, with test, go for a bigger bike, 125 is reving too high at 50mph for comfort.
Do a CBT, or a couplke of lessons, and that will be enough, I felt at home after 2 hours, after a gap of nearly 40 years.

[Andy_Pagin]

Talk to your nearest training school and arrange an hour or two's bimble on a big bike. That should get you confident, then pick something or other around the 600cc and/or 100bhp mark that takes your fancy.
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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

[Rogerborg]

I'd suggest going just a bit bigger than a 250. Throttle goes both ways and all that.

You can pick up, insure and run one of the 500 twins pretty cheaply if you don't pay daft dealer prices, a CB500 or GPZ500 for preference.
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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