Picking up my YBR 125...

[Darth-Simba]

Tomorrow, any tips I need considering the only time I rode a geared bike was on my CBT. Kinda nervous to be honest, but I am fed up of scooters now and want a geared bike.
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Yamaha YBR 125cc 11 plate

[moonzoomer]

Do not expect it to be any quicker than a 125 scooter.

[MC]

Try and find some quiet back roads just to get used to the bike (and gears again).
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Yamaha MT-03 '08 (crashed)
Honda XR-125L '04

[Darth-Simba]

[moonzoomer]

You can expect superior engine braking which an auto scooter does not have so use that to your advantage and try not to brake as hard as you did on the automatic but you will get used to it very quickly. As for the YBR itself, look out for damaged fork legs as the chrome on the legs in rubbish, also seized and/or rotted swing arm pivots and axle, the exhaust downpipe to silencer weld can also break due to the flimsy rear footrest brackets and exhaust mounting.

[sabian92]

Don't crash it

Nah, you'll be fine. I did my CBT (admittedly on a YBR) last August and didn't get my YBR until February. Pushed it home as the bloke only lived around the corner (and I had no L plates/insurance ), waited for them to turn up/start and went straight out with my brother. Take it slow for the first few days (not that you can go fast on a YBR, but still) and make sure you're doing your shoulder checks.

[Darth-Simba]

[BigShow]

I ride a YBR, they're ace first bikes. Not fast, but reliable and very forgiving. You can throw all your inexperiance at them and they just shrug it all off and keep going.

Just take it easy until your confidence grows.

[Rogerborg]

[_Iain_]

[panrider_uk]

It has bigger wheels so will be more stable.
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Current bikes: Honda ST1100 Pan European. Moto Guzzi V85 TT Travel

[alexanderfitu]

[Dave70]

[Teflon-Mike]

First dont worry too much about making the motor 'scream'. USE the revs, that's why you have a gearbox.

This will be the biggest difference to your scooter. Scooter transmission wont let engine rev-out; as engine revs up, centrifugal clutch loads it up, so it wont rev-out on light load, and the engine 'note' will always tend to be deeper, always under 'load' from the transmission.

Second; YBR has gears. This does not mean you HAVE to keep changing them.

Very common newb problem, 'over shifting', making far more gear changes than you need to and making more work for yourself and more problems as a result.

Dont 'Short Shift', going up all the gears before you're doing 40.
(Which if you are likely to be tempted to, as it will 'load' the engine like your scooters variator transmission did, so make it sound more 'right')

1st off the line, 2nd at 15 or so, and unless you are going over 25, leave the bugger there!

Use the revs, give yourself throttle response. (or you may as well have stuck to the auto!)

3rd is mother of all work - 25-40 gives you most response, and means you dont need to 'rush' down changes for junctions; you only have to make one down shift after rolling off, as you drop under 25 again; and can carry on slowing to walking pace in 2nd, and ONLY shift to first if you actually have to stop for the junction.

Will take a bit of practice to get the hang of it and start making smooth shifts, particularly smooth down shifts; so practice, practice and more practice; But again, even though you are deliberately making changes 'just' for practice, remember NOT to 'over-shift'.

Find a quiet industrial estate or similar of an evening, and just go round the block, practising that 2nd to 3rd up shift and down shift between junctions.

And DONT rush your changes. doesn't all have to happen at once; Throttle off, 'breath', clutch-in, 'breath' shift lever, 'breath', match throttle, clutch-out. Nice steady and deliberate, and it will get slicker, and smoother and quicker with practice.

Once you are comfy with that 2-3-2 shift, and not rushing your changes; then find some faster roads and apply the principle to 3-4-3 and 4-5-4 shifts; again, keeping them spaced, and keeping them un-rushed.

add on Ed: Oh! and practice e-stops. Scooter has two brakes both on the bars; instinct will have you snatching both levers on the bike, and you will be grabbing a fist of front and the clutch! Remember, you have a back brake too, and its under your right boot! Unfashionable advice, BUT, it is there to be used, so consciously practice braking and using the back brake pedal.
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My Webby'Tef's-tQ, loads of stuff about my bikes, my Land-Rovers, and the stuff I do with them!
Current Bikes:'Honda VF1000F' ;'CB750F2N' ;'CB125TD ( 6 3 of em!)'; 'Montesa Cota 248'. Learner FAQ's:= 'U want to Ride a Motorbike! Where Do U start?'

[Stobo91]

Thanks Teflon Mike, great advice.

Just got myself a YBR125 and doing my CBT soon so was very useful info

[Rogerborg]

That's... actually pretty sound advice from Mike.

Hah, yes, the brake-vs-clutch thing caught me out a few times when I was running the Burgman, especially as the (actually pretty decent) linked brakes were on the left hand. You'll just have to practice that habit away.
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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

[Snorty]

Don't let any road users push you into doing things you aren't comfortable with, just go at your own speed.
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Current: Yamaha FZ1 '07 | GSXR 750 SRAD

Past: CB125TDC | TZR125 | GPZ500 | CBR600F3 | ZX9-R | GSXR1000 K4

[Darth-Simba]

Some great advice from all, thanks guys.
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Yamaha YBR 125cc 11 plate

[melaniejayne]

Teflon Mike makes a lot of sence .... I did my cbt last week but didn't pick up the slow control manoeuvres quick enough for the instructor. ..they put me on a scooter to complete the cbt but I was totally gutted. I went to a different instructor today and in 2 hours had cracked it. My new baby (a YBR 125 custom) should be delivered this coming week and the instructor today gave me the same advice. ... practice, practice, practice! His other suggestion was to get an experienced rider to follow me so if I stall or feck up in any other way the rear rider can keep following traffic clear of your back end while you get back on track.
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Melanie Jayne
Live for Now

[Slacker24seve...]

[BigShow]

Yeah my YBR does an indicated 60mph max. 65ish downhill...maybe. I do have alot of "presence" on the bike though.

[Hefty]

[Slacker24seve...]

[Boris the spider]

I wring the neck of mines 5 days a week. 10.5 miles each way into Edinburgh, full on filter mode.
Can easily get 100mpg with it getting thrashed and carrying 13 stone
As Tef says, 3rd gear is where it's at.
Do not be scared to take it up the rev range. You will need to.
Brakes work just fine. Make sure you maintain them though.
I fitted gaitors to mines as it is run through the winter.
Make sure you have decent rubber on it. I have always run it with Michelin.
The grip is just brilliant. Never had any issues in the wet either.
All in all. It is a fecking hoot at times.
Can easily beat bigger bikes through traffic as it has the turning circle of a black cab. Can wind its way through stationary traffic easily.
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Yes I'm a pig....And yes... The working public do pay my wages. Tho I contribute to your benefits you lazy c##t. You do not pay my wages. So go fcuk yourself.