Starting Out

[JonWal]

Hi All,

I've recently passed my CBT (21st March) along with the wife after much convincing. Think her mum hates me now...

I've picked up Helmet, jacket boots and gloves, L plates etc and we're planning on riding around on a 125cc for 2-3 months before moving onto doing our DAS this summer.

I wouldve been happy going straight to DAS, but even though she passed her CBT with no issues, I'm sure she's got a confidence problem, so wants to pootle about on a 125 before taking the plunge.

Fair enough, so I've been looking for 125's for the last 2 weeks around the Swansea, South Wales area. Finally spotted something (YBR125) within our budget, however its 50 miles away in Cardiff.

I'm going to view it tonight and hopefully pick it up on the weekend. That should be very interesting as I cannot take the M4, so I'll be going on the A48 - A road all the way.

Wish me luck...

[Baffler186]

[recman]

Do your DAS then move on to something bigger if you so choose but keep the 125 for the wife to gain confidence/experience.
Chances are she won't want to keep it for long.

[JonWal]

See, I coulve written that I'd recently 'past' my CBT along with the wife, that would've been a great first post.

I've been carefully planning my route home to avoid all major roundabouts and any places where I may have to do a hill start...

So my route across South Wales looks a little like this - \/\/\/\/

All of this would be meaningless if the bike is a mess tonight however.

[JonWal]

[Rogerborg]

Ah, the mother-in-law hated you anyway. The family that rides together... uh... abides together?

Sounds like a decent plan. Buying your first 125 is always a bit of a pain, what with the insurance and nobody wanting to give you a test ride. It'll build character though. Might want to plan in an early stop, to check over the bike once it's been running at speed, and to settle yourself down. 60mph on a bike is quite exhilarating the first time you do it.

YBR's a solid choice. Just keep on top of any signs of corrosion, especially on the fork stanchions.

Oh, and security! Yes, pikeys will have a 125, just to have it. Garage and/or a ground anchor and 16mm+ chain.
____________________
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

[JonWal]

[RedPanda]

Yeah, smother it in ACF-50 to fight corrosion.

Book your DAS course as early as possible because there may be a summer backlog.
____________________
CBF125 (2013) -> CBR600F (2001) -> 'Ninja' 300 (2014)

[DrSnoosnoo]

Perhaps I'm nit picking but

[rideslikean00...]

[JonWal]

[Rogerborg]

It's fine, I was happy on a 125 for a year, although it will struggle on NSL roads in any kind of headwind or incline.

As long as she's confident enough to get up to speed and ride well out in the lane, no problem, fun will be had.

L plates do tend to encourage rage-overtakes though, which is a good reason to get licensed up ASAP, just to get rid of them.

Surprisingly, bigger bikes are easier to ride, once you get past the extra weight when they're not moving. Everybody says it, nobody really believes it.
____________________
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

[DrSnoosnoo]

[Rogerborg]

[Pigeon]

[pinkyfloyd]

[JonWal]

Well, went to view the bike. Looked immaculate, it's only done 4,000-ish miles, just had an MOT, service, 2 new tyres. The guy was willing to throw in the top box, heavy duty chain etc, so we agreed a deal.

I'm picking it up on Saturday afternoon.

I drove home the route im planning to take to avoid any unnecessary detours. Took me 2 hours in the car... but that was with rush hour traffic leaving Cardiff.

Will take the advice on booking the DAS early, I spoke to the bird about it and we'll see how she gets on with the bike over the next few weeks before making a decision.

Thanks for all your advice. It helped a lot last night.

[Rogerborg]

Nice one, freshly MOTd, shod and serviced is the way to buy 'em.
____________________
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

[Twofish]

[JonWal]

[Wednesday Biker]

Me and my girlfriend got a couple of YBR's and rode them for a year before taking our tests.
I was happy enough on the 125 till the summer but she insisted on taking her test in October.She passed and I was forced to take my tests in the freezing cold of November.
Pressure was on as I'd been biking years and she was new to them but I managed to pass everything first time.
The time on the 125 definitely did us good.Theres no rush to get a bigger bike.
We went on 90 mile coast runs and out in the peak district on our 125s and we enjoyed them.

[Twofish]

[recman]

[JonWal]

[JonWal]