Hello! Newbie with an intro and a couple of questions..

[Tr1gg0R]

Hello chaps and chapesses,

I've had a change of circumstances recently and decided to get a bike to commute. I'm 24 and been driving for 7 years, but never ridden a motorcycle before. Had a moped for a year when I was 16 but don't count that for a couple of reasons; it was a moped, it was a cheap as you could possibly imagine Chinese import (and not even a new one at that), and it locked up every time I touched the brakes.

Anyway, I picked up my YBR 125 yesterday and got kitted out top to toe today at a reasonably priced kit shop. I'm going to book in my CBT for a couple of weeks time if I can find any space at this time of year. This afternoon I had a little ride round a disused car park near my house to try and get used to the gears.. Took an hour or so but feel much more confident already

On to those questions I mentioned! Firstly, I've found that I feel much more comfortable turning, and leaning, left than I do right - I'm guessing this will probably be rectified with time I just wondered if it's normal for motorcyclists to have a 'stronger' side when turning?

My second question, and please forgive me because I'm sure I'm going to sound a complete muppet here but would you normally ride with your right heel on the peg and foot resting on the brake pedal or off to one side - or even with the ball of your foot on the peg ready to move forward on to the brake if necessary?

Apologies for the daft question!

Cheers

Trig

[Teflon-Mike]

All will be answered in your Compulsary Basic Training course.
Dont sweat the small stuff, or try riding road you haven't got to yet.
Meanwhile... riding round dissused car-parks?
Is the bike taxed and insured and MOT'd?
New rules mean soon as you accepted the V5 in your name, a) the tax was cancelled, b) you became liable to re-tax it (requiring insurance) or declare SORN.
Most insurers insist you provide a copy of your CBT cert when you take out insurance... if you haven't got one, by the time the letter asking for it arrives.. they ARE likely to cancel your cover....
Until you have that DL196 CBT cert in your name, you do not have licence entitlement to ride that bike... not just on the public road, but ANYWHERE that you can gain access to without going through a locked gate, denying 'public access', where RTA rules for licence, tax & insurance will still apply... ie: you are taking something of a risk, trying to 'practice' to do a training course designed to teach no-nothing newbs who have never so much as looked at a motorbike, let alone sat on one, let alone ridden one, 'the basics' of how to ride.
Personally, I would worry more, and suggest you do too... about making sure you are properly insured & taxed or SORNED, and not going to get one of them stealth fines in the post for two or three week 'gap' in the record; getting insured to use the thing for CBT ahead of the getting the cert in your hand, and lastly.. how to get a bike you cant legally ride until you have done the CBT course TO the CBT course... THIS is all far more important, me-thinks than where to put your foot on the foot-peg..... the answer to which, just for reference is "Wherever you are most comfy".. I tend to have balls of my size elevens on the peg for the most part, others prefer to hang a heel.. but, does depend on what bike you are on, too. In short... doesn't matter... but make a list of all your queries and take them with you for the Q&A discussion section of the CBT course... that's what its for! Get cha'money's worth from it!
____________________
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?'

[Tr1gg0R]

Cheers,

Bike is mot'd and taxed - bought the tax at the dealer, they set it up on the dvla website and I just put my card details in and purchased.. Got an email from the dvla confirming all alright so legit. Not insured for me to ride though, bike was ridden back from dealer, and will be ridden to cbt by dad-in-law who's insured to ride any.

Incidentally the car park is attached to an unsold office so never used and locked, there is a big enough gap for me to get in. I walked it there and back. Regardless I realise I shouldn't be using it as it's not my land but felt I needed to get some practice in - I had nightmares of ending up like that strawberry picking, land-rover driving chap from the 'cbt disaster' thread.

[Val]

[Tr1gg0R]

Thanks Val,

Yes intending to do my full licence sooner rather than later, have a 40 mile round commute each day which, though it avoids motorways, has NSL dual carriageways that the YBR will struggle with I think!

RE the turning, can't be the tires as they're new - you're spot on though, no need to overthink it.. I'm sure I'll get used to it. Got a bit of a buzz just plodding round that car park so can't wait to get out on the road.

[TheBeef]

Hi Trig!

Congrats on deciding to take up riding and buying your first bike.

I was told i'm the same on turning (figure of 8) when doing my DAS, didn't notice it myself but it was pointed out to me i 'defended' my right turn so probably natural, it'll get better over time and with confidence.

As for the brake, i usually hold my foot off slightly and bring it over as needed, you'll develope your own technique and riding style in no time, Don't sweat it

[Tr1gg0R]

Thanks Beef, cbt booked in now, can't wait to do that, get insured then get going .

Because you guys have probably never seen a ybr 125 before I thought I'd add a pic

[ADAMH0]

[Tr1gg0R]

Very true regarding me having a good starting position with the cbt having actually ridden a bike before, in fact on that cbt I did at 16 I managed to ride down a one way road the wrong way and still got the certificate

Doing my latest cbt on Wednesday this week, managed to get in on a cancellation when I called today - means having a sneaky one off work but worth a bollocking to get it done sooner