Well, that was fun....

[Mister James]

I spent most of this morning wobbling around on a honda 125, getting to grips with the gears. I've got my DAS in 2 weeks time, and decided to get a head start with the whole 'proper bike' thing rather than just whizzing around on my 'ped.

I'm kicking myself for not having just done the CBT on a geared bike. At the time it seemed like too much to have to cope with on the first day, but after annoying the instructor by stalling the bike about a dozen times in a row getting used to the clutch, I eventually got the hang of it. They've offered to hire me the bike for the odd day or two in the next couple of weeks, to get some more practise, so I cant have been that bad. To all of those fellas riding 125 bikes - I can see why you sneer at scooter bois now, I've seen the light!

I've got a nice shiny new fazer 600 2004 model waiting for me at the end of the month....cant wait

[The Tot]

I also regret not doing my CBT on a geared bike last year (i was only 16 then so the only geared bikes they had were 125's), done a gear conversion course for 50 quid at the same training school. Ironically, i spent more time and had a more in-depth experience whilst doing my conversion course. My CBT only lasted me 2 hrs because i knew my instructor and he believed that i was cabable of riding a twist and go safely and compotently, which in all ernesty was a correct choice. I wouldn't have got much out of the experience of doing figure of 8s on a twist and go, because it's simple, but on a geared bike, it's all about clutch control and low speed handling . Whatever you do, ALWAYS choose to do a geared CBT as inevitably, you're going to eventually choose to ride a geared bike at some stage in your life (MAXI SCOOTS are overpriced shits and 125 twist and go's are generally being ridden by the wrong kind of "biker", read CHAV)

BTW MisterJames, Enjoy your fazer - you got the faired or the naked "MV Brutale" lookalike?
____________________
The Tot 2007 Yamaha R1 4C8 2002 Yamaha FZS1000 Fazer &
www.youtube.com/Titot182 for your bike gear reviews and pop punk covers
Earl Of Easycore Pop Punk Will Never Die!

[Mister James]

I almost plumped for the naked version - it's attractively ugly, if that makes any sense!? However, once I'm happy on the beastie, I'll be flitting round the country visiting all my mates, so a fairing will probably come in handy when I decide to, well, progress with purpose.....