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taybagger |
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taybagger Two Stroke Sniffer
Joined: 19 Jan 2017 Karma :
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Posted: 12:42 - 19 Jan 2017 Post subject: New & oblivious - and I love it! |
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Hi guys, my name is Darren, 28, a Web Developer from Scotland and I'm very much new to the motorcycling scene.
When I was young I was always fascinated by motorbikes and as I got older, for some reason I thought motorcycling was out of reach until a friend of mine passed his CBT and got himself a 125 for commuting. That gave me hope, so I looked into it, realised it wasn't so out of reach and booked my CBT!
I got through the CBT relatively easily although they did note that my indicator game was pretty poor I then went on and booked my theory test which again, I got through relatively easily thanks to a few choice iPhone apps.
It was my initial plan to get a 125 and practice on that for a couple months, but instead, I opted to put the money towards a DAS Course which I start on February 13th.
I'm very excited & very nervous - I've been driving cars for 7 years and I might also own a road bike... so I'm hoping the road craft stuff isn't wildly different.
When I get through my Direct Access, I'm looking to pick up a bike which is reasonably economical and fun to drive. I've been considering;
* Kawasaki ER6N
* Yamaha MT07
* Yamaha XJ6N
* Honda CB500F
I'd appreciate any advice/experience you could share, regarding the DAS & also open to bike advice. This is all new to me but I love it!
Cheers,
Darren |
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AshWebster |
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AshWebster Brolly Dolly
Joined: 05 Jan 2017 Karma :
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Posted: 13:01 - 19 Jan 2017 Post subject: Re: New & oblivious - and I love it! |
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Yo dude im 28 and i went the wrong way about learning to ride!
driving 10 years , fast cars, (400hp scoobies etc) biking is nothing like it
i booked my das without learning on a 125 for long enough (only a few weeks on a geared bike). big mistake. unless you are a natural, which could be a possibility!
took me enough attempts at mod 1 before passing, with months waiting inbetween etc.
i'd ride for a few months before booking your DAS, even tho i thought the 125 was boring and i was at full throttle most of the time, its the slow speed manouvres and general bike control you learn over time that u need for mod1 (and mod2 ofc)
as for bikes ive no real idea, ive got a CB650F as of yesterday (passed yesterday, read my story its on this page, might find it helpful!), so dont know why ur opting for a 500 and not a 650 honda :p
HTH
Ash |
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NJD |
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NJD World Chat Champion
Joined: 11 Mar 2015 Karma :
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Posted: 13:38 - 19 Jan 2017 Post subject: |
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Get the license and then think about bikes because your in dream land at any point between now and then. Could fantasise all day long but you won't, legally, be able to ride them so is semi-pointless in my view. Most importantly I say it because your opinions will probably change throughout the course and might want something different once you've got some experience and a license under your belt.
Turn up, enjoy it and pass tests.
There's not really much to it and days don't come much more joyous than spending several hours with nothing else to worry about bimbling around on someone else's bike and a couple of strangers to keep you company.
Doing it in February you'll probably want to invest in some decent thermal layers and gear because you'll find out very quickly just how not very fun at all riding a bike can be with the wrong gear for the conditions.
Listen to what you get told, pass tests and ride how you like. Probably best to pass, where possible, first time because waiting times are a pain in the rear.
Enjoy. ____________________ The do it all, T̶h̶e̶ ̶b̶r̶o̶k̶e̶n̶ ̶o̶n̶e̶,̶ ̶T̶h̶e̶ ̶b̶i̶g̶ ̶l̶u̶m̶p̶,̶ ̶C̶h̶o̶n̶g̶ ̶N̶o̶o̶d̶l̶e̶ |
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stinkwheel |
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stinkwheel Bovine Proctologist
Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :
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Rogerborg |
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Rogerborg nimbA
Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :
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Posted: 14:53 - 19 Jan 2017 Post subject: Re: New & oblivious - and I love it! |
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taybagger wrote: | It was my initial plan to get a 125 and practice on that for a couple months, but instead, I opted to put the money towards a DAS Course which I start on February 13th. |
You have chosen... wisely. If you enjoyed the CBT you're right to just batter on and get licensed up.
taybagger wrote: | I'm hoping the road craft stuff isn't wildly different. |
Nope. You can move around more in your lane to see and be seen (don't stop too close behind large vehicles). Slower into junctions and roundabouts, quicker out. Wheelies when you pass any totty in the summer, that's about it.
ER6 or MT-07 are both perfectly decent choices. Bikes are very personal though, so don't decide until you've ridden a few.
I actively prefer twins, because I'm a fearty. Other riders enjoy the top end rush from inline 4s and will demand that you buy a Hornet or FZS6. Street Triple riders will just smile smugly, like they do.
Where are you planning to do your tests? Up Dundee way? ____________________ 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 |
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taybagger |
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taybagger Two Stroke Sniffer
Joined: 19 Jan 2017 Karma :
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Posted: 14:58 - 19 Jan 2017 Post subject: |
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@AshWebster fair point. I'm hiring a 125 on Saturday, my friend is going to come ride with me. Hoping to get a 100 miles under my belt and some practice at slow control stuff - will see how I feel after that!
@NJD yeh fair point, I will be riding on an ER6N so will at least get a feel for that bike.
@stinkwheel cheers for the advice, noted |
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taybagger |
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taybagger Two Stroke Sniffer
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Rogerborg |
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Rogerborg nimbA
Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :
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taybagger |
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taybagger Two Stroke Sniffer
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derillius24 |
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derillius24 Trackday Trickster
Joined: 08 Aug 2010 Karma :
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Posted: 16:00 - 19 Jan 2017 Post subject: |
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Hi Darren,
Congratulations on a fine choice of hobby, you'll never look back. Except when doing lifesavers...
You also have Cupar Motorcycles only a short(ish) journey away - I've always found them to be a friendly, helpful bunch with a fairly tasty, and eclectic, range of used machines.
I'm based in Dundee and would be more than happy to meet for a bimble on the bikes and / or a chat if you're ever around. There are some great road rides around the area. PM me if so .
FWIW, I rode my CG125 as much as I could for around nine months prior to doing any DAS training or tests. Initially I was so wobbly that I wondered if biking was for me. Lots of practice around the local side streets and car parks helped get over that very quickly and soon I was having a jolly good time. Mod 1 and 2 seemed a doddle when they came. However, I'm aware that most on here argue that's the wrong approach and to get straight into training. I'm sure either way has associated pros and cons. Whatever you end up doing, be as relaxed as you can (maan) and have fun. You'll get there (probably ).
Cheers ____________________ CG125, CBF250, DRZ400-SM, Z750, Street Triple R, Tuono V4R |
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taybagger |
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taybagger Two Stroke Sniffer
Joined: 19 Jan 2017 Karma :
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Posted: 16:47 - 19 Jan 2017 Post subject: |
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derillius24 wrote: | Hi Darren,
Congratulations on a fine choice of hobby, you'll never look back. Except when doing lifesavers...
You also have Cupar Motorcycles only a short(ish) journey away - I've always found them to be a friendly, helpful bunch with a fairly tasty, and eclectic, range of used machines.
I'm based in Dundee and would be more than happy to meet for a bimble on the bikes and / or a chat if you're ever around. There are some great road rides around the area. PM me if so .
FWIW, I rode my CG125 as much as I could for around nine months prior to doing any DAS training or tests. Initially I was so wobbly that I wondered if biking was for me. Lots of practice around the local side streets and car parks helped get over that very quickly and soon I was having a jolly good time. Mod 1 and 2 seemed a doddle when they came. However, I'm aware that most on here argue that's the wrong approach and to get straight into training. I'm sure either way has associated pros and cons. Whatever you end up doing, be as relaxed as you can (maan) and have fun. You'll get there (probably ).
Cheers |
Will definitely keep that in mind, we should absolutely meet up for a ride in the future
I'm actually hiring a 125 from Cupar on Saturday for a bit of practice! Really nice guys! |
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Rogerborg |
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Rogerborg nimbA
Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :
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kgm |
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kgm World Chat Champion
Joined: 04 Jun 2015 Karma :
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Analogkid |
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Analogkid Scooby Slapper
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Rogerborg |
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Rogerborg nimbA
Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :
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Posted: 10:08 - 20 Jan 2017 Post subject: |
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Is there anything specific that the test centre up there likes to focus on? I ask because Glasgow Shieldhall, for example, are mad keen on finding unmarked crossroads, which you don't see a lot of. ____________________ 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 |
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Analogkid |
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Analogkid Scooby Slapper
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taybagger |
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taybagger Two Stroke Sniffer
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Codemonkey |
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Codemonkey Crazy Courier
Joined: 18 Oct 2009 Karma :
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taybagger |
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taybagger Two Stroke Sniffer
Joined: 19 Jan 2017 Karma :
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Posted: 18:08 - 21 Jan 2017 Post subject: |
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Hired out a Keeway RKV 125 from Cupar Suzuki today and went out with a friend for some practice which was very worth while.
I was extremely nervous initially, looking out onto the road as I sat on this bike trying to remember where everything was, what everything did and what order to do things in.
Once I got going, it all came back to me. When we stopped my friend was giving me pointers and telling me when I missed my lifesavers which was helpful.
Our wee day out ended up being a ride from Cupar -> Kirkcaldy -> Dalgety Bay -> Dunfermline -> Cupar with some obligatory tea/coffee stops in between.
By the end of it, I was feeling fairly comfortable although my cornering wasn't particularly good, felt i was slowing down a bit too much to get round corners but considering it was my first ride since passing the CBT, I'm happy and look forward to starting my DAS.
Here's a wee picture of the beast with my mates honda cbr500r lurking in the background.
https://i.imgur.com/djSrrWzl.jpg |
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Northern Monkey |
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Northern Monkey World Chat Champion
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Bozzy |
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Bozzy Traffic Copper
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taybagger |
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taybagger Two Stroke Sniffer
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rssfed23 |
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rssfed23 L Plate Warrior
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AshWebster |
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AshWebster Brolly Dolly
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taybagger |
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taybagger Two Stroke Sniffer
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Old Thread Alert!
The last post was made 7 years, 92 days ago. Instead of replying here, would creating a new thread be more useful? |
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