New & oblivious - and I love it!

[rssfed23]

[Rogerborg]

I believe it's always been the Ninja 650 in Murca, and what with Trump being God Emperor of the World now...
____________________
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

[AshWebster]

Oh right I thought it was a diff riding position, my bad

[rssfed23]

I'm getting ready to leave for the showroom to pick up the Ninja650!

Waited over a month for this moment now. I can't wait.

Although terrified at the same time! I guess that's the best approach really until confidence builds. Always respect the bike my instructor used to say.

Based in Southampton but picking it up from Bournemouth Kawasaki. Deciding not to ride it back on the a31 for the first ride and instead take a casual stroll through the new forest!

....no crash bungs yet for the eventual drops. Garage said they may need to borrow my bike soon to test fit some R&Gs what with it being a new model.

(forgot to say new to the forum as well as new to biking! - Hey everyone!)

[bakedbeanzont...]

I found myself in a similar situation. I've been driving cars for decades and decided to get a bike licence. Not ever having ridden a bike before I did my CBT back in December and passed first time. In January I started my DAS - a five day course. Passed the Mod 1 second time (screwed up U turn) round and the Mod 2 on the first go - relax, and follow the rules of the road just as you would driving your car.

I'd advise you to take it one step at a time. Get your bike licence then take your time deciding on the bike you want. I'm actually finding choosing the right bike the most difficult part - deciding on whether to buy used or new, type of bike, how much to spend, size etc. Eventually I'll just have to take the plunge, but now I've got my full licence I can't wait to get my fist bike and the first signs of some decent weather...

[taybagger]

Hello again!

Had my first day of DAS Training today with ProScot in Kirkcaldy.

I did the training with 3 other guys - all great lads and everyone was competent on the bikes so was a fairly straight forward day on the 125s.

We started with some manoeuvres in the yard - slalom, figure of 8, U Turns etc. so the instructor could gauge where we were at. From there, we got out on the roads and did junctions, roundabouts and some town riding before breaking off for lunch.

I thought we had an hour for lunch so went home and was very concerned when I saw everyone ride away from ProScot as I was pulling in - they came back from me though thankfully!

After that, we went out again and did country roads, counter steering and cornering followed by some dual carriageway work. We then headed to a secluded bit of road and the instructor put some cones down and we practiced the Mod 1 circuit manoeuvres.

All in all, really enjoyable day besides the very cold winds and the wonky right mirror which kept getting blown by the wind. That made our little stint on the dual carriageway on a 125 very unsettling as I couldn't keep an eye on the right lane.

Back in on Wednesday for some big bike training - looking forward to it but also quite nervous about it.

[Rogerborg]

[taybagger]

[AshWebster]

[davethekwak]

I'd be nervous if I had to ride a 125 now. With power comes so many options if handled correctly.

[taybagger]

Scroll to bottom for the shorter version!

Full Version:

On Wednesday, I had my second full day of training for Direct Access as part of ProScots "Full Course" - this time, on a bigger bike. I spent a full day on a Kawasawki ER6N and my god - I'm in love! It really felt great for me being out on a 125, but the difference in comparison to even the 650 is absolutely incredible!

The throttle was mega responsive, the back brakes didn't need to be pushed all the way down to engage, I felt much more secure and planted with the extra weight without losing it's nimbleness - just superb!

I was training with another really nice bloke who'd been a motocross rider up until this point. Due to his biking background, it was a little off putting to see him just get on it and ride it so effortlessly where as mines was a little less smooth!

Another rider joined us for some off-road training at the test centre, he was one of the lads I did my first day training with on the 125s.

We had 3 Module 1 run throughs each - I got criticised for taking my figure of 8's too wide at times but apart from that, was all good and I was fairly comfortable with everything apart from the U Turn.

We did practice it a fair bit - I was getting the hang of it by the end but still not very confident.

Roll on today, Module 1 time!

I had a little hour session an hour before my Mod 1 started, practices some U Turns, Slaloms etc. in the yard of the training school. We then did some riding around just to get used to the bike as it was different from the one I'd been using the day before.

When I got to the test centre I bumped into one of the guys from yesterday and was glad to see he had just passed with 0 minors.

My turn - I was so nervous but the examiner was a really nice guy, explained everything well. I took 10-25 seconds to myself before every test, thought about what I was about to do before even thinking about taking off.

In the end, I passed with 0 minors and was a very happy boy! At the end whilst he was writing my certificate, I could barely remember what has just gone on, it was all a blur!

Module 2 next week, LETS GO!


Shorter Version:

Love the bigger bike. Passed my module 1 first time, 0 minors. SO HAPPY!

[B Button]

Congratulations! That's the hard bit done. I'm surprised you were criticised for wide Figure 8 turns, I was encouraged to make them as wide as I wanted, even if it meant crossing the line of the slalom cones.

Good luck with Mod 2 next week.
____________________
BSA Sunbeam 250 scoot (1965), Van Van, Bandit 650 SA

[Rogerborg]

Told you so.

We all say it, nobody believes it: bigger bikes are easier to ride.

Module 2 is just a ride around. Cautious in, confident out, don't run into anything, job done.
____________________
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

[taybagger]

You did! It is really hard to believe until you get on it and get riding around.

[AshWebster]

now the easy bit ! (4 failed mod 1's passed first mod 2!)
____________________
Honda cg125 J reg peice of shit ---> CB650F ---> 2016 CBR600RR
Ford KA ---> 93' MR2 ---> 94'MR2 ---> 98' Subaru WRX STI Ver 3 (track car)

[taybagger]

[taybagger]

Mod 2 passed today!

Been out since 7:30am in the snow, slush, sleet, rain and wind (lovely Scotland!). Frozen hands, frozen feet, soaked all the way through despite water proofs but thankfully the test wasn't called off and I made it through with 2 minors.

Looking forward to continuing to learn and hopefully see some of you guys on the road soon! )))))

[B Button]

Nice one, congrats!
____________________
BSA Sunbeam 250 scoot (1965), Van Van, Bandit 650 SA

[Rogerborg]

Nice one, that's the way I got my license as well. I think you get a default pass just for getting to the test centre.

Now: what bike, and when do I get a shot?
____________________
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

[taybagger]

[Captain Underpants]

Nice work. Congrats on the pass.

[taybagger]

[155mph]

Congrats.

[grr666]

https://img.clipartfest.com/61e975bcb00010fd99a0fc03444a6112_good-work-clipart-good-work-clipart_466-758.png
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Currently enjoying products from Ford, Mazda and Yamaha
Ste wrote: Avatars are fine, it's signatures that need turning off.

[Dave70]

Congrats.

Wish I had passed both tests first time or even one of them.
____________________
There ain't no devil, there's just god when he's drunk.

2012: R125 killed by white van. 2016 R125 killed by 30,000 miles of redline. Current: 2016 Kawasaki ER6f.