Complete newbie saying hi

[bungleaio]

I just thought I would say hello. I don't have much to contribute at the moment as I have a lot to learn but I didn't want to sign up and not introduce myself.

I've got myself booked on a Get on event in august but I think I might skip that and go straight for my CBT to get a few hours of experience and see if it's really something I want to take more seriously. Next month is my birthday, I'm off work for the day and it's also the 20th anniversary of my 1st driving lesson so I think it will be a nice way to mark the occasion. I love learning new things and for some odd reason I also enjoy tests so I can see myself getting quite into this.

I'm a keen cyclist (don't shoot me) and do nearly 20k miles a year in my car so I think a motorbike might be another fun way to increase my time on the roads

Anyway, I look forward to the journey however short it may be and I hope to contribute if and where I can but for now I'll enjoy reading some of the extensive back catalogue of threads on here rather than posting up annoying questions that have already been posted.

[Deadonkey]

It's fun. Do it.
I just passed and got my bike 3 weeks ago.
I put it off for years.
Do CBT and you will want a full licence I guarantee that

[Rogerborg]

It's definitely something worth trying out, and I wouldn't hang around. CBT is basic training, and a decent training school will take you all the way from zero to hero.

Don't assume it's a one day course though - it's as long as you need to reach a fairly subjective minimum standard.

Your cycling will be a great preparation. You'll already know that nobody can see you, and if they could, they'd just try to kill you.

Enjoy, it's a fun journey.
____________________
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

[Tracer1234]

Welcome!

As above, crack on and do it. I am sure you will be hooked!
____________________
Riding: Yamaha MT-09 Tracer Occasionally Riding: 08 Suzuki SV650, Potato: 2011 Yamaha YBR Custom.
Used to ride: 2015 Yamaha MT-09 Tracer (smidsy) 09 Triumph Street Triple (P/X'd) 08 Yamaha YBR (Sold)
CBT 04/14. A: Mod 1 & 2 13/04/15

[M.C]

Howdy, no point waiting for the geton thing, mine was a waste of time TBH. All I took from it was that I didn't want to do my cbt with that school, the opposite of what they're meant to do

[angryjonny]

[Lowsider]

Hey, relative newbie here, I only passed in January.

I cant give much advice as I am pretty inexperienced, but what I can say is that although I enjoyed my CBT, it was nowhere near as good as progressing onto bigger bikes and finally passing and going out alone. Make sure you spend time buying the right gear, try and wear it for a good amount of time in the shop.

Most of all, enjoy it. Its brilliant.
____________________
Current: 2006 CBR600F.

[MahatmaAndhi]

I really enjoyed the CBT and the lessons. I loathed the test though, but that's only an hour or so (combined MOD 1 and 2.)
But, as a commuter, there's no better feeling than seeing dual carriageway traffic part as you're riding through the middle. When it happens, you feel like Moses.
I think riding helps you become a better car driver too. You're more aware generally and all those forgotten shoulder-checks become as common as breathing.
____________________
2008 Aprilia Sportcity 250

[Rogerborg]

True that. Even just doing the CBT makes you much more aware of how vulnerable biker are and how much we have to deal with (which we do because super elite). OP's a cyclist so will already have many of the necessary road skills.
____________________
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

[recman]

[M.C]

[Rogerborg]

[bungleaio]

Wow thank you for the welcome guys some really useful points noted there. I'm a fair way from buying the kit at the moment but I'm enjoying looking into the massive amount of different things out there.

I think my CBT will be sorted sooner rather than later but I'm not putting a timeline on when I want it all done by, this is something I'm wanting to do rather than needing to so I'm going to take it steady and enjoy it. Famous last words!

[Rogerborg]

Mmm, it's awfully addicting buying kit for every possible combination of bike, journey and weather. I've lost count of the number of bike jackets I've got[*].

One thing, the time when you are most likely to drop a bike is during your CBT. You're doing the hardest stop-start stuff on a crowded pad full of other learners. I didn't buy kit beforehand, but wore loose jeans with a pair of gardening knee-pads squeezed underneath.

What you absolutely will want if there's any danger of rain is a set of basic hiking / cycling / boating waterproofs. Being wet takes the fun out of it sharpish.

[*] More than the fingers on one hand.
____________________
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

[M.C]

I'm still on my original jacket, (kevlar) jeans, boots and would probably have the same helmet had it not been pinched. With gloves however I've got my summer pair, spring/autumn pair, winter pair with all the different inner glove options.