Is this where I say hi...?

[blamski]

If it is... hi

I'm a 54 year old english bloke based in Barcelona, and over 30 years after originally deciding to do it, I'm finally taking my A2 bike licence.

After 6 lessons on a CB500F I'm still on the closed circuit section. I get the slow section right about 3 times out of every 5, and my fastest time on the fast circuit is 25.8 seconds. Needless to say it is a slower and more frustrating process than I'd anticipated.

I rode a 125 a few times about 35 years ago, and for the last 2 years I've ridden a 125 twist and go around the city. None of that is very relevant for getting up to speed on a proper motorbike. So I'm about to get myself an interim 125 just to be able to ride every day, get more used to the basic riding techniques and hopefully make the lessons easier.

People are recommnending me the YBR125 as a solid and reliable machine. It doesn't inspire me in the slightest and I worry it might be small for my 6'1" frame, so I've looked at a Derbi Terra which feels so much bigger. I have no idea which would be best, in all honesty

anyway... blah blah blah. I should probably find the appropriate subforums for my meanderings. All the very best to all of you

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

there is no hi saying place - never understood it, me sen but eh

i agree with getting a 125 - it's what i did and it definitely helped in all aspects - some say it doesn't

if you can hack the ergos of the YBR, I'd probably go for that tbh - even though it WILL feel cramped....i think it may prove more reliable? parts might be easier to get too, and cheaper

i don't know any of this closed circuit stuff you're on about - over here it's Mod 1....do you mean that?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8Ed1crUjcY
____________________
"Life is a sexually transmitted disease and the mortality rate is one hundred percent."

Mobylette Type 50 ---> Raleigh Grifter ---> Neval Minsk 125

[blamski]

Yeah, looks the same. Here in Spain the two parts of the test are 'closed circuit' which consists of a riding round cones slowly, then riding round other ones... err... fastly - and then 'open circuit' which is out on the road. I guess its pretty much the same as MOD1 and 2.
I'll be trying a YBR on Saturday, so I'll find out if the riding position is bearable

[Zen Dog]

[blamski]

that's an excellent point, and you are right that the 125 is just temporary and the means to an end.
but there's also another argument for enjoying every part of the journey

[Zen Dog]

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

there are some trail style bikes from the Japanese makers with ground clearance that might make for a comfier seat height - there's a kawasaki klx125 (iirc), a Honda CLR125, the Honda Varadearo 125 is also quite roomy apparently. There's also a Honda CRF150L that makes 13bhp - but that's Indonesian market I think, and in any case, at 150cc, probably not compliant with Spanish learner laws. Point is, there are bikes that WILL be - and some of these trail type ones are a bit obscure. E.g. bizarrely Honda are still making the XL125 - on drum brakes front and back. That's for the Kenyan market, lol.
____________________
"Life is a sexually transmitted disease and the mortality rate is one hundred percent."

Mobylette Type 50 ---> Raleigh Grifter ---> Neval Minsk 125

[A100man]

[jeffyjeff]

I bought a YBR for tooling around country backroads here in Morocco. I'm just a little smaller than you at 6'0", with a 32 inch inseam. The footpeg placement on the YBR puts the rider in a comfortable, relaxed position. The YBR does not feel cramped at all.
____________________
History shows again and again how nature points out the folly of men - BOC

[CorriganJ]

[Polarbear]

[blamski]

I went and looked at a Derbi Terra today. Beautiful bike, nice and tall and big. Feels nothing like a 125 when you sit on it. A 2009 machine, clean as a whistle and in great condition.

The bugger wouldn't start though, which was disappointing.

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

[Bhud]

[blamski]

you'll all be delighted to know that today i picked myself up a 2016 YBR with only 9500 kms on the clock. my concerns over the size were instantly vaporised when the guy selling it was even taller than me (that wasn't why he was selling it btw...)

i've had it out for a good long spin and it was lovely, despite my crappy gear changing technique.

anyway... i'm a biker now, so that's cool, right?

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

[pepperami]

[Diggs]

[WD Forte]

I know what you mean height wise
I'm 6'2 and nothing against small bikes but just cant seem to get comfy on them.
Mind you, this has usually been the occasional short test ride after fixing stuff and on reflection, even bigger bikes have often seemed
too small for my tall, toned, muscular physique rugged handsomeness and blonde curls
(I may have dreamed that bit)

I reckon once you've been on it for while you'll get used to it
Dont know much about the Derbi but I'd guess that YBR will much easier to find parts for
____________________
bikers smell of wee

[blamski]

[Bhud]

Hope you enjoy it. The CBF500 is beautifully balanced and once you've nailed all those maneuvres on the 125, the school's bike will feel really easy and stable in comparison.

[struan80]

Wish I had long legs. Too many bikes to tall for my short arse.

[blamski]

[jeffyjeff]

[A100man]