Nobby the Bastard Harley Gaydar
Joined: 16 Aug 2013 Karma :
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Ste Not Work Safe
Joined: 01 Sep 2002 Karma :
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gt alex Two Stroke Sniffer
Joined: 01 May 2022 Karma :
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Tony Norton Renault 5 Driver
Joined: 30 Aug 2007 Karma :
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Posted: 18:45 - 02 Jan 2023 Post subject: Confidence on 2 wheeled vehicles. |
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I was nearly 83 before I tried motorbikes. One instructor told me to go away and log 20 hours road work on a pedal bike before coming back. This I did, but even that wasn't easy, I went through 3 push bikes before I found one that suited me. My first motorbike, a YS125, was perhaps not the best choice, I dropped it several times. After about a year of suffering I twigged the problem. I was not confident on 2 wheels if I knew I couldn't comfortably reach the ground with both feet whilst sitting on the saddle. Although I am about 5ft 9ins I have relatively short legs, so the standard saddle height of around 800mm is too tall for me. I researched the market and found that there are bikes around with saddle heights of about 700mm. I now have 2, an AJS Cadwell 125, on which I have passed both the Mod1 and Mod2 so have a full A1 licence, and a Honda Rebel 500 on which I will be doing my A2 Mod1 next week, weather permitting.
To summarise, my advice would be, don't attempt to ride a motorbike unless, when seated on it, you can plant both feet flat on the ground. The difference this makes is quite substantial and would, hopefully, give you more confidence when venturing on to the road. Knowing that, if everything goes pear shaped, one can at least stop and plant one's feet safely on the deck is comforting.
Good luck with your efforts, just keep at it, you'll get there.
Tony |
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