Advice needed

[veeeffarr]

Hey guys,

I've just done my CBT, and need a bit of advice.

My instructor said I did really well considering I had no road experience, and I havent read the highway code, and he said when im relaxed he thinks ill have the potential to be an excellent rider, but I just wanted to put forward the things that I got stuck on and see if any of you have some advice (Sorry if my grammar is terrible, I dont feel too good at the moment and its spoiling my concentration).

I had a lot of trouble slowing down for lights, (I was borrowing some sidi boots that i realised didnt fit me during the ride, so I had trouble stopping pressing the back brake and finding the gear lever) Due to not being able to find the gear level with my feet and tap down to first, i looked down to position my left foot, which caused me to pull back on the throttle (with clutch in), cause me to panick and veer to the right, nearly hitting another car.. Would this be due to my boots being too small? (I was finding that my toes were angled downwards, and it hurt to pull my feet up.

I am going to book another 2/3 hours lessons before I think of going on the road on my own, but we have an aprillia rs125 in the garage and i was thinking of taking it somewhere to practice (i have no insurance), does any one know of any types of places I can do this legally?

Lifesavers as well, I thought I had to look behind me during the ride, but the instructor said they were for observing to the side of me, and to use my mirrors to look behind, is this right?

I am also terrified of roundabouts, they really shit me up, has anyone got any links they could give me so I can read up some more?

Thanks a bunch!

Tobyr

[G]

[veeeffarr]

Thanks G, He said he'd rather I wore my trainers for the road riding part, because even though I'd get hurt more in an accident, I'm far less likely to have an accident if I can access all the controls easily.

Tobyr

[bish777]

good pair of leather army boots are a good biking choice.
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GSXR1100J

[Sheepy1209]

Having done a first-time CBT a few weeks ago, I can sympathise and assure you it does get better.

While the boots may well have had something to do with it, I did find that there was a heck of a lot to take in on the first ride. You can cope with gears, clutch etc on the open road, but when you slow for a junction everything happens really quickly and you can easily get overloaded.

If it's any help, I was like that on my CBT but had a day out on a 125 a week later and 95% of the time found that side of it easy.

[Sheepy1209]

Having done a first-time CBT a few weeks ago, I can sympathise and assure you it does get better.

While the boots may well have had something to do with it, I did find that there was a heck of a lot to take in on the first ride. You can cope with gears, clutch etc on the open road, but when you slow for a junction everything happens really quickly and you can easily get overloaded.

If it's any help, I was like that on my CBT but had a day out on a 125 a week later and 95% of the time found that side of it easy.

[paulyzf600]

It's just a case of getting used to the controls. I was terrible at first and always found I was consintrating to much on getting the control correct but it starts to become second nature. It's all part of learning and it will be easier the more you do it. The boots won't help if you can't tell where your foot is in relation to the controls.

The throttle thing everyone does it when they first get on a bike but you will soon get more confident etc.
Good luck
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Yamaha YZF600 Thundercat

[veeeffarr]

Thanks very much for the kind advice guys! I have really got the bug though! Bikes are the most amazing thing ever created and it was so horrible coming home to no bike I am booking a lesson next week to learn more and so I can have another ride!

I am 21 in a week, and he said I can use a more powerful bike when I'm 21, which will be ace!

Regards,

Tobyr

[Davo]

[veeeffarr]