oxonskoda

Passed Module 1 and Module 2 10 days ago, and I'm the same age as you...so I'd have to say you're not too old! I haven't got a bike yet, a combination of the wet weather we're currently experiencing and upgrading my Yeti 1.2 to a 1.8 4x4, have meant that motivation and funds have been in short supply. I do plan to get a bike in the next few months though, and when I do I'll be signing up to some advanced courses as soon as possible. Best of luck! Life is short, follow your dreams...

Thanks guys. Really good advice. I'm 6 foot, but quite like the ability to put both feet flat on the floor! Good point about this being a good time of year to buy. I'm going to have a look at an SV650 tomorrow, and I'm going to book tickets to the bike show at the NEC. Thanks all.

Thanks for the advice, the SV650 sounds like a possibility. I have most of my kit, but it might need upgrading as it is mostly fairly low budget...Frank Thomas etc. I'm inclined to agree that it might be worth getting a relatively cheap bike for a year or two until I decide what type of riding I do most of. My only worry is finding a well maintained, well looked after bike. Thanks everyone.

Hello everyone, I need your advice please. I passed my Mod 2 on Wednesday last week, so now have a full license at the age of forty...something. I've spent most of this afternoon tying to work out what bike I should buy...and they all look great to me, however, I want to buy something that I won't get bored with, or outgrow, in the next couple of years (not that I'm under any illusions where my riding experience is concerned). The bike will be used for the odd 17 mile commute to work (national speed limit and town), and also for pleasure at the weekend. I like the look of some of the A2 license compatible bikes (KTM Duke 390, CBR500R)...although I have a full category A license so in a way should I be looking at bikes where a full license is required, and which I might grow into? Would I get bored of these too quickly? I trained on a Yamaha XJ6-N, and really liked it. I've got a budget of around 4K. Any suggestions would be gratefully received...!

Thanks Aspman. I'm going to go for my license, despite family objections. Life is short, so something else may well get me anyway...! Mind you, I was overtaken by a guy on a Honda Fireblade today...wearing trainers, jeans and a t-shirt and no gloves. Madness. Paul.

Chris, thanks for putting together such an eloquent and well thought out response. I'll take the advise on board. John, I'll make sure my paranoia levels are on overdrive! Many thanks, Paul.

Need some advice and opinions please... I live in Oxfordshire and commute into Oxford for work. Now, Oxford isn't exactly car friendly, but by leaving home at dawn I can just about get a space where I work. The thing is, this might change as the car parking at work is likely to become less available, and the park and ride would add about 30 minutes each way onto my journey. I rode a 125 about 10 years ago, for a couple of years, when I lived in London, but never got around to taking my full bike test. I've booked my CBT for August, but I'm having second thoughts. Wife is a radiographer, sister in law an A&E nurse, and my brother in law a paramedic. I'm getting told constantly that I'll end up in a wheelchair or worse...at this rate I'll need some form of psychotherapy whenever I even see a motorbike. Plus, I've got a young son, so apparently riding a motorbike makes me selfish as well. What I was hoping to get from the bikers on Briskoda was a more balanced view of the dangers of motorcycling. I don't plan on getting anything bigger than a CBR 250, will wear all of the proper gear all of the time, and also take some form of advanced training as soon as (if) I pass my test. With this behind me will I have a life expectancy better than that of a World War I fighter pilot, or is it just a matter of time before some psychopath knocks me off my bike?!

Couldn't agree more. I resisted the temptation to put my car (sorry Yeti, not Rapid) through the local car wash today. My son doesn't like them either, so I got him to help clean the Yeti. I used a clay mitt for the first time and was very impressed.

I've just swapped my Fabia for a Yeti. Amazing car, but the speedo does annoy me. I'm going to see if anyone local to me (North Oxfordshire) has a VCDS, but in the meantime I've been using an iPhone app which shows your MPH in very large numbers (it also beams a head up display on the windscreen apparently...haven't tested function this yet though). Not sure how to paste a link but if you Google MPH + HUD you should be able to find it. There appear to be plenty of apps for Android devices as well. Can't vouch for their accuracy, but seems to match my GPS device. Not as nice as having an integrated MPH, but OK as an interim measure.

Thanks to everyone for your help and advice. Opted for the 1.2 TSi SE Plus with DSG. After an extended test drive I was convinced... Paul.

Thanks Fred. Decision time on Saturday. I'm going to drive both back to back and make a decision. Really appreciate all the advice. Paul.

Hi all, Thanks for your replies. I've narrowed it down to two cars and have driven both. One is a Yeti 1.4 tsi S manual, and the other a 1.2 tsi SE with 7 speed DSG. I like the DSG, but have some concerns about what an automatic would be like in the snow, has anyone got any experience of this? Also, in terms of fuel economy, how does the DSG compare with a similar manual? Thanks again.

Thanks Expatman. Looks like the 1.2 would suit. My local Skoda dealer has one or two in stock (Grey Gables) as well.

Thanks for the info. Yes, probably not going to rack up more than 8-10k per year, so it may well be that the 1.2 tsi is the one to go for. At most there would only be my wife, 3.5 year old son, and slightly overweight Labrador...so no huge loads. Don't really need 4x4 either (unless the Daily Express is right about Arctic cyclones). However, was going to look for a set of steel wheels with winter tyres. Thanks.

I currently drive a 2011 Fabia 1.6 tdi CR. It's always been reliable and I've had no DPF problems, despite the fact that it's only covered just over 20k (so often used for relatively short journeys). I've always wanted a Yeti, and have been thinking of changing to a petrol as the thought of future DMF/DPF problems does concern me. My wife has a 1.2 tdi Fabia estate, and I must say the engine is surprisingly good for a 1.2. My questions are; is the Yeti underpowered with the 1.2 engine (I understand that this question has already been covered to some extent in previous posts but I'm still keen to hear current opinions)? My second question concerns the 1.4 tsi engine. Is this the same 1.4 used in the Fabia vRS and the subject of much discussion!? I'd be looking for a 2010 - 2012 model. My final question is regarding the 2.0 Diesel engine. Some posts I've read seem to suggest that this unit suffers much less in terms of DPF problems than the 1.6. Is this the case? Many thanks!