So.... on the whole, coming from someone who's only experience on a bike is from a Get On free ride..Is it worth it? The expense and the danger?This question is to everyone.

For me there is only ONE answer.....

YES!

Almost the most fun you can have with your clothes on, just behind throwing yourself out of a perfectly good aeroplane strapped to someone else.

Double post

ACF50 ordered & a pair of Michellin Pilot Streets ordered for fitting around pay day

 

On a side note, 1st full fill up and supprised by the mpg, I was expecting around 80mpg but shocked at 126mpg, looks like the bike will pay for itself quicker than expected

ACF50 ordered & a pair of Michellin Pilot Streets ordered for fitting around pay day

 

On a side note, 1st full fill up and supprised by the mpg, I was expecting around 80mpg but shocked at 126mpg, looks like the bike will pay for itself quicker than expected

ACF50 is essential kit-the better tyres will transform your turn in and stability.

 

126mpg is good for a 125 but the YBR is well engineered, you may find this will drop a touch if your new tyres are significantly stickier than the ditch-finders.

 

I had a YBR CHinese clone last year (Sukida 125, £667 brand new off ebay) and that was lovely once the crap parts (tyres, pads, lead, plug, grease etc) were swapped out.  After having a 1200 tourer, the 125 was delightful in its honest responses, feel and economy.

 

Enjoy the YBR-I found that I missed the "honesty" and lightness of the small bikes as I moved up the cc range.

Had a lesson yesterday in preparation for the first module of the test. Spent the morning on a 125, then in the afternoon was given the keys to a GS500.

 

"Now we're going to turn onto the dual carriageway" said the instructor through my earpiece. When he said "it's entirely up to you, but if you want to get a feel of the bike and what it's capable of, this is your opportunity" -that was my favourite bit.

Had a lesson yesterday in preparation for the first module of the test. Spent the morning on a 125, then in the afternoon was given the keys to a GS500.

"Now we're going to turn onto the dual carriageway" said the instructor through my earpiece. When he said "it's entirely up to you, but if you want to get a feel of the bike and what it's capable of, this is your opportunity" -that was my favourite bit.

Haha! Sounds like a top instructor!

Did you give it the beans then?

I had a similar experience with my instructor, only I didn't wait for the

go ahead. It was a 70 dual carriageway and as soon as we got on it 

zoooom and I was off. When we stopped later he said, "I see you aren't

afraid of the throttle, I wasn't expecting you to shoot off like that on your

first rideout" 

I'm a bit guilty of using that same stretch of road a bit quicker than 70

now I am on my own bike.  

Looks like I might be joining the ranks.

After being off two wheels for 3 years due to a disability, I'm not sure I'll be able to ride again, although if I can there'll be no stopping me!

Loss of confidence is the main issue. It was bad enough getting back behind the wheel of a car, felt like a learner all over again!

Hence I have contacted a local training school to see if I can try one of their CB500's

One of the best things I have ever done and my only regret is letting life get in the way of doing it.

 

Been riding a few years now with a ZX6R & a ZX9R... only downside is that the car will never put that smile on my face again.

Passed Mod 1 yesterday! It was on a 600cc Bandit, which I found a huge jump from the GS500. I was a bit apprehensive about the figure of 8 as I hadn't been able to convince my brain that the revs were ok sounding that loud, but as it was I only did 2 complete circuits before the instructor called me on.

 

I got two minors, but I can live with them. One for being 1kmph down on the emergency stop. The other was because I didn't get up to speed on the avoidance manouevre, so had to do it again.

 

It's such a relief to know that it's done now and they can't take it off me. Mod. 2 in a couple of weeks and then it's bye bye L-plates. And head scratching while I work out how I'm going to afford a Triumph Tiger...

Passed Mod 1 yesterday! It was on a 600cc Bandit, which I found a huge jump from the GS500. I was a bit apprehensive about the figure of 8 as I hadn't been able to convince my brain that the revs were ok sounding that loud, but as it was I only did 2 complete circuits before the instructor called me on.

I got two minors, but I can live with them. One for being 1kmph down on the emergency stop. The other was because I didn't get up to speed on the avoidance manouevre, so had to do it again.

It's such a relief to know that it's done now and they can't take it off me. Mod. 2 in a couple of weeks and then it's bye bye L-plates. And head scratching while I work out how I'm going to afford a Triumph Tiger...

Woo. Well done mate!

Roll on the mod 2 eh (:

Triumph tigers are nice bikes

Good to see another person joining the biking fraternity. Congratulations on mod 1.

If you've not already thought of it consider going to the NEC bike show which starts this Saturday - you'll get to sit on every flavour of bike and see what feels right.

Good to see another person joining the biking fraternity. Congratulations on mod 1.

If you've not already thought of it consider going to the NEC bike show which starts this Saturday - you'll get to sit on every flavour of bike and see what feels right.

Cheers for the heads up. Id forgotten NEC's this weekend!

You'll have to come for a rideout with me Mr Paul. I'm only up the road from you.

Well done on Mod 1       

Passed my Mod 2 on Thursday! Only got the one fault - on one of the "please pull over when it's safe to do so" I felt a bit pressured as it was taking me a while to find a spot, and when I eventually stopped it was at a bus stop. To be fair, there were no Road markings and only a stop sign on a lamp post, but as I was slowing I knew I shouldn't be doing it.

Anyway, the Honda Vision is a bit hairy on my short motorway commute so I'm dropping hints at home for permission to upsize. Got my eye on a couple of Kawasaki Versys bikes.

Passed my Mod 2 on Thursday! Only got the one fault - on one of the "please pull over when it's safe to do so" I felt a bit pressured as it was taking me a while to find a spot, and when I eventually stopped it was at a bus stop. To be fair, there were no Road markings and only a stop sign on a lamp post, but as I was slowing I knew I shouldn't be doing it.

Anyway, the Honda Vision is a bit hairy on my short motorway commute so I'm dropping hints at home for permission to upsize. Got my eye on a couple of Kawasaki Versys bikes.

Have you tried the Honda 700 Integra?  A scooter riding mate did and was blown away by it, most of the benefits and style of a bike with all of the benefits of a scooter...

Versys is a good call if you are quite tall. ie over 6ft.

If not try the ER6f or ER6n, which have the same engine but tuned slightly differently. 

I'm only local to you if you'd like a look at my ER6f. 

Versys is a good call if you are quite tall. ie over 6ft.If not try the ER6f or ER6n, which have the same engine but tuned slightly differently. I'm only local to you if you'd like a look at my ER6f.

Thanks. Why do you think that about the height? I'm 5'10" and it didn't seem too big.

Have you tried the Honda 700 Integra?  A scooter riding mate did and was blown away by it, most of the benefits and style of a bike with all of the benefits of a scooter...

Thanks. Yeah, I've seen them, but I doubt I'd find one on a £3k budget

Versys is a good call if you are quite tall. ie over 6ft.

If not try the ER6f or ER6n, which have the same engine but tuned slightly differently. 

I'm only local to you if you'd like a look at my ER6f.

Oh, and I'd like something more upright, which is why I was looking at the Versys. The GS600(?) was an option until I found out it was a single.

I like the Versys, I'm just slightly taller than you and I would have bought

one knowing what I know now.There's room on one for riders up to about 6'4

I get knee ache after an hour or so on my ER6f. I need my footpegs an inch or so lower.

Have a look at this site and you can see the differences between the two bikes from an

ergonomics perspective. http://cycle-ergo.com/ just select makes and models plus your 

measurements and you can see how well a bike may fit you without even sitting on one.

3k should bag a 2009/10 ish model of either bike. 

I find the ER6f quite upright tbh, on a run I find myself trying to duck behind the screen

as the wind pushing against you can become tiresome, literally.  Depends on what sort of riding 

you want to do. If you will be spending long a time at motorway speeds then I think a faired 

bike makes sense. If it's more of a B road blaster then a 'naked' bike should be ok. 

You may find it hard to get anywhere local to Bristol to let you go for a test ride so soon after

passing.  Chuck me a PM if you fancy popping over for a nose at mine. I'm between Bath and Bristol.

My mate bought a mint used Bandit 600S on 04 plate with 1200 miles for £1400, that's upright and within budget, even if a bit "common" for some tastes.

 

Buy now when prices are low, loads for sale now and not many buying due to weather.  I bought a scoot this week and there was loads of deals to be had.

Congrats on the test! (:

How about an sv650?

I had one for 2 years after doing my test and loved it.

Nice torque curve from the vtwin.

Sound really good with a can on too.

I like the Versys, I'm just slightly taller than you and I would have bought

one knowing what I know now.There's room on one for riders up to about 6'4

I get knee ache after an hour or so on my ER6f. I need my footpegs an inch or so lower.

Have a look at this site and you can see the differences between the two bikes from an

ergonomics perspective. http://cycle-ergo.com/ just select makes and models plus your 

measurements and you can see how well a bike may fit you without even sitting on one.

3k should bag a 2009/10 ish model of either bike. 

I find the ER6f quite upright tbh, on a run I find myself trying to duck behind the screen

as the wind pushing against you can become tiresome, literally.  Depends on what sort of riding 

you want to do. If you will be spending long a time at motorway speeds then I think a faired 

bike makes sense. If it's more of a B road blaster then a 'naked' bike should be ok. 

You may find it hard to get anywhere local to Bristol to let you go for a test ride so soon after

passing.  Chuck me a PM if you fancy popping over for a nose at mine. I'm between Bath and Bristol.

Thanks grr. I'll see how things go and might take you up on your offer. I'm off to Devon for work on Thursday and there are a couple of bikes down there I want to have a look at. Including an older Triumph Tiger.

 

This is going to be my main transport (wife has the Roomster). Short commute on the motorway, lots of driving in Bristol, and the occasional trip to places like Birmingham or Exeter. 

If you're tall a trail bike is probably a good option. Big bloke I know (must be 6'6" or 6'7") loves his BMW GS 1150.