"A mistake may not be a fail depending on circumstances" is definitely true; I drove through an amber light on mine and still passed, because I was checking mirrors for following traffic as it started to change.

A perfect example, especially if there was a vehicle too close behind, and i don't mean the Examiner.

Just an update on my progress.

 

I been riding my 125 around as much as I can to get more riding experience. Feeling more confident every time I ride it. 

Today I had my first lesson on the bigger bike, happened to be the bigger brother of my bike, CBF 600. We did some maneuveres,  slalom,  figure of 8 and U turn. Only major trouble I had was with the U turn,  eventually got there in the end but I definitely need more practice so I'm hoping to get some practice in on my 125. I didn't put my foot down,  just need more control and better observations. 

 

Out on the open road away from the maneuveres I really enjoyed the ride. Lots of country roads and bends and some slower stuff through the housing estates. I felt Alot more stable and even on the town stuff,  going around roundabouts etc I felt more safe on it than my 125 lol. 

 

Instructor said I did well so I'm happy with that as I was nervous. Booked in another lesson and my mod 1. Not going to say when it is but it's a long way off as it's pretty booked up! Leaves me with alot of time to ride my bike,  plus point weather is improving! 

 

Nice one, I found the big bikes far easier than smaller ones to ride. 

11 minutes ago, matt1chelski said:

Nice one, I found the big bikes far easier than smaller ones to ride. 

They really are, the weight of the bigger bikes just makes it feel more planted to the road. 

On 20/02/2017 at 16:07, DanGum said:

 Only major trouble I had was with the U turn,  eventually got there in the end but I definitely need more practice so I'm hoping to get some practice in on my 125.

 

 

Keep your head up and look where you want to go, bike will follow your head.

Took me ages to figure that out.

 

Bike bikes feel safer imho.

3 hours ago, Aspman said:

 

Keep your head up and look where you want to go, bike will follow your head.

Took me ages to figure that out.

 

Bike bikes feel safer imho.

Exactly what my instructor kept telling me to do but I kept on focusing at the floor Lol

Edited 22 February, 20179 yr by DanGum

And "big bikes feel safer".

"Bike bikes" WTF was I typing.

 

If you look down you'll tip. Think of it as almost marching. Chin up back straight.

 

Applies on the road too, you have to beware of "target fixation". If you look at the thing you're trying to avoid you'll hit it. You always have to look where you want to go. It's to do with the position of your head affecting your shoulders and the balance on the bike.

 

 

just put the wheels in motion for me doing my DAS as well.

 

Been riding a twist and go 125 for the last 18 months riding in and out of newcastle on a daily basis, come rain, snow or sunshine(!). have to agree with the comment about all other road users, as far as i'm concerned, the only only person out there not trying to kill me, is me!

 

Redid my CBT on a geared bike on monday and have now booked my theory test with a look to start getting lessons for my direct access. think its gonna take a while to re-lean how to ride while playing with gears. far too many stalls and general muppetry on monday while trying to pull off. trying to use all 4 limbs to do things and then remembering to take the correct leg off whatever it is doing and put it down was a bit confusing.

 

i'm happy pottering about on my twist and go at the mo, but other than taking lessons to get more experience on a geared bike, is there any way to rent one for a week or 2?

 

cheers

Edited 23 February, 20179 yr by Pessimal

Renting... speak to your local dealer. Some do bikes to rent. Either that or google bike hire.

well thats my theory test passed and first 2 hour lesson booked for next thursday!

 

should be fun!

Edited 10 March, 20179 yr by Pessimal

Congrats on the theory test.

 

It can be more beneficial to do an intensive course over a 4-5 day period as you tend to pick up the lessons quicker, rather than doing them a couple of hours at a time as you spend a lot of time recapping on what you've done. If you've not had chance to practice in between lessons then more time correcting what you doing wrong so half the lesson is spent not learning anything new. It may be a bigger upfront payment but works out cheaper in the long run too.

I've been riding a twist n go for the last 12 months, so really its going to be remembering how the gears work and how to use the brakes and clutch now that are going to be my sticking points.

 

been debating about getting rid of my scooter and getting a geared bike, but i rather like the wind protection and storage space on my scooter to be honest!

 

 

8 hours ago, Pessimal said:

I've been riding a twist n go for the last 12 months, so really its going to be remembering how the gears work and how to use the brakes and clutch now that are going to be my sticking points.

 

been debating about getting rid of my scooter and getting a geared bike, but i rather like the wind protection and storage space on my scooter to be honest!

 

 

 

Firstly, congratulations on the theory test pass.

 

Second, at least you have been riding for a while, so should have the observations pretty sorted.

Maybe a few tweaks needed but that's normal.

The benefit of being in your situation is that you can concentrate on the control side.

 

Third, if you're looking for a geared bike with storage for helmet, have a look at the Honda NC 700 / 750 range.

They have the petrol tank under the seat and room in the dummy tank for a full face helmet.

 

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/bike-reviews/honda/nc700s/2012/

 

http://www.cycleworld.com/2012/10/18/honda-nc700x-road-test

 

I have the 700X and it.

The honda nc 700's are one choice, a cb500x or other 600ish adventure bike is another.

 

Failing that i'll look at a 500-600cc scooter.

 

It going to used for commuting 95% of the time, i dont have any desire to get my knee down, the odd weekend ride when its nice is a possibility even if its just to get out on some different road instead of the dual carriageway that makes up most of my commute.

 

I would like something with plenty of wind protection, but i really need to go have a look at some bikes to get a better idea of what i want

The 500X is also a great choice.

There is also the scooterish version of the NC range called the Integra

loads of storage space, DCT gearbox and reasonable wind protection from bodywork and screen.

Oh, and around 75 to the gallon.

 

Biased, me?

First lesson done, absolutly shattered!

 

Did about 45 mins on a 125 again, then back to the shop and out on a 600 for the rest of the lesson. Arms and wrists aching due to leaning forward, and boy are the bigger bikes sensitive to the throttle! Soon learnt to keep the bike in the higher gears to dampen the effects of the trottle a bit. Didnt get above 40 for most of the lesson,  just getting used to using gears and being in a totally different position to me sit up and beg scooter.

 

Looking forward to the next lesson.

On 25/02/2017 at 14:12, CFB said:

Renting... speak to your local dealer. Some do bikes to rent. Either that or google bike hire.

 

Try the local training places, the one I did my CBT at hires them out. Think it's £40 a day for a 125. 

 

And yeah, know what you mean about leaning forward, I can't do sports bikes at all any more. Ask the trainer if they've got anything else. 

Passed Mod 1 today with 0 minors! Was so nervous beforehand felt like my heart was coming out my chest lol. But I found once I was in there i was pretty comfortable and it was over with in about 10 minutes. 

The day before I had a day with my instructor practising every manoeuvre until I had it perfected. One thing he did do was make the distances between the cones and u turn width narrower, so when we came to the test we found it a lot easier. This worked a treat for me on the u turn as I had so much room left over.

This morning we did some Mod 2 prep and he took us around some test routes, lots of pulling up onto the side of the road as they like to do this a lot in the test apparently. Afternoon was Mod 1 test time , I passed and a chap who was doing his with me passed as well. All in all a good day! 

Edited 29 March, 20179 yr by DanGum

Congratulations!

 

I'm waiting for a test appointment, the local test centre dosent have any free dates until the middle of May :(

Great work Dan, congrats mate. 

 

Keep the updates coming mate, keeps me thinking about sorting my life out and getting started myself, but need to stop going on holidays first! 

 

On another slightly blunt note, Pessimal, start your own thread dude and not high jack this one. I'm sure people will read it, but I come on here to read about Dangum's progress

Thanks Jay , we had a decent weekend weather wise last week it made me want to get out there on a bigger bike. 

 

Pessimal thats a hell hell of a long wait where abouts in country are you 

On 29/03/2017 at 17:04, DanGum said:

This morning we did some Mod 2 prep and he took us around some test routes, lots of pulling up onto the side of the road as they like to do this a lot in the test apparently. Afternoon was Mod 1 test time , I passed and a chap who was doing his with me passed as well. All in all a good day! 

 

Congrats Dan, well done matey!

 

The test, up to April, had 2 normal stops, angle start, a hill start and one more for the independent riding briefing.

Has this changed since then?

 

Just had a quick look at the DVSA website... When did they drop the riding faults for a pass down to 10 ?

bloody good idea but it's still 15 for Cat B car tests.

Politics at play again then. :(

28 minutes ago, CFB said:

 

Congrats Dan, well done matey!

 

The test, up to April, had 2 normal stops, angle start, a hill start and one more for the independent riding briefing.

Has this changed since then?

 

Just had a quick look at the DVSA website... When did they drop the riding faults for a pass down to 10 ?

bloody good idea but it's still 15 for Cat B car tests.

Politics at play again then. :(

Thanks! Yeh regarding the stops I think that's correct as my instructor said they can stop you 5/6 times in the test! 

 

One last hurdle to go , just want to get it done ! 

 

Deposit put down on a 600 fazer! I haven't personally viewed it as I been working nights all weekend but the old man went and looked at it for me (an excuse to get the fire blade out) and said it's in great condition and been mechanically looked after very well. Has slightly higher miles than I would have wanted but the condition and service history is spot on so can't wait to now pass mod 2 (touch wood) and get out on her. Picking her up tomorrow! 

On 20/02/2017 at 21:26, matt1chelski said:

Mod 2 PASSED!!