Jamieking86

I have to agree with this. As I mentioned above I’m only 5 foot 3 on a good day, so this is the part I struggled with the most. I found out that wheeling it straight back to the first yellow cone for the slalom, then pushing it forwards in line with your green cones destination, then wheeling it back into the green cones, if that makes sense, was much easier. When I tried wheeling straight back from 1 set of green cones to the other, I found that when I turned the handlebars, it was a real struggle with the weight of the bike. Maybe I turned the handlebars too much, but I found the other way much easier for me. I was more worried about the u-turn, I was dreading it but funnily enough it was probably the easiest one to do. Just look at where you want to go and you’ll get their.

I was exactly the same 4 days ago mate when I did my mod 1. I was a nervous wreck, my hearts never pounded so fast but I’m pleased to say I passed with a couple of minors. I was very nervous about learning on a bigger bike as I’m a short arse at only 5 foot 3 on a good day. I always thought a bigger bike would be too heavy or too big for me. To my surprise, it was a lowered Suzuki gladius and actually fairly light. It was a dream to ride compared to a ybr 125 that I did my cbt on. Their smoother and easier to ride, only thing is their heavier but get used to your balance and stopping on your rear brake (which i found so much easier than using the front at low speeds) and you’ll be fine mate. Just take deep breaths, and if you fail? So what, you can take it again within 3 working days, which you’ll pass 2nd time round.

Ever since I got home at 11:30 All I've been doing on it is research lol. I didn't think I was tense, the instructor saw me struggling with the handlebars wanting to go both ways and he never said relax, but may be I was tense. I will try to relax more next time for sure, and use the rear brake instead for certain.

Thanks guys, i was generally thinking of throwing the towel in thinking is this really for me? But like you say mate, you learn from mistakes, i need to learn not to use the front brake whilst doing slow speed After watching some helpful tips on youtube i just want to get back on the thing now and try again, but ive got to wait another 6 frigging days

Yes You get used to it & Yes we still nearly drop ours, its just a very rare thing is all, It usually happens at VERY slow speeds (1-5 mph) and most time its when we go full lock or misjudge a kerb or gravel (that sort of thing) My Mate Dropped his "New" Triumph Rocket 3 twice........and he has 50+ year experience In his defence the Rocket 3 is HUGE! That also helps lol. My dad was saying he went on a trip to switzerland with his mates who had been riding all their life (30 40 years) and they dropped their bike due to using the front brake instead of the rear. So it definately helps knowing even the most experience still have major slip ups. I think once i get to grips with slow speed and using the rear brake, the rest should hopefully come naturally.

Thanks guys, it helps a bit knowing that people do struggle when they first start which is obvious as it's new to all of us in some parts of our life. Reading peoples experiences of their CBT's all help a bit too knowing that other people do drop the bike and fall off, I think i was just very unfortunate to snap the clutch lever. All i wanted to do was get back on it and try again. Now I'm worried about my balance on the bike though and worried it will happen again but i guess that's normal. Do you get used to the balance of your bike, or do experienced riders still nearly drop theirs? lol.

So i did my CBT this morning, or some of it. Their were 2 of us, i actually expected more but was kind of relieved as i knew we'd get more attention and more help with it been a smaller crowd. The other lad was a nice lad so we got on well. We went through all the briefing of equipment road safety etc and was hummng and arghing wether to ge through with it due to a little ice on the grounds. We did though and just took it steady, after 3 laps round though of the slow maneovuring i lost balance of the bike, panicked and used the front brake, obviously not the best thing to do. I dropped the bike, fell off with it and broke the clutch lever, he didn't have a spare so we've had to call it a day and I've got to go back next week. I'm having major doubts now though about my skills, i felt as if i couldn't steer properly even in a straight line, the bike felt as if it wanted to go both ways. I guess i just need more practice but I'm snookered now till next week. I've been looking forward to it for so long then that happens after the 3rd frigging lap round. Pretty gutted to be honest, has anything similar happened to anyone else? I want someone to tell me they did that on their first try but it get's easier with practice lol.

Yeah i think i will get it lowered, would be much easier for me. So i had my CBT this morning, we was hummng and arghing wether to ge through with it due to a little ice on the grounds. We did though and just took it steady, after 3 laps round i lost balance of the bike, dropped the bike and broke the clutch lever, he didn't have a spare so we've had to call it a day and I've got to go back next week. I'm having major doubts now though about my skills, i felt as if i couldn't steer properly even in a straight line, the bike felt as if it wanted to go both ways. I guess i just need more practice but I'm snookered now till next week. Pretty gutted to be honest.

I have added the photos to show i can reach with my feet, the other picture i just wanted to show how nice the bike was lol. We actually came to an agreement for £1950 for the bike, a little more than i was hoping to spend but it comes with warranty and a full service before sale, full mot etc and the bike is in top condition so i'll be able to get most of my money back when i come to sell it. I'll actually be paying finance for now as I'm a gardener and work is very quiet this time of year, but come summer, my peak time and I've hopefully passed my test and much more experienced by then, I'll pay it off in full then probably part x it for an R3, see how things are. I may want to keep it for a little while longer. Got my CBT tomorrow though, very nervous but also very excited.

I can certainly imagine how different the custom would be handlebar wise, they we're quite high up but I'm a short bum I sat on the YBR125 today, and it was more or less perfect for me. I wasn't quite flat footed but certainly comfortable enough and the riding position seemed ok for me too although i didn't test ride it....obviously. I also got a chance to sit on me beloved R3. Must admit i was tip toeing slightly but once i get the hang of riding I think I'll be ok with tip toeing. I love the R3, everything about it just stands out to me and i felt upright rather than hunched over like super sports bikes, that is definately the bike I'm going for later next year, I would upload the picture my partner took of me on it, but I have no idea how lol. For now though I have decided to get a YBR125 to learn, I've seen one top notch condition for 2k but if i offer £1800 cash i think he'll take it. It's got 2451 miles on, 2014 full MOT, serviced etc 3 month warranty, the bike itself there's not a mark on it. Would you say that's pretty good deal?

Yes i heard you can fill the tank up for £10 and get 200 mile out of it. Well i went to see it this afternoon, with me been a short rider my dad said i didn't look comfortable on it, my feet didn't flat foot the floor but i was quite comfortable reaching the floor with both feet, but the handlebars were a little high for me. I'm looking at getting an R3 eventually so my dad said i would be better looking for a 125 around the same position as the R3 to make sure I'm comfortable on it and to make sure I'll be comfortable on the R3, so going to go look at a bike shop sometime this week for a 125 that's a similar shape as the R3, any recommendations? I can understand why it's so fun, although I haven't ridden one yet, apart from a little trial bike 20+ years ago, just sitting on it I just couldn't wait to get going on one. I'm 31 now, and just can't believe it's taken me this long to actually want to do it, what's wrong with me? Lol.

Thanks someone that is actually a massive help. I will ask my instructor after my CBT where i should go from their. I'm going to see a YBR 125 custom this afternoon, all being well I'm hopefully going to buy it, then after my CBT can drive around as much as i can to get the experience needed. Thanks for your time replying. Hello Hoggs, i very much intend to thank you

Yeah I've done some tests online and passed every one of them. Would you personally recommend buying a 125 to learn on for a few month? I think it's one of them things where I've done so much research online, YouTube etc, know exactly how to ride a bike but only gain experience by actually riding.

Ok thanks. As I have a full driving licence I'm guessing you still have to do the theory and hazard perception tests too? I wasn't sure if you still had to do them as their basically the same as when you do your driving theory test.

Thanks for that also. As im 31 My ideal scenario would be to go straight for my full licence. Could I buy the 125 to learn on and still go for the mod 1 and mod 2 to do my test on a bigger bike? Also would they provide the bike if I were to do my test on a bigger bike?