Grizzly

Save yourself money in the long run- do the cbt and ride a 125 to get experience and confidence- get your theory test done and do your module 1 +2 instead of the das route which is around £600. As long as your not using motorways or carrying passengers a 125 sounds ideal (running costs for commuting). Once you have the other licenses you can then look at other bikes- I bought a Yamaha wr125R for a cbt compliant bike, and no doubt when I sell I should get what I paid back and upgrade to the wr250x/r for a few quid on top. I spoke to my instructor and he says that unless I’m desperate to get on a bigger bike (which I’m not) then this is the most cost effective way to go- you can pay for the odd lesson here and there if need be

Cheers all, I appreciate the feedback, the pants I’m thinking were along the lines of the msr mx or the textile trousers, apart from extra pockets they all seem to range between £35-£50? With a removable thermal? And then there’s more premium ones such as the jeans for a fair bit more. Bearing in mind I mostly ride on back roads, B roads, country lanes and the occasional single/dual carriageway, I Normally wear shin and knee pads. Or would anyone care to step in and help out? Most I would like to spend on trousers would be around £80 if possible?

Well as I’m going out and about more on the bike, I’m going to start using it to commute to work and make the most of the dryer weather while it lasts, so would like some help on some bits to get to help me. I use my phone for satnav and music streaming, can anyone recommend any intercoms for on a budget? I have seen the scala and for the price of a duo setup it’s worth it, but I’m solo so just need something for myself. Does anyone use or recommend an action camera such as the GoPro session? Doesn’t need to be 4K, as long as it’s good quality/doesn’t break the bank, iv got an action camera but it’s quite heavy and don’t really fancy mounting that under my visor. And lastly trousers/pants- iv seen a generic eBay set, cordura with the hip and knee inserts- do they offer good flexibility or can anyone else recommend something in the £40 range or less?

Spoke to the instructor and as I guessed it is private property- he has no issues with me being there when he is as long as A) I have the dB killer in the exhaust B) I don’t interfere with his class or students in a negative way C) I don’t act like a tossed If I want to use it any other time when there’s no cbt running I’ll have to take my own cones and get permission from the ground owner, explaining my intent

Cheers all- there’s a small car park about 20m away that I have been totally unaware of- it’s gated but the gate is never locked and it’s used by a cbt school, literally drove past just now and saw them in there, I’ll pop in and see the instructor, it’s private property by the looks of things but would like to get permission to set some cones up in there and have a few hours practice- looks absolutely perfect to me

Subconsciously it must of been the height playing in my head, with the trimmed seat I can almost flatfoot both feet just need to practice more but feels so much better :) just went up and down my street and onto a little bit of a back country road blast. Shaking coming back, like an adrenaline dump, but going to do some house chores and go back out this afternoon for a ride to work and back to see how I fare, may take the bike to work this week then Cheers all

After some comments about height- the bike can be lowered with a lowering link but I believe the front needs to be adjusted also, not sure what kind of impact that has on the steering geometry, this morning I have taken the seat off and given in a little bit of a trim removing around an inch/inch and half of foam, so much better now- and if it’s awful all I need to do is replace the foam to standard. Iv got to check the clutch today and the other controls to make sure there set up properly for my reach, and then fingers crossed I’ll be going out soon

With boots on and a shuffle I can keep a foot on the peg and touch the floor, with a bent foot not flat. I can scoot and adjust my weight to either leg, what should I be doing on a hill start? Front brake as hand brake and release slow on bite? I’m comfortable riding it, no issue whatsoever when moving- it’s the thought of stopping in traffic and moving again with the flow and not at my own pace if that makes sense?

I Think I need to practice clutch control and getting my left leg down instead of my instinctive right when stopping. I bought the bike for a bit of fun and to explore some green lanes, I have zero issue riding off road, it’s the being on the road and the manoeuvre aspect of things that’s stressing me. It doesn’t help that I live in a busier village with very little in terms of private space to have a ‘play around’ and get used to the controls and feel of the bike. I’m also trying to wear my mx/enduro boots and having very limited feeling when trying to be precise around people/ other vehicles is unsettling, but it’s something I need to keep trying I suppose and get used to if I want to green lane more. I’m off work tomorrow so I may get her back out after tea/ go out tomorrow morning, Asda by me is very quiet on a Sunday ( no boy racers or nuisances) so may even attempt to go there and practice.

This is the second time in a row happening to me now, but had a complete melt down. So the first time- I get geared up and ready to go out on Friday, but mentally couldn’t be bothered to get the bike out and go for a ride. Today get the bike ready to go before gearing up and going out (have to move the car, get the bike out, move car back, and just before gearing up, I can’t face it.. so reveresed everything, move car , bike back, car back.. ifs the second time in a row I can’t bring myself to ride. I have only been out on a few green lanes local to me, and very limited back road riding experience. I just feel like iv lost confidence in myself, nothing has happened, but I can’t comfortably touch the floor, feel the rear beak with boots on, and I’m crumbling at the thought of traffic lights, hill starts, junctions and bends- pretty much everything about riding that I’ll be having to do as soon as I pull onto a main road. I passed my cbt a month or so ago, rode a handful of times but now I really can’t bring myself to.

To all of those who feel disheartened when they don’t manage to pass the cbt the first time- i Passed the second time( didn’t manage the road test on the first day as it was way too hot -heatwave ) But I passed the following week when it was a lot cooler. It was my first time riding a bike on the roads and manoeuvring a bike correctly, had a great instructor, loads of patience and really settled my nerves @ motor cycle training Wales But also done my theory test and waiting to do the das (it’s all booked )