Thinking of learning to ride & what bike advice ?
Discussion
Hi guys,
I'm not a regular on this part of PH so all help appreciated.
I've got a Ferrari 348 but really hankering to learn to ride (largely to get to work in and out of London and also for weekend fun)
Firstly, any tips on who to use to learn & also how long it takes. (I'd have to do it on weekends)
Secondly, (probably jumping the gun but...)any tips on what bike to get, I don't want anything too mental as I'll be a novice, always liked(to look at and listen to)things like Monsters and Speed Triple's and Buells. Any thoughts?
I'm not a regular on this part of PH so all help appreciated.
I've got a Ferrari 348 but really hankering to learn to ride (largely to get to work in and out of London and also for weekend fun)
Firstly, any tips on who to use to learn & also how long it takes. (I'd have to do it on weekends)
Secondly, (probably jumping the gun but...)any tips on what bike to get, I don't want anything too mental as I'll be a novice, always liked(to look at and listen to)things like Monsters and Speed Triple's and Buells. Any thoughts?
its pretty easy to get soerted. finda a local instructor school, take 3 days off, and thats it.
you have a DIRECT ACCESS course, which involves a basics day round a car park incorporating a CBT (compulsory) the second day out on the road followed by a larger bike, the third day practice for the test and test.
will cost you around £300 - £400 overall.
NB organize yourself a theory test (4 bikes) with your local test centre. (30 minute exam - harder than you think, borrow a theory book of a local 17yr old relative.)
for commuting, get something like a 500 - 600cc eg a bandit or fazer.
by "what bike" for more on this, they have a learner section every month., read the ads at the back for schools.
you have a DIRECT ACCESS course, which involves a basics day round a car park incorporating a CBT (compulsory) the second day out on the road followed by a larger bike, the third day practice for the test and test.
will cost you around £300 - £400 overall.
NB organize yourself a theory test (4 bikes) with your local test centre. (30 minute exam - harder than you think, borrow a theory book of a local 17yr old relative.)
for commuting, get something like a 500 - 600cc eg a bandit or fazer.
by "what bike" for more on this, they have a learner section every month., read the ads at the back for schools.
Speed triple as a first bike.....Hmmmm.
Not the easiest of bikes to ride when compared to most japs. you also need to know that it's just a Daytona (ie 1litre sports bike) with a set of high bars & no bodywork
. This also means you might have trouble getting insurance
.
Fazer/Bandit 600 would be my thoughts for a 1st bike - or a CBR600 (an older one, say 2.5 to 3K's worth).
If you like the look of the Monster then any of the air cooled ones should be fine for you - just remember it will take more time to come to terms with than those mentioned above.
>> Edited by Leadfoot on Monday 15th July 23:21
Not the easiest of bikes to ride when compared to most japs. you also need to know that it's just a Daytona (ie 1litre sports bike) with a set of high bars & no bodywork
. This also means you might have trouble getting insurance. Fazer/Bandit 600 would be my thoughts for a 1st bike - or a CBR600 (an older one, say 2.5 to 3K's worth).
If you like the look of the Monster then any of the air cooled ones should be fine for you - just remember it will take more time to come to terms with than those mentioned above.
>> Edited by Leadfoot on Monday 15th July 23:21
The Speed Triple was my first proper bike, as I could not face the prospect of having a bandit, fazer or divvy. I think it Triple is as easy to ride as Jap bikes and far easier than Italian V-twins (snatchy clutches at low speeds). I'm on my second one now. I'm still alive, after three years of central London commute.
I thought that you do not need to take the written exam if you have a full car licence - I didn't. For your own sense of self preservation, I suggest you take 1 week course, so you do your CBT (ususally on Saturday morning) then four or five days of good tuition with the road test on Friday.
As a new biker, you are almost bound to drop the bike, so if you're prepared to pay for damage why not buy a cool one? You could fit 'mushrooms' or crash bars to limit any damage. Good luck whatever you decide.
I thought that you do not need to take the written exam if you have a full car licence - I didn't. For your own sense of self preservation, I suggest you take 1 week course, so you do your CBT (ususally on Saturday morning) then four or five days of good tuition with the road test on Friday.
As a new biker, you are almost bound to drop the bike, so if you're prepared to pay for damage why not buy a cool one? You could fit 'mushrooms' or crash bars to limit any damage. Good luck whatever you decide.
The Direct access course can be split up and down on successive weekends if you can't get a week off. It can be a bit tiring riding for three days constantly when you're not used to it.
I'd advise getting the bike you really want as soon as you've got your test. I had a Bandit when I passed in Feb this year, but changed within a week to a Triumph 955 Sprint RS. (nothing wrong with Bandits, but I really wanted the Triumph, and I sold a car and thought I may as well go for it). I didn't find it any more difficult to ride, in fact it was easier because it has power throughout the rev range instead of a rush of power at the top end which I found a bit intimidating to start with.
My insurance is about £500 (35, low risk area) which I thought was pretty good.
I suggest you go for it. I have been a car junkie all my life, but am now a biking convert (although still seriously into cars) because biking is something different - great fun.
sjm
I'd advise getting the bike you really want as soon as you've got your test. I had a Bandit when I passed in Feb this year, but changed within a week to a Triumph 955 Sprint RS. (nothing wrong with Bandits, but I really wanted the Triumph, and I sold a car and thought I may as well go for it). I didn't find it any more difficult to ride, in fact it was easier because it has power throughout the rev range instead of a rush of power at the top end which I found a bit intimidating to start with.
My insurance is about £500 (35, low risk area) which I thought was pretty good.
I suggest you go for it. I have been a car junkie all my life, but am now a biking convert (although still seriously into cars) because biking is something different - great fun.
sjm
quote:
The Direct access course can be split up and down on successive weekends if you can't get a week off. It can be a bit tiring riding for three days constantly when you're not used to it.quote:
Agree with that as I can garentee your wrists will ache. I did my test years ago but basically put in for my test straight away then had a number of lessons at different times over the next 4 - 5 weeks. I think I got a better training and felt a more confident rider.
quote:
I'd advise getting the bike you really want as soon as you've got your test.quote:
Agree again. If you go sensible you will get bored quickly so buy what you want, take it steady and get used to it. Just because its big and fast dosent mean you have to ride fast.
>> Edited by gsxrblue on Wednesday 17th July 07:51
Hi all,
First visit to the Biker Banter forum!
I too am about to do direct access.
I'm also looking around for a first bike, will be used mainly for pleasure with the odd day of commuting thrown in for good measure.
Er indoors who is a dedicated biker suggests that I go for something like a BMW F650 or a big jap traily but I not so keen!
On my wish list, although I dont really have a clue about bikes, I'm going on what I think looks nice and isnt too silly (I love the look of R1's!). On my list are a CBR600 and the Monster Dark.
Any thoughts
Matt.
First visit to the Biker Banter forum!
I too am about to do direct access.
I'm also looking around for a first bike, will be used mainly for pleasure with the odd day of commuting thrown in for good measure.
Er indoors who is a dedicated biker suggests that I go for something like a BMW F650 or a big jap traily but I not so keen!
On my wish list, although I dont really have a clue about bikes, I'm going on what I think looks nice and isnt too silly (I love the look of R1's!). On my list are a CBR600 and the Monster Dark.
Any thoughts
Matt.
quote:
yeah you don't have to do 4 day cram, I did one two hour lesson a week in the eve for four weeks, then took my test. If you fail your theory test when doing a 4 day cram then you're stuffed..
Mrs Mel is doing a 4 day cram, she did CBT last Saturday, has got her theory in a fortnight and 4 day course with test on day 4 early next month. So she's room to fluck up on anything bar the final test
Ran my details (29, no NCB,licence since March) through here for a zx6r
www.clickquote.com/bikes/
£259.00 Bargin
www.clickquote.com/bikes/
£259.00 Bargin
hllo craigw
i had no bike experience at all.
ive just passed my DAS it cost me just over 500 pounds.including theory test and bikes.
theory test thursday . ( passed )
then started the CBT sunday ( passed )
monday DAS lessons on a 125 cc ,
tuesday more 125 cc.
wednesday 500 cc
friday mock test and TEST .. PASSED .
so didnt take long only about 1 week .
after passing test i got my first bike .. BUT i jumped in deep end first.. and got a torquey V twin
a Ducati 998 .
also insurance is very steep . 1600 / year .
i love it heres a small pic .
www.ascott1.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/duc11small.JPG
i hope all goes well on your test etc
F1F3R .
i had no bike experience at all.
ive just passed my DAS it cost me just over 500 pounds.including theory test and bikes.
theory test thursday . ( passed )
then started the CBT sunday ( passed )
monday DAS lessons on a 125 cc ,
tuesday more 125 cc.
wednesday 500 cc
friday mock test and TEST .. PASSED .
so didnt take long only about 1 week .
after passing test i got my first bike .. BUT i jumped in deep end first.. and got a torquey V twin
a Ducati 998 .
also insurance is very steep . 1600 / year .
i love it heres a small pic .
www.ascott1.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/duc11small.JPG
i hope all goes well on your test etc
F1F3R .
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