Too old to start?
Discussion
Tanguero said:
pigeonskirt said:
Tanguero said:
Probably rather laughable compared to some of the fabulous machines on here but I just got this to potter about on and get some experience before launching into my DAS...
How are you getting on with your new bike?I'm in a similar situation to you. Unsure whether to do a CBT and stick to a 125 for 12 months or do CBT and straight into DAS. I've plenty of time to decide though as I need to save up first.
I am really glad that I decided not to dive straight into the DAS straight after CBT. It may of course just be me being a slow learner, but just a week of riding out and annoying the nearest housing estate every night has made me realise how much I needed to practice basic control in my own time before progressing.
I am not necessarily going to keep the YBR for long, but decent condition 125s will sell all day long and probably at a bit of a profit to go towards a big bike when I do my DAS.
Good luck with your learning and tests.
Well, finally got my DAS booked for early September!
Not long after my last post, my wife was taken seriously ill so I abandoned riding and SORNed the bike. Thankfully all is well now so I got the bike MOTd and taxed at the beginning of the month and started riding again.
The next question will hopefully be "what first big bike". I have been looking at TT600's on eBay...
Not long after my last post, my wife was taken seriously ill so I abandoned riding and SORNed the bike. Thankfully all is well now so I got the bike MOTd and taxed at the beginning of the month and started riding again.
The next question will hopefully be "what first big bike". I have been looking at TT600's on eBay...
Tanguero said:
The next question will hopefully be "what first big bike". I have been looking at TT600's on eBay...
Just buy whatever you like and what you fit on comfortably, any of the usual FZS/SV/CBR/TT/Hornet 600ish cc bikes will be brilliant as a first big bike, there aren't really any bad choices as such.
Biker 1 said:
men with properly strong wrists....
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Ah yes, middle age.I'm 57 but have been riding on and off, since the 70s.
I have had a Honda MSX125 for nearly 3 years (Honda's small monkey bike) and it's light and wieldy and you can't fault 130mpg, cheap insurance and £16 road tax. I commute 10 miles each way, every day and it's been a hoot, even with a top end around 65mph. It's also small enough to go in my conservatory.
Strangely, the only reason I am considering getting a bigger bike (a 650) is because the dealer is 20 miles away and getting it serviced is a pain, otherwise I'd probably keep it. After all, bigger bikes bring double the costs of insuring, running and maintaining them.
Jazoli said:
Tanguero said:
The next question will hopefully be "what first big bike". I have been looking at TT600's on eBay...
Just buy whatever you like and what you fit on comfortably, any of the usual FZS/SV/CBR/TT/Hornet 600ish cc bikes will be brilliant as a first big bike, there aren't really any bad choices as such.
, as above really if there are a few local dealers get some test rides booked on different types of bike if you are unsure of what type you like, and good luck.Tanguero said:
Well, finally got my DAS booked for early September!
Not long after my last post, my wife was taken seriously ill so I abandoned riding and SORNed the bike. Thankfully all is well now so I got the bike MOTd and taxed at the beginning of the month and started riding again.
The next question will hopefully be "what first big bike". I have been looking at TT600's on eBay...
Sorry to hear that, but pleased she's on the mend. I bought a ybr for my Mrs to learn on. Great little bikes. In think you can't go far wrong with a TT600. I nearly bought one but it got sold out from under me and bought a very cheap ZZR 600 instead. I'd swap it for a TT in a heartbeat.Not long after my last post, my wife was taken seriously ill so I abandoned riding and SORNed the bike. Thankfully all is well now so I got the bike MOTd and taxed at the beginning of the month and started riding again.
The next question will hopefully be "what first big bike". I have been looking at TT600's on eBay...
Tanguero said:
Would anyone do test rides for a newly qualified rider? I presume they would they ask?
It seems to vary, depending on their insurance policy. A couple of places near here wouldn't let me on anything without a year's experience. Another couldn't go below 2.One place had a "1 year minimum", but they were happy to waive that. A different dealer simply checked that I owned a bike with a similar power/weight as the bike that I wanted to test.
OTOH, the local dealer wouldn't lend me a 125 courtesy bike, and insisted on me taking a 650. I'd taken my bike in to get new tyres less than a month after passing my test.
I am just kicking myself that I didn't get into bikes earlier on in life. I'm 48 now and have been riding for just 2 years.
I''m sure my mates think I'm a bit false , suddenly getting into bikes and then becoming so obsessed with them. But I guess it was just the right time in life for me.
Anyway , no use crying over spilt milk, just enjoy every second of riding now and I hope with a more sensible head on my shoulders than I certainly had when I was in my early 20's .
I''m sure my mates think I'm a bit false , suddenly getting into bikes and then becoming so obsessed with them. But I guess it was just the right time in life for me.
Anyway , no use crying over spilt milk, just enjoy every second of riding now and I hope with a more sensible head on my shoulders than I certainly had when I was in my early 20's .
I passed my DAS back in April this year (27 - overweight, bald and look 40, so I fit the previous descriptions quite well) and it was one of the best decisions I've made.
I was on the course with a 50 something year old fella and his dad who was in his early 70s. Apart from struggling a bit with the manual handling the old boy did fine.
Regarding test rides only 1 dealer has turned me down (a ducati dealer). The many others I've tried were happy to throw me the keys for an hour, even on litre bikes. If they don't let you test ride take your business else where - there are lots of places that will.
Good luck with the DAS sir.
I was on the course with a 50 something year old fella and his dad who was in his early 70s. Apart from struggling a bit with the manual handling the old boy did fine.
Regarding test rides only 1 dealer has turned me down (a ducati dealer). The many others I've tried were happy to throw me the keys for an hour, even on litre bikes. If they don't let you test ride take your business else where - there are lots of places that will.
Good luck with the DAS sir.
You mentioned you were in Kent - which school are you using for your DAS? - and do you know which test centre you will be doing your MOD1 at? - I did mine at Erith, but I think Gillingham is an option as well.
My (recent) experience - small independents won't let you do a test ride. On anything. The bigger dealers were happy to (both BMW in Tunbridge, and Laguna in Maidstone said they would, although BMW said "there might be a problem if you want to try S1000rr"
Jazoli said:
Tanguero said:
Would anyone do test rides for a newly qualified rider? I presume they would they ask?
Yes most half decent bike shops wont have a problem letting you out on a middleweight bike, might be different if you fancy a litre bike!There was a married couple (or they acted like it) on my CBT last year, both must have been 50 something.
Infact the woman barely scraped through the CBT due to suspect bike handling skills.
After completing their CBT they were planning to continue on to obtain their full bike licenses, then go on a biking trip across America!... you are never "too old".
Infact the woman barely scraped through the CBT due to suspect bike handling skills.
After completing their CBT they were planning to continue on to obtain their full bike licenses, then go on a biking trip across America!... you are never "too old".
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