Does a CBT show you how to ride properly?
Discussion
DragsterRR said:
I was hit by a car pulling out of a side street.
I was doing 30mph.
I was wearing proper bike boots and trousers etc.....
I was lucky to keep my leg (even if it does now look like a badly made pizza)
9 months on crutches.
Riding a bike in flip flops and a t-shirt with no helmet? Yer f
king insane.
Still, it's your life, I wouldn't want to be responsible for yer girlfriends though.
I didn't ride in flip flops. I made that mistake when I first for a bike with a hangover. I didn't realise how sensitive the throttle was and ended up nearly going into a car and using my foot as a break. Just a scuffed toe but after that I was in trainers. I needed my feet to stabilise me when slowing down. And if they had a helmet that fit me I'd have worn it. I was doing 30mph.
I was wearing proper bike boots and trousers etc.....
I was lucky to keep my leg (even if it does now look like a badly made pizza)
9 months on crutches.
Riding a bike in flip flops and a t-shirt with no helmet? Yer f
king insane.Still, it's your life, I wouldn't want to be responsible for yer girlfriends though.
I'd be quite happy and confident on a twist and go on my own. It's just a bit harder with a pillion. But I never fell off in nearly three weeks. So I wasn't that bad.
I rented a 750 Genesis in Bangkok back in the days when they had huge import tariffs on big bikes to protect the domestic scooter industry. So basically this thing was pretty much the only big bike in the city. At every red light we (my sister was on the back, wearing the helmet) drew a big crowd of locals on small bikes, so of course we had to show them what the Yamaha could do when the lights changed. It was fking epic, like being a despatch rider on speed. And yes, I was wearing flip flops. Riding in the rain was the best - nice and cool, sweet smelling clean roads...then the rain would stop and 5 mins later you'd be dry again. Everywhere we parked the cops and security guards were falling over themselves to guard the bike. It must be very different now.
king epic, like being a despatch rider on speed. And yes, I was wearing flip flops. Riding in the rain was the best - nice and cool, sweet smelling clean roads...then the rain would stop and 5 mins later you'd be dry again. Everywhere we parked the cops and security guards were falling over themselves to guard the bike. It must be very different now. stuartmmcfc said:
Can I be the first to call Trolll?
You can if you want. But I could send you a photo of my passport and some pics of my exploits if you feel that strongly about it. I was asking about some training for when I go back over. I can also send you my booking confirmation for the flights and my notice at work if you wish.
Undinist said:
I rented a 750 Genesis in Bangkok back in the days when they had huge import tariffs on big bikes to protect the domestic scooter industry. So basically this thing was pretty much the only big bike in the city. At every red light we (my sister was on the back, wearing the helmet) drew a big crowd of locals on small bikes, so of course we had to show them what the Yamaha could do when the lights changed. It was fking epic, like being a despatch rider on speed. And yes, I was wearing flip flops. Riding in the rain was the best - nice and cool, sweet smelling clean roads...then the rain would stop and 5 mins later you'd be dry again. Everywhere we parked the cops and security guards were falling over themselves to guard the bike. It must be very different now.
Very very rare to see a big bike. When it was raining in Krabi I went into a couple of dealerships to have a look. I'd never been into a bike dealership before. The nicest looking bike I saw was a Yamaha R12 in matt black. I was amazed at how cheap they were compared to new cars. I know that is a slow bike in comparison to most on here - but I'd feel the nuts riding that. They do sell big bikes now - but I just didn't see that many. king epic, like being a despatch rider on speed. And yes, I was wearing flip flops. Riding in the rain was the best - nice and cool, sweet smelling clean roads...then the rain would stop and 5 mins later you'd be dry again. Everywhere we parked the cops and security guards were falling over themselves to guard the bike. It must be very different now. Edit it was actually an r3.
Edited by photosnob on Tuesday 25th August 09:57
Just having a down moment so thought I'd update this. Currently about 6 weeks into my trip. And I've done a couple of k miles on a bike. I'm having a great time. I've still not braved it and tried a bike with gears. But I have seen my fair share of accidents, including some mates who have fallen off. All in all, when the sun is shining riding a bike is amazing. At 4am in the mountains of northern thailand it's not a good idea to ride for 3 hours to see the sun come up in just shorts and a shirt, so you can see the sun come up. It was literally freezing. There was also the time when I skidded and had to use both feet to stabilise - that was a brown pants moment. Oh and the time when coming down a mountain the front brake overheated and didn't work at all! That was quite scary.
I've decided I'd like to get my full bike ticket when I come back. A guy took me on the back of his ninja and I want one of them now.
Riding in thailand is a lot easier than vietnam. In vietnam they are literally crazy. I got a flat tyre in north thailand in a mountain about 50km from anywhere. Fortunately someone stopped and put me onto the back of their pick up. The repair and new inner tube cost £3 so that wasn't too bad. I ran out of fuel at one point - but a British guy on a big bike stopped and gave me some. Mostly biking types seem quite friendly.
Anyway - if anyone knows of a good instructor/school in Hampshire I'd like to know. That's if I make it through the next 6 weeks without killing myself. I'm in Dalat at the moment and am renting a bike today and going to all the waterfalls and to the top of some mountains! Only about 100km in total, but the motorbikes here give me a sore bum so thats enough for one day
I've decided I'd like to get my full bike ticket when I come back. A guy took me on the back of his ninja and I want one of them now.
Riding in thailand is a lot easier than vietnam. In vietnam they are literally crazy. I got a flat tyre in north thailand in a mountain about 50km from anywhere. Fortunately someone stopped and put me onto the back of their pick up. The repair and new inner tube cost £3 so that wasn't too bad. I ran out of fuel at one point - but a British guy on a big bike stopped and gave me some. Mostly biking types seem quite friendly.
Anyway - if anyone knows of a good instructor/school in Hampshire I'd like to know. That's if I make it through the next 6 weeks without killing myself. I'm in Dalat at the moment and am renting a bike today and going to all the waterfalls and to the top of some mountains! Only about 100km in total, but the motorbikes here give me a sore bum so thats enough for one day
photosnob said:
Just having a down moment so thought I'd update this. Currently about 6 weeks into my trip. And I've done a couple of k miles on a bike. I'm having a great time. I've still not braved it and tried a bike with gears. But I have seen my fair share of accidents, including some mates who have fallen off. All in all, when the sun is shining riding a bike is amazing. At 4am in the mountains of northern thailand it's not a good idea to ride for 3 hours to see the sun come up in just shorts and a shirt, so you can see the sun come up. It was literally freezing. There was also the time when I skidded and had to use both feet to stabilise - that was a brown pants moment. Oh and the time when coming down a mountain the front brake overheated and didn't work at all! That was quite scary.
I've decided I'd like to get my full bike ticket when I come back. A guy took me on the back of his ninja and I want one of them now.
Riding in thailand is a lot easier than vietnam. In vietnam they are literally crazy. I got a flat tyre in north thailand in a mountain about 50km from anywhere. Fortunately someone stopped and put me onto the back of their pick up. The repair and new inner tube cost £3 so that wasn't too bad. I ran out of fuel at one point - but a British guy on a big bike stopped and gave me some. Mostly biking types seem quite friendly.
Anyway - if anyone knows of a good instructor/school in Hampshire I'd like to know. That's if I make it through the next 6 weeks without killing myself. I'm in Dalat at the moment and am renting a bike today and going to all the waterfalls and to the top of some mountains! Only about 100km in total, but the motorbikes here give me a sore bum so thats enough for one day
Hope you are having a great time. The amount of people that can be packed onto a bike is mighty impressive I've decided I'd like to get my full bike ticket when I come back. A guy took me on the back of his ninja and I want one of them now.
Riding in thailand is a lot easier than vietnam. In vietnam they are literally crazy. I got a flat tyre in north thailand in a mountain about 50km from anywhere. Fortunately someone stopped and put me onto the back of their pick up. The repair and new inner tube cost £3 so that wasn't too bad. I ran out of fuel at one point - but a British guy on a big bike stopped and gave me some. Mostly biking types seem quite friendly.
Anyway - if anyone knows of a good instructor/school in Hampshire I'd like to know. That's if I make it through the next 6 weeks without killing myself. I'm in Dalat at the moment and am renting a bike today and going to all the waterfalls and to the top of some mountains! Only about 100km in total, but the motorbikes here give me a sore bum so thats enough for one day
Sounds stunning-enjoy and try and make it back in one piece!Having some proper instruction on a geared bike when you get back home,will really open your eyes as to what's involved and just how much you (maybe) winging it at the moment.
Looking at some of the videos on YouTube,showing riding standards in some countries is frightening and may give you a different perspective!
Stay safe...
Looking at some of the videos on YouTube,showing riding standards in some countries is frightening and may give you a different perspective!
Stay safe...
I deliver post to someone who raced super stock 1000's supporting bsb and he always says when you pass your bike test you should do a track day.
His theory is people do there test at fairly low speeds then go out on there own enter a corner too fast brake and instead of getting there knee down they brake and loose the front.
By doing a track day they can learn in safety to carry speed into corners safely.
His theory is people do there test at fairly low speeds then go out on there own enter a corner too fast brake and instead of getting there knee down they brake and loose the front.
By doing a track day they can learn in safety to carry speed into corners safely.
Everyone is right.
In asia they will carry anything on a bike. I've been amazed how they carry a whole family on a small bike. Or even 20 big barrels of water.
I'm under no allusions I'm winging it. I know my own limitations. I ride very slowly especially in the corners. I've worked out that twisting the throttle in a straight line is very very easy. What takes some skill is going around a corner at speed. I've started leaning properly into corners now - but I'm no where near getting my knee down. It doesn't help that I'm carrying a fiance who is more interested in taking a great photo and leaning the other way... Either that or looking around and plonking herself in my blind spot.
Either way, I'm certainly getting better at riding a bike. I'm learning that accelerating is a good way of getting you out of trouble when it's needed. I'm also learning that anyone can come off - over here the locals start riding when they are kids. I've seen plenty of them fall off as well. When I'm back in the UK I want to get a proper helmet and some leathers and learn properly. Over here I'd be a lot more comfortable if I had the proper gear.
That being said. It's too amazing being able to get out and see all the amazing stuff for me to be sensible and not ride a bike now. I'd hate to be limited to tours where they tell me how long I'm allowed to spend in a place. The freedom of doing it yourself is what I love. Plus the cheapskate in me knows it's a lot cheaper! I filled up a bike today for less than £3!
In asia they will carry anything on a bike. I've been amazed how they carry a whole family on a small bike. Or even 20 big barrels of water.
I'm under no allusions I'm winging it. I know my own limitations. I ride very slowly especially in the corners. I've worked out that twisting the throttle in a straight line is very very easy. What takes some skill is going around a corner at speed. I've started leaning properly into corners now - but I'm no where near getting my knee down. It doesn't help that I'm carrying a fiance who is more interested in taking a great photo and leaning the other way... Either that or looking around and plonking herself in my blind spot.
Either way, I'm certainly getting better at riding a bike. I'm learning that accelerating is a good way of getting you out of trouble when it's needed. I'm also learning that anyone can come off - over here the locals start riding when they are kids. I've seen plenty of them fall off as well. When I'm back in the UK I want to get a proper helmet and some leathers and learn properly. Over here I'd be a lot more comfortable if I had the proper gear.
That being said. It's too amazing being able to get out and see all the amazing stuff for me to be sensible and not ride a bike now. I'd hate to be limited to tours where they tell me how long I'm allowed to spend in a place. The freedom of doing it yourself is what I love. Plus the cheapskate in me knows it's a lot cheaper! I filled up a bike today for less than £3!
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