OMFG!

[MarkRSi]

I'm probably gonna get flamed for this, but oh well...

Just did my CBT today, on a Yamaha YBR 125.... fking hell! The bike just felt so fking fast! Not the acceleration (probably less than my Micra lol), but, just the wind, the fact you don't have a windscreen and 1000kg of metal around. fk! I would have never had thought 50mph on a dual carriage way would feel so fking intense!!!! Heck even 25mph felt quick!

Oh yes... and I did pass the CBT. Only weak point was clutch control, but I'm getting some extra lessons before the 3 day intensive course... on a 500cc...

Wasn't sure about getting a 125 to start with but now I've made up my mind. Who knows? Perhaps I'll get a 250 next year...

Edited by MarkRSi for crap spelling

Edited by MarkRSi on Sunday 22 June 11:20

[Ordinary Bloke]

I remember the first time I rode a Yamaha RD200, it felt like it was going to snap my arms off. Then my sister's boyfriend let me ride his CB250, it was unbelievable. Enjoy the feeling, try to keep it in your memory, a few years from now you'll have X hundred horsepower and you'll find it boring...

[RabD]

Kind of makes you think doesn't it. I wonder how many car drivers would benefit from knowing what it felt like to be a vulnerable road user.

[Ordinary Bloke]

RabD said:

Kind of makes you think doesn't it. I wonder how many car drivers would benefit from knowing what it felt like to be a vulnerable road user.

I never felt vulnerable, I was indestructible. Until I fooked my leg up in a nasty VFR meets Roe Deer incident...

[Matthew-TMM]

It feels like being strapped to a rocket at first doesn't it? You'll soon get used to the 500, and be wanting more.

Edited by Matthew-TMM on Saturday 21st June 22:07

[Dunc B]

OB , RD200 was only brand new bike i ever bought. Running in was scary, just as you're about to change up you hit the power-band and but more than a few years on it's WTF was the big deal about that!

[Howitzer]

It is fun isn't it!

It gets worse when you are on something like a 600 and a well ridden 125 can run rings round you on a twisty road, then it hurts haha.

Dave!

[jon-]

I've not ridden in 2 years now and i'm going to pick up a Daytona 675 tomorrow. I look forward to the adrenaline

[Chilli]

Love reading posts like this!
Wait till you're on that 500 during your DAS. It'll seem like you're on the fastest thing ever invesnted!
Good luck with the course. Keep the posts coming on how you're getting on.

Cheers.

[MarkRSi]

haha thanks for the replies, not just me then

Yeah I think being "strapped to a rocket" is a good analogy and you do feel *very* vunerable especially with other cars about and more so on a dual-carriageway. I was also stuggling to get up beyond 25mph in built up areas where I would have happily gone at 30mph in the Micra. Never had driving a car felt so easy when driving home after the CBT.

I think towards the end of the CBT on-road bit I was beginning to get used to the senstations, but I'll still probably get a 125 sometime next week (anyone around Aberdeen got one for sale?) just so I can practice low speed manoeuvring, clutch control and U-turns. If I was planning to do motorway miles I might hold back for a larger bike but I think I'll go for the 125 for now.

[Matthew-TMM]

You're probably better off seeing how you go with the extra lessons first, you'll get used to it fairly quickly. I assume your course is booked in before october?

[rsv gone!]

I know exactly what you mean. I remember my first outing on a CB125 - on my CBT - struggling to make 40mph. I felt so vulnerable and everything was so noisy.

The 500s are much nicer to ride, though. Much more stable and reassuring.

[Hooli]

another one addicted great aint it?

i rode a mates ybr125 the other week, was damn funny. they are soooo small and light compared to my 14, i ended up doing tiny circles & giggling. its now been renamed her bmx

[MarkRSi]

Just passed the theory test this morning multiple choice was no probs (100%) and hazard perception was fine, but still a bit of a waste of time I got one of those focus multimedia DVDs with over 300 hazard perception videos which was useful for practicing on.

Regarding getting a 125, it seems everyone I've spoken to (and everyone here ) says you get used to most sub-500cc bikes pretty quick. I could have got a new YBR125 for under £1900 which was hugely tempting, but I'd only have a day to use it before my DAS (next week) so I would probably be much better to wait and see how I get on with the 500cc.

At the minimum I'd probably be looking at Kawasaki 250R Ninja or if I got on well with the 500 then perhaps an Kawasaki ER-6F? I take it one of these would be acceptable for a first bike? What sort of economy would you get with an ER-6 and similar 600s?

[lawrence567]

I'd had 125's for 2 3 years before my DAS & i was sick to death of the lack of power & speed.
The 500 will feel like a torpedo!
& when i tried my 600 i felt like i was going light speed!
Once you've done the DAS you wont want to be pootling around on a 125 as at motorway / dual carriageway speed your very vulnerable to wind etc on a small bike.
A 400-600 is ideal as a first bike as its more substantial in the wind and for faster riding!

[jon-]

Is it wrong that 20 minutes into my first ride on my 675 (no bike for the 2 years previous) I was thinking "Hmmm, I probably should have bought an R1..."?

[lawrence567]

did you try the r1?

[jon-]

lawrence567 said:

did you try the r1?

No, the 675 was an impulse by when i was offered a good deal from a friend. Biggest bike I'd ridden previously was an r6.

[lawrence567]

675 is a very nice bike, how come your regretting it?

[camgear]

I remember my CG125 feeling like a rocket.

Then I got on an ER5 for my DAS, I've never been so scared in my bloody life! Accelerating up to 70 made my vision blur!

Then I got a GS500E, which was a bit underwhelming as it wasn't as powerful as the ER5.

Then I got the VFR800, and promptly st myself for about ten minutes, the power jump isn't as intense with bigger bikes, enjoy it while you can!