A complete biker newbie

[carmadgaz]

I have after many years on PH and many vehicles (3 on the road atm) started venturing into the Biker Banter forum as I have liked the idea of a bike but wanted to get my 'youthful exuberance' out of the way with 4 wheels first (only took 8 years or so ).

3 Weeks ago I took the plunge and bought a 2002 Suzuki GS125



Today (on the first rainy day in lord knows how long) I took my CBT, despite getting wet and sweaty my friend and I both 'passed' . It was a cracking day out, even with the weather and a clutch that seemed a real PITA for the first half hour. By the time I got home the weather had dried out so I could take my little Suzi out for a maiden voyage...

... Well once I had flattened the battery by trying to start it without turning the fuel on . One bumpstart later and we were off pottering down the roads I drive everyday. I needn't of worried about overconfidence, roads confidently dispatched at 60 in the car were quite happily taken at 40 and the GS feels heavier but torquier than the little drum braked CG I did my CBT on.


Nerves aside I really enjoyed my first road rides and I'm hoping to spend a little time getting up to scratch on the 125 before heading out on a DSA (and my quest for more categories on my DL).

Anyone have any tips for the new boy?

[carmadgaz]

GTIR said:

Hooli said:

Mk1 Transit? not seen one in years.

That's because they are all parked up rotting away at peoples houses.

It is indeed and it's not funny cos it's true. Damn thing doesn't need much doing to it but as it's a 'luxury' to have the camper on the road other things get funds priority

Nels0n said:

Imagine that everyone waiting to emerge from a side road will pull out in front of you, then you'll never be a victim of a SMIDSY.

That assumption is a safe one after years on a push bike and some numpty side swiping my car by not checking his mirrors before a lane change

Thanks for all the tips guys, been out on it again today so I could take it for some new front fork seals...

...when we took it apart we realised the stanchions were both bent so the bike is still in bits, I had to make alternate arrangements to get home and I'm on e-bay looking for replacement forks . My mate doing the task wouldn't even toy with putting them back together so I could toddle home.

Not that I would argue with the guy who rides this V8 monster

[carmadgaz]

Hooli said:

Bent forks aren't good, I hope the internals are ok? or that's more expense.

Internals aren't too bad but a 2nd hand pair of complete forks aren't a massive expense (aside from one wanting an extortionate amount for postage, I could drive there cheaper!)

[carmadgaz]

Hooli said:

Just service the new ones before they are fitted - ie new seals & fresh oil.

One of Mrs Hooli's bikes came back from a garage who'd rebuilt it with bent fork internals, it was very odd to ride as the suspension was nearly jam in a few positions over bumps.

We have a seal kit to rebuild the old ones and the oil to go with it so that's easy. Though we fitted one new seal before we concluded we couldn't straighten the old stanchion so we may well use the base of the old one on a new stanchion (if it is safe to do so).

[carmadgaz]

srob said:

OP, miles under your belt at your own pace is the best way to learn.

I've been getting that impression. It was a pain in the arse having the bike and no CBT, now I have that the bike is in bits and it's' really frustrating

New forks should be here shortly though

Thanks for all the info and tips guys, will let you know how I get on after some miles have passed

[carmadgaz]

Well the forks arrived on Thursday, I dropped them off to see this sad sight...


On the upside I got a phone call about 930 that night telling me she was good to go


Had a quick run out on 'er home in the dark (headlight turning with me was novel ) and popped 'er back in the shed.

After work I decided to take 'er out for a run up the road, only 20miles or so (with a tea break halfway ) and found I really need to relax more while out on the bike. Spent too much time over analysing everything. Sure that will settle down after a while. Did manage to find a straight for a top speed run though (98kph woo ).

I have found that the bike has already had an effect on my car driving, my observations on the road are much improved!

[carmadgaz]

vonuber said:

Small point, but shouldn't you have L plates front and rear?

Anyway, be careful if you enter and underpasses with dips as these are likely to collect a lot of oil etc; they can be especially lethal when combined with a bend (kingsway underpass I'm looking at you).

L-plate on the front was out of the way while the forks were dismantled, is currently mounted to the RHS (oddly you can't see it in either pic) but will be moved back to the center now it has forks again.

I'm yokel so I should be safe from underpasses for a while, biggest issue here is trying not to hold up the A-road traffic as the bike is happiest at 50mph (60 is possible if I basically lie down).

Gypsum Fantastic said:

I've been thinking of embarking on the same path after having a recent realisation that, theoretically at least, a quick bike would be much more suited to me and much more cost effective than a fast car. Quite fancy pottering about on a 125 for a bit and seeing how I like the whole biking thing first(not counting my scooter days as a 16 year-old!). It's good to see how someone else is getting on.

This is my current plan, hopefully next year I'll be confident enough to start DSA. Biggest ballache at the moment is the having to maneuver the bike out of its garage every morning!

[carmadgaz]

Well I have been out and about for a month now and I have to say I'm loving it

Starting to get the confidence on the bike which is helping me to relax which in turn is helping the handling and my confidence. Getting quite attached to the little buzzbox too!

Had the opportunity to try out a mate's Jinlun Cruiser yesterday, took it down to the MOT station and I was very glad I ignored the lure of a newer Chinese bike and went for and older Jap. Very comfy but all felt very cheap. As a bonus jumping back on mine after the test made mine feel like a BMX (apparently the Suzi is only 30kgs lighter, it feels a LOT less).

Going to have to look at doing my theory soon, I already fancy something with a little more poke not R1 territory but something I can cruise on at 60 on the A-roads rather than a bike that has to be ragged to go more than 55 (and I don't want to rag the poor thing).

[carmadgaz]

stoneb09 said:

Keep it in the same family and get yourself a nice Suzuki Bandit! Perfect step up and great value for money.

I have had a glance at the larger members of the Suzuki family, will at some point go take a look at a few, see how I get on fitment wise. Despite being 6'2" I'm quite comfortable on the GS125 position wise

Had a run out to Shelsley Walsh hillclimb today. Felt a little bit of an impostor parked among the big boy bikes (especially when Robin turned up on the big orange monster above ) but really enjoyed the ride out.



Hadn't appreciated before how much the wind affects a bike on the road until today though

[carmadgaz]

Oh and welcome to the madhouse that is PH

[carmadgaz]

Thanks folks

I can't help feeling a bit like a 17yo newbie when in the company of 'big bikes' but there we go.

I am sorely tempted to keep the little 'un even when I do get a 'full size' bike license and bike. £17 a year VED and £100 insurance has alot going for it.

Yeah I found that was all that could be done in the gusts, I'm used to old cars with vague steering so allowing the bike a certain amount of wander wasn't too alarming . My cousin was saying the other day he actually got blown off by a gust on his (then again he also said he was doing about 90 on a 4t 125 )

[carmadgaz]

A few faux pas today!

1) Forgot to turn the petrol on (again) and nearly spluttered to a stop coming to a junction

and

2) Went for an impromptu ride with my mate John just now (he did his CBT with me but has only had his bike on the road since yesterday) and didn't put on my bike trousers. Bloody hell that was chilly!

Enjoyed the potter down the road with him. The bum on seat time really shows when riding behind someone who has only had his bike a day (I insisted on him being the lead bike). Was flowing through the bends much easier (and quicker) than he was (hence him in front so I didn't have him trying to keep up) and I was comfier taking corners at 45-50 that just a few weeks ago I was stting myself taking at 30-40.

The tips and tricks on here have been fantastic, thank you folks . I really must get my theory booked soon

[carmadgaz]

kazman said:

Think I will have the 125cc for low speed commuting on fair weather days and stick to cars when I want to travel quickly. I appreciate I am doing all of this wrong / back to front BTW, but it seems to be working for me and it keeps the wife happier!

That was my plan (already have an MX-5 for longer distance fun) but I've found the bike rather too much fun and now want something slightly bigger

funkyrobot said:

What an interesting thread.

I don't yet own a bike, but have been hankering for one for a while. I've just changed jobs and have a 50 mile round trip now. I guess this could easily be done on a bike.

I'm seriously considering doing my cbt soon and getting something to learn on. Trouble is, I'm 6ft 4in tall and weigh quite a lot. Would the usual 125 struggle with me on it?

Edited to add - how much does it roughly cost to get up and running on a first bike?

Thanks.

Edited by funkyrobot on Wednesday 20th August 22:51

I've always been a car nut (my first word was actually "Car" ) but every sunny day I've been out and seen a bike cruising around I've had a hankering. I can imagine 50miles would be eaten up easily on a good bike

I'm 6'2" and 13 stone, I was taken out pillion on my 125 by the sellers dad (shorter but gotta be at least the same weight) and I was astounded how well the poor little thing actually moved!

Urm I'm paid £250ish for gear (lid, trousers, jacket and gloves). Bikes seem to be £500+ depending on how shiny. CBTs about £100. Insurance for me (25, no NCB and provisional license) was £122. Oh and £17 A YEAR VED. MOT for mates bike on sat was £26 and a few pence.

Altogether I'm in for just under £1300 to get started. at nearly 3x the mpg of the MX-5 it's already started saving me a few pence!

[carmadgaz]

Mr2Mike said:

And because you (very wisely) bought a s/h Japanese 125, depreciation will be negligible if you look after it.

Aye my boss (among others) was very vocal about spending the extra on a Jap bike. Although in fairness my mate bought a Jinlun and tarted it up for under £300. The sound it made when he brought it home did make me wince though...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnp3fzeRm2A&lis...

New chain and sprockets were only a few quid though. It IS a very comfortable thing to ride but I wouldn't swap it for the GS.

[carmadgaz]

funkyrobot said:

Thanks. Sounds good.

Where did you source your bike from?

You're welcome. Mine was found on e-bay but was very local so I called the fella, went up, had a look and he rode it back to mine. Mate (with the Jinlun) bought his off a mate.

Like cars they can be found all over the place

[carmadgaz]

Decided despite the rain to go out for a blast with my mate John. My hiking trainers and my biking trousers had a small gap but aside from that the only excitement was the loud bang from behind me after John forgot the "Don't drive over wet drain covers" part of the CBT and slid off .

Luckily no damage but I did take something else from the experience.

1) Longer, waterproof bike boots for wet use (hiking trainers are fine until the top of the socks get wet and then the water seeps in and can't get back out :/ )

2) Avoid drain covers when it is pissing down with rain.

3) Take the car when it is pissing down with rain

ETA: Also worked out the bike was doing 93mpg

Edited by carmadgaz on Monday 25th August 23:04

[carmadgaz]

So nearly 2 months and nearly over 500kms under my belt now. Still loving the little toy

Took it out to a show near Bromyard (I was assisting on the carpark with the Air Cadets) . Used it around the car park and found it much more useful to get around with than the car (though jumping on and off I kept forgetting to turn the fuel back on )

Halfway through the day I got a text from a friend asking if I fancied going for a ride. As I had the bike with me she came out to the show so we could convoy back. A hour or so later I see Lucy has arrived and I'm feeling rather nervous, I had only ever travelled with another 125, here she was on a Ducati Monster 620.



I need not of worried. The road we travelled (B4214 Bromyard - Tenbury) is a rather twisty little thing. My bikes being much smaller and me being much larger meant I could hussle mine round bends easier that my smaller friend on her larger bike. Didn't have to worry about losing her though, everytime the road went uphill or straightened out she soon closed the gap again! Great fun though

Did have a reminder about bike safety this morning though when I got out to the end of my road the traffic was crawling. I can only assume it was a SMIDSY situation but either way there was the tail of a P-reg red sportsbike sticking out from underneath a van . On the upside a friend on the scene said the rider had been asking for a fag afterwards so he was clearly not badly injured

[carmadgaz]

Thought I'd ping up a little update (for those still reading).

The cold, wet weather and greasy roads have seen me in the car more often than not the last few weeks. The odd times I have been out have been rather brisk but fun.

I have now booked my theory test for the end of December so I can get on with my test in the new year

[carmadgaz]

Baryonyx said:

I've kept up the biking over winter, though I've had a fairly miserable couple of days.

Set off for work yesterday, and promptly ran out of fuel about eight minutes into my ride thanks a miscalculation over the miles I'd done and a rather half hearted 'shake test' to check for petrol. That led to a st episode pushing the bike uphill for a mile and a half to get to the nearest petrol station, where luckily I managed to scrape together £3 and buy some petrol to ride the bike home. Now, looking likely to be late for work, I jumped in the car and drove in - only five minutes late in, but pushing that bike along those lonely roads in the wind and rain was ste.

I'm driving in again today, and I'll be filling up the bike properly at the weekend before giving it a wash and a coat of ACF-50.

Ouch . Mine only weighs in at 100kgs so pushing isn't too unpleasant but still a ballache.

I forgot to mention my little faux pas... I dropped it . Was sat on the bike with my lid on the mirror, went to put it on the stand and the helmet started to wobble... Lent forward to grab it and the bike followed me. Ended up with a scuff on my visor (luckily avoided actually smacking the helmet) and snapped my clutch lever (which made the 11miles home interesting )


On another note my friend has just done a beautiful bit of man maths. When I was looking for the GS he asked me to point out any cheap bikes I found as he wanted a second bike as a cheap commuter. He couldn't afford the £800 my other mate wanted for her bike and the idea went quiet...

... Until he turned up on a brand new MT-07 Moto Cage as the finance package made it 'affordable'. I have asked for us to find somewhere I can have a go when the bike is run in but I fear it may cause my budget to be subject to man maths though

[carmadgaz]

Yesterday was my theory test. Having flown through my questions last time I had no fear of that but the hazard perception has always filled me with dread. Practicing with some online clips before hand couldn't get me a consistent score so in the end I just bit the bullet and got on with the test.

Nailed it
48/50 and 62/75 (pass is 43 and 44 respectively) . Beat my Hazard score when I did my car one which was a nice bonus (I got 35/35 and 58/75 back in 2006).

A friend has some ground and a GS500 he has offered the use of so I can get some practice off road then it's on to book my lessons/tests