Discussion
Caddyshack said:
One newbie question: I sometimes get a burning sensation across my shoulders when riding this and other bikes - is this just being tense or that I am 49 yrs old?
Very likely you are just gripping/tensing too hard. I used to do this just after passing (and felt sore afterwards) but learnt to relax and flow with the bike. Try and engage the core and use your knees to grip when pressing on. Keep reminding yourself to take the weight off your wrists and sit up if you can. Try to consciously operate the handlebars as loosely as you can. After a while, you'll realise you don't hurt anymore.Harris_I said:
Caddyshack said:
One newbie question: I sometimes get a burning sensation across my shoulders when riding this and other bikes - is this just being tense or that I am 49 yrs old?
Very likely you are just gripping/tensing too hard. I used to do this just after passing (and felt sore afterwards) but learnt to relax and flow with the bike. Try and engage the core and use your knees to grip when pressing on. Keep reminding yourself to take the weight off your wrists and sit up if you can. Try to consciously operate the handlebars as loosely as you can. After a while, you'll realise you don't hurt anymore.Morning Everyone,
I've been lurking in this thread for a while and reading all your advice. Just want to say thank you to you all as I passed Mod 1 & 2 last week
Done all my training on an mt-07 and found it a bit much. It actually helped me appreciate the easy going nature of my ybr125.
Test riding a cbr500r on saturday but I think it's the one already. I think it looks gorgeous. It's the only 'sport' bike I've sat on that actually feels comfortable.
cheers
I've been lurking in this thread for a while and reading all your advice. Just want to say thank you to you all as I passed Mod 1 & 2 last week
Done all my training on an mt-07 and found it a bit much. It actually helped me appreciate the easy going nature of my ybr125.
Test riding a cbr500r on saturday but I think it's the one already. I think it looks gorgeous. It's the only 'sport' bike I've sat on that actually feels comfortable.
cheers
Edited by grotty on Monday 17th April 08:44
Thank you guys 
The character of the engine was really great. Loved the sound. And it's a very agile bike which I liked, flickable/easy to throw into high speed bends.
It was just too much power and torque for me at the moment. I handled it fine, didn't have any bad moments. However I want to work a little bit harder for the performance. Feel like I'm using a tiny fraction of what the bike has available which isn't satisfying.
I might grow out of a slower bike in a few months and regret it. We'll see, haha.
The character of the engine was really great. Loved the sound. And it's a very agile bike which I liked, flickable/easy to throw into high speed bends.
It was just too much power and torque for me at the moment. I handled it fine, didn't have any bad moments. However I want to work a little bit harder for the performance. Feel like I'm using a tiny fraction of what the bike has available which isn't satisfying.
I might grow out of a slower bike in a few months and regret it. We'll see, haha.
grotty said:
Thank you guys
The character of the engine was really great. Loved the sound. And it's a very agile bike which I liked, flickable/easy to throw into high speed bends.
It was just too much power and torque for me at the moment. I handled it fine, didn't have any bad moments. However I want to work a little bit harder for the performance. Feel like I'm using a tiny fraction of what the bike has available which isn't satisfying.
Well done on the pass and the decision on the next bike. The character of the engine was really great. Loved the sound. And it's a very agile bike which I liked, flickable/easy to throw into high speed bends.
It was just too much power and torque for me at the moment. I handled it fine, didn't have any bad moments. However I want to work a little bit harder for the performance. Feel like I'm using a tiny fraction of what the bike has available which isn't satisfying.
Now the real learning starts.
Ride safe and enjoy!
grotty said:
I might grow out of a slower bike in a few months and regret it. We'll see, haha.
PT1984 said:
Do gents. Any tips for starting DAS?
I have been nipping round on my CB125R for experience.
Prepare to forget a load of accumulated bad habits! I have been nipping round on my CB125R for experience.
Honestly it's quite straight-forward, find a school with a decent size off road area for practicing the Mod1 exercises to make it easier. If you can be bothered grab a set of football training markers, find a big car park and practice on your own, the dimensions for the tests are available online.
About the only new bit is countersteering, make sure you practice it.
Krikkit said:
PT1984 said:
Do gents. Any tips for starting DAS?
I have been nipping round on my CB125R for experience.
Prepare to forget a load of accumulated bad habits! I have been nipping round on my CB125R for experience.
Honestly it's quite straight-forward, find a school with a decent size off road area for practicing the Mod1 exercises to make it easier. If you can be bothered grab a set of football training markers, find a big car park and practice on your own, the dimensions for the tests are available online.
About the only new bit is countersteering, make sure you practice it.
PT1984 said:
So gents. Any tips for starting DAS?
I have been nipping round on my CB125R for experience.
Mod 1 is pretty cheap if you wanted to do it on your 125 and feel it would be helpful have the experience of how the test runs. I did that and on the same day rode the Mod 2 test routes as if on test prior to doing them on the DAS.I have been nipping round on my CB125R for experience.
I’m certainly doing my full A licence with full training. I have my first 3 hour lesson booked for a fortnights time. They will then advise on the best way to progress. On a new MT07 which I’m looking forward to.
The CB125R will be used for practicing what has been learnt. To be honest I love the little thing. I have no idea how it’s so nippy with 17 stone being applied.
The CB125R will be used for practicing what has been learnt. To be honest I love the little thing. I have no idea how it’s so nippy with 17 stone being applied.
Caddyshack said:
Krikkit said:
PT1984 said:
Do gents. Any tips for starting DAS?
I have been nipping round on my CB125R for experience.
Prepare to forget a load of accumulated bad habits! I have been nipping round on my CB125R for experience.
Honestly it's quite straight-forward, find a school with a decent size off road area for practicing the Mod1 exercises to make it easier. If you can be bothered grab a set of football training markers, find a big car park and practice on your own, the dimensions for the tests are available online.
About the only new bit is countersteering, make sure you practice it.
TheInternet said:
Krikkit said:
About the only new bit is countersteering, make sure you practice it.
Now you've done it.black-k1 said:
grotty said:
Thank you guys
The character of the engine was really great. Loved the sound. And it's a very agile bike which I liked, flickable/easy to throw into high speed bends.
It was just too much power and torque for me at the moment. I handled it fine, didn't have any bad moments. However I want to work a little bit harder for the performance. Feel like I'm using a tiny fraction of what the bike has available which isn't satisfying.
Well done on the pass and the decision on the next bike. The character of the engine was really great. Loved the sound. And it's a very agile bike which I liked, flickable/easy to throw into high speed bends.
It was just too much power and torque for me at the moment. I handled it fine, didn't have any bad moments. However I want to work a little bit harder for the performance. Feel like I'm using a tiny fraction of what the bike has available which isn't satisfying.
Now the real learning starts.
Ride safe and enjoy!
grotty said:
I might grow out of a slower bike in a few months and regret it. We'll see, haha.
Caddyshack said:
My RS660 (100hp and quite light) felt like a rocket ship that I would never get used to…3 long rides in and now it all feels quite normal.
That is quite worrying. I've got a test ride on saturday morning. Maybe I'll sample the demonstrator cbr650r too while I'm there.Insurance quotes for the 500 are very steep already though. I'll have to see how much a bigger bike affects it
grotty said:
Caddyshack said:
My RS660 (100hp and quite light) felt like a rocket ship that I would never get used to…3 long rides in and now it all feels quite normal.
That is quite worrying. I've got a test ride on saturday morning. Maybe I'll sample the demonstrator cbr650r too while I'm there.Insurance quotes for the 500 are very steep already though. I'll have to see how much a bigger bike affects it
Some people will be happy with that but most find they'd like a bit more, hence the reason not many people have mid range bikes for long periods.
I'd suggest buying something cheap and planning to do a season on it. That'll tell you if you want more as well as helping you understand what else beyond sheer bhp you want from a bike. After a season (or two, ... or three if your indecisive) you can then spend some decent money on something nice that you are better placed to understand.
That approach also has another advantage. We all risk dropping our bikes but the risk is definitely greater when you first start riding. Having a cheap bike for the first year, the time when you are most likely to drop your bike, means that the cost impact is less and it doesn't hurt as much. (You'll still feel like a complete plonker if anyone is watching!!
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