vespa to sportsbike
Discussion
Please be gentle..
Ten years ago I realised that commuting in London using a car was pointless and so got a 125 scooter and have done probably 20k mikes without mishap. Literally changed my life, everywhere on time and no longer use my cars.
So I finally got fed up with the renewal CBT thing and have a love of Italian machinery and bought a beautiful black 749 Ducati earlier this year and passed my test. I also upgraded the daily to a 300 gts Vespa and it's all I need in London, great machine.
But...I would love to be able to enjoy the Ducati, and I have tried but at present I am stuck looking at it and taking her for little rides, cannot really lean into corners, the experience is so different to hooning on the Vespa. It's a keeper, I think it is such a stunning looking machine, but am wondering whether another bike (sports) would get me get used to the experience, thinking something with less torque and a lighter clutch, I have been exercising my left hand with a tennis ball since my first ride.
I am thinking about trying a ZX 636 2005
Or am I wasting my time!
thoughts appreciated.
Ten years ago I realised that commuting in London using a car was pointless and so got a 125 scooter and have done probably 20k mikes without mishap. Literally changed my life, everywhere on time and no longer use my cars.
So I finally got fed up with the renewal CBT thing and have a love of Italian machinery and bought a beautiful black 749 Ducati earlier this year and passed my test. I also upgraded the daily to a 300 gts Vespa and it's all I need in London, great machine.
But...I would love to be able to enjoy the Ducati, and I have tried but at present I am stuck looking at it and taking her for little rides, cannot really lean into corners, the experience is so different to hooning on the Vespa. It's a keeper, I think it is such a stunning looking machine, but am wondering whether another bike (sports) would get me get used to the experience, thinking something with less torque and a lighter clutch, I have been exercising my left hand with a tennis ball since my first ride.
I am thinking about trying a ZX 636 2005
Or am I wasting my time!
thoughts appreciated.
Get yourself on the i2i training courses and build up your confidence in safety rather than trial and error on the road
The riding position of a sportsbike is not ideal to learn on but many of us go straight to one as its usually the dream to own one. You either get used to the position over time and it becomes normal (easier when young and fit) or you end up with a more practical bike for road use. There is a reason why sports bikes are not the biggest selling type of bike ....a bit like why you dont see many Caterham 7 or Ariel Atoms driven daily...they are designed to go fast around a race track
The riding position of a sportsbike is not ideal to learn on but many of us go straight to one as its usually the dream to own one. You either get used to the position over time and it becomes normal (easier when young and fit) or you end up with a more practical bike for road use. There is a reason why sports bikes are not the biggest selling type of bike ....a bit like why you dont see many Caterham 7 or Ariel Atoms driven daily...they are designed to go fast around a race track
Lots of place to go for help
I do a lot of work for Rapid and you local coach could help. Have a look on the social media etc and you see a chap Rowan on a white Triumph Street Triple. He's only been riding about 18 months and is now cracking on with the BIKEMASTER course which involves two track days (they're skills days not turn you into a racer day) and a load of road training days....Rowan has come on leaps and bounds. That's become a really popular course, I've 4 courses running at the moment and starting another with one of the chaps from Bennetts Bike Social week after next.
Depending on where you are in London your nearest coach will be Vince if you're North, Giles if your South or me if you're West.
Have a look at their website https://www.rapidtraining.co.uk/our-courses
I do a lot of work for Rapid and you local coach could help. Have a look on the social media etc and you see a chap Rowan on a white Triumph Street Triple. He's only been riding about 18 months and is now cracking on with the BIKEMASTER course which involves two track days (they're skills days not turn you into a racer day) and a load of road training days....Rowan has come on leaps and bounds. That's become a really popular course, I've 4 courses running at the moment and starting another with one of the chaps from Bennetts Bike Social week after next.
Depending on where you are in London your nearest coach will be Vince if you're North, Giles if your South or me if you're West.
Have a look at their website https://www.rapidtraining.co.uk/our-courses
Just be patient with it, I bought a 959 Panigale after passing my test and I am only just starting to get used to it after 2k miles since June.
You will build confidence and get quicker. For weeks I wouldn't overtake a car or filter through traffic, but I am slowly getting there. When I go out in group rides I am still the last one to the coffee shop, but I LOVE the bike, and it gives me a warm fuzzy feeling inside.. I love riding it, every time I ride it, I get a little more confident.
I am also using a Shiver 900 as my commuter, so between the two I have done 4.5k in 5 months so the confidence is growing.
You will build confidence and get quicker. For weeks I wouldn't overtake a car or filter through traffic, but I am slowly getting there. When I go out in group rides I am still the last one to the coffee shop, but I LOVE the bike, and it gives me a warm fuzzy feeling inside.. I love riding it, every time I ride it, I get a little more confident.
I am also using a Shiver 900 as my commuter, so between the two I have done 4.5k in 5 months so the confidence is growing.
Its not the bike, its the roads you are trying to ride on, its not a London bike unless you have kind of mastered sports bikes on the open road, I have a 999 and spent years riding a 996 in and around London but its hard work and not somewhere you will build confidence, another sports bike won't help.
I did it the other way round, bikes and sports bikes from 1978 until 2015, loads of London riding, including working as a dispatch rider in the 80s.
Then bought a Vespa 300 off a friend and wondered why I hadn't done it earlier.
All I need in London, I'm quicker than most through the traffic and not too slow on the big roads, although I would still love to have a sports bike again but I know it'll get little use.
Then bought a Vespa 300 off a friend and wondered why I hadn't done it earlier.
All I need in London, I'm quicker than most through the traffic and not too slow on the big roads, although I would still love to have a sports bike again but I know it'll get little use.
pneumothorax said:
Please be gentle..
Ten years ago I realised that commuting in London using a car was pointless and so got a 125 scooter and have done probably 20k mikes without mishap. Literally changed my life, everywhere on time and no longer use my cars.
So I finally got fed up with the renewal CBT thing and have a love of Italian machinery and bought a beautiful black 749 Ducati earlier this year and passed my test. I also upgraded the daily to a 300 gts Vespa and it's all I need in London, great machine.
But...I would love to be able to enjoy the Ducati, and I have tried but at present I am stuck looking at it and taking her for little rides, cannot really lean into corners, the experience is so different to hooning on the Vespa. It's a keeper, I think it is such a stunning looking machine, but am wondering whether another bike (sports) would get me get used to the experience, thinking something with less torque and a lighter clutch, I have been exercising my left hand with a tennis ball since my first ride.
I am thinking about trying a ZX 636 2005
Or am I wasting my time!
thoughts appreciated.
There are roads outside of London/M25. It's not a toxic wasteland.Ten years ago I realised that commuting in London using a car was pointless and so got a 125 scooter and have done probably 20k mikes without mishap. Literally changed my life, everywhere on time and no longer use my cars.
So I finally got fed up with the renewal CBT thing and have a love of Italian machinery and bought a beautiful black 749 Ducati earlier this year and passed my test. I also upgraded the daily to a 300 gts Vespa and it's all I need in London, great machine.
But...I would love to be able to enjoy the Ducati, and I have tried but at present I am stuck looking at it and taking her for little rides, cannot really lean into corners, the experience is so different to hooning on the Vespa. It's a keeper, I think it is such a stunning looking machine, but am wondering whether another bike (sports) would get me get used to the experience, thinking something with less torque and a lighter clutch, I have been exercising my left hand with a tennis ball since my first ride.
I am thinking about trying a ZX 636 2005
Or am I wasting my time!
thoughts appreciated.
Thanks for all the advice. I too bought this bike with too much thought put into the aesthetics-I thinks it looks stunning.
I also think as said above, the state of the roads near me isn't helping my confidence, they are shocking and I suppose I am never going fast enough for long enough to get any real confidence etc. I think tuition is the way to go and to continue trying. thanks again.
I also think as said above, the state of the roads near me isn't helping my confidence, they are shocking and I suppose I am never going fast enough for long enough to get any real confidence etc. I think tuition is the way to go and to continue trying. thanks again.
Back in the early 90s I bought a Honda RVF400. Stunning looking race rep.
I wasn't allowed a test ride but they did say if I bought it and didn't like it, I could return for full refund.
Fantastic bike but I returned it for a full refund. It was too focused, too single minded. Great for a Sunday hoon, but it was to be my only bike and as I'm 6ft, it was uncomfortable on my wrists and back unless I was really going for it.
Funny thing, I understand that the 400cc V4 is worth quite a bit these days.
I wasn't allowed a test ride but they did say if I bought it and didn't like it, I could return for full refund.
Fantastic bike but I returned it for a full refund. It was too focused, too single minded. Great for a Sunday hoon, but it was to be my only bike and as I'm 6ft, it was uncomfortable on my wrists and back unless I was really going for it.
Funny thing, I understand that the 400cc V4 is worth quite a bit these days.
another vote for a Bikesafe day.
but the problem you have I think is you've gone straight from twist and go super easy tool for the job to a much more difficult machine. The riding position, the head down angle, the heavy clutch, the low rev lumpiness, poor steering lock etc
keep the 749 for sunny sundays and the mancave. Either get a superscooter for commuting - which can be surprising fun - or a more town friendly bike? Keeping the Ducati theme a Monster or a Hyper or a Scrambler (lets say all 3 years old). Most of the 749 fun / noise / image and about 20% of the hassle factor
but the problem you have I think is you've gone straight from twist and go super easy tool for the job to a much more difficult machine. The riding position, the head down angle, the heavy clutch, the low rev lumpiness, poor steering lock etc
keep the 749 for sunny sundays and the mancave. Either get a superscooter for commuting - which can be surprising fun - or a more town friendly bike? Keeping the Ducati theme a Monster or a Hyper or a Scrambler (lets say all 3 years old). Most of the 749 fun / noise / image and about 20% of the hassle factor
Asking if going to a sports bike from a larger scooter and people suggest more training.
I went from never riding a motorcycle to DAS. 5 days later passed test. bought a 600cc bike and bobs your uncle. I've not died yet.
Just buy the bike, ride safe and enjoy. i can't see the point in wasting more money when you already have motorcycle riding experience.
Well more than I ever did.
I went from never riding a motorcycle to DAS. 5 days later passed test. bought a 600cc bike and bobs your uncle. I've not died yet.
Just buy the bike, ride safe and enjoy. i can't see the point in wasting more money when you already have motorcycle riding experience.
Well more than I ever did.
Everyone is different, but spending money on training on what is a high risk hobby is far from "wasted". Very occasionally there phenomenal riders who've had no extra training, but as OP says they're struggling to lean into corners then I'd suggest further training would an investment.
OP - get the bike out of London and get some miles under your belt, do your research and look up your local advanced riders club. If you don't fancy the politics or don't want the stereotype of being an advanced rider, then have a look at what other options are available.
Surprised no-one mentioned getting the Ducati an oversized clutch slave cylinder to make it a bit comfier round town.
Look up Oberon Ducati Clutch Slave Cylinder on the t’internet and get a local specialist to fit it.
It really is a high days and holidays sort of bike that needs a good run on some rural fast roads so you need to use it accordingly. A 2005 ZX6 would cope with the daily reality of riding without being that much less good on the odd occasion of fantasy deserted mountain roads, its also a bit more disposable if you got into trackdays where all sportsbikes are a bit nearer peak enjoyment.
Have all three - Vespa for London reality, Ducati ornament & ZX6 track slag!!!
Look up Oberon Ducati Clutch Slave Cylinder on the t’internet and get a local specialist to fit it.
It really is a high days and holidays sort of bike that needs a good run on some rural fast roads so you need to use it accordingly. A 2005 ZX6 would cope with the daily reality of riding without being that much less good on the odd occasion of fantasy deserted mountain roads, its also a bit more disposable if you got into trackdays where all sportsbikes are a bit nearer peak enjoyment.
Have all three - Vespa for London reality, Ducati ornament & ZX6 track slag!!!
Edited by moto_traxport on Wednesday 13th November 09:34
i did C90 from SW18 to EC2V for 11months then went straight to a CBR600F
would definitely recommend getting a bikesafe course or joining your local IAM group
I only did that training AFTER i got too lairy on the sportsbike and fractured and dislocated my elbow
I'd recommend you do it the OTHER way round !
would definitely recommend getting a bikesafe course or joining your local IAM group
I only did that training AFTER i got too lairy on the sportsbike and fractured and dislocated my elbow
I'd recommend you do it the OTHER way round !
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