Passed CBT and went 125 route
Discussion
Passed my CBT a few weeks ago, took two Saturdays before I could get onto the road, but having never ridden before at all and being an oldie I wasn’t too surprised.
I found it was really useful to get the two weekends in a row as I could build in experience without forgetting too much, so contrary to advise bought a CBR125R so I can continue getting experience before going DA.
For me I’d like a few months of getting the odd ride as weather allows, and I’ve been out a few times with differing results. I’m not confident so when in traffic am really conscious of missing a gear, putting the wrong leg down and having to faf to switch sides to get first, few other foibles, I’m clearly a very new rider and hoping my confidence grows by having access to a bike as I need. Once the basics are second nature hopefully it becomes more fun too, I had one ride where I loved it and could see me getting the biking bug, but other 2 or 3 I’ve managed with breaks in the weather have been quite nervy and not really enjoyed them.
I think I need to stop worrying about falling off and breaking something and start having more fun, and relax more too, it’s just when you get a car up behind you or traffic I find I’m over concentrating and the ride becomes no fun.
DA I’m thinking I’ll take in April or May, so gives me time to become more competent and for the basics to become second nature, but I’m looking forward to a few fun rides come Spring.
I do have this overbearing fear of coming off and breaking something or worse, every biker I speak to says at some stage you’re coming off so I’m almost waiting for it, really wish I could turn those thoughts off.
I found it was really useful to get the two weekends in a row as I could build in experience without forgetting too much, so contrary to advise bought a CBR125R so I can continue getting experience before going DA.
For me I’d like a few months of getting the odd ride as weather allows, and I’ve been out a few times with differing results. I’m not confident so when in traffic am really conscious of missing a gear, putting the wrong leg down and having to faf to switch sides to get first, few other foibles, I’m clearly a very new rider and hoping my confidence grows by having access to a bike as I need. Once the basics are second nature hopefully it becomes more fun too, I had one ride where I loved it and could see me getting the biking bug, but other 2 or 3 I’ve managed with breaks in the weather have been quite nervy and not really enjoyed them.
I think I need to stop worrying about falling off and breaking something and start having more fun, and relax more too, it’s just when you get a car up behind you or traffic I find I’m over concentrating and the ride becomes no fun.
DA I’m thinking I’ll take in April or May, so gives me time to become more competent and for the basics to become second nature, but I’m looking forward to a few fun rides come Spring.
I do have this overbearing fear of coming off and breaking something or worse, every biker I speak to says at some stage you’re coming off so I’m almost waiting for it, really wish I could turn those thoughts off.
Sounds like you have a mature attitude to this so thats a good start .... a really simple thing you can try taught to me very early on is 'chicken wings' when riding along try and flap your elbows, not theatrically just in and out, if you can't or its not natural its because you have tension in your arms / neck / shoulders, release it, and breathe, it all gets much easier then ...... I still do this most rides, especially when my already crap riding goes to s**t ...
PS happy new year and welcome to PHBB
PS happy new year and welcome to PHBB
I went back to two wheels after a 35 year break (and I was only on a moped back then). Like you, I was properly nervous to start with but two years in and I'm really enjoying it. I'm still a bit scared but I've stopped holding the grips so tight that my wrists hurt 
I'd got hold of an old but smart GPZ500 to start with so decided to go straight into the DA from CBT which worked out fine. I was then lent a GS which I ended up buying, the GPZ feels like a pit-bike now!
The more miles pass the easier it gets and the bigger bikes make that a bit more pleasant to do. By the time the sun comes out, you'll be a proper convert!
I'd got hold of an old but smart GPZ500 to start with so decided to go straight into the DA from CBT which worked out fine. I was then lent a GS which I ended up buying, the GPZ feels like a pit-bike now!
The more miles pass the easier it gets and the bigger bikes make that a bit more pleasant to do. By the time the sun comes out, you'll be a proper convert!
I did DA straight after CBT and found it ok - another guy who I did my DA with did the same thing and really struggled, taking 3 goes to pass his test.
Another guy on my DA course had ridden a 125 for a year and found the course ridiculously easy.
If you have the patience I think a year on a 125 certainly makes it easier.
Another guy on my DA course had ridden a 125 for a year and found the course ridiculously easy.
If you have the patience I think a year on a 125 certainly makes it easier.
It's just experience, if you put the 'wrong leg' down (whatever that means) just lift it up and put the other down. The more you ride the easier it is. We all sometime worry about falling off. There is a massive difference between dropping the bike and damaging the paint and your ego and having a big off and there are bits in between. The only thing is do what you are trying to do ride it, then ride it some more. It will come together and you will enjoy it or it may just not be for you. Enjoy it and welcome to the club. Update your post in two years.
The cold wet weather will not be helping one bit. It's all about building that mileage up over these next few months.
I also doubt that you will fall in love with Biking until you get a bigger more capable bike. Not only is a bigger bike easier to ride but they are also a bigger presence on the road. It will also have a lot more power to get yourself out of any tricky situations quickly and safely.
I also doubt that you will fall in love with Biking until you get a bigger more capable bike. Not only is a bigger bike easier to ride but they are also a bigger presence on the road. It will also have a lot more power to get yourself out of any tricky situations quickly and safely.
Thanks all, I think I really need more time with bum on seat, might also see if I can find more experienced riders to go out with, would be confidence building to ride with a few others.
I'll also try flapping my arms, if nothing else it will make car drivers notice me, and do their best to avoid me
I will do an advanced riding course, but looking to get my full licence first, next step is my theory test on Monday.
I'll also try flapping my arms, if nothing else it will make car drivers notice me, and do their best to avoid me
I will do an advanced riding course, but looking to get my full licence first, next step is my theory test on Monday.
Edited by anonymous-user on Friday 3rd January 10:33
Did similar,time on a 125 and then DAS.
I would recommend spending a lot of time in an empty car park practising u turns,figure of 8 etc.Being relaxed and in control at low speed is a great confidence booster!
Good luck.
P.S. I'm in Kent,so would be happy to go for a ride if not too far away.
I would recommend spending a lot of time in an empty car park practising u turns,figure of 8 etc.Being relaxed and in control at low speed is a great confidence booster!
Good luck.
P.S. I'm in Kent,so would be happy to go for a ride if not too far away.
Edited by Patrick Star on Friday 3rd January 10:59
Well done getting on 2 wheels at this time of year!
Riding time is what you need and also going to an empty car park to do the slow control stuff is useful. Or regularly ride to work etc.
Don't put too much pressure on yourself. By the time you decide to do the das you'll have to spend more time unlearning bad habits.
If you are anywhere near Medway I'd highly recommend csn in Strood for your training.
Riding time is what you need and also going to an empty car park to do the slow control stuff is useful. Or regularly ride to work etc.
Don't put too much pressure on yourself. By the time you decide to do the das you'll have to spend more time unlearning bad habits.
If you are anywhere near Medway I'd highly recommend csn in Strood for your training.
Weso said:
Or don't bother, because you're doing it anyway and reading all the guff on the internet could just confuse you.
If you weren't countersteering you'd crash at the first corner you came to, you've been doing it since you first rode a pushbike.
Wes
Made a lot of difference for me, after I read about it. A gentle nudge on the bars to tighten up the line in a bend helped me a lot. I've also seen videos of cars pulling out from a junction on the left and bikes running in to them, because they steered right (actually sending them left, in to the car).If you weren't countersteering you'd crash at the first corner you came to, you've been doing it since you first rode a pushbike.
Wes
I looked up counter steering and it just sounds insane, how would you train your mind to turn the opposite way in an emergency when you don't have time to think about it? I'm going to start using this counter steering technique while driving the car while I wait for the weather to improve, and hopefully it'll be second nature by the time I'm out on the bike again.
Not really
I'm looking to get out today, head to a car park and just have a play, then do a bit of a ride.
Not really
I'm looking to get out today, head to a car park and just have a play, then do a bit of a ride.
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