Newbie

[chrisd87]

Hi,

I've been browsing these pages for a while but this is my first post here.

Next week I'm getting my first bike (1990 Yamaha RXS100 100cc 2-stroke), and I'm doing my CBT this Saturday. I have a couple of questions which hopefully won't sound too stupid:

Has anyone ever ridden or had any experience of one of these bikes? It was very cheap at £275 for one in good nick but does that mean they're no good?

Apart from a lid (which I have) and gloves (which I don't yet), what gear do I really need? The bike school recommended Doc Martens when I booked the CBT but to be honest they're not quite me - is it a bad idea to ride in trainers?

Any other tips would be most welcome!

Thanks!

Edited by chrisd87 on Tuesday 1st May 22:33

[Carl-H]

I don't know about the bike but I think it is a bad idea to ride in trainers to be honest. You can get brand new bike boots off eBay for about £30. My CBT is booked for Monday. Good luck

[F.M]

Check all the nuts & bolts are tight...and the brakes work well....keep an eye out for gravel,massive potholes & don`t try to be the Mick Doohan of your neighborhood too soon...build it up...perhaps oil the chain without lubing up the rear tyre if possible... at least once a week, better twice if your on the road every day......always,always keep up the `lifesaver` looks over the rear shoulder your instructer tells you about when turning or changing lane when on the road...their essential ....even wee bikes mean you get to thrash `em harder....

[chilli]

Don't get me started on trainers Get a cheap set of boots off ebay or something.

Good luck with the CBT.

Oh, and hello!!

[TPS]

[quote=chrisd87]Hi,

I've been browsing these pages for a while but this is my first post here.

Next week I'm getting my first bike (1990 Yamaha RXS100 100cc 2-stroke), and I'm doing my CBT this Saturday. I have a couple of questions which hopefully won't sound too stupid:

Has anyone ever ridden or had any experience of one of these bikes? It was very cheap at £275 for one in good nick but does that mean they're no good?

Apart from a lid (which I have) and gloves (which I don't yet), what gear do I really need? The bike school recommended Doc Martens when I booked the CBT but to be honest they're not quite me - is it a bad idea to ride in trainers?

Any other tips would be most welcome!

Thanks!

It all depends how much you want to spend.As said above boots are far better than trainers in the protection stakes but it all depends how much you value your feet.If you dont mind loosing them then wear trainers.A jacket would be good as would some decent trousers and a tube which is a thing that goes round your neck to keep you warm in the cold.The benefit of the jacket and trousers are that they will protect you a bit if you find yourself sliding down the road at 50mph and will also keep you warmer in the cold.As said before no one ever intends to crash but at least you stand a better chance if your wearing the right gear.Best of luck with your cbt.

Edited by TPS on Wednesday 2nd May 08:44

[chrisd87]

Thanks for the wishes of good luck for the CBT! I'm really looking forward to it, although slightly nervous as I've never ridden an on-road motorbike before and I'm doing it on a geared 125cc bike.

The brakes, etc of the bike I'm buying should be in satisfactory condition as it's got 12 months' MOT, but I'll check everything over just in case.

I'll investigate getting some decent boots - I'd rather not lose my feet if at all possible. Is it necessary to buy motorcycle-specific clothing as I already have a reasonably thick jacket and jeans, I assume this would give better protection than nothing? I am on a fairly tight budget

Thanks again for the welcome

Edited by chrisd87 on Wednesday 2nd May 14:11

[chilli]

chrisd87 said:

Thanks for the wishes of good luck for the CBT! I'm really looking forward to it, although slightly nervous as I've never ridden an on-road motorbike before and I'm doing it on a geared 125cc bike.

I'll investigate getting some decent boots - I'd rather not lose my feet if at all possible. It is necessary to buy motorcycle-specific clothing as I already have a reasonably thick jacket and jeans, I assume this would give better protection than nothing? I am on a fairly tight budget

Chris,

I'd only ever sat on a bike once before dong the CBT. They'll show you everything you need to know, so don't worry there.

Ebay for your gear mate!

Cheers.

[TPS]

A thick jacket and jeans will provide some protection and a lot more than tracksuit bottoms and a t-shirt etc.Some people choose to ride around in shorts etc in the sun as a contrast to wearing all the gear.The benefit of some motorcycle clothing is that the materials will withstand sliding along the road better than normal clothing and some will also have body armour in it to give you far better protection.I can honestly say jeans do rip apart if you come off as i found out once.However as you have said your on a budget which i understand and perhaps this is stuff you can look at getting later on.As for the cbt dont worry about it im sure you will do all right, then depending on your age you may want to get your full licence before they make it harder in 2008.All the best.

Edited by TPS on Wednesday 2nd May 14:14

[chrisd87]

TPS said:

depending on your age you may want to get your full licence before they make it harder in 2008

This is one of the main reasons I'm getting the bike now rather than in a couple of years' time. I'm 19 at the moment so it'd have to be the restricted test. Ideally I'd like a BSA Bantam 175cc or a Honda CB250 G5, but obviously I'd have to pass my test before getting one.

I'll have a peak at ebay for gear.

Edited by chrisd87 on Wednesday 2nd May 14:36

[black-k1]

chrisd87 said:

.... or a Honda CB250 G5 .....

Wow! That takes me back a few years. I had one of those (in blue!). I also had a CB360 G5 and both were thrashed to within an inch of their life every day for over a year. Never any trouble. Just make sure that the cam bearings aren't stuffed - it was a common fault with them.

[chrisd87]

I do rather like old stuff (I drive a moggy minor)! Honda CB250s and Suzuki GT250s seem stupidly cheap too which is good. I don't know how much the insurance would be though, I've had a quote for £160 p/a on the Yamaha. Anyway that's all in the future!

[chrisd87]

Passed the CBT today - great fun! Now I just have to wait for the bike to be delivered.