Comming Back to Biking
Discussion
I am comming back to biking after a gap of 15 years.
I am hoping to get some advice on a good place to do my DAS Direct Access in South West London around Kington-Upon-Thames.
Any advice on good Insurance? I have looked at Bennetts and got a quote for 330, and I got another quote for £560,
Also any good places to get a safety kit and recomendations etc,
I am looking at a T reg 11K Honda CB600 - I think this is a good option for a new rider - Any Advice?
Thanks for your Help.
I am hoping to get some advice on a good place to do my DAS Direct Access in South West London around Kington-Upon-Thames.
Any advice on good Insurance? I have looked at Bennetts and got a quote for 330, and I got another quote for £560,
Also any good places to get a safety kit and recomendations etc,
I am looking at a T reg 11K Honda CB600 - I think this is a good option for a new rider - Any Advice?
Thanks for your Help.
Edited by Wasted Bullet on Friday 18th May 15:58
Excuse me from asking but the title to your thread is "Coming Back to Biking" do you not already have a bike licence if you're coming back or was it just a provisional licence you held all those years back. The reason I ask is you won't have to do the DAS if you already hold a licence, maybe just some refresher lessons??
I posted a thread written with help of various members of this forum and info gleaned elsewhere which will give you some idea regarding kit, lessons, bikes etc. It's stickied at the top and will give you a bit of help, mebbe. 
What I would say regarding bike is, buy the one you feel comfortable with. I did my training through a local dealer and when it came to buying the bike they were extremely helpful and let me try out all that I needed until I was happy to make a choice; I think it helped that they already knew me through the training, I doubt most garages would let a noob out on bikes so readily.
I believe that test rides are essential, partly because my "first" bike ended up being one that I had considered and rejected mostly for cosmetic reasons and also as I regarded it as slightly too sporty for my inexperience; in actual fact, the Fazer 600 was a lovely learner bike for an "enthusiast" like me, pussycat below 6k, rocket ship above it without being too silly. Loved it.
Funnily enough I too spent 15 years without a bike, having spent a year or so tooling around on a cG125 before crippling insurance rates and unemployment forced me off the road and coincidence, circumstances and time kept me away from two wheels. I'm not sure what DAS and 6 months on the 600 taught me, but I've recently purchased a litre Fazer and am wrapt, totally loving it and feeling more comfortable on two wheels than I ever have done before, and happier than 18 years of driving ever made me: cars simply don't exist that would give me the freedom that I now enjoy, the freedom to go where I please, when I please and frankly, at the speed I please.
So.... get your licence, get a bike and get some fun!
What I would say regarding bike is, buy the one you feel comfortable with. I did my training through a local dealer and when it came to buying the bike they were extremely helpful and let me try out all that I needed until I was happy to make a choice; I think it helped that they already knew me through the training, I doubt most garages would let a noob out on bikes so readily.
I believe that test rides are essential, partly because my "first" bike ended up being one that I had considered and rejected mostly for cosmetic reasons and also as I regarded it as slightly too sporty for my inexperience; in actual fact, the Fazer 600 was a lovely learner bike for an "enthusiast" like me, pussycat below 6k, rocket ship above it without being too silly. Loved it.
Funnily enough I too spent 15 years without a bike, having spent a year or so tooling around on a cG125 before crippling insurance rates and unemployment forced me off the road and coincidence, circumstances and time kept me away from two wheels. I'm not sure what DAS and 6 months on the 600 taught me, but I've recently purchased a litre Fazer and am wrapt, totally loving it and feeling more comfortable on two wheels than I ever have done before, and happier than 18 years of driving ever made me: cars simply don't exist that would give me the freedom that I now enjoy, the freedom to go where I please, when I please and frankly, at the speed I please.
So.... get your licence, get a bike and get some fun!
Thanks for your message,
Think Bike are currently at the top of my list... I have called a few place and they seemed to be the cheapest/most helpfull... + their garunteed pass scheme means that if I have to re-test I will only have to pay for the Test (they include the bike free) meaning it will be £60 instead of £150... They also hire out CG125's overnight for £15 so you can practice in your own time.
I was looking at Helmets, I have been told that I shouldn't spend less than £200.
I was recommended a 'Shark' for £240 that apparenly has a 3mm visor with a safty release on it, removable lining, Double D Clip and a kevlar/carbon fiber shell that apparenly is strong enough to stop nails going through it.
Then I went to another shop and I was told that all helmets now a days have to pass the 'gold' standard test whether they are £60 or £400... and all you pay for if you get a more exspencive helmet is 'removable lining' and sound proofing and a paint job...
Up untill this point I quite liked the 'Shark' but I did go in intending to look at Shoei and Arai...
If anyone has any advice
I was recommended a 'Shark' for £240 that apparenly has a 3mm visor with a safty release on it, removable lining, Double D Clip and a kevlar/carbon fiber shell that apparenly is strong enough to stop nails going through it.
Then I went to another shop and I was told that all helmets now a days have to pass the 'gold' standard test whether they are £60 or £400... and all you pay for if you get a more exspencive helmet is 'removable lining' and sound proofing and a paint job...
Up untill this point I quite liked the 'Shark' but I did go in intending to look at Shoei and Arai...
If anyone has any advice
Wasted Bullet said:
I was looking at Helmets, I have been told that I shouldn't spend less than £200.
I was recommended a 'Shark' for £240 that apparenly has a 3mm visor with a safty release on it, removable lining, Double D Clip and a kevlar/carbon fiber shell that apparenly is strong enough to stop nails going through it.
Then I went to another shop and I was told that all helmets now a days have to pass the 'gold' standard test whether they are £60 or £400... and all you pay for if you get a more exspencive helmet is 'removable lining' and sound proofing and a paint job...
Up untill this point I quite liked the 'Shark' but I did go in intending to look at Shoei and Arai...
If anyone has any advice
I was recommended a 'Shark' for £240 that apparenly has a 3mm visor with a safty release on it, removable lining, Double D Clip and a kevlar/carbon fiber shell that apparenly is strong enough to stop nails going through it.
Then I went to another shop and I was told that all helmets now a days have to pass the 'gold' standard test whether they are £60 or £400... and all you pay for if you get a more exspencive helmet is 'removable lining' and sound proofing and a paint job...
Up untill this point I quite liked the 'Shark' but I did go in intending to look at Shoei and Arai...
If anyone has any advice
I'm afraid I'm not an expert on the mechanics of how one lid over another protects your head, but I would say that you should get something that feels comfortable and right when you're wearing it.
I tried quite a few out in the shop, and really wanted to keep it cheap, but it was an Arai that fitted me best by a big margin. Considering that you're going to have your lid on all the time you're on the bike, a few extra quid for a good lid isn't really wasted money in my book....
Totally agree with 711 about a good lid not being a waste of money.
Technically, the bloke in the shop is right about the standard, but the extra money is going towards a few things: the intangible, like how much it exceeds the standards, and the intangible like how comfy it is, how noisy it is, and how steamy it gets.
The latter two are sods, as they are almost impossible to test either in the shop, or with a quick pottle round the block. If you know anyone with a lid you fancy, try and borrow it for a bit, or simply chat to them about it.
The classic headshape thing also works here, so without wishing to offend any dealers on here, set aside a good afternoon to go and try as many on as you can shake a stick at.
Technically, the bloke in the shop is right about the standard, but the extra money is going towards a few things: the intangible, like how much it exceeds the standards, and the intangible like how comfy it is, how noisy it is, and how steamy it gets.
The latter two are sods, as they are almost impossible to test either in the shop, or with a quick pottle round the block. If you know anyone with a lid you fancy, try and borrow it for a bit, or simply chat to them about it.
The classic headshape thing also works here, so without wishing to offend any dealers on here, set aside a good afternoon to go and try as many on as you can shake a stick at.
Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff