New to biking - Hello
Discussion
Hey,
I've been reading this forum for a whilst now - I'm really taken with the idea of taking up biking as a challenge to myself, to improve my driving and to enjoy our UK roads as they were intended, without being hammered by our Govt for driving an entertaining car!
I'll be looking to take my training (pre and post DAS) next year, I can't afford it this year, as I get married next week! I've got two main questions really,
1) at our current house, we've no garage, but I reckon I could squeeze a small shed at the side, and dig some concrete foundations to secure a bike to. Does anyone do anything similar, how secure is this likely to be and whether storing the bike in a shed is sufficient weather protection.
2) Secondly, I'm 6ft3 and about 17 stone down wind and on a good day. What are the types of bikes I should be looking at? I'm conscious the newer sports bikes are a tad small, before I attempt to lower myself on it. I like the look of naked bikes, as I think that would fit in with my size and (imaginary) riding habits, confidence building rather than hooning. I'd also like to commute weather permitting.
I've never ridden a bike, would probably be pushed to pick the accelerator from the brake. The missus isn't keen, as she thinks I'll take too many risks, however I know it's something I am keen on and will ensure I treat myself to as much training as possible.
I really like the community aspect of biking, so if it's alright with everyone, I'll be sticking around!
Cheers
I've been reading this forum for a whilst now - I'm really taken with the idea of taking up biking as a challenge to myself, to improve my driving and to enjoy our UK roads as they were intended, without being hammered by our Govt for driving an entertaining car!
I'll be looking to take my training (pre and post DAS) next year, I can't afford it this year, as I get married next week! I've got two main questions really,
1) at our current house, we've no garage, but I reckon I could squeeze a small shed at the side, and dig some concrete foundations to secure a bike to. Does anyone do anything similar, how secure is this likely to be and whether storing the bike in a shed is sufficient weather protection.
2) Secondly, I'm 6ft3 and about 17 stone down wind and on a good day. What are the types of bikes I should be looking at? I'm conscious the newer sports bikes are a tad small, before I attempt to lower myself on it. I like the look of naked bikes, as I think that would fit in with my size and (imaginary) riding habits, confidence building rather than hooning. I'd also like to commute weather permitting.
I've never ridden a bike, would probably be pushed to pick the accelerator from the brake. The missus isn't keen, as she thinks I'll take too many risks, however I know it's something I am keen on and will ensure I treat myself to as much training as possible.
I really like the community aspect of biking, so if it's alright with everyone, I'll be sticking around!
Cheers
Hello mate 
The one thing I'd suggest, even with your wedding plans, is to try and get your licence this year. The bike test changes in the autumn, where it will be more difficult (and likely more expensive as well) to get your bike licence.
http://www.takeyourbiketestnow.co.uk/
S
The one thing I'd suggest, even with your wedding plans, is to try and get your licence this year. The bike test changes in the autumn, where it will be more difficult (and likely more expensive as well) to get your bike licence.
http://www.takeyourbiketestnow.co.uk/
S
2) Just bought a house with no Garage myself....so the bike is going in the dining room......even wired in a extra socket for the charger, makes a nice feature!! .....
Agree, don't hang around go get it booked and surprise her on your wedding day!!
Edit: didn't read the wedding is next week, go get it booked anyway or put the wedding back?!
Agree, don't hang around go get it booked and surprise her on your wedding day!!
Edit: didn't read the wedding is next week, go get it booked anyway or put the wedding back?!
Edited by The Tramp on Thursday 15th May 13:59
The shed is a good idea mate, anything to keep your new bike nice and shiny. As for your size, im 6 foot and on a good day still weigh over 20 stone, and I climb on a zx12. Dont let anyone tell you that you cant have a sports bike because you wont fit on it... You get a bike what you feel comfy on and that you like.
Hope that helps
Hope that helps
Welcome! 
As has already been said, if you can take your test this summer then that would be by far the best thing to do, even if you have to put off getting a bike until next year.
There should be no issues with a bike living outside other than it becomes easier to steal.
Good luck with the wedding.
As has already been said, if you can take your test this summer then that would be by far the best thing to do, even if you have to put off getting a bike until next year.
There should be no issues with a bike living outside other than it becomes easier to steal.
Good luck with the wedding.
Lippy said:
I've never ridden a bike, would probably be pushed to pick the accelerator from the brake.
PS. To avoid sounding like a noobie - it's a throttle, not an accelerator! The Tramp said:
2) Just bought a house with no Garage myself....so the bike is going in the dining room......even wired in a extra socket for the charger, makes a nice feature!! .....
I like your styleTo the OP, I keep my bike on the road, and it seems OK so far. You'll worry about it more than you need to, IME.
If I were you, I'd try to do the DAS before the rules change too. You'd probably get away with £5 - 600 ish all in at the moment, but it wouldn't surprise me that gets closer to £1k next year - more complicated test = more complicated and expensive training and higher test fee.
Set aside a week's holiday and give it a go!
Cheers everyone
would love to do it this year, but really can't see me getting the time off work, or being able to afford the DAS. I'd like to do it all in one go, to get plenty of ride time.
Glad to hear the shed idea isnt completely crackers, I'll hopefully be able to smuggle it in under the radar, secret garden style
any more comments on bikes for big lads?
would love to do it this year, but really can't see me getting the time off work, or being able to afford the DAS. I'd like to do it all in one go, to get plenty of ride time.
Glad to hear the shed idea isnt completely crackers, I'll hopefully be able to smuggle it in under the radar, secret garden style
any more comments on bikes for big lads?
black-k1 said:
PS. To avoid sounding like a noobie - it's a throttle, not an accelerator!
ahem, thanks! Edited by Lippy on Thursday 15th May 14:26
Chilli said:
Hello mate,
It's a piece of cake to get yourlicense...trust me!
Oh, and get it now....srike whilst the iron's hot type stuff, oryou'll never get round to it.
Its probably just me but I'm finding the whole thing to be a major ballache. If you can't take much time off during the week then theory tests CBT DAS courses get booked up way in advance. And thats before considering the expense. Even with budget gear and passing with minimum instruction it can easily cost £1,000+.It's a piece of cake to get yourlicense...trust me!
Oh, and get it now....srike whilst the iron's hot type stuff, oryou'll never get round to it.
trickywoo said:
Chilli said:
Hello mate,
It's a piece of cake to get yourlicense...trust me!
Oh, and get it now....srike whilst the iron's hot type stuff, oryou'll never get round to it.
Its probably just me but I'm finding the whole thing to be a major ballache. If you can't take much time off during the week then theory tests CBT DAS courses get booked up way in advance. And thats before considering the expense. Even with budget gear and passing with minimum instruction it can easily cost £1,000+.It's a piece of cake to get yourlicense...trust me!
Oh, and get it now....srike whilst the iron's hot type stuff, oryou'll never get round to it.
Am enjoying looking at potential purchases though, you learn to appreciate the detail that makes a good bike into
trickywoo said:
Even with budget gear and passing with minimum instruction it can easily cost £1,000+.
The training centre will provide a minimum level of safety gear, just to get a cbt, theory test and das done should cost no where near that, circa £600Edited by Brite spark on Thursday 15th May 20:11
Brite spark said:
trickywoo said:
Chilli said:
Even with budget gear and passing with minimum instruction it can easily cost £1,000+.
The training centre will provide a minimum level of safety gear, just to get a cbt, theory test and das done should cost no where near that, circa £600Chilli said:
Brite spark said:
Chilli said:
Even with budget gear and passing with minimum instruction it can easily cost £1,000+.
Edited by Brite spark on Thursday 15th May 20:25
Brite spark said:
Chilli said:
Brite spark said:
Chilli said:
Even with budget gear and passing with minimum instruction it can easily cost £1,000+.
Edited by Brite spark on Thursday 15th May 20:25
Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff