CBT and general bike tinkering
Discussion
arcticGT said:
Theories have been pushed back to June 21st earliest now (emergency tests can be applied for if your a key worker)
That's a shame, would like to get that done but cbt isn't until next weekend anyway, perfectly understandable though. If I can take a few lessons on a 600 prior to getting a date for the theory that should set me up for mod 1 & 2.zzrman said:
crofty1984 said:
Do a CBT and if you like it buy a second hand Japanese 125 to play with. Tinker with it for a year/6 months learn to ride it WELL then look at direct access and whatever bike you fancy.
Riding a 125 for 6 months to a year is likely to put you off biking, when your overtaking is limited to bicycles and little old ladies. Pass the CBT and DAS and get yourself advanced training immediately afterwards.
Just for the sake of balance thought I'd mention I did CBT, bought a 125cc and pootled about on it for a year racking up 6,000 miles. I really liked the 125, and really learned how to eek the most out of it, retaining momentum through corners etc. After about 9-10 months on that I did my DAS, which was an absolute breeze as I'd gained so much experience on the 125. I then rode the 125 for a few more months until I'd saved enough to buy a bigger bike and got myself an NC750X which although much heavier is a much nicer bike in every respect.
I really don't think there's a wrong way to do it, but I'm happy I started small and light, working my way up as I gained experience.
I really don't think there's a wrong way to do it, but I'm happy I started small and light, working my way up as I gained experience.
zzrman said:
crofty1984 said:
Do a CBT and if you like it buy a second hand Japanese 125 to play with. Tinker with it for a year/6 months learn to ride it WELL then look at direct access and whatever bike you fancy.
Riding a 125 for 6 months to a year is likely to put you off biking, when your overtaking is limited to bicycles and little old ladies. Pass the CBT and DAS and get yourself advanced training immediately afterwards.
Enjoy the experience of learning to ride. I loved it and can't imagine not having a bike now.
Bumblebee7 said:
Just for the sake of balance thought I'd mention I did CBT, bought a 125cc and pootled about on it for a year racking up 6,000 miles. I really liked the 125, and really learned how to eek the most out of it, retaining momentum through corners etc. After about 9-10 months on that I did my DAS, which was an absolute breeze as I'd gained so much experience on the 125. I then rode the 125 for a few more months until I'd saved enough to buy a bigger bike and got myself an NC750X which although much heavier is a much nicer bike in every respect.
I really don't think there's a wrong way to do it, but I'm happy I started small and light, working my way up as I gained experience.
I'm doing very similar. I've got an old GSXR 600 SRAD that I've been fixing up as a project and plan was to get my test out of the way earlier this year. Had everything booked up and then the lockdown came along.I really don't think there's a wrong way to do it, but I'm happy I started small and light, working my way up as I gained experience.
So as my lessons have stopped for the foreseeable I decided to buy an old YBR125 to practice on. Having the time to go to a car park and practice u turns, etc is proving invaluable plus the experience of being out and about getting used to riding by myself. Should put me in a good place for getting my test passed!
Well, cbt is on sunday, decent chance of rain so should be an experience.
I think the way the year is going it's likely a DAS will be pushed back a bit, probably just in time for the weather to turn but could allow for a winter project to keep me amused. I've also got a new car coming on the next week that I used the man maths for so will need a few more months and to get past the family holiday to free up enough cash. This is also on the assumption that we get to go away, it's been moved once already and there is no guarantee Cyprus will be wanting to accept people from the worst performing country in Europe on to their shores.
I think the way the year is going it's likely a DAS will be pushed back a bit, probably just in time for the weather to turn but could allow for a winter project to keep me amused. I've also got a new car coming on the next week that I used the man maths for so will need a few more months and to get past the family holiday to free up enough cash. This is also on the assumption that we get to go away, it's been moved once already and there is no guarantee Cyprus will be wanting to accept people from the worst performing country in Europe on to their shores.
ruprechtmonkeyboy said:
I'm doing very similar. I've got an old GSXR 600 SRAD that I've been fixing up as a project and plan was to get my test out of the way earlier this year. Had everything booked up and then the lockdown came along.
So as my lessons have stopped for the foreseeable I decided to buy an old YBR125 to practice on. Having the time to go to a car park and practice u turns, etc is proving invaluable plus the experience of being out and about getting used to riding by myself. Should put me in a good place for getting my test passed!
I'm quite interested in hearing more about the srad, it's one I have looked at. So as my lessons have stopped for the foreseeable I decided to buy an old YBR125 to practice on. Having the time to go to a car park and practice u turns, etc is proving invaluable plus the experience of being out and about getting used to riding by myself. Should put me in a good place for getting my test passed!
on youtube, roadcraft nottingham seems good. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7cTUIwR1FuvMplHd...
Also reg-local on here is now doing bikes. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8fDyubAs3eLup-3C...
Also reg-local on here is now doing bikes. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8fDyubAs3eLup-3C...
I was like you in that I wanted to do my CBT to see if I liked bikes and wanted to do my test. I would say don't go just on your CBT. I found mine rushed and that I wasnt really ready for the road ride, I was doing it with a 16 year old girl on a 50cc moped so there was a lot of teaching her basic road stuff. She was struggling to get past 25mph and I was being told to wait for her all the time. At the end of the day I hadnt enjoyed it and didn't have much desire to do anything more about it. Because of lockdown and the cancellation of tests I was stuck on 125s if I wanted to contiune riding so I bought one and have enjoyed the quiet roads getting used to it, it took quite a few rides to feel comfortable and now I think I will do my test but going at my own speed and being able to go to car parks and quiet roads has played a big part in my enjoyment so I'd say 125s arent as bad as some make out.
Pete-mojsh said:
ruprechtmonkeyboy said:
I'm doing very similar. I've got an old GSXR 600 SRAD that I've been fixing up as a project and plan was to get my test out of the way earlier this year. Had everything booked up and then the lockdown came along.
So as my lessons have stopped for the foreseeable I decided to buy an old YBR125 to practice on. Having the time to go to a car park and practice u turns, etc is proving invaluable plus the experience of being out and about getting used to riding by myself. Should put me in a good place for getting my test passed!
I'm quite interested in hearing more about the srad, it's one I have looked at. So as my lessons have stopped for the foreseeable I decided to buy an old YBR125 to practice on. Having the time to go to a car park and practice u turns, etc is proving invaluable plus the experience of being out and about getting used to riding by myself. Should put me in a good place for getting my test passed!
They are easy bikes to work on and there are tons of parts available cheaply due to the sheer amount being broken. It's amazing how well these things were built in the first place as I haven't encountered any stuck fasteners or broken screws, etc. You don't really see any 90s sports bikes about any more so it's certainly something different and probably considered a classic these days!
GreaseNipple said:
I was like you in that I wanted to do my CBT to see if I liked bikes and wanted to do my test. I would say don't go just on your CBT. I found mine rushed and that I wasnt really ready for the road ride, I was doing it with a 16 year old girl on a 50cc moped so there was a lot of teaching her basic road stuff. She was struggling to get past 25mph and I was being told to wait for her all the time. At the end of the day I hadnt enjoyed it and didn't have much desire to do anything more about it. Because of lockdown and the cancellation of tests I was stuck on 125s if I wanted to contiune riding so I bought one and have enjoyed the quiet roads getting used to it, it took quite a few rides to feel comfortable and now I think I will do my test but going at my own speed and being able to go to car parks and quiet roads has played a big part in my enjoyment so I'd say 125s arent as bad as some make out.
I'd actually started lessons on a 600 so a step ahead of you. I found it a bit tricky learning to ride a bike whilst also dealing with instructions from the instructor at the same time, there is so much to take in. I live in Hertfordshire and the Mod 1 test is in Enfield about 30 mins ride plus the Mod 2 is over in Uxbridge about 45 mins so practicing on the 125 I have bought should hopefully help preparing me a bit more. Would be a bit of faff to keep having to travel to retake tests.ruprechtmonkeyboy said:
They are easy bikes to work on and there are tons of parts available cheaply due to the sheer amount being broken. It's amazing how well these things were built in the first place as I haven't encountered any stuck fasteners or broken screws, etc. You don't really see any 90s sports bikes about any more so it's certainly something different and probably considered a classic these days!
That's kind of reassuring, I spent a lot of my 20's working on french cars that had their quirks and iffy build quality so something relatively hassle free would be a bonus, especially as although mechanically minded I haven't tried before. Still, it's good to learn new things. My wife might see things differently but she knew what she was getting in to when she married me.As someone who can get quite focused when I have an idea in my head it may be a bit frustrating with the delays due to covid and our relatively short season of decent weather, but there are many bigger things going on in the world at the moment so if I have to wait until next year to get everything on place then so be it.
My 2 cents:
Don’t use the cbt as the gauge for whether biking is for you. It’s a pretty rushed affair and not much fun.
Think more about getting lessons under your belt, theory test swotting etc versus dreaming about bikes. Realistically a mod2 pass is months away.
Don’t waste your time with 125’s at your stage of life.
When you pass you will be wanting to ride the bike as much as possible. I’d buy the best you can to avoid being frustrated with chronic niggles. Something Jap and as new/low miles as poss versus a snorter project.
I’d recommend something on the lighter side, I nearly dropped my bike 3 times in the months after passing and i had to use every ounce of my strength to keep it up. A bit more weight / bit less strength would have seen it on the deck.
Good luck.
Don’t use the cbt as the gauge for whether biking is for you. It’s a pretty rushed affair and not much fun.
Think more about getting lessons under your belt, theory test swotting etc versus dreaming about bikes. Realistically a mod2 pass is months away.
Don’t waste your time with 125’s at your stage of life.
When you pass you will be wanting to ride the bike as much as possible. I’d buy the best you can to avoid being frustrated with chronic niggles. Something Jap and as new/low miles as poss versus a snorter project.
I’d recommend something on the lighter side, I nearly dropped my bike 3 times in the months after passing and i had to use every ounce of my strength to keep it up. A bit more weight / bit less strength would have seen it on the deck.
Good luck.
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