Discussion
I haven't ridden two wheels for 20+ years and back then I merely completed a CBT on a scooter...
As I am getting older I am maybe experiencing midlife crisis but I'd like to go again on two wheels maybe next year. I guess I had been motivated by these maven adverts, but in reality I think I'd get more for my money and experience on a petrol bike.
One thing though, are there many auto bikes? Particularly in the 125 space? I am happy in a car on a manual gearbox, actually I prefer it, but I have learned that a long time ago and I think it might be easier to get an auto bike.. is that a thing, is that going to hugely limit my choices? I have zero experience of a manual bike and I want to be more focused on my surroundings and less so on missing gears because I am a clutz...
As I am getting older I am maybe experiencing midlife crisis but I'd like to go again on two wheels maybe next year. I guess I had been motivated by these maven adverts, but in reality I think I'd get more for my money and experience on a petrol bike.
One thing though, are there many auto bikes? Particularly in the 125 space? I am happy in a car on a manual gearbox, actually I prefer it, but I have learned that a long time ago and I think it might be easier to get an auto bike.. is that a thing, is that going to hugely limit my choices? I have zero experience of a manual bike and I want to be more focused on my surroundings and less so on missing gears because I am a clutz...
If you want an auto, petrol, you’ll be looking more at 125 Twist and Go scooters.
Riding a manual bike is incredibly easy though once you’ve got the hang of the clutch, if you can drive a manual car, you can certainly ride a manual bike. About an hours practise and it will start to feel very natural.
There are a few big bikes with DCT boxes (Honda mostly) but you’ll need a full license for something like that and may struggle to find anywhere that lets you go Direct Access on a DCT bike.
Riding a manual bike is incredibly easy though once you’ve got the hang of the clutch, if you can drive a manual car, you can certainly ride a manual bike. About an hours practise and it will start to feel very natural.
There are a few big bikes with DCT boxes (Honda mostly) but you’ll need a full license for something like that and may struggle to find anywhere that lets you go Direct Access on a DCT bike.
Twist and go is great fun. Gets you out on two wheels.
But don't be intimidated by bike gears. They're so much easier than car gears . Wanna change up a gear? Move your foot up. Wanna change down a gear? Move your foot down.
And I bet you're a lot more precise with your hand than your foot for clutch control.
But don't be intimidated by bike gears. They're so much easier than car gears . Wanna change up a gear? Move your foot up. Wanna change down a gear? Move your foot down.
And I bet you're a lot more precise with your hand than your foot for clutch control.
Ask for a lesson or two on a manual bike - if you don't get the hang of gears then by all means limit yourself to an auto bike but if you can drive a manual car you'll pick up the gears on a bike in no time. If you get a bike with a quickshifter you don't even have to use the clutch shifting up.
There are a few circumstances when you have to stop and think what to do (hill starts) but I'd be shocked if an experienced car driver can't pick up the gears in 30 minutes.
There are a few circumstances when you have to stop and think what to do (hill starts) but I'd be shocked if an experienced car driver can't pick up the gears in 30 minutes.
Thanks - I guess I was just being a scaredy cat :hehe I remember getting the biting point being the hardest thing for me in the car all them years ago... second nature of course now but I did wonder if it would be too different on a bike.. guess I should try and see how I get on first.
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