Talk me out of this
Discussion
Hi all,
Not a bike man - I know very little, parents advise against, very very afraid of pain and im not massively sure I would even be able to get my head around riding one.
But... I've just turned 21 (Scary, I feel old/wary of the future?), I suffered depression in my late teens, I've had a big car crash thats made me very very cautious of road conditions - and christ I just want something different and enjoyable in my life.
I've always been wary of bikes as I knew I would end up stacking it big time being over-confident, but since realising recently how vunerable I am, im starting to wonder, perhaps I have just about enough fear in me to not do anything stupid. Im now an absolute wuss, which im hoping may be a good quality to have on a bike?
I have noticed im spending alot more time looking at various bikes parked up lately, I used to kid myself into thinking its just because I want a BEC at some point, but I really do love these machines, the look, the sound, the engineering gone into them - im starting to get properly hooked.
Please talk me out of looking any further into the matter. Please tell me that they arent that great and that the tests are really expensive/ difficult/ I'll look gay in power-ranger gear/ im really likely to die.
Thanks in advance,
BCA
Not a bike man - I know very little, parents advise against, very very afraid of pain and im not massively sure I would even be able to get my head around riding one.
But... I've just turned 21 (Scary, I feel old/wary of the future?), I suffered depression in my late teens, I've had a big car crash thats made me very very cautious of road conditions - and christ I just want something different and enjoyable in my life.
I've always been wary of bikes as I knew I would end up stacking it big time being over-confident, but since realising recently how vunerable I am, im starting to wonder, perhaps I have just about enough fear in me to not do anything stupid. Im now an absolute wuss, which im hoping may be a good quality to have on a bike?
I have noticed im spending alot more time looking at various bikes parked up lately, I used to kid myself into thinking its just because I want a BEC at some point, but I really do love these machines, the look, the sound, the engineering gone into them - im starting to get properly hooked.
Please talk me out of looking any further into the matter. Please tell me that they arent that great and that the tests are really expensive/ difficult/ I'll look gay in power-ranger gear/ im really likely to die.
Thanks in advance,
BCA
Biking is a fantastic pastime..and makes you feel really alive....
Crap when the weathers lousy though....
Go for it..a little caution is healthy...IMO most accidents are probably caused by over confidence ..going into a corner too hot and running wide...
I can assure you it is wonderful and will have the adrenalin still pumping long after your ride is finished.. just don`t forget how small the contact patch of the tyre is and you will do fine...
Best wishes....Remember those looks over the shoulder before changing lanes as you will find out on your training...crucial to staying alive on the road....It`s not called a lifesaver for nothing...
Crap when the weathers lousy though....
Go for it..a little caution is healthy...IMO most accidents are probably caused by over confidence ..going into a corner too hot and running wide...
I can assure you it is wonderful and will have the adrenalin still pumping long after your ride is finished.. just don`t forget how small the contact patch of the tyre is and you will do fine...
Best wishes....Remember those looks over the shoulder before changing lanes as you will find out on your training...crucial to staying alive on the road....It`s not called a lifesaver for nothing...
Edited by F.M on Saturday 30th September 18:08
BCA.
We cannot say you will not get hurt or you will get hurt.
You have to decide for yourself if you want to ride a bike. Yes if there is a collision you are more vulnerable.
Only you know If you think you are now more likely to avoid an accident because you are now more aware of the dangers.
Touching on the depression side fo your post.
I have had fast cars but they do not come close to the fun I have had on bikes. I have made lots of friends and had some good days out woth other people just because they had bike. That does not happen much with cars.
Did passing my test and buying a bike help me? yes! will it help you ? probably but you will never know until you try it.
We cannot say you will not get hurt or you will get hurt.
You have to decide for yourself if you want to ride a bike. Yes if there is a collision you are more vulnerable.
Only you know If you think you are now more likely to avoid an accident because you are now more aware of the dangers.
Touching on the depression side fo your post.
I have had fast cars but they do not come close to the fun I have had on bikes. I have made lots of friends and had some good days out woth other people just because they had bike. That does not happen much with cars.
Did passing my test and buying a bike help me? yes! will it help you ? probably but you will never know until you try it.
pesty said:
BCA.
We cannot say you will not get hurt or you will get hurt.
You have to decide for yourself if you want to ride a bike. Yes if there is a collision you are more vulnerable.
Only you know If you think you are now more likely to avoid an accident because you are now more aware of the dangers.
Touching on the depression side fo your post.
I have had fast cars but they do not come close to the fun I have had on bikes. I have made lots of friends and had some good days out woth other people just because they had bike. That does not happen much with cars.
Did passing my test and buying a bike help me? yes! will it help you ? probably but you will never know until you try it.
We cannot say you will not get hurt or you will get hurt.
You have to decide for yourself if you want to ride a bike. Yes if there is a collision you are more vulnerable.
Only you know If you think you are now more likely to avoid an accident because you are now more aware of the dangers.
Touching on the depression side fo your post.
I have had fast cars but they do not come close to the fun I have had on bikes. I have made lots of friends and had some good days out woth other people just because they had bike. That does not happen much with cars.
Did passing my test and buying a bike help me? yes! will it help you ? probably but you will never know until you try it.
Not depressed any more, mentioned it only as im just moving on to a much happier phase of my life and would like to celebrate it by doing more of the things I've always wanted to do.
I think im now less likely to kill myself on a bike because completely crashing my car has made me massively more aware of how im not invincible, and frankly - how much of a complete cock I was due to my previous mentality on the roads. Dont get me wrong, still enjoy myself, just bare the consequences in mind alot more, should anything go wrong!
btw, you're all gits - tell me its dull please??
Even chicken chasers (mopeds)are great to ride.... (sorry)
quick lads ...torture`im....
http://youtube.com/watch?v=MQiJyV3I_T
(sorry) quick lads ...torture`im....
http://youtube.com/watch?v=MQiJyV3I_T
Edited by F.M on Saturday 30th September 18:52
BCA said:
btw, you're all gits - tell me its dull please??
Sorry can't do that I can still remember certain corners and roundabouts taken.
I still remember a trip to northern Spain last year as if it was Yesterday. Donnington Track days
taking coners so leaned over all you can see in your periferal vison is Tarmac etc etc. Having said that I found riding extremely difficult at first it took me a while until I got to a certain level and I could thourouly enjoy it.
Edited by pesty on Saturday 30th September 18:45
Just done my CBT and bought my first bike over this summer. Frankly it scares the beejesus out of me because I am really not very good at it. 
But I want to get better (it is why I went for a 125 rather than the DAS/600 route) and I love it. I am sure this has been said many times before, life is not a rehearsal so go for it. Just remember to get the right kit and assume all other road users are trying to kill you and you are a quarter of the way to surviving on a bike.
Ace-T
But I want to get better (it is why I went for a 125 rather than the DAS/600 route) and I love it. I am sure this has been said many times before, life is not a rehearsal so go for it. Just remember to get the right kit and assume all other road users are trying to kill you and you are a quarter of the way to surviving on a bike. Ace-T
All I would say is that whilst a tad of caution is good I think being nervous on a bike is not a good thing. If you go out thinking you're going to be killed you will not enjoy the experience!!
That said... I take my test tomorrow and cannot wait. The feeling of freedom a bike gives you is intoxicating!!
That said... I take my test tomorrow and cannot wait. The feeling of freedom a bike gives you is intoxicating!!
Well first things first - book your CBT on a 125cc geared bike for approximately £100 all inclusive.
You'll get to grip with the controls, changing gears and doing figures of 8 before taking to the road at the end of the day.
50/60mph feels like 100 and you'll soon find out whether it's for you or not
EDIT : And once you've got your full license, don't ride like this
www.jayadair.com/video/llandow_2003.wmv [right click, save - approx 70mb!]
You'll get to grip with the controls, changing gears and doing figures of 8 before taking to the road at the end of the day.
50/60mph feels like 100 and you'll soon find out whether it's for you or not
EDIT : And once you've got your full license, don't ride like this
www.jayadair.com/video/llandow_2003.wmv [right click, save - approx 70mb!]
Edited by momentofmadness on Sunday 1st October 11:01
BCA said:
Thanks for the replys.
Expect a few completely stupid threads about getting started soon...
Expect a few completely stupid threads about getting started soon...
I'm 22, and talked myself out of it a few times before taking the plunge and passing my test in June. Trust me, it's the biggest buzz in the world, and the sense of cameraderie is far above anything you get with cars. Any advice you need feel free to drop me an email. ONe thing I will say is buy the best clothing you can afford. It's your head/skin/limbs at the end of the day
I reckon I can say with confidence if I'd have biked at 21 I'd not be here now to talk about it, I was just too daft.
Only waited a few more yrs- till 25 but I was a tad calmer then, few spills but a somewhat more mature attitude- well to biking anyway!
Only waited a few more yrs- till 25 but I was a tad calmer then, few spills but a somewhat more mature attitude- well to biking anyway!
Edited by iguana on Sunday 1st October 13:52
Talk you out of it BCA - no chance. That would mean saying biking isn't one of the best buzzes in the world, and I can't bring myself to do that
Seriously, it's a great hobby. Yes it can be dangerous but anything that can get your pulse going when your still dressed is usually dangerous or illegal. Go for it but don't be tempted to get ahead of yourself. If your a little nervous then do the standard test and stay on a 33hp machine for the 2 years to build experience. The right bike with 33hp can still motor on pretty well. That said, a bit of caution is not necessarily a bad thing - being cock-sure of yourself and getting something like an R6 the day after passing your test is almost certainly worst. Just try to keep it at caution rather than fear - 'cos fear is not good. Although none of us have never felt fear on a bike, we just feel it when we f**k up and are trying to correct, rather than all the time we're riding
Seriously, it's a great hobby. Yes it can be dangerous but anything that can get your pulse going when your still dressed is usually dangerous or illegal. Go for it but don't be tempted to get ahead of yourself. If your a little nervous then do the standard test and stay on a 33hp machine for the 2 years to build experience. The right bike with 33hp can still motor on pretty well. That said, a bit of caution is not necessarily a bad thing - being cock-sure of yourself and getting something like an R6 the day after passing your test is almost certainly worst. Just try to keep it at caution rather than fear - 'cos fear is not good. Although none of us have never felt fear on a bike, we just feel it when we f**k up and are trying to correct, rather than all the time we're riding
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