Probably some of my best riding yet
Discussion
Had some more instruction this morning, following my 1st unsuccessful test attempt.
My instructor suggested that I might like to try a different bike to the old 400cc Honda CB-1 that I've been using up until now, so I jumped onto a Suzuki GS500E. I found it a little strange to begin with (although that may have just been a two week break), but after a while found it better than the CB-1. Having more torque with the VTwin definitely helped and I was able to do U-turns more frequently.
Aside from an instance where I panicked in a bend, my riding is more confident. My instructor said I'd have made the bend easily - I was leaning in nicely, looking where I wanted to be, in the right gear - but I just panicked, straightened the bike up and braked. What a muppet
Having said that, I'm leaning the bike into twisties more (I was really enjoying some NSL twisties, linking them together), 'driving' the bike more and more relaxed, instead of beating myself up when I make a mistake. Not passing my test first time may turn out to be a blessing as I will benefit from more instruction and more miles under some tyres.
It was a great morning to be out riding, more of the same weather tomorrow please
My instructor suggested that I might like to try a different bike to the old 400cc Honda CB-1 that I've been using up until now, so I jumped onto a Suzuki GS500E. I found it a little strange to begin with (although that may have just been a two week break), but after a while found it better than the CB-1. Having more torque with the VTwin definitely helped and I was able to do U-turns more frequently.
Aside from an instance where I panicked in a bend, my riding is more confident. My instructor said I'd have made the bend easily - I was leaning in nicely, looking where I wanted to be, in the right gear - but I just panicked, straightened the bike up and braked. What a muppet
Having said that, I'm leaning the bike into twisties more (I was really enjoying some NSL twisties, linking them together), 'driving' the bike more and more relaxed, instead of beating myself up when I make a mistake. Not passing my test first time may turn out to be a blessing as I will benefit from more instruction and more miles under some tyres.
It was a great morning to be out riding, more of the same weather tomorrow please
Well done - sounds like things are coming together for you. You'll get used to bends, and I'd have thought the GS500 would be a bit torquier and easier to ride than a CB1.
It's funny how a 'fail' can be a good thing. I think mine worked that way, and just gave me time to get a bit more confident and fluent with it all. Direct Access can rush you into a test before you're actually comfortable with the idea, and I enjoyed taking things at my own pace and booking a test myself when I was ready for it much more than a prescribed length of time and then judgment day.
Keep practicing!
It's funny how a 'fail' can be a good thing. I think mine worked that way, and just gave me time to get a bit more confident and fluent with it all. Direct Access can rush you into a test before you're actually comfortable with the idea, and I enjoyed taking things at my own pace and booking a test myself when I was ready for it much more than a prescribed length of time and then judgment day.
Keep practicing!
Thanks for the replies
Well, it was another good day chaps. Much more confident, really, really enjoying it. Enjoyed it so much that I did some overtaking
Very tired though and after 6 hours of riding, I was starting to lose it a little. Bloody hot out there, but great fun.
I can do U-turns consistently now, so if I balls it up on my retest I'll give myself a swift kick - before my instructors get the chance!
Well, it was another good day chaps. Much more confident, really, really enjoying it. Enjoyed it so much that I did some overtaking
Very tired though and after 6 hours of riding, I was starting to lose it a little. Bloody hot out there, but great fun.
I can do U-turns consistently now, so if I balls it up on my retest I'll give myself a swift kick - before my instructors get the chance!
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