My first bike and some advice needed

[rescynic]

I passed my DAS back in October 2004, but due to finances, job etc i havent been able to own a bike untill now... my belstaff jacket, arai, and sidi's have been sitting in the cupboard begging me to put them out of their misery... (aside from a one off loan of a mates bike i havent done ought but pillion)

I got my bonus this month, and with a friend of mine looking to upgrade (hes looking at cruisers so any ideas for a good jap cruiser bike?) he's offered me his 99 bandit 600 for a grand (i know its been well maintained and hes not an arse when riding so i know its not been thrashed to within an inch of its life, has new tires a years tax and passed its test with no work in April) so... roll on Monday. Also got a fright of an insurance quote £172 fully comp (im 25 with no experience)

i also heard some rumoured horror stories about changes to the test come the end of this year? (i know it doesnt affect me but curious/ nosey) anyone got any updates

my main questions at the moment are:

as i havent really ridden since my test 4 years ago, should i go for a refresher course? my mate and my uncle have bothe offered to come out on a ride when i pick up the keys, but is this sufficient?

also my gear, my belstaff jacket is slightly tight around my shoulders and chest now (still zips up but feels tight) stupid question is should i repalce it? my sidi's feel fine and due to the weird size of my head my Arai still fits (was out pillion a few weeks ago)

cheers for the advice and have i said it yet wooooooooooooot two wheels here we come again.

[newberry]

Hi, first off good luck with the bike, had one as my first bike and loved it. As for the refresher it would be very usefull as any extra training is always good, But you would probably be ok to go out mithout any but i would suggest sticking to quiet roads that you know well and just take it easy. But if you can afford the extra training why not go for it.

[a boardman]

I have started back biking again after about 6 years, Got myself a RF 900 (something nice and small) 2 weeks ago, not been out with anyone but done about 120 miles in the last weekend, might do some extra training as still a bit nervous about corning and what my and the bikes limits are.

I would say go for it, and as you have friends to go out with you have nothing to loose.

[lawrence567]

In reference to the extra bits on the test.
I readon the DSA website that they're going to be doing some off road traning bits before the test,
going round cones, slaloms etc slightly simliar to the CBT things.
& also you will be doing faster emergency stops and you ahve to be going at least a certain mph.
& you must also be going a certain mph doing certain manouvers, cornering etc etc etc.
Basically if you cant pass this part of the test ( i think its around 10-15mins)
You will automatically fail & wont be allowed on the road.
They also want to put DAS age up to 25 although when / if they're going to do this i don't know yet!

[rescynic]

wow thanks for the info lawrence, sounds like i did my test at the right time (2004)

i still believe they should make the CBT a compulsory part of passing your car driving test, as i found once i had finished my bike training i was a far better car driver than i had ever been before...

been looking at new jackets and a pair of armored jeans this week, so think i will prolly invest in a pair next week any suggestions?

[lawrence567]

Clothing side, i jut have a set of armoured textiels, tip and bottom some richa thick gloves for the winter. (the textiles are targa)
For the leathers i have i just bought some cheap yamaha printed leathers that were blue and white as they match my bike, they're a 2 piece and cost about £200 & ey're armoured.
I've got alpine star gp gloves & nitro boots.
As for helmets ones a nitro and ones a g-mac.
Not amazing makes but they're what fit my head best.

[lawrence567]

& in reply about the test, i did mine about 3 1/2 months ago.
It seems like theres a lot of people rushing to do their tests now.
Not only for the summer but so they can get the DAS done before the october change date!

[rescynic]

Im not surprised to hear theres a lot of folk rushing to get it done, i just hope we dont have a huuge increase in accidents to follow the large numbers... will have to wait and see.

Clothing wise:

The kit was one of the conditions of me getting my licence (My mums a bikelessbiker), i wasnt allowed to scrimp on kit and i wasnt allowed to buy a sports bike for my first bike. overall she was quite happy with my choices.

I went to three different shops and tried on nearly every helmet in the price range before i found the one that fitted (My Arai) i got my Sidi's in one of the winter sales for about £50 or £60 i forget now...

been looking into trousers and i am liking the sound of the draggin jeans, plus the bike shop at the end of the road is a stockist so might drop in. as for the jacket still no idea, im not a big fan of the leather ones so will have to visit a few shops to find a textile i like, would love to get another Belstaff in the same style as the one i have just now)

Edited by rescynic on Wednesday 25th June 14:17

[a boardman]

the reason for the rush for test is that the test have to be done at a special test centre, at the moment there are 260 test centres for bikes, in september there should be only 60, but there is only 17 ready at the moment and they have sites for a total of 38.

details here

http://londonbikers.com/news/8364/new-test-centre-...