Big Day for me
Discussion
Wow ! What a day I've had. It doesn't get much better than this.
My Furygan two piece leathers finally turned up by courier from Hideout, who had altered them to fit for me.
12.30 Left home for warm up ride at 13.30 with my DAS insructor from Fast Track in Shrewsbury.
14.30 took the test and passed with only a couple of minors and was even complimented on a "lovely ride" by the examiner.
I didn't even screw up the U turn, which was the one thing that was really bothering me as I had been having big problems with this. The U turn god must have been watching over me today. At the end of the test I was melting like a candle. It was about 26 degrees and very very muggy. I think I must have lost a few pounds in all my protective gear.
I was told that the "nice" examiner was on holiday and that the "difficult" one was taking me ! On the way into the test centre we met his latest victim, who had managed to pass but complained of being given a very hard time and felt he had been harsly judged. Imagine how I felt as I walked in! As it happened, the examiner was charming and very friendly and the test seemed to be over in a flash. I was certainly not unduly confident as I arrived but by the end of the test I was happy in my own mind that things had gone well. It was however, very nice to have my suspicions confirmed and be told that I had passed.
I was so excited and relieved. I am now officially a biker. I have waited 48 years to do this and three weeks ago I had never even ridden a bike!!!! I have now done about 800 miles, mainly on my CG125!!!!
15.30 straight down to the local Honda dealers to collect my new 08 Fireblade!!!! Yes ! Crazy I know but life is short!
16.30 Rode her the 20 miles home. Bloomin Eck !!! What a machine! I shall now go and get some advanced training as quickly as possible. I shall be getting to know the Blade very gingerly and respectfully for a while. A bit like doing a theory test to be a lion tamer and then being chucked in the cage with a live one!!!!
I did not find her difficult to ride but I cannot express the feeling of excitement and intimidation in those first few miles as I rode away from the dealers premises. Once through the traffic and on the main A5, I eased her up through the gears, limiting myself to the dealer's recommendation of 6000 rpm, for running in over the first 500 miles. The surge of power and the delicacy of the controls is quite something. I can only imagine what she will be like higher up the rev range!!!
Nice surprise once you get to 5000 rpm or so and the exhaust flap opens!!!!! Roar !!!!
I expect I may be up rather early tomorrow for a little run out in the cool morning air before work!! If I can sleep tonight, that is!
D.
My Furygan two piece leathers finally turned up by courier from Hideout, who had altered them to fit for me.
12.30 Left home for warm up ride at 13.30 with my DAS insructor from Fast Track in Shrewsbury.
14.30 took the test and passed with only a couple of minors and was even complimented on a "lovely ride" by the examiner.
I didn't even screw up the U turn, which was the one thing that was really bothering me as I had been having big problems with this. The U turn god must have been watching over me today. At the end of the test I was melting like a candle. It was about 26 degrees and very very muggy. I think I must have lost a few pounds in all my protective gear.
I was told that the "nice" examiner was on holiday and that the "difficult" one was taking me ! On the way into the test centre we met his latest victim, who had managed to pass but complained of being given a very hard time and felt he had been harsly judged. Imagine how I felt as I walked in! As it happened, the examiner was charming and very friendly and the test seemed to be over in a flash. I was certainly not unduly confident as I arrived but by the end of the test I was happy in my own mind that things had gone well. It was however, very nice to have my suspicions confirmed and be told that I had passed.
I was so excited and relieved. I am now officially a biker. I have waited 48 years to do this and three weeks ago I had never even ridden a bike!!!! I have now done about 800 miles, mainly on my CG125!!!!
15.30 straight down to the local Honda dealers to collect my new 08 Fireblade!!!! Yes ! Crazy I know but life is short!
16.30 Rode her the 20 miles home. Bloomin Eck !!! What a machine! I shall now go and get some advanced training as quickly as possible. I shall be getting to know the Blade very gingerly and respectfully for a while. A bit like doing a theory test to be a lion tamer and then being chucked in the cage with a live one!!!!
I did not find her difficult to ride but I cannot express the feeling of excitement and intimidation in those first few miles as I rode away from the dealers premises. Once through the traffic and on the main A5, I eased her up through the gears, limiting myself to the dealer's recommendation of 6000 rpm, for running in over the first 500 miles. The surge of power and the delicacy of the controls is quite something. I can only imagine what she will be like higher up the rev range!!!
Nice surprise once you get to 5000 rpm or so and the exhaust flap opens!!!!! Roar !!!!
I expect I may be up rather early tomorrow for a little run out in the cool morning air before work!! If I can sleep tonight, that is!
D.
great feeling isn't it? 
Atom said:
15.30 straight down to the local Honda dealers to collect my new 08 Fireblade!!!! Yes ! Crazy I know but life is short!
16.30 Rode her the 20 miles home. Bloomin Eck !!! What a machine! I shall now go and get some advanced training as quickly as possible. I shall be getting to know the Blade very gingerly and respectfully for a while. A bit like doing a theory test to be a lion tamer and then being chucked in the cage with a live one!!!!
I did not find her difficult to ride but I cannot express the feeling of excitement and intimidation in those first few miles as I rode away from the dealers premises. Once through the traffic and on the main A5, I eased her up through the gears, limiting myself to the dealer's recommendation of 6000 rpm, for running in over the first 500 miles. The surge of power and the delicacy of the controls is quite something. I can only imagine what she will be like higher up the rev range!!!
Top tip - don't wear your best trousers 16.30 Rode her the 20 miles home. Bloomin Eck !!! What a machine! I shall now go and get some advanced training as quickly as possible. I shall be getting to know the Blade very gingerly and respectfully for a while. A bit like doing a theory test to be a lion tamer and then being chucked in the cage with a live one!!!!
I did not find her difficult to ride but I cannot express the feeling of excitement and intimidation in those first few miles as I rode away from the dealers premises. Once through the traffic and on the main A5, I eased her up through the gears, limiting myself to the dealer's recommendation of 6000 rpm, for running in over the first 500 miles. The surge of power and the delicacy of the controls is quite something. I can only imagine what she will be like higher up the rev range!!!
Congrats!
Atom said:
15.30 straight down to the local Honda dealers to collect my new 08 Fireblade!!!! Yes ! Crazy I know but life is short!
I cannot express the feeling of excitement and intimidation in those first few miles as I rode away from the dealers premises. Once through the traffic and on the main A5, I eased her up through the gears, limiting myself to the dealer's recommendation of 6000 rpm, for running in over the first 500 miles. The surge of power and the delicacy of the controls is quite something. I can only imagine what she will be like higher up the rev range!!!
congratulations on the pass and the bike. Once you've run the bike in you're gonna get the excitment of the power band, It'll be like having a bike from new again- fast becomes that little bit faster.I cannot express the feeling of excitement and intimidation in those first few miles as I rode away from the dealers premises. Once through the traffic and on the main A5, I eased her up through the gears, limiting myself to the dealer's recommendation of 6000 rpm, for running in over the first 500 miles. The surge of power and the delicacy of the controls is quite something. I can only imagine what she will be like higher up the rev range!!!
If your looking at spending a bit of money over the weekend it might be worth looking into some r&g bungs, (not that you will need them I'm sure) but dropping the bike on the floor is easy to do and one of the worst feelings in the world when the bike is mint.
Congrats on passing. I picked up my Blade on Saturday - black with tail tidy, RG aero bungs and CF hugger, really light and nippy!! The insurance must be crippling for you, I am 38, passed my test in 1988, owned ZXR750, GSXR750, FZR400, RGV, RG500, KTM Duke, 748, 851 and until 5 years ago a 996SPS. I sold it when I bought my house so when I went to insure the blade I had no NCB (despite 8 years on the others but had lapsed). Even with all the experience it was still over £1000.
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