I had my 2nd lesson on the Big Boy Bike today. I had the first by way of a free Intro Lesson on Saturday.
I've been saving up my pennies for this course for quite a while now, ideally to get the full 'A' category on my licence before the Provisional runs out in October. I've still got the full 'P' category for the Jubbly, but it'll be useful to have the full thing. Well, last week after having transferred my Bank Account from HSBC to the Halifax (after HSBC's announcement of their intention to change their country of registration, so as to avoid paying tax), I went to check the account online, to make sure everything was hunky-dory, when the first thing I sw was something like a £1200 credit from HMRC for Tax Credits. I thought something had to be wrong, as all I'd been getting was something like £13 / month (which I was quite happy with). Then they confirmed that I had been underpaid & that this payment was correct as a backpayment, so that was it. No need to save my pennies any more. That more than covered the entire course.
Today's lesson involved taking the bike up to 2nd gear & back, stopping & starting. It might not sound like much, but the co-ordination required is unbelieveable. I had really thought it was not going to be much more than riding the Jubbly. Anyone who's already a biker will probably know exactly what I mean. Although it might be 2nd nature to them now, if they think back to when they first started learning, I bet they remember more than a few stalled engines. To anyone who's not a biker, coming to a slow, controlled stop from 2nd gear (as we've been taught so far) involves slowing down by using the throttle on the right hand, pulling in the clutch with the left hand, kicking down to 1st gear with the left foot, gently squeezing the front brake with the right hand, followed by gently pressing on the back brake with the left foot, pulling the clutch in all the way & pulling gently to a halt. Both hands & both feet, all doing different things at the same time. Patting your head & rubbing your tummy at the same time is child's play compared to that.
Still, I think that after only 2 lessons I've been doing ok. I've got my next one booked for Friday afternoon. Mind you, I'm still aching from that hour (and a half - the lesson overran, although no extra cost). A 125cc, which is what I've been riding, weighs at least 4 times as much as the Jubbly - and it's not easy getting on & off it, as I'm more used to getting on & off the Jubbly side-saddle, so to speak, using the footplate. You don't realise what hard work it is until a little while afterwards.
I've been told that after the next lesson I could be ready for my CBT (Compulsory Basic Training), so looking forward to that.
Vrroooommm!!
Vrroooommm!!
After my last lesson apparently I'm still not ready for CBT, as I stil have to get out of the habits learned from an Automatic Moped (in particular Back Brake / Clutch). However, once I've got it I've got my beady eye on a nice sparkly new bike, which I'll not only use for continuing my training, but for getting some experience in the meantime, as an hour a week just isn't going to be enough. Of course, I'll not going to be going for anything really fancy, so something like this cheapy Cinese Import I reckon would be ideal:
Used Lexmoto Arrow Naked in Southampton, Hampshire | Southampton Motorcycles And Scooters
Used Lexmoto Arrow Naked in Southampton, Hampshire | Southampton Motorcycles And Scooters
Vrroooommm!!
The auction for Jubbly just finished at £625.50.
It jumped there from £585 at 2 seconds left - nice bit of bidding.
It jumped there from £585 at 2 seconds left - nice bit of bidding.
Vrroooommm!!
FourPart;1479759 wrote: I had my 2nd lesson on the Big Boy Bike today. I had the first by way of a free Intro Lesson on Saturday.
I've been saving up my pennies for this course for quite a while now, ideally to get the full 'A' category on my licence before the Provisional runs out in October. I've still got the full 'P' category for the Jubbly, but it'll be useful to have the full thing. Well, last week after having transferred my Bank Account from HSBC to the Halifax (after HSBC's announcement of their intention to change their country of registration, so as to avoid paying tax), I went to check the account online, to make sure everything was hunky-dory, when the first thing I sw was something like a £1200 credit from HMRC for Tax Credits. I thought something had to be wrong, as all I'd been getting was something like £13 / month (which I was quite happy with). Then they confirmed that I had been underpaid & that this payment was correct as a backpayment, so that was it. No need to save my pennies any more. That more than covered the entire course.
Today's lesson involved taking the bike up to 2nd gear & back, stopping & starting. It might not sound like much, but the co-ordination required is unbelieveable. I had really thought it was not going to be much more than riding the Jubbly. Anyone who's already a biker will probably know exactly what I mean. Although it might be 2nd nature to them now, if they think back to when they first started learning, I bet they remember more than a few stalled engines. To anyone who's not a biker, coming to a slow, controlled stop from 2nd gear (as we've been taught so far) involves slowing down by using the throttle on the right hand, pulling in the clutch with the left hand, kicking down to 1st gear with the left foot, gently squeezing the front brake with the right hand, followed by gently pressing on the back brake with the left foot, pulling the clutch in all the way & pulling gently to a halt. Both hands & both feet, all doing different things at the same time. Patting your head & rubbing your tummy at the same time is child's play compared to that.
Still, I think that after only 2 lessons I've been doing ok. I've got my next one booked for Friday afternoon. Mind you, I'm still aching from that hour (and a half - the lesson overran, although no extra cost). A 125cc, which is what I've been riding, weighs at least 4 times as much as the Jubbly - and it's not easy getting on & off it, as I'm more used to getting on & off the Jubbly side-saddle, so to speak, using the footplate. You don't realise what hard work it is until a little while afterwards.
I've been told that after the next lesson I could be ready for my CBT (Compulsory Basic Training), so looking forward to that.
Way to go, FourPart!! Just keep persevering, it'll all come good. Patience and practice make perfect, and it's a fantastic, if sometimes hair-raising way to travel. If you ever end up on a bona-fide superbike, they certainly DO travel!! (If you open up full throttle, it can be like being tied to the horizon by a particularly energetic bungee cord!!):-6
In fact, I remember a trip down to 'Glasto in '99...left Nottm. at 10am, arrived Westonbirt 11.30am (about 12 miles from Glastonbury), had my "snap" and a fag, then arrived in Glasto at Mid-day....all done at a leisurely 90-odd down the motorway, which was very quiet. Love it when it's quiet...:sneaky:
One of the ultimates in freedom, thrills and camaraderie.
Good luck with the CBT!!
I've been saving up my pennies for this course for quite a while now, ideally to get the full 'A' category on my licence before the Provisional runs out in October. I've still got the full 'P' category for the Jubbly, but it'll be useful to have the full thing. Well, last week after having transferred my Bank Account from HSBC to the Halifax (after HSBC's announcement of their intention to change their country of registration, so as to avoid paying tax), I went to check the account online, to make sure everything was hunky-dory, when the first thing I sw was something like a £1200 credit from HMRC for Tax Credits. I thought something had to be wrong, as all I'd been getting was something like £13 / month (which I was quite happy with). Then they confirmed that I had been underpaid & that this payment was correct as a backpayment, so that was it. No need to save my pennies any more. That more than covered the entire course.
Today's lesson involved taking the bike up to 2nd gear & back, stopping & starting. It might not sound like much, but the co-ordination required is unbelieveable. I had really thought it was not going to be much more than riding the Jubbly. Anyone who's already a biker will probably know exactly what I mean. Although it might be 2nd nature to them now, if they think back to when they first started learning, I bet they remember more than a few stalled engines. To anyone who's not a biker, coming to a slow, controlled stop from 2nd gear (as we've been taught so far) involves slowing down by using the throttle on the right hand, pulling in the clutch with the left hand, kicking down to 1st gear with the left foot, gently squeezing the front brake with the right hand, followed by gently pressing on the back brake with the left foot, pulling the clutch in all the way & pulling gently to a halt. Both hands & both feet, all doing different things at the same time. Patting your head & rubbing your tummy at the same time is child's play compared to that.
Still, I think that after only 2 lessons I've been doing ok. I've got my next one booked for Friday afternoon. Mind you, I'm still aching from that hour (and a half - the lesson overran, although no extra cost). A 125cc, which is what I've been riding, weighs at least 4 times as much as the Jubbly - and it's not easy getting on & off it, as I'm more used to getting on & off the Jubbly side-saddle, so to speak, using the footplate. You don't realise what hard work it is until a little while afterwards.
I've been told that after the next lesson I could be ready for my CBT (Compulsory Basic Training), so looking forward to that.
Way to go, FourPart!! Just keep persevering, it'll all come good. Patience and practice make perfect, and it's a fantastic, if sometimes hair-raising way to travel. If you ever end up on a bona-fide superbike, they certainly DO travel!! (If you open up full throttle, it can be like being tied to the horizon by a particularly energetic bungee cord!!):-6
In fact, I remember a trip down to 'Glasto in '99...left Nottm. at 10am, arrived Westonbirt 11.30am (about 12 miles from Glastonbury), had my "snap" and a fag, then arrived in Glasto at Mid-day....all done at a leisurely 90-odd down the motorway, which was very quiet. Love it when it's quiet...:sneaky:
One of the ultimates in freedom, thrills and camaraderie.
Good luck with the CBT!!
" To finish first, first you have to finish!" Rick Mears. 4x Winner Indy 500. 3x Indycar National Champion.
Vrroooommm!!
Smaug;1481410 wrote: Way to go, FourPart!! Just keep persevering, it'll all come good. Patience and practice make perfect, and it's a fantastic, if sometimes hair-raising way to travel. If you ever end up on a bona-fide superbike, they certainly DO travel!! (If you open up full throttle, it can be like being tied to the horizon by a particularly energetic bungee cord!!):-6
In fact, I remember a trip down to 'Glasto in '99...left Nottm. at 10am, arrived Westonbirt 11.30am (about 12 miles from Glastonbury), had my "snap" and a fag, then arrived in Glasto at Mid-day....all done at a leisurely 90-odd down the motorway, which was very quiet. Love it when it's quiet...:sneaky:
One of the ultimates in freedom, thrills and camaraderie.
Good luck with the CBT!!
It's all to very easy to do all to very illegal speeds on a big bike to the extent that it can get boring. I'm seriously considering downsizing to one of the baby superbikes that handle better that their bigger brothers but need you to work at it to get the speed.
For old times sake I'm thinking VFR400 - not that I ever had one at the time but they were the biz
In fact, I remember a trip down to 'Glasto in '99...left Nottm. at 10am, arrived Westonbirt 11.30am (about 12 miles from Glastonbury), had my "snap" and a fag, then arrived in Glasto at Mid-day....all done at a leisurely 90-odd down the motorway, which was very quiet. Love it when it's quiet...:sneaky:
One of the ultimates in freedom, thrills and camaraderie.
Good luck with the CBT!!
It's all to very easy to do all to very illegal speeds on a big bike to the extent that it can get boring. I'm seriously considering downsizing to one of the baby superbikes that handle better that their bigger brothers but need you to work at it to get the speed.
For old times sake I'm thinking VFR400 - not that I ever had one at the time but they were the biz
Vrroooommm!!
Bryn Mawr;1481473 wrote: It's all to very easy to do all to very illegal speeds on a big bike to the extent that it can get boring. I'm seriously considering downsizing to one of the baby superbikes that handle better that their bigger brothers but need you to work at it to get the speed.
For old times sake I'm thinking VFR400 - not that I ever had one at the time but they were the biz
Smaller bikes are fun too, for the very reasons you have stated. I went to Derbyshire from Nottingham a couple of years ago, on a monkey-bike (about 38 miles roughly) and had as many "smiles per mile" as I've ever had on any size machine! It was the smallest bike there (Matlock), and it drew quite a crowd, parked among it's much larger "stablemates".
Must admit, I've had more Honda's than any other bike. I've had my Honda CB750 F(B) for about 17 years now. It's not on the road at present, but it will be....
For old times sake I'm thinking VFR400 - not that I ever had one at the time but they were the biz
Smaller bikes are fun too, for the very reasons you have stated. I went to Derbyshire from Nottingham a couple of years ago, on a monkey-bike (about 38 miles roughly) and had as many "smiles per mile" as I've ever had on any size machine! It was the smallest bike there (Matlock), and it drew quite a crowd, parked among it's much larger "stablemates".
Must admit, I've had more Honda's than any other bike. I've had my Honda CB750 F(B) for about 17 years now. It's not on the road at present, but it will be....
" To finish first, first you have to finish!" Rick Mears. 4x Winner Indy 500. 3x Indycar National Champion.
Vrroooommm!!
My new one's only a Chinese Import - a Lexmoto Arrow (Lexmoto | Arrow 125 | HT125-4F | Lexmoto Motorcycles | 125cc Motorcycles | Leaner Legal Motorcycles | Arrow | 125) but for a first time 125cc it should be ideal for practicing with. Thus far teh main problem is that I spend an hour getting used to the feel of the training bike on the Riding School's training ground, then a couple of weeks on Jubbly, back to the Twist'n'Go, with the left hand lever as Back Brake, instead of as a Clutch before getting back to another training session.
Once I've got my CBT I intend to keep up the training & see it right through to the end & get my full licence before the Provisional runs out in November (I don't want to have to renew it).
When I was a kid I was brought up on the back of my Father's BSA Bantam. I always had a fascination for my Mother's old Raleigh Runabout as well, and after she gave it up as worn out I would play with it as an off road bike, fiddling with the engine, although my Father would always be derisive, telling me I was wasting my time because I'd never be allowed to ride one of my own, due to the epilepsy. My biggest pleasure now is proving him thoroughly wrong.
Once I've got my CBT I intend to keep up the training & see it right through to the end & get my full licence before the Provisional runs out in November (I don't want to have to renew it).
When I was a kid I was brought up on the back of my Father's BSA Bantam. I always had a fascination for my Mother's old Raleigh Runabout as well, and after she gave it up as worn out I would play with it as an off road bike, fiddling with the engine, although my Father would always be derisive, telling me I was wasting my time because I'd never be allowed to ride one of my own, due to the epilepsy. My biggest pleasure now is proving him thoroughly wrong.
Vrroooommm!!
FourPart;1481542 wrote: My new one's only a Chinese Import - a Lexmoto Arrow (Lexmoto | Arrow 125 | HT125-4F | Lexmoto Motorcycles | 125cc Motorcycles | Leaner Legal Motorcycles | Arrow | 125) but for a first time 125cc it should be ideal for practicing with. Thus far teh main problem is that I spend an hour getting used to the feel of the training bike on the Riding School's training ground, then a couple of weeks on Jubbly, back to the Twist'n'Go, with the left hand lever as Back Brake, instead of as a Clutch before getting back to another training session.
Once I've got my CBT I intend to keep up the training & see it right through to the end & get my full licence before the Provisional runs out in November (I don't want to have to renew it).
When I was a kid I was brought up on the back of my Father's BSA Bantam. I always had a fascination for my Mother's old Raleigh Runabout as well, and after she gave it up as worn out I would play with it as an off road bike, fiddling with the engine, although my Father would always be derisive, telling me I was wasting my time because I'd never be allowed to ride one of my own, due to the epilepsy. My biggest pleasure now is proving him thoroughly wrong.
Chinese stuff is getting better all the time. Can you not use your own machine for the CBT? It would save having to remember the different controls. I took my part 1 basic on my own machine, a CB100 Honda. You just keep on proving your Dad wrong, FourPart, but don't kill yourself doing it!
Once I've got my CBT I intend to keep up the training & see it right through to the end & get my full licence before the Provisional runs out in November (I don't want to have to renew it).
When I was a kid I was brought up on the back of my Father's BSA Bantam. I always had a fascination for my Mother's old Raleigh Runabout as well, and after she gave it up as worn out I would play with it as an off road bike, fiddling with the engine, although my Father would always be derisive, telling me I was wasting my time because I'd never be allowed to ride one of my own, due to the epilepsy. My biggest pleasure now is proving him thoroughly wrong.
Chinese stuff is getting better all the time. Can you not use your own machine for the CBT? It would save having to remember the different controls. I took my part 1 basic on my own machine, a CB100 Honda. You just keep on proving your Dad wrong, FourPart, but don't kill yourself doing it!
" To finish first, first you have to finish!" Rick Mears. 4x Winner Indy 500. 3x Indycar National Champion.
Vrroooommm!!
I could use it, but as I'll only be getting it on the day of the CBT, I thought it best to do it on the bike I've been learning on.
Vrroooommm!!
FourPart;1481620 wrote: I could use it, but as I'll only be getting it on the day of the CBT, I thought it best to do it on the bike I've been learning on.
Good point! You don't want to make it any harder than it needs to be. If you ride every day, you should be fine!
Good point! You don't want to make it any harder than it needs to be. If you ride every day, you should be fine!
" To finish first, first you have to finish!" Rick Mears. 4x Winner Indy 500. 3x Indycar National Champion.
Vrroooommm!!
Still scared, though. But excited with it. It's been a lifelong ambition, but first of all I was restricted by health reasons. Then I was restricted by lack of funds. Now that I'm working I'm still living pretty much on the same budget as I was doing for the previous 15 years or so on Incapacity Benefit, and I have a decent incoming salary, I end up with the result of having more money than I know what to do with, so I determined to fulfil that dream.
Vrroooommm!!
FourPart;1481681 wrote: Still scared, though. But excited with it. It's been a lifelong ambition, but first of all I was restricted by health reasons. Then I was restricted by lack of funds. Now that I'm working I'm still living pretty much on the same budget as I was doing for the previous 15 years or so on Incapacity Benefit, and I have a decent incoming salary, I end up with the result of having more money than I know what to do with, so I determined to fulfil that dream.
Just relax, concentrate and enjoy! You can't beat that sweet feeling of a test passed! Keep practicing your manoeuvers and your highway code. When do you take your test?
Just relax, concentrate and enjoy! You can't beat that sweet feeling of a test passed! Keep practicing your manoeuvers and your highway code. When do you take your test?
" To finish first, first you have to finish!" Rick Mears. 4x Winner Indy 500. 3x Indycar National Champion.
Vrroooommm!!
I've not even taken the CBT yet. However, I plan to get as far as Test status before my Provisional runs out in November. I don't intend to just keep on as a L Plate Rider until I have to take CBT again., so I mean to continue taking the lessons until my instructors consider me ready for my test.
Vrroooommm!!
FourPart;1481700 wrote: I've not even taken the CBT yet. However, I plan to get as far as Test status before my Provisional runs out in November. I don't intend to just keep on as a L Plate Rider until I have to take CBT again., so I mean to continue taking the lessons until my instructors consider me ready for my test.
Yes, keep on with the lessons, and ride as often as you can, weather permitting, of course!
Yes, keep on with the lessons, and ride as often as you can, weather permitting, of course!
" To finish first, first you have to finish!" Rick Mears. 4x Winner Indy 500. 3x Indycar National Champion.
Vrroooommm!!
Smaug;1481703 wrote: Yes, keep on with the lessons, and ride as often as you can, weather permitting, of course!
No - I believe in doing it all weathers. I'm not only going to be using it in fair weather.
No - I believe in doing it all weathers. I'm not only going to be using it in fair weather.
Vrroooommm!!
FourPart;1481721 wrote: No - I believe in doing it all weathers. I'm not only going to be using it in fair weather.
Glad to hear it, but still be careful in poor weather. Plenty of idiots in steel boxes out there, too!
Glad to hear it, but still be careful in poor weather. Plenty of idiots in steel boxes out there, too!
" To finish first, first you have to finish!" Rick Mears. 4x Winner Indy 500. 3x Indycar National Champion.
Vrroooommm!!
Smaug;1481724 wrote: Glad to hear it, but still be careful in poor weather. Plenty of idiots in steel boxes out there, too!
Don't I know it - and with far less peripheral vision.
Jubbly's just made her final homeward journey. Being delivered to her new owner on way home from work tomorrow.
Don't I know it - and with far less peripheral vision.
Jubbly's just made her final homeward journey. Being delivered to her new owner on way home from work tomorrow.
Vrroooommm!!
FourPart;1481735 wrote: Don't I know it - and with far less peripheral vision.
Jubbly's just made her final homeward journey. Being delivered to her new owner on way home from work tomorrow.
The end of an era, but fresh challenges and rewards ahead. Go for it!:-6
Jubbly's just made her final homeward journey. Being delivered to her new owner on way home from work tomorrow.
The end of an era, but fresh challenges and rewards ahead. Go for it!:-6
" To finish first, first you have to finish!" Rick Mears. 4x Winner Indy 500. 3x Indycar National Champion.
Vrroooommm!!
Announcing the arrival of a brand new bouncing baby Marcus Brutus (although hopefully not bouncing quite so much for too long). Born 14:00, 3/7/15. Weight 130kg.
CBT successfully completed & have been told I don't need any further lessons until I feel comfortable enough to look to taking the test, when I get back in touch with the school to get an appraisal to see if they think I'm ready, along with a few more pointers.
CBT successfully completed & have been told I don't need any further lessons until I feel comfortable enough to look to taking the test, when I get back in touch with the school to get an appraisal to see if they think I'm ready, along with a few more pointers.
Vrroooommm!!
Sounds good to me, FourPart! Get some miles under your wheels,but carefully on your new machine, especially if it's not run in yet.
" To finish first, first you have to finish!" Rick Mears. 4x Winner Indy 500. 3x Indycar National Champion.
Vrroooommm!!
Curiously, while on the training ground I was getting really stressed out & consequently making more mistakes, which in turn was getting me more stressed out, etc. However, once we got onto the road for the first time ever, things started falling more into place & made it a lot easier.
Vrroooommm!!
That's why I say " A ride a day takes the L plates away". If you ride every day (weather permitting), you'll gain confidence and competence, and you'll probably end up seeing the test as child's play, and a chance to show your burgeoning skills.:-6
" To finish first, first you have to finish!" Rick Mears. 4x Winner Indy 500. 3x Indycar National Champion.
Vrroooommm!!
I have November as my target, as that's when my provisional runs out. I know I can simply renew it, but I'd rather do it properly.
Vrroooommm!!
Yes, you can't beat being fully qualified. A "free field " of choice; all those lovely, tasty, big bikes! Good for the insurance, too.
" To finish first, first you have to finish!" Rick Mears. 4x Winner Indy 500. 3x Indycar National Champion.
Vrroooommm!!
Well, I just got home from my Bike Tests. At least there was no need to have been so nervous about passing Mod 2. I failed on Mod 1, so didn't even get to try for Mod 2.
Although I picked up a couple of minor faults on observations, what failed me was the Hazard Avoidance. This is a high speed manoeuver which involves approaching at a speed of no less than 50kmh (approx 32mph), swerving about 2.5m to the side, and then returning to the original course in order to come to a controlled stop within the blue cones. I did the main part of the manoeuver beautifully and well within (or above) the speed requirements (in actual fact, I was clocked at 59kmh). The problem was that having successfully completed the tricky part, I forgot about the finishing off bit & continued in a straight line to a controlled stop - 2.5m to the left of where I should have been. That was the point at which I failed. Even the examiner was surprised at the Emergency Stop. On that, once again you're supposed to do a speed of no less than 50kmh, and I was clocked at 64kmh - far above requirements, and not far off the maximum safety requirements - and there was me getting worried about not being able to reach the required speed.
Ah well - it's all good experience for the next time - and the next... and the next...
Although I picked up a couple of minor faults on observations, what failed me was the Hazard Avoidance. This is a high speed manoeuver which involves approaching at a speed of no less than 50kmh (approx 32mph), swerving about 2.5m to the side, and then returning to the original course in order to come to a controlled stop within the blue cones. I did the main part of the manoeuver beautifully and well within (or above) the speed requirements (in actual fact, I was clocked at 59kmh). The problem was that having successfully completed the tricky part, I forgot about the finishing off bit & continued in a straight line to a controlled stop - 2.5m to the left of where I should have been. That was the point at which I failed. Even the examiner was surprised at the Emergency Stop. On that, once again you're supposed to do a speed of no less than 50kmh, and I was clocked at 64kmh - far above requirements, and not far off the maximum safety requirements - and there was me getting worried about not being able to reach the required speed.
Ah well - it's all good experience for the next time - and the next... and the next...
Vrroooommm!!
I just got home again from my re-re-test.
Well - there's always next time.
And next time's gonna be Mod 2
3 Minors - And a..... PASS !!!
:-6
Well - there's always next time.
And next time's gonna be Mod 2
3 Minors - And a..... PASS !!!
:-6
Vrroooommm!!
FourPart;1492307 wrote: I just got home again from my re-re-test.
Well - there's always next time.
And next time's gonna be Mod 2
3 Minors - And a..... PASS !!!
:-6
Congratulations :-6
You've shown that you can control your bike, you're already familiar with riding on the road and keeping safe so module 2 should be a doddle - go for it asap.
Well - there's always next time.
And next time's gonna be Mod 2
3 Minors - And a..... PASS !!!
:-6
Congratulations :-6
You've shown that you can control your bike, you're already familiar with riding on the road and keeping safe so module 2 should be a doddle - go for it asap.
Vrroooommm!!
Good job I didn't book the 2 together, though. By the time I finished Mod 1 I was shaking too much. There were several times when I thought I'd fluffed it.
First of all in the VERY first task - pushing the bike backwards into a parking bay. I had left the bike in gear, so it wouldn't move when I went to push it. Either the examiner didn't notice it or disregarded it.
Then there was the Figure of 8 - I was told I took it too wide (Minor Fault #1).
The controlled stop - I didn't go all the way around the prescribed cones (got away with that because the important bit was to go down to alley of cones & come to a controlled stop - going round the cones was just to get speed up)
And on the emergency stop she said the ABS kicked in (meaning I stop in more than plenty of time - Minor Fault #2). The hazard avoidance was messy, because I was looking to stop at the wrong set of cones before I realised what was happening & stopped just in time (Minor Fault #3).
First time round I got 3 Minor Faults for Observations (or lack of), one for stalling on the pull off for the Emergency Stop, and a Serious Fault (Fail) for not swerving back after the Hazard Avoidance.
The 2nd time I lost my balance on the U-Turn & put my foot down - Serious Fault - I decided not to continue - no point.
But this was clearly 3rd time lucky - plus I didn't even get a chance for a warm up ride - so went straight from Marcus, a little 125cc to one of the school's 650cc's onto the Test Track - so a bit of a personal achievement for me.
While I was there my instructor was sharing the video of "Marcus Goes Paddling" with the examiners & other instructors that he had saved as a video on his phone as well. Although it was generally a pee-take, they agreed that it was good slow riding. He also added that it helped with my boots getting filled significantly lowering the level of the flood (Size 17).
First of all in the VERY first task - pushing the bike backwards into a parking bay. I had left the bike in gear, so it wouldn't move when I went to push it. Either the examiner didn't notice it or disregarded it.
Then there was the Figure of 8 - I was told I took it too wide (Minor Fault #1).
The controlled stop - I didn't go all the way around the prescribed cones (got away with that because the important bit was to go down to alley of cones & come to a controlled stop - going round the cones was just to get speed up)
And on the emergency stop she said the ABS kicked in (meaning I stop in more than plenty of time - Minor Fault #2). The hazard avoidance was messy, because I was looking to stop at the wrong set of cones before I realised what was happening & stopped just in time (Minor Fault #3).
First time round I got 3 Minor Faults for Observations (or lack of), one for stalling on the pull off for the Emergency Stop, and a Serious Fault (Fail) for not swerving back after the Hazard Avoidance.
The 2nd time I lost my balance on the U-Turn & put my foot down - Serious Fault - I decided not to continue - no point.
But this was clearly 3rd time lucky - plus I didn't even get a chance for a warm up ride - so went straight from Marcus, a little 125cc to one of the school's 650cc's onto the Test Track - so a bit of a personal achievement for me.
While I was there my instructor was sharing the video of "Marcus Goes Paddling" with the examiners & other instructors that he had saved as a video on his phone as well. Although it was generally a pee-take, they agreed that it was good slow riding. He also added that it helped with my boots getting filled significantly lowering the level of the flood (Size 17).
Vrroooommm!!
Just had a call from the Bike School. My Mod 2 Test is now booked for 17/2/16 (Wednesday Week). I just hope it's not as windy as it is right now.
Vrroooommm!!
FourPart;1492377 wrote: Just had a call from the Bike School. My Mod 2 Test is now booked for 17/2/16 (Wednesday Week). I just hope it's not as windy as it is right now.
You'll breeze through it :wah:
You'll breeze through it :wah:
Vrroooommm!!
Bryn Mawr;1492380 wrote: You'll breeze through it :wah:
If the wind stays like this I'll sail through it. Am not looking forward to going out to work in about an hour's time.
If the wind stays like this I'll sail through it. Am not looking forward to going out to work in about an hour's time.
Vrroooommm!!
Well, Marcus is finally up for sale.
I've arranged to buy the one I passed on from the Bike School. A Kawasaki ER6-N 650cc - 2014 Reg - £2900.
I've arranged to buy the one I passed on from the Bike School. A Kawasaki ER6-N 650cc - 2014 Reg - £2900.
Vrroooommm!!
Congratulations FourPart !!! Well done !!! Now, as the saying goes, you start learning to ride a motorcycle. BUT first, just be constantly aware that the bike (650 cc) is considerably more powerful than your 125cc machine, so please be careful and watch your speed, and of course the car drivers who 'don't see motorcycles' !!! You are the 'Soft Target'. If you have proper bike leathers, so much the better - more protection and warmer, particularly gauntlets ! Below is an interesting video of a similar bike, but a year younger than yours FourPart ! Just to show folk this roaring 'Hell's Angel' transport ! What a tearaway you could become, FourPart ! Watch out anybody visiting the Southampton area - he's on the loose ! :yh_rotfl:yh_rotfl:yh_rotfl Stay safe, please.
I'm a Saga-lout, growing old disgracefully
Vrroooommm!!
FourPart;1492837 wrote: Well, Marcus is finally up for sale.
I've arranged to buy the one I passed on from the Bike School. A Kawasaki ER6-N 650cc - 2014 Reg - £2900.
Congratulations Sir, I knew you could do it :-6
I've arranged to buy the one I passed on from the Bike School. A Kawasaki ER6-N 650cc - 2014 Reg - £2900.
Congratulations Sir, I knew you could do it :-6
Vrroooommm!!
G#Gill;1492839 wrote: Congratulations FourPart !!! Well done !!! Now, as the saying goes, you start learning to ride a motorcycle. BUT first, just be constantly aware that the bike (650 cc) is considerably more powerful than your 125cc machine, so please be careful and watch your speed, and of course the car drivers who 'don't see motorcycles' !!! You are the 'Soft Target'. If you have proper bike leathers, so much the better - more protection and warmer, particularly gauntlets ! Below is an interesting video of a similar bike, but a year younger than yours FourPart ! Just to show folk this roaring 'Hell's Angel' transport ! What a tearaway you could become, FourPart ! Watch out anybody visiting the Southampton area - he's on the loose ! :yh_rotfl:yh_rotfl:yh_rotfl Stay safe, please.
That's exactly the model & colour I'm getting. It's already called Kermit. It was named by the School's owner's 14 year old daughter. They have a fleet of about 5 of them, which she has named Kermit 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5. Not sure which one it is, but it will just be called Kermit.
That's exactly the model & colour I'm getting. It's already called Kermit. It was named by the School's owner's 14 year old daughter. They have a fleet of about 5 of them, which she has named Kermit 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5. Not sure which one it is, but it will just be called Kermit.
Vrroooommm!!
I took ownership of Kermit this afternoon, and Marcus is currently in storage under cover at Ebe's pending sale.
Normally, when using Marcus on the run home, it's a matter of going up the gears to 5th pretty quickly. On Kermit I never got any further than 3rd. After all, it is capable of doing 60mph in 1st (although the gearbox probably wouldn't like it that much) - plus, unlike most bikes, it has 6 gears, instead of 5. Looking forward to the run into work tomorrow when I hit the motorway. Marcus was able to manage 65mph. I understand Kermit can easily make 140mph - not that I'm ever likely to take it that far - I'd be too scared too (at least for the foreseeable future).
Normally, when using Marcus on the run home, it's a matter of going up the gears to 5th pretty quickly. On Kermit I never got any further than 3rd. After all, it is capable of doing 60mph in 1st (although the gearbox probably wouldn't like it that much) - plus, unlike most bikes, it has 6 gears, instead of 5. Looking forward to the run into work tomorrow when I hit the motorway. Marcus was able to manage 65mph. I understand Kermit can easily make 140mph - not that I'm ever likely to take it that far - I'd be too scared too (at least for the foreseeable future).
Vrroooommm!!
FourPart;1493118 wrote: I took ownership of Kermit this afternoon, and Marcus is currently in storage under cover at Ebe's pending sale.
Normally, when using Marcus on the run home, it's a matter of going up the gears to 5th pretty quickly. On Kermit I never got any further than 3rd. After all, it is capable of doing 60mph in 1st (although the gearbox probably wouldn't like it that much) - plus, unlike most bikes, it has 6 gears, instead of 5. Looking forward to the run into work tomorrow when I hit the motorway. Marcus was able to manage 65mph. I understand Kermit can easily make 140mph - not that I'm ever likely to take it that far - I'd be too scared too (at least for the foreseeable future).
You be careful on that there motorway, there be maniacs on there.
That said, don't let the cars scare you into gutter-crawling - it's your lane so use it
Normally, when using Marcus on the run home, it's a matter of going up the gears to 5th pretty quickly. On Kermit I never got any further than 3rd. After all, it is capable of doing 60mph in 1st (although the gearbox probably wouldn't like it that much) - plus, unlike most bikes, it has 6 gears, instead of 5. Looking forward to the run into work tomorrow when I hit the motorway. Marcus was able to manage 65mph. I understand Kermit can easily make 140mph - not that I'm ever likely to take it that far - I'd be too scared too (at least for the foreseeable future).
You be careful on that there motorway, there be maniacs on there.
That said, don't let the cars scare you into gutter-crawling - it's your lane so use it
Vrroooommm!!
Bryn Mawr;1493128 wrote: You be careful on that there motorway, there be maniacs on there.
That said, don't let the cars scare you into gutter-crawling - it's your lane so use it
I think with Kermit I'll be the one doing the scaring - once I get past scaring myself that is
That said, don't let the cars scare you into gutter-crawling - it's your lane so use it
I think with Kermit I'll be the one doing the scaring - once I get past scaring myself that is