So. Who wants to teach me how to ride a motorbike ?

Roadkill · February 08, 2007, 09:56:28 AM

With all this 2-wheeled talk recently I've been reminded of my urge to try life on two wheels. (no, not a push-bike).

Problem is the last time I had any dealings with a "motorbike" was when I was about 6 and it was more of a Mo-Ped.

Basically I'm a n00b but would like to learn the basics with a view to do my test this year.

Volunteers.

sixpack2639 · February 08, 2007, 10:43:59 AM

Best way is to teach yerself, I did.

Get hold of an old dirt bike to learn on so when you dump it, and you will, it won't get hurt and the dirt is a lot softer than the pavement.

The gears are 1 down and 4 up.

Good luck! Carl

F Body · February 08, 2007, 11:05:22 AM

No problem Mate I'll teach you .............

We'll use PhilO's bike

ianjpage · February 08, 2007, 11:05:53 AM

Quoting: F Body

No problem Mate I'll teach you .............

We'll use PhilO's bike

F Body · February 08, 2007, 11:07:25 AM

Quoting: sixpack2639

The gears are 1 down and 4 up.

Nope the Chinese have simplified it

Nuetral at the top and five down

Roadkill · February 09, 2007, 05:02:49 AM

Well, don't get me wrong I'd love an old 40's Indian or Harley but think they're a tad outta my price range at the mo'.

Instead I'm eyeing up a Yamaha XVS/XVS Dragstar - 650cc/1100cc.

I think they're 1 down, 4 up.

But,

I need some "familiarisation" first . . . then I'll pick up some POS 125cc to have a go on.

That's the plan.

Roadkill · February 09, 2007, 05:58:08 AM

. . . Basically I want something like this :

Roadkill · February 09, 2007, 05:58:47 AM

But without the poofy second seat and sissy bar.

EDGE · February 09, 2007, 06:56:08 AM

dude... we all know bikes are WAY cooler when there's a hot woman on the back holding on for life....

keep the 2nd seat.... loose the sissy bar.. loose the bird....

F Body · February 09, 2007, 08:02:29 AM

Quoting: Roadkill

Basically I want something like this :

Haven't got time now, but if you look on the website where I bought mine, they do a 250 twin in the same style.
Full ditital dash and really well made for.......

£800

Roadkill · February 09, 2007, 08:34:46 AM

Quoting: EDGE

keep the 2nd seat.... loose the sissy bar.. loose the bird....

N'ah.

Then I can get one of those "If you can read this - the b!tch fell off !" T-Shirts.

Mega-

Roadkill · February 09, 2007, 08:35:52 AM

BTW - 650cc versions of the above go for around £2000-£2500.

1100cc's go from around £3200 . . . .

Roadkill · February 09, 2007, 09:12:30 AM

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/250cc-MODEL-FYM-250-CUSTOM-CRUISER-BIKE_W0QQitemZ270086277168QQihZ017QQcategoryZ424QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem?hash=item270086277168\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/250cc-MODEL-FYM-250-CUSTOM-CRUISER-BIKE_W0QQitemZ270086277168QQihZ017QQcategoryZ424QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem?hash=item270086277168

Jamieg285 · February 09, 2007, 09:49:13 AM

Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you'll have to start on a 125cc, and you need to do the CBT before you can do that either.

F Body · February 09, 2007, 10:33:15 AM

Quoting: Jamieg285

Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you'll have to start on a 125cc, and you need to do the CBT before you can do that either.

And it's set to get worse

Towards the end of this year you will have to take three tests and wait four years before you can ride bikes of unlimited capacity

55starchief · February 09, 2007, 10:50:00 AM

Quoting: F Body

Towards the end of this year you will have to take three tests and wait four years before you can ride bikes of unlimited capacity

thought that was already the case? or is it you have to be 21 or something?

Roadkill · February 09, 2007, 11:16:27 AM

Quoting: Jamieg285

Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you'll have to start on a 125cc, and you need to do the CBT before you can do that either.

I know that much.

I'm just thinking . . . "out loud".

Quoting: F Body

Towards the end of this year you will have to take three tests and wait four years before you can ride bikes of unlimited capacity

Fek.

Best get my ar$e in gear, then.

I'm only interested in the 650-1100's.

HardRockCamaro · February 09, 2007, 11:19:54 AM

I thought beyond a certain age you could ride the bigger bikes pretty much straight away?

I know you could just a few ears ago as I was looking at a CBR600.
I was advised by other bikers however, that while you can, it's not a good idea.

Roadkill · February 09, 2007, 11:36:05 AM

Quoting: HardRockCamaro

I thought beyond a certain age you could ride the bigger bikes pretty much straight away?

I think that's currently the case, but from what Martyn says - that'll be changing.

Quoting: HardRockCamaro

I know you could just a few ears ago as I was looking at a CBR600.
I was advised by other bikers however, that while you can, it's not a good idea.

I must admit I'm not in the slightest bit interested in the Jap sports bikes.
Yes they're fast as F**k but I'd kill myself in no time.

I want a big ole' cruiser to plod around on.

Hence the Dragstar . . . although large engined are fairly laid back bikes with plenty of power but not geared for all-out speed.

Much like my Cadillac. Although not in the same class.

Jamieg285 · February 09, 2007, 11:38:49 AM

Quoting: HardRockCamaro

I know you could just a few ears ago as I was looking at a CBR600.
I was advised by other bikers however, that while you can, it's not a good idea.

That's a very dangerous bike to jump straight to after a short initiation of 50 & 125cc bikes.

A cruiser would be a different matter, but still very different from what you can learn on.

55starchief · February 09, 2007, 11:42:13 AM

I wont do my bike test for 2 reasons, i would

a) be dead in a week
b)loose my license in a week

I would have to have a fast bike, and then i would want to see its top speed on a regular basis.

Every car i have owned i have smacked the limiters including the rev limiter on the chavscort in 5th going down the A5

Managed to hit both the speed and rev limiter sequentialy on a 535i BMW

Roadkill · February 09, 2007, 11:45:47 AM

Meh.

I need my licence for work otherwise I can't do my job so I'm generally alot more laid back when driving "nowadays".

philoldsmobile · February 09, 2007, 01:06:21 PM

Quoting: HardRockCamaro

I thought beyond a certain age you could ride the bigger bikes pretty much straight away?

I know you could just a few ears ago as I was looking at a CBR600.
I was advised by other bikers however, that while you can, it's not a good idea.

as said elswhere, you can over a cirtain age... what people forget though, is even old middleweight bikes, take for example my GPz are rather too quick for a first time rider..

12.6 1/4 mile and 0 - 60 in 3.74 seconds.....

NOT really ideal learner fodder..

HardRockCamaro · February 09, 2007, 03:30:13 PM

I have no interest in bikes.

At the time the idea was to gain the favours of a certain young lady who only seemed to date bikers...

Oh the daft things we do...

Roadkill · February 10, 2007, 09:45:45 AM

Well, I've been wanting to do it for years !

When I was 15 and started saving to do it my Mum said : "Not while you're living under this roof !"

Then, at 18 I got my own place . . . . got with a Girl (who later became the, then, missus) and she said : "No, I don't think you're mature enough, yet . . "

Then I divorced, Yay, freedom.

Alas . . . the divorce was costly and I moved shortly afterwards so money then was the issue.

Dammit. I'm gonna do it !