Life of a new biker

[sniffer dagenham]

Please have a read might go on for a bit but some feed back would be nice.

Well I had made the dissensions to become a biker after many years of thought on the subject. Have followed WSB and GP bikes for a number of years and watched a few races at Brands. So it became reality in April 2006.

First thinks first I needed to get my CBT, not at easy as I thought. As I have never really ridden on the roads before I was starting from scratch. Well it’s a nice sunny Sunday morning end of May and I off to Freedom at Gorsebrook leisure centre, Dagenham to do the CBT. Well some of this was going well some was a total nightmare. What didn’t help was a VOSA (or where ever he was from) inspector also along for the day testing the instructors. Well not to much of a surprise I FAILED!!!!!! Got to admit the nerves got to me. However, not to be deterred I done it all again in June, this time I was a lot more relaxed and this was helped by the instructor who kept re-assuring me. Telling me to calm down and, not to be nervous. Seems to have worked as this the second time I passed.

At last, I have a piece of paper telling me I can now ride on the roads, WITH THOSE “L” plates. Right, now I need a bike. So not being the richest person in Essex I had to go hunting for something. Guess where? You got it eBay! Looked for the usual stuff 125 stuff, CBR, Aprilia RS, Kwakers, Yamies, did I get one? NO, I ended up with a Siamoto Favourite 125 scooter. OK it only cost £ 150 but it was something to get me to and from work. Stick a fiver in it and it runs all week. Then disaster!!! Told by Dan who does all my work to get shot of it as it’s about to fall apart. Not bad only had it for a few months. Well what do I do? O I know eBay again!!! OK I got £160 for it not bad better than I thought. So now, I’m bikeless again. Well went on the hunt all over the place and ended up with the Yamaha SR125 that I now own. God this bike is hard work. Just when I get one thing sorted out, another one pops up. Longest problem is the exhaust about a month ago started to blow. Just ordered a new one today 28/06/07 so will hopefully have this very soon. Tappets making a bit of noise and need to get this sorted out. Trying to do as much for myself as I can as it’s about time I started to get down and dirty repairing my own stuff. And now I also have a leak on the carb!!! At least when I get to sell this almost everything will be new. Be as good as a new bike.



Well also today, I have a date for my Theory test 17th August. Can’t tell me that there is almost a two month waiting list for this? Only good thing is that this leaves me with ample time to revise on the PC at home and at work for both parts of the test. Home for the hazard awareness and, work for the hundreds of questions. So I have 40 days to practice to make it perfect. Or as perfect as I can get. I hope that the practical part of the test should be a easy as I ride into central London everyday. Along the A13 to Aldgate then, onto Tottenham Court Road.

Anyone else doing there test soon? Need a test buddy?

So will I pass the DAS test? Not the whiteness test!!! Will keep you all upto date as and when the dates get closer.

Sniff.

[The Guvnor]

Good luck mate. As long as you concentrate and stay calm you should be fine. If you have any questions your unsure of im sure if you post you will get the answer almost straight away !:grin2

[sniffer dagenham]

Cheers Guv, must keep my nerves thats the only thing that will spoil it all for me.

On another question, where do I start once i have passed. Not too sure on what to get myself. I have been looking at Bandits, Hornets and Fazers, dont really think its a good idea to go straight in to sports bike blade, ninja and alike. But have also been offered a DRZ 600 for about £700. My mind is saying Bandit style bike but my heart is saying splash out and get a RC45 if I had 15k spair I would. Anyone got any ideas? Or is it a case of your money you make up your mind. Also not being on the small side(weight) is it better to go stright for a 600 or could I get away with a 400??????

[2E]

Cheers Guv, must keep my nerves thats the only thing that will spoil it all for me.

On another question, where do I start once i have passed. Not too sure on what to get myself. I have been looking at Bandits, Hornets and Fazers, dont really think its a good idea to go straight in to sports bike blade, ninja and alike. But have also been offered a DRZ 600 for about £700. My mind is saying Bandit style bike but my heart is saying splash out and get a RC45 if I had 15k spair I would. Anyone got any ideas? Or is it a case of your money you make up your mind. Also not being on the small side(weight) is it better to go stright for a 600 or could I get away with a 400??????

I passed my theory first time... id personally recommend the CD/DVD-ROM package you get for about 8 pounds from ASDA, not sure of the make..

Driving Test Sucess- ALL TESTS

I used that for my theory and it has all the questions for the test on it, or pretty much the same ;)

Guranteed pass id say.

The full test i dont think is a walk in the park at all.. i wouldnt take it as it would.. im planning on doing a guranteed pass scheme with The Link, as ive already failed twice with a different company so thought a guranteed pass scheme would help ;)

As for your first proper bike.. well.. im sure theres varied opinions on that.. im looking at a hornet myself.. but ive also been eying up a honda blackbird... it really depends what you personally want... and your own preferences of a bike.. me i love old classic bikes, such as my current bike, a honda CB100-N, as unreliable as they may be, and as hard to get bits for.. the rareness, and the uniqueness of them reels me in like a good-un.

Just please.. what ever you do.. dont get a bloody Gixxer!!!:grin2

Do not go to the darkside... dont do it!

[JayGates_SP1]

I think 400cc sports bikes are one of the most pure riding experiences you can have as a new rider. You get a nice usuable amount of power that will feel quick at first. You can learn the basics whilst still looking cool. ZXR400's are good as are GSXR400's if you can find a good one. VFR's and RVF's are popular and reliable. And cheapish.

However some 600cc sports bikes can be quite neutral where as others more extreme and focused. I started from a 250cc aprilia and went to a ZX6R J1. Its comfortable reliable relativly cheap to buy and maintain. Its not as focused as some of the newer models but I think thats part of its charm.

Also you can go for the naked option which then leads you to another bridge, street fighter or a little more conservative. I think naked bikes are out and out fun bikes to ride. I love the Z1000 and Z750, and they tend not to tempt me to go mad but instead to enjoy the whole experience of riding. On the plus side alot of them are far more comfortable then sports bikes and just as fast too.

Best advice you can get mate is to go out and try some, everyone has different preferences and budjets but what ever you do take it easy to start

[UKSkidMark]

Read up on some of the different problems those bikes have first though.
GSXR400's and ZXR400's both have soft cams.
I used to have a ZXR400 and it sounded like someone shaking a tin can full of bolts when I hit high revs!! Course my solution was to put a louder can on it :laugh2

They are tremendous fun though, and more than capable, though they do feel a little snug if you're more than 6' tall.

[Jetski]

Read up on some of the different problems those bikes have first though.
GSXR400's and ZXR400's both have soft cams.
I used to have a ZXR400 and it sounded like someone shaking a tin can full of bolts when I hit high revs!! Course my solution was to put a louder can on it :laugh2

They are tremendous fun though, and more than capable, though they do feel a little snug if you're more than 6' tall.

Any of the good 400's will have problems simply because they're all getting pretty old - even L9's - the last ones made between 1999 and 2001.

I have two zxr400's. Can't confirm the condition of the cams on my road bike, but I know the track bike cams are only just starting to lightly pit. Not an imediate problem, but it will need looking at. But there again, I know of zxr400's with many more miles plus on the clock that haven't chewed themselves up.

Any bike with some years behind it will need work at some point or other.

Yes they are also prone to sounding like a can of bolts. Noisy clutch rattle is pretty normal. Not good if your the kind of person that gets paranoid about little noises thats for sure.

I've had my 400 road bike for a few years now and it's covered quite a few miles. The only problems I've ever had with it, apart from normal things like pads chains and sprockets have been electrical. But again when you've got a wiring loom 12 years old you can expect to have a few problems with it. It can be a pain to locate an electrical problem but with help from a man that can, it's an easy enough fix with replacement wire and a soldering iron.

Its like anything - lasts longer with proper care. Yearly service, regular fluid changes.

Even if you do get a more serious problem with them, parts are still fairly cheap on ebay.

Maybe I've been pretty lucky with mine - but then when I bought it, I took 3 other people along with me who knew their stuff LOL.

As a first bike - I couldn't recommend them enough. I've never quite moved on from my first bike - I love them too much and am not quite ready to give it up :)

No need to worry about being on a 'small' bike when out with a group or anything either - as anyone that knows anything about these bikes, will realise that they're as good as, if not better round the twisties as your new 600's 750's and litre bikes.

An average rider on a 400 would only get left behind by an average rider on a litre bike when you hit a straight bit of road, but after all, anyone can go fast in a straight line :)

Am I waffling yet? :D :D

[UKSkidMark]

My first 'real' bike after passing my test (LONG time ago) was a GSXR-400H - limited edition, only 80 imported into the country to meet requirements to race at the TT. They were up against TZR-250's, and put in brave showing.

[Jetski]

My first 'real' bike after passing my test (LONG time ago) was a GSXR-400H - limited edition, only 80 imported into the country to meet requirements to race at the TT. They were up against TZR-250's, and put in brave showing.

Very nice :D

I actually lied when I said it was my first bike LOL. My first bike was an RS125. Awesome bikes and definately come under the category of 'proper bike' even though you can ride em with L Plates.

Not a bike I'd suggest for a learner though, or even as a first bike for anyone unless you know anything about two strokes (which I didn't :D).

[sniffer dagenham]

Any of the good 400's will have problems simply because they're all getting pretty old - even L9's - the last ones made between 1999 and 2001.

I have two zxr400's. Can't confirm the condition of the cams on my road bike, but I know the track bike cams are only just starting to lightly pit. Not an imediate problem, but it will need looking at. But there again, I know of zxr400's with many more miles plus on the clock that haven't chewed themselves up.

Any bike with some years behind it will need work at some point or other.

Yes they are also prone to sounding like a can of bolts. Noisy clutch rattle is pretty normal. Not good if your the kind of person that gets paranoid about little noises thats for sure.

I've had my 400 road bike for a few years now and it's covered quite a few miles. The only problems I've ever had with it, apart from normal things like pads chains and sprockets have been electrical. But again when you've got a wiring loom 12 years old you can expect to have a few problems with it. It can be a pain to locate an electrical problem but with help from a man that can, it's an easy enough fix with replacement wire and a soldering iron.

Its like anything - lasts longer with proper care. Yearly service, regular fluid changes.

Even if you do get a more serious problem with them, parts are still fairly cheap on ebay.

Maybe I've been pretty lucky with mine - but then when I bought it, I took 3 other people along with me who knew their stuff LOL.

As a first bike - I couldn't recommend them enough. I've never quite moved on from my first bike - I love them too much and am not quite ready to give it up :)

No need to worry about being on a 'small' bike when out with a group or anything either - as anyone that knows anything about these bikes, will realise that they're as good as, if not better round the twisties as your new 600's 750's and litre bikes.

An average rider on a 400 would only get left behind by an average rider on a litre bike when you hit a straight bit of road, but after all, anyone can go fast in a straight line :)

Am I waffling yet? :D :D


Like an old woman!!!!

Thanks for all the advice on the 400s but still not answered the question about being a slight over weight problem.

Lets just say if i was 7'2" i would be right height and weight.


Or for those not very good on the maths thats about 18st.

[UKSkidMark]

Guess the acid test will be to try before you buy.
Knees need to be tucked up high on most 400's, and wrists are often at funny angles, with a lotta pressure on them.
Go for the most comfortable you can find, otherwise you'll find even a 10 minute ride is crippling.

[sniffer dagenham]

Well I have been testing myself for the theory test. Both general and the hazard awareness. Cant get better than 49 on the hazard. Driving me nuts to say the least. As for the other part I'm fine with that part. Getting 87%+ on ever test.

As for the bike to buy when i pass well, I have gone for the Suzuki DR600 for about a year or so. Once I have some real riding experiance I will then go for either a ZXR6 or CBR600. Besides dont want to ride something like a sports bike in town before I really get use to a bit more HP. No not the sauce!!!!!! I know the DR will have some good power behind it but I am just thinking about the way power is delivered on this. I'm looking at the run before you can crawl perspective.

Will be doing loads more testing before I get to the big day in August. Besides I then need to find £400 for the remainder of the test.

[The Guvnor]

but ive also been eying up a honda blackbird...

You really are totally barmy !!!

[NinjaMad]

First bike was a 650bandit love it to bits smart bike to start on for sure very forgiving

[McGubb]

Well being 9 days older than you and going through the exact same thing, I was having the same dilemas, what type of bike to get? What size cc? riding positon and personal preference. Well the answer came from a very good m8 of mine, a Suzuki SV650S. Good luck with the test dude! I passed the theory with just reading the highway code and using one of the on-line hazard perception simulators, It's cool dude dont worry, you get ages and a chance to go over questions you didnt or have already answered.

I have got one of these lovely machines it's a Honda XL 125 Varadero and it has really given me the confidence to commute every day into the city from Canvey. It feels and looks like a bigger machine and feels very sturdy.



http://pictures.autotrader.co.uk/ATD_web/servlet/media?id=558365548I'm even in the fast lanes of the A13 doing 70mph, which to be honest in the first few days I thought my future looked like one of the many foxes I ride past in the morning, especially when I started riding in at about 55mph with the lorries and trucks right on my backside! Within weeks though I have built enough confidence where even the thunder storm last Monday night didnt make me nervous at all. Although when the rain started coming in through my waterproof riding gear and especially when my B******* got cold, that wasn't funny! My gloves were filled up with water, I had rain on the inside and outside of my visor and I felt quite rewarded that even after all that and the wind buffering me around, I still enjoyed the ride.

The only thing I still dont like about this bike is the way it responds to being hit by a sidewind, the bottom of the bike gets blown away, which is very disconcearning. It sure as heck get's my pulse racing! I just looked at your preference for a future bike and well it's as high as the one i'm riding now. Just thought i'd say have a word with a few of the guys on here or at the meet about whether the 600 style machines like this react the same way mine does.

I have 2 days further training for my DA course on the 16th & 17th and then my last two days on the 24th & 25th of this month which includes my test.

Well if you see me on the way in give us a toot, i'll lok out for you.

Enjoy and be safe!

Regards

Dave

[sniffer dagenham]

Cheers Dave, will keep an eye out for you. I come on the A13 at that horrible fly over just before Dagenham at about 7.45ish. Keep eye out for sleeping bloke on green tanked SR 125 somewhere between there and where it goes to the old A13 into Commercial Road. I swear I cant remember most of my jouney into work in the mornings.

Sniff.

[sniffer dagenham]

God I cant get the hang of this hazard awareness stuff. I'm getting a pass but not a very good one. Just a few percent over what is a pass. I know a pass is a pass but want to make sure I pass well over the % you need.

Anyway things just not going good elsewhere. Zip on my boots now broken, new bike makes horrible noise, rattles when high reved. Cant get the gearing correct as I cant hear the engine. And I got a PENALTY NOTICE FROM TfL for riding in the bus lane!!!!!! £60 for that.

God roll on the 17th August to do this test.

[2E]

God I cant get the hang of this hazard awareness stuff. I'm getting a pass but not a very good one. Just a few percent over what is a pass. I know a pass is a pass but want to make sure I pass well over the % you need.

Anyway things just not going good elsewhere. Zip on my boots now broken, new bike makes horrible noise, rattles when high reved. Cant get the gearing correct as I cant hear the engine. And I got a PENALTY NOTICE FROM TfL for riding in the bus lane!!!!!! £60 for that.

God roll on the 17th August to do this test.

I had a problem with the hazard perception with the fact that i failed one question because i clicked too many times.. not that i was trying to cheat (which is what it fails you for) but for the pure reason i was seeing so many hazards..:grin1 They are only designed to show you one.. now i can say your almost certain to get one with a cyclist, one with a horse, and a few with pedestrians..

I got a couple of kids running across the road on a snowy day, a horse flipping out in front of the car, and a cyclist pulling out without looking.:shooter But coming from Tilbury & Basildon you come to expect that anyway so it was like watching a typical day ;)

See the perceptions on the scale of 1-5 5 being you found it quite early and one being you found it quite late (but still got a point). But it will go by your first click.. and quite a few times on my training i clicked too early i even clicked once and got it on the border of the start of the 5 marks.. and i thought i had it.. but i didnt!! See it doesent always work by the earlier you see the hazard developing..:shooter

Bloody annoying, so i got into the trait of even if i thought i had it, id give it 2 more clicks as it counts the first click, so even if you got one or two clicks in the 3/2 marks, if you got your first in the 5 it would count that over the others.:clap

What are you learning with? I hope you took my earlier advice and went for the Driving Test Sucess= All Tests..

Im not a promoter or seller of this item obviously.. but the software is well worth the tenner you can get it for.. some of the videos i practised on with the software actually came up the next day!! ;) Easssy ;)

I've passed my theory, its my real test that im struggling with, im hoping to get it booked up as a birthday present as my CBT runs out next month :(

[kasandrich]

Get an SV650

[McGubb]

Hey dude

Sorry to hear about the fine, we'll one way to look at it is that you've had your bad luck so it can only get better for the test!

Just found my test results from DSA the past requirements are
Multiple choice - minimun - 30 out of 35 questions
Hazard perception 44 points out of a possible 75.

I got 33 on the multiple choice and i just scraped through with 47 on the hazard! But hey a pass is a pass!!

Dont worry so much dude, you'll be fine.

See you at the pub meet this wednesday?

Dave

[sniffer dagenham]

Dave, I know a pass is a pass but really want to make sure I get a good pass. Mutipul choice is the easier part for me. Making sure that I got at least 10 points above what is the pass mark on the hazard is the hard one. Never mind keep on trying and I'll get there. Keep forgetting to bring it back to work so I can practice here.

Cant make this Wednesday down the pub but will try for next wednesday without fail. Got to pay for the lanyards so will make effort to get up there.

[Bones2007]

My first bike after passing was an SV650 and was great, light enough to feel confident with on the twistys and powerful enough to cope with life on the A12/M25.

The only frightening bit at first was getting used to the engine breaking which was so sharp it felt like I was being rear ended everytime I closed the throttle. But you get used to it quickly.

Anyway its a fun bike and will keep you entertained. The only reason I changed was because I felt a bit big for it at 6'2 and 19st.

[sniffer dagenham]

Guess what!!! Yep less than 24 hours to my theory test to go. God I cant get this hazzrd awareness thing just right. Keep getting just over the pass rate. OK this is good but still not getting the high mark that I want. Never mind too late now. Right must remember my liecence in the morning. Dont know if I should ride or take the bus, train.

Well here it goes I guess. Will update you all by about midday tomorrow if I pass. If nothing here by 1pm you can take it I FAILED!!!!! Be in the nearest pub drowning my sorrows.

[UKSkidMark]

In 'the good old days' a tester would leave the centre with you, walk to the bike and give you instructions. Go to the bottom of the road, do a left, first left, left again and back here. Keep going til I signal you to stop etc.

And so you'd be driving round in circles, completely unaware of where he was watching you and where you were on your own.

Then they'd warn you about the emergency stop! You'd go back to riding round, and at a random moment, they'd step out from behind a tree or car and stand with a hand held out.

I did know one guy ran the tester over. Needless to say he didn't get his licence that day!

[UKSkidMark]

www.metcheck.com (http://www.metcheck.com) says the weather should be good tomorrow.
A little breezy, but nothing out of the ordinary.
Is it just the theory tomorrow? If you go by bike, use the time to look around, judge what hazards are about, usual stuff. But don't get so distracted you run into the car in front - that hurts and you look an idiot doing it! (he says looking guilty).
Good luck, and even though you really want to get a high score, a pass is a pass is a pass!
It's one step closer to your full licence.

[kasandrich]

I don't think many people get over 50 on the hazard awareness.

As long as you are getting a pass score, that will do.

Good Luck

[steve jba]

I did my test at the beginng of the year and on the computer i couldn't get the hazard perception at all! and was really worried about it. But on the day i got 30/30 and passed the hazard perception can't remember by how much but was a bit. dont worry just stay calm and work your way through it you'll be fine
good luck

[Pocket Rocket]

Hey, you'll be fine, i only took mine 2months ago & was really worried about the theory part as was doing really crap at home & hazard perception was good. In the end i just took my time & passed both not great but just pleased i passed.

I found the hazard perception much easier just don't click too much & you'll be fine.

GOOD LUCK :bike2

[milleman]

Just a quickie to say GOOD LUCK today!

I'm sure you will fine :clap

[sniffer dagenham]

Well I'm back. And I FAILED by one single point. Hazzard test passed by shead loads. Failed the multiple choice by the single ONE point.
I am gutted. I really cant belive it.

Well now got to wait til end of the month to get paid to redo it. And then the test fee has gone up to £28 and questions also gone up.


O'well never mind. As they say better luck next time.

[milleman]

Gutted for you sniffer :(