So after some advice on here - I did a CBT (first time ever on a bike) it went well and I enjoyed it - other than leaving the indicators on by accident a lot... guess this was to be expected with no riding experience and used to a cars self cancelling indicators.
Anyway - I'm back in the UK for a bit - did my theory test the other day just to get it out the way and now I'm booked in for a 2 hour session on a 600cc bike this Saturday to see what it feels like...
Any advice - or does the same go as on a 125 and the engine size doesn't really matter apart from obviously taking it gentle with the right wrist?
I think I have 2 hours on the bike and I'm sure the instructor will give me lots of good advice but is there anything specific I should ask for or look out for ?
Cheers Al
well do you know what bike you're gonna ride?
Bit of extra weight, bulk. Better brakes and as you said a bit more on the wrist.
However if you're riding an in-line four you'll just found it crap.
The instructor will tell you everything you need to know. If its a modern 600 though the brakes may take you by surprise after riding a 125, so go easy.
One things for sure though, I found it a damn sight easier riding a 600 than a 125
It's a brand spanker I think - not sure on make but my moneys on a honda or a suzuki as thats what they had for the 125s.
The 125 I was on was old and pretty well used so I'm sure the brakes will surprise me!
Trying to find some boots on the net that will get to me before Saturday.. if they don't fit I'll just buy locally - any suggestions? I don't plan on doing wet weather riding so no need to be waterproof.
I think most instructors are putting out new bikes at the moment as the rules changed and there's only a narrow band of models that are acceptable for the test. Or something.
Im going to start my 600 lessons in the new year hopefully. 1000cc valadero is what I want 😀
Bang on Stoner - it was due to the new legislation. I'm after a 1986 BMW 65r for making into a cafe racer style bike 😀
I may get a 650 or something to have a play on for further distances tho
1000cc valadero
Which one is the 1000 valadero 😉 Trust you want a ducati GT1000
You'll probably find a bigger bike easier to ride, i had a ZZR600 as my first bike after passing on a 125, many moons ago.
anything that ISNT some poncy continental midget-sized thundergrunger cafe race is a good bike. 😛
ahem VaRadero. Got my bike gloves on....
The GT1000 isn't midget sized and trust me that is the next bike I am going to buy (ok maybe after one or two CR project I have on my mind :D)
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varadero
I believe it is correctly referred to as 'the sweaty pig in a tutu'
Not the prettiest but I quite like it
Eats fuel though
Chances are, if it is an in-line four, you'll love it.
Wrap up well,it'll be chilly and two hours is a long time if you're cold.
Not that nope, I want a second SRX but I want to do this on right, with a nice engine tunning and some work on the fairing/suspensions.
Tbh it's impossible to give much sensible advice without knowing what the bike is. And also what your bike is!
Alex. Where are you and what size do you take? I have a couple of pairs you could try. If you're local to me and they fit, you could borrow them for the session.
I dont have a bike and I dont know what the bike is - surely something sensible as its a training bike
Ah sorry, I meant, what are you used to- we can't say what'll be different if we don't know what it is you've used before. Could be your 125 experience is on a CG or a scooter or an RS125.
I'm assuming it'll be some lardy, low-powered unfaired inline 4, old Bandit or similiar. Hefty but forgiving. But you never know.
[i]Im going to start my 600 lessons in the new year hopefully. 1000cc valadero is what I want [/i]
NO!!!!!!
Back to the OP - You'll find a new(ish) 600 a lot nicer to ride than any 125, but the weight may catch you out on low-speed stuff. And it will, even a crappy one, accelerate faster than pretty much any car (except super cars and the like).
You need to protect the bits that stick out; head/feet/hands then knees/elbows/shoulders. And you can't go wrong with a back-protector.
The jacket I got was off ebay 2nd hand for £30 - looks immaculate and has a built in back protector "Weiss Psycho Jacket" is the one.. might be a little short though but I'm not sure as the trousers are quite long.
I'm a size 10 but based in Cumbria so your probably not near but thanks for the offer!
The 125 I rode was a old suzuki - not sure on the type possible a cg but can't remember too well. I just remember thinking the pegs looked terrible (round metal with no grip) I think the rubbers had fallen off but it was ok riding it.
600 sounds good - very excited now! 😀
Wear the warmest gloves you can find.
Spend a bit of time getting used to the extra weight when paddling it about. It'll go past the point of no return far quicker than a 125.
+1 for taking it easy on the brakes.
You will need a neck tube too - the temp just dropped a load over the last day or so
I'm currently in Barrow-I-F, but all my (size 12) clobber is at home near Grantham.
ah noway - small world 🙂 I'll probably be driving around Ulverston / Barrow way - I'll probably just pop into a shop in the morning then and try and get some last minute as I guess they'll come in useful!
Thanks for the necktube tip
I was on a lowered ER5 (owing to my wee-ness)for my lessons. I see a lot of the places near me are using kawasaki ER6N's as their learner bikes.
Def wrap up. It's a lot more fun if you aren't chilled to the bone.
Alex, I may be able to help here. My mate has just sold his Hayabusa and I have all his kit to sell
Hein Herike Jacket and trousers (leather)
Loads of Alpine stars kit, gloves, windproofs, jackets
Magnetic tank bag,
And I will be in the north Lakes / Keswick on Friday afternoon...
Any good ?
Rick
just sent you an email rick!
1000cc valadero is what I want
FYI, they DRINK fuel. 36-37mpg at best. Very bad. Honest. And I like them..... 🙂
Our Ducati ST3s will easily do 10mpg more, fully panniered up, 2-up, and be faster at the same time.
If you like that style of bike, I'd try pretty much anything else - V-Strom, Caponord, 1000/1100 Multistrada, Tiger 1150/1200GS.... anything, personally.
But, each to their own 🙂
Id read that it the varadero was not so bad on fuel as say, the TA.
Ah well.
I just want a nice big Honda that can do 100s of miles a day, at good mpg, with full panniers and packs and keep lil'ol 6'4" me out of the wind. Ideas?
I just want a nice big Honda that can do 100s of miles a day, at good mpg, with full panniers and packs and keep lil'ol 6'4" me out of the wind. Ideas?
Yes get a BMW.
I just want a nice big Honda that can do 100s of miles a day, at good mpg, with full panniers and packs and keep lil'ol 6'4" me out of the wind. Ideas?
CBF1000. Africa Twin. Pan European.
Africa Twins are proper cool, massive, and built like tanks.
But why limit yourself to Honda? 🙂
But why limit yourself to Honda?
He's a banker so better not to ask.
because all the bankers are on GS these days 😉
Really pleased with my new ER6-F on the short rides I have done, also pleased with the Weise kit i bought to go with it, seems warm and is supposed to be waterproof too. My Shoei XR1100 was a lot of money but is a lovely bit of kit. Wrap up, the cold gets to you very quickly otherwise.
*reaches in, rummages around in the 36th post glitch hole*
Stoner. Sell you my vfr1200.. Perfect for your needs....
does it come with a whopping big bug screen?
i you are riding a full blooded sports 600 after a restricted 125, then it is going to blow your mind, if you get the rev needle way past 10k
Yes. Extended touring screen, full panniers and top box, heated grips, hugger, sat nav Europe v3 tomtom , titanium akrapovic, spare saddle, etc.....
OP, you'll be fine. Youre instructors (probably) know what they are doing.
I went through the 5 day direct access route, CBT on some heap of junk and then onto a 600. Yamaha MT-03 which wasn't really a choice and not exactly refined. Much nicer than the 125 offering though and easier to ride. Not quite so easy to pick up after dumping it on the road when attempting a U-Turn though.
does it come with a whopping big bug screen?
No. Just a headlight that looks like a cows nose. 😉
You don't need big screens. They can be a right pain in the arse actually. Clean airflow off a naked bike is no problem, or a small screen that keeps the worst off but still gives you some wind support to your chest at speed. Our Duke is like that. Peg it at 90 and you can rest on the wind blast in comfort for a couple of hours. 🙂
I guess what I'm trying to say is don't get hung up on things you think you need, or a style or make of bike you think you need. You'd probably be fine on a CB500 or ER6. Motorbikes aren't 'sized' like push bikes are, and bizarrely a lot of people find a slightly more stretched riding position more comfortable than an upright one 🙂
if you still have it next year lecht, I may well be back in touch.
Got to land a deal for some spare Stoner-fun-tokens first...
TBH, PP, as a bona fides novice, I will probably spend a lot of time at my local and trusted main dealer (Bransons, Glos) playing on their s/h stock until I find something that IS right rather than what I now think MIGHT be right.