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Was going to say what bazzer said. If you are 16 stone, I'd imagine when you do get on a bigger bike, you'll wonder why you didn't do it sooner!
A good way to do it without too much commitment would be to go back to Ridesure after a couple of weeks/months and do a day with them on a bigger bike. It will be good to have some more input on your riding, it'll be training that will push you up towards your Mod1 and 2, and you'll find out if you want to get it all done and get onto a bigger bike sooner rather than later,
I get wanting to ride the 125 for longer but have a think about bigger bikes.
You don't need to go fast, the power is on tap to be used - they aren't on or off.
Instruction on the DAS will be better and more comprehensive so by the time you pass you'll be more used to it and can continue to gain experience at your own rate.
Then you'll be able to ride a proper bike with a working headlight and can get to speed a lot easier.
Sounds as if you can ride so don't worry about taking extra time and get it done.
Apart from something like a unrestricted 2 stroke RS125 or something interesting like that, if I was going to ride something low capacity around town I would choose a scooter. If I wanted to ride a bike for fun I would deffo get something bigger.
Comfier, Better suspension, better brakes and just more reliable as your not screaming the tits off it everywhere.
PS I am looking at RS125's 🙂 Even though I have 3 litre bikes and a 650cc bike 🙂
I am looking at RS125’s
Budget for a rebuild (I have enough parts to build 3, but only have one on the road, the rest is spares (and an AF1, and a Pegaso 125 too...))
Yeah it would only be for a bit of fun and really a project. I prefer the look of the later RSV4 looking bikes. Is there anything I should know about buying them ?
On your collective advice, and rehashing my experiences on Sunday in my mind, I've gone back to the school and asked what would be involved in getting the DAS done straight away.
Even though the 125 was overwhelming in terms of number of things to think about on the road, I was still struggling for power when I needed it. After a few weeks driving one, I can see myself getting really frustrated. Especially on a commute, potentially in the dark, when I don't want to be trundling along holding cars up, or being caught up by one with a huge speed difference.
You will know you made the right decision the moment you ride away on the instructor’s 600cc and realise how much easier it is to ride!
I'll second that, I found a 125 really tricky to ride slowly, the extra weight of the bigger bike made it easier to handle.
Also not having to change gear every 15s gave me more time to think.
Good luck with DAS, it sounds like the right choice for you.
Theory test passed. It astounds me that anyone can actually fail it.
And MOD1 test booked in a couple of weeks. Excitement is building.
Well done so far!
Anyone in south west London who needs a cheap bike pm me, I need to get rid of my Kawasaki gt550 (bit tatty around the edges but mot 26k mileage just serviced) to make way for a 250cc scooter
Completed my MOD 2 training today - test next week 😬
Passed my MOD 1 on Wednesday!
We rode from Dunsfold over to the test centre at Burgess Hill. Lots of junctions and other cars and things to think about. Then had an enormous cafe lunch of chilli with chips and cheese which put me into a food coma. On moving the bike from cafe to car park to test centre car park, I must have stalled it 8 times. I was convinced I'd completely forgotten how to operate it, which did not help my test nerves.
Test was fine though. A fault for going too fast on the slow ride (I disagree) and a fault for being 1kph under speed on the swerve test (Hard to argue with the machine).
Another hour navigating some potential test routes at Burgess Hill, then a 45 minute ride back to the airfield, and my brain was properly broken.
Now I've got a couple of weeks before I can do any more training and the MOD 2 test.
EDIT: The instructor was trying to convince me not to bother with a pokey little 650cc as my first bike, and just go straight to a litre. I'm not convinced of his logic.
650cc is fine as a starting bike, that's still faster than a porsche!
For your mod 2 don't worry if you stall it. As long as you start it up and pull away normally (rather than cane it off) you'll be fine
Depends on the litre bike - CBR1000RR mught be a bit much, Harley might be a bit slow!
650cc is fine as a starting bike, that’s still faster than a porsche!
I did DAS and then bought a '93 VFR 750 as my first bike. Regretted selling it as I never found another bike I liked as much as it.
Harley might be a bit slow!
Depends how hard you can push
I can firmly say that a CBR1000RR is too much, its mind blowingly quick. It's obviously as tame as you want, but it's pointless pootling around on it like a baby as a new rider
I still found my Street Triple R to be not utilised enough after two years and many thousand miles on an SV650s. I did my advanced licence after getting my STR, helped my confidence and competence no end
There's something fun about pushing a smaller engined bike. I'll probably be getting something slower (and maybe naked) once I move my Blade on
I had a 650 single so nothing like quick at all after I passed my test...took a good 6 months before I felt I was riding it.
My first bike was an F800GSA that was a bit difficult to get both feet on the ground with. That bothered me a hell of a lot more than the 80bhp!!
after two years, I was definitely hankering for more - that came in the shape of the 160bhp S1000XR
Only really having occasional “moar power!!!” Moments now after another two years
rachel
I'm 2k in on my first bike. First few hundred miles or so and it still felt quick, it is starting to lack a wee bit of low down grunt now though. I still have loads to learn with it mind and can see me looking for something next year. Don't necessarily want loads of power all the same, if I was to look at litre plus bikes itd probably be big torquey retros.
My tip, fwiw, is think about the seat height. A lot of new bikes seem to be very tall and make for very nervous stopping and starting, parking and paddling backwards. My last bike was a Tiger 800XCX and the height and high C of G had started to spoil biking a bit for me, especially with a pillion. I'm not tiny (a smidge under 5' 10") - I don't know how some people cope with these really tall bikes. I suppose strength will come into it too, I'm 63 now and losing strength, especially in my arms. Anyway, I chopped the Tiger in for a BMW F800R and it is a doddle to ride. Enough power for most roads, light-ish and a low (790mm) seat height. Good pillion seat, too. The engine can't match the Tiger, but those Triumph triples are some of the best engines ever, IMO. If only the Street Triple had a decent pillion seat and was just a touch bigger it would be the perfect bike for me and I suspect, many others too.
The seat height was a decision on me choosing the Triumph Street Scrambler (I'm 5ft 4" with ickle legs), as well as only having 55 HP, which I thought was more than enough for my first bike.
An update for any of you that are at all bothered.
Had my MOD2 test on Friday, and managed to fail it. In an extremely frustrating, but difficult to argue with manner.
The ride to the test centre was lovely and smooth. Fun even. Really confidence inspiring. My lovely instructor was happy for me to lead the way and let me make my own decisions. On to the test, and I had zero nerves at all - relaxed and comfortable. I followed the signs, pulled up and pulled away when told. negotiated every junction and roundabout with ease and safety, got straight up to 60 when I hit the NSLs and tried to show the examiner that I was enjoying myself, when we hit queues and roadworks, I was smooth at low speed.
As we get back to the test centre, he asks if I want my instructor to come with me. This is not usually a good sign. Go into the little office and he says that I have "not passed". (Not "failed" though - his language was quite specific, which was a nice touch.) He explained to me that although it was an excellent ride, and he was glad to see me making progress and being smooth and confident, there were two issues. Or rather, two instances of the same issue. During a slow queue which crossed over several of those traffic-calming one-way things, I had moved past one give way into a situation where I was too close to the queuing car in front. Then later on, at roadworks with a traffic light, I had stopped with a good distance between me and the car in front. However, I was partly blocking a junction. When a van arrived and wanted to turn into the junction, I moved ahead and let him past, but this put me too close to the car in front again.
I'm not going to argue about either of these points, or claim that the examiner was wrong, but it's extremely frustrating for a few reasons. One: the rest of the ride was great. I was never surprised by anything, didn't react late or muck up the controls (except for one very slightly slow move off). The faults were purely about making a conscious decision which the chap disagreed with. Two: If either one of those faults had happened on their own, it would have been a minor - two of them together I guess made him worry that I had a bit of a systematic planning issue. Three: The other guy who was taking the test the same day got 7 minors, completely fell apart and yet still passed. Four: I now have to wait 10 DAYS before I am allowed to take the test again.
It's easier to deal with if I accept that the examiner is looking out for my own safety, and asking me to get used to creating more space for myself, but I'm still nagged by what-ifs.
The ride home was fun though. Again, my lovely instructor backed off and just let me enjoy myself for an hour or so - didn't try to give me any more advice or feedback and risk me over-thinking things. I know I can do it next time.
Hmmmm does seem fairly strict on the enforcement there.
Hmmmm does seem fairly strict on the enforcement there.
Well, yes, but it makes me less aggrieved if I pretend it's not.
Sorry to hear you didn't pass. It is what it is. You just have to take the feedback into consideration and get it re-booked. It doesn't matter how anyone else rode that day. Just concentrate on the next test. It sounds like you are ready and on a different day you would have passed.
Sorry to hear that. You will get it next time!
Then its time for bike shopping.
chin up and good luck for the re-test.
let us know how you get on
I started a similar journey a couple of months back aged 57. I had owned bikes when I was 17 (you could ride up to a 250cc back then) but never took my test. So following a thread on here I bought a Duke 390 and booked the CBT training. That went well (would highly recommend 121 training if it is available to you) so I booked the full test. I really enjoyed the experience, the Mod 1 was great fun. A bit more pressure on the Mod 2 but I still really enjoyed it and luckily passed first time. So tax paid (£42) and Ins bought (£352) and I am on the road and having a great time.
I only have a 390 but it is quite quick enough for me. I'm sure I spend most of my time on it grinning like a Cheshire Cat.
So do you mean you were too close to the car in front while stationary queuing to go through a pinch point ?
So do you mean you were too close to the car in front while stationary queuing to go through a pinch point ?
Series of pinch points with a long queue on my side of the road, covering several of them. I was apparently too keen to go through one of them, and ended up too close to the car still queuing beyond. Borderline at best.
Cool story, glad you are making the most of the training..
Seems a little harsh on that particular element of the test IMO, but clearly I wasn’t present.
Well, an update from me....despite a MOD 2 failure from me also - and similarly frustrating as yours, @16stonepig - I have now passed and a lovely full bike licnece is now mine 🙂
@16stonepig - how are you getting on?
I passed! I bloody passed. 3rd time of trying...
The 2nd fail was also extremely harsh - I was apparently too hesitant to go past a doddering fool in a Micra who was crawling along with his indicators on for about 50 yards. Apart from that, zero minors.
On the 3rd attempt I survived an enormous clunking stall at a t-junction (purely down to nerves). Same examiner as test 2, but he told me he went back and forth all the way home over whether the stall was a minor or major.
Still, it's done now, so on to bike shopping. The school themselves have a couple for sale - a couple of CBF600s and one MT-07. I'm inclined to go with them because although they'll have been knocked about a bit, they won't have been thrashed and will have had regular attention. My head says CBF600 but my heart says MT-07. So torquey.
Yay ! Well done !
MT-07 is a decent call for a relative newbie.... KTM 690 Duke if you want something similar but a bit cooler 🙂
Good stuff 👍.
Well done 👍
I learnt on a CBF600 but have recently bought myself an MT-07 - it's a very nice bike, loads of low-end grunt so rarely a need to push the revs. Take it for a ride to see what it's like, I'm sure you won't be disappointed. Both good bikes though.
Still, it’s done now, so on to bike shopping. The school themselves have a couple for sale – a couple of CBF600s and one MT-07. I’m inclined to go with them because although they’ll have been knocked about a bit, they won’t have been thrashed and will have had regular attention. My head says CBF600 but my heart says MT-07. So torquey.
Depends on the school. I rode some barely rideable piles of crap when I was learning!
And while they won't have been thrashed, they will have had a hard life constantly being in the wrong gear, plodding around car parks and town. The only upside is they'll come with a full set of crash bars and bungs if you're not confident!
A motorbike designed to be revved to 14,000 RPM isn't going to suffer from it. Especially when you consider that the average middleweight sports/touring bike probably only spends 1% of it's life being thrashed even if it's a trackday toy (assuming it's ridden to the track), the rest is still (relatively) pootling along at the NSL to Matlock / Devils Bridge / Skegness and back.
The biggest issue I've had with school bikes is baggy gearboxes and false neutrals from the higher than average number of hamfisted/footed gearchanges they experience.
Well done ‘Pig! Have been lurking and following your adventures while getting my own license sorted.
2 x theory tests, lack of preparation on the first
2 x Mod 1’s after silly attack of nerves made me wobble around the first one like Bambi on ice! Then thankfully passed the Mod 2 first time, but I was convinced I’d failed early on. That made me relax and ride properly for the remainder! Bloody nerves!!
That was late Oct/early Nov. Immediately went out looking at new bikes (MT07/MT09/Street triple and Duke 790) before settling on an older Kawasaki Z750 which I’m loving so far!
I was very close to getting the MT07 and slightly regret not doing so as it was the best option for cost vs fun I found being a new rider. Anything bigger or sportier was very expensive to insure for riders with no “big bike” experience, now I know that I rarely want anywhere near full power most of the time...
My Z750 feels very, very heavy (it’s over 200kg) and quite slow witted compared to the 695 monster I trained on and I really wanted a few less cylinders. But it’s just got back from France, and covered over a 1000 miles with me, all quite cold, but very enjoyable!
Get yourself biked-up and start riding for fun😀
Well done mate 🙂
There will be plenty of low mile garage ornaments being sold privately this time of year. Buy something that has been loved, not that has been treated like crap by learners 🙂
I have a sweet spot for Street Triples and even older first gen models ride really really well.
Get planning that summer trip to the Alps 🙂
Chuffed for you.
KTM 690 Duke if you want something similar but a bit camper
Fixed that now that every Tom, DICK & Harry has one.
Plus they’re completely overated.
I’ll pick a bike that’d be problem free any day of the week over a kaboom!
Lol I disagree 100%
Mine toured Germany, then went to Silverstone and many other things beside that.
I upgraded to 790 though.
I started a similar journey a couple of months back aged 57. I had owned bikes when I was 17 (you could ride up to a 250cc back then) but never took my test. So following a thread on here I bought a Duke 390 and booked the CBT training. That went well (would highly recommend 121 training if it is available to you) so I booked the full test. I really enjoyed the experience, the Mod 1 was great fun. A bit more pressure on the Mod 2 but I still really enjoyed it and luckily passed first time. So tax paid (£42) and Ins bought (£352) and I am on the road and having a great time.
I only have a 390 but it is quite quick enough for me. I’m sure I spend most of my time on it grinning like a Cheshire Cat.
Bianchi Boy - how are you finding the Duke 390? I'm considering one of the Husky's that's based on it.