Mid-Life-Crisis (Motorbike purchase)

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.

https://www.ktmforums.com/forums/

Come join in.

I had a 390 for a year

I’m thinking of either a 1970s Z650 or a Yamaha RD200 as my first bike over 125cc, purely as I have access to both (although in need of rebuilding)

The Duke 390 is a great bike.
I bought one last March as a 2nd bike, It has transformed my biking. My bikes are parked round the back of the house, it’s a right pain to get my 250+kg Guzzi out, so I’d rather use the car for shorter trips. Now I have the lightweight KTM, which is dead easy to get out, that is used rather than the car.
I fitted a screen and handguards which transformed it, it took all the wind from the top half of the body, and made it far more rideable at 50mph+. Top speed is 105ish. I’ve had it to 95, and that was enough for me, it isnt made for speeding, its a great town and B road/twisty A road bike, and it keeps up with 600cc bikes up to 70mph. 2 up doesnt really slow performance, though the brakes need more power 2 up, a couple of times I’ve gone past my braking line with the OH on the back, I dont tend to take her out on it now – too much fun on my own!
I’d thoroughly recommend it, they also do a cracking 3 year finance deal, £100 down, £104 / month for 3 years (1.5% apr roughly). Maybe you can still get a similar deal now?

Bianchi Boy – how are you finding the Duke 390? I’m considering one of the Husky’s that’s based on it.

Not Bianchi Boy, obviously, but I’m a little over 6 months into 390 Duke ownership. Been commuting 65 miles a day, 4 days a week on it and I love the wonderful little thing. So much fun, so easy to ride, very confidence inspiring, quick enough (about 6s 0-60 with my lard ass sat on it) but without being silly fast – not a chance it’ll do triple figure speeds. I’ve stuck on some heated grips and wind deflectors, and a USB port cable thingy spliced into the battery for heated clothing connections and it’s set for all weathers.
If I was looking to buy new right now I’d maybe hang fire until the 390 Adventure arrives (or whatever Husqvarna equivalent may be). Due out this year and with a whopping 270 mile range (claimed) it solves the only problem I have with the Duke: fuel refills every other day. Even that’s not too bad, I’m getting around 145 miles from £11 of fuel – works out around 70-75mpg.
If new’s not on the cards and it’s the type of bike you’re after, you’ll not go far wrong with the Duke.

Thanks folks, appreciate that. I just love the looks of the Vitpilen 401 and the fact is based on the Duke give me confidence, I hear nothing but good things – other than the odd off-hand snobbish remark. Fast enough to be useable is really what I want, at least while I get used to things

Alan – yeah, there’s a 0% deal I’ve been offered which is much of what’s nudging this forwards for me. I’ve only ever had a basic 125 before and I sold that without moving on – regret that.

Commute’s only 13 miles of Peak District roads, so plenty of petrol there!

There are fixing and fastenings issues sometimes on 390s etc, they’re built to a budget after all, but essentially speaking they’re cracking machines.

I’m thinking of either a 1970s Z650 or a Yamaha RD200 as my first bike over 125cc

Beautiful bike the Z650. Always wanted one back in me yoot. Ended up with a 1974 Z900 that I ran for a few years.

Love the seventies 4’s.

Well done, I did all my lessons on the MT-07 and really enjoyed it.

Well, it’s done. MT-07 purchased. The school were kind enough to stick a new chain and sprocket on, and replace the clutch (it was a bit bindy).

It’s been fun, if a little nervy so far. It’s weird how much drivers crowd you when you don’t have L plates on. And riding home in the dark and snow was a bit sketchy last night, but I’m still alive. And it’s so refreshing to turn up to work having been in fresh (cold) air all the way in, rather than cooped up in a glass box.

Good on ya riding in this weather, mines tucked up nice and cosy in the garage.

Just wait for summer, it will be great 🙂

Mine too vortex, although I did see it last week. I never made it to Brum though.

Ticket purchased for the Conwy MCC Dragon Rally ☺️

Rachel

@16stonepig I’m sure you’ll love the MT-07, I bought one last year and I love it. I’ve not been out much during winter, but if I spot a half decent day then I’m out 🙂

Take it easy and stay safe!

Anyone got any tips for making my riding more confident? OR things that I should be doing that the DVSA wouldn’t necessarily want to see in a test?

Anyone got any tips for making my riding more confident?

Cross a continent, keep getting training.

Rachel

For me, i’d say Trackdays, teaching you how to lean/corner and brake etc… Others will say IAM etc, some will as above say “Just ride more” there’s no right or wrong answer, time and practice will all help.

Anyone got any tips for making my riding more confident?

Wait until the weather improves.

Its always a bit grim this time of year, with either greasy roads or ones which are covered in grit.

Advanced training (something with ex police instructors should be good) and more riding. I never did the track day route of training and I’m not 100% on it! the advanced training I did was all road related as the hazards on the road are different to those on a track, but it may help your overall handling to know how far a bike will lean over.
With regard to your comment about drivers crowding you , I would suggest you dominate the road by your positioning – if needs be block cars trying to go up your left or right, much like taking the primary position on the bike. Don’t be afraid to go slow to leave space in front to brake, accelerate and manoeuvre, you have the oomph so if needed use it. Use your indicators and also consider hand signals. I find eye contact and a thumbs up when you move helps. Get used to your brakes, how hard you can brake (often harder than you think) and how you can gently rub off speed if you overlook it.Roadcraft is a good read but don’t get too hung up on extreme positioning too early in your riding career.
Also good kit, earplugs and check your tyre pressures regularly and often

Morning-

Congratulations on passing and on the MT07.

It’s a great bike- I have MT07 Tracer and I am so pleased with it. Joanne has an XSR700 (MT07 in retro clothes) and loves it too. We are an MT07 house!

As everyone will tell you the only way to become more confident is riding. On top of that think about more training. I am halfway through my preparations to take my IAM test and feel my riding has improved immeasurably since I started. Come down on the First Sunday of the month for a free observed ride to see what you think. The way that IAM works is through observed rides with some incredibly skilled riders who just want to share there love and knowledge of motorcycling.

Your local club is Wey Valley Advanced Motorcyclists and we meet at Ripley Village hall. First Sunday of the month (Sunday 3rd February is the next one) Come down, have a coffee and a bacon sarnie!

More information here: http://www.wvam.org.uk/

Drop me a message of you want to go out for a spin as well.

Paul

Good to see this thread pop-up again.

My wife and I have both decided to do our bike tests this year. She passed her theory on Wednesday, I passed mine this morning. CBT next weekend and then on to proper training. London Bike show tickets booked too!

Drop me a message of you want to go out for a spin as well.

Paul

I am definitely up for a his & hers & his ride.

Erm…

I’ve got my first full on-road lesson tomorrow, having been riding on CBTs for 8 years I think(!)

My current one expires in April, place your bets as to whether I’ll get my full license before then….

Welp. Dropped it today. At an eventual 5mph probably. Pride hurt more than anything else.

Opps. Either you or the bike hurt ?

Opps. Either you or the bike hurt ?

The crash bungs are shorter than they were, and a bar plug is slightly scuffed. I am fine, but suddenly aware (again) how inexperienced I am. Which I suppose is healthy.

A combination of a slightly damp greasy road reducing my confidence in the grip, and some frankly piss poor road positioning going into a corner meant I found myself heading right towards the outside verge. Didn’t have the nerve to really change my line and ended up just drifting my wheels onto the soft stuff. And down I go.

Thankfully didn’t get as far as the drainage ditch, otherwise I was never getting the bike out again.