With all the talk of motorbikes .....

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Hawkeye
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Joined: Tue Jun 14, 2016 10:20 am

Post by Hawkeye »

Thanks for all the tips guys, I really appreciate it as I know some of you have had a lot of experience on motorbikes.

I’m not in any rush to get my full license and a bigger bike. I am very conscious of the risks and that I have a 5 year old son to look after, so want to enjoy it but also do it sensibly. Will be following the recommendations to get all the practice and extra training I can.


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No longer part of the Porsche Family. Now enjoying a Giulia Quadrifoglio.
Macan S Diesel delivered Oct 6th 2016. http://www.porsche-code.com/PHI3WP95. Sold March 2018.

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Hawkeye
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Joined: Tue Jun 14, 2016 10:20 am

Post by Hawkeye »

Wing Commander wrote:125cc Ducati. ;)
Actually, the place that is custom building the bike is a Ducati specialist, so maybe there will be some Ducati inspiration!


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No longer part of the Porsche Family. Now enjoying a Giulia Quadrifoglio.
Macan S Diesel delivered Oct 6th 2016. http://www.porsche-code.com/PHI3WP95. Sold March 2018.
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Hawkeye
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Joined: Tue Jun 14, 2016 10:20 am

Post by Hawkeye »

Col Lamb wrote:If you take the advice of this old biker, do take your time.

A sizeable number of the training organisations are quite poor so please do your research before choosing one.

In preparation do read up on the different tests and practice, practice.

Your observational skills will be honed on the bike.

Once you have passed your final test please do not rush out and buy a bigger bike, keep it a sensible upgrade something like a BMW GS800.

For at least three months after passing your final test get in plenty of practice and then join the IAM and let them train you up before any questionable habits sneak in.

A word of warning, Sports bikes are for the likes of Guy Martin, John McGuinness etc. they are very, very quick on the road but uncomfortable to ride. For an inexperienced biker a Sports bike is the quickest thing to take you to an accident.

A 125 is very light a 1000/1200cc bike can weigh at least 210kg dry so you have a heavy machine to keep upright at low speeds and when stopping.

For sheer size a Harley Davidson is oh so heavy, uncomfortable over 60pmh, and high in time which is required for cleaning to keep the rust at bay.

Buy good quality gear Goretex lined, including heated gloves, these are the single most beneficial things you can buy if you suffer from the cold. A silk balaclava and a neck tube helps with keeping the head and neck warmer. On the bike heated grips and heated seats do help with all year riding, which is what I did.

Once you have the experience you will love it.

These are some of my bikes.
.
4A0341FE-F88A-4B3A-AE89-2F9045CFA50B.jpeg
.
7763D41C-0A06-493E-8452-10AE8C28CB7D.jpeg
.
189EC444-8E93-4C7C-9C4D-FC09A3ABD7ED.jpeg
.
DC156E20-D836-4A8C-AA10-014FEC79F2BF.jpeg
Is the second one down a Triumph? I really like that sort of style ..... looks lovely.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
No longer part of the Porsche Family. Now enjoying a Giulia Quadrifoglio.
Macan S Diesel delivered Oct 6th 2016. http://www.porsche-code.com/PHI3WP95. Sold March 2018.
Retired
Posts: 751
Joined: Sun Feb 08, 2015 6:36 pm

Post by Retired »

Gave up riding bikes a few years back after being nearly taken out a few times by other drivers. You can wear as much high vis clothing as possible, ride defensively and still other road users find ways of trying to kill you.

Have to say I miss it though. Riding a bike you really feel part of the machine and for a bike cornering is a natural behaviour. Just nudge the 'bars and the bike tips into the corner. In comparison a car feels like it's being forced away from its desire to go straight and being made to go round the corner.
Bigboyrolo
Posts: 1393
Joined: Wed Mar 18, 2015 9:33 pm

Post by Bigboyrolo »

Many years ago I bought a simple Honda 250 for commuting, after passing my test I changed up to a Honda 900. At frst I thought I had bought something that was too powerful for my abilites. Within a week, I was on full throttle every time I pulled away and thinking ‘is this all it’s got?’ That summer I graduated to a Kwacker 900 GPZ - I had met my match. Strangely enough I was thinking the same about my S yesterday when accelerating hard in sports setting to pass two lorries - Turbo for the summer?

16D62C5D-676E-4E46-A91C-940BAF925476.jpeg

"Every year is getting shorter, never seem to find the time" Pink Floyd.
BMW 2019 440i Convertible
2016 Panny S e-Hybrid Black/Cream sold Apr 19
Macan S VG/Luxor, sold @ 9700 miles March 18
Macan SD Dark Blue/ Pebble, sold @ 16k miles Dec 16
Col Lamb
Posts: 9323
Joined: Fri Oct 30, 2015 8:38 pm
Location: Lancashire

Post by Col Lamb »

Hawkeye wrote: Sun Oct 22, 2017 10:02 am
Col Lamb wrote:If you take the advice of this old biker, do take your time.

A sizeable number of the training organisations are quite poor so please do your research before choosing one.

In preparation do read up on the different tests and practice, practice.

Your observational skills will be honed on the bike.

Once you have passed your final test please do not rush out and buy a bigger bike, keep it a sensible upgrade something like a BMW GS800.

For at least three months after passing your final test get in plenty of practice and then join the IAM and let them train you up before any questionable habits sneak in.

A word of warning, Sports bikes are for the likes of Guy Martin, John McGuinness etc. they are very, very quick on the road but uncomfortable to ride. For an inexperienced biker a Sports bike is the quickest thing to take you to an accident.

A 125 is very light a 1000/1200cc bike can weigh at least 210kg dry so you have a heavy machine to keep upright at low speeds and when stopping.

For sheer size a Harley Davidson is oh so heavy, uncomfortable over 60pmh, and high in time which is required for cleaning to keep the rust at bay.

Buy good quality gear Goretex lined, including heated gloves, these are the single most beneficial things you can buy if you suffer from the cold. A silk balaclava and a neck tube helps with keeping the head and neck warmer. On the bike heated grips and heated seats do help with all year riding, which is what I did.

Once you have the experience you will love it.

These are some of my bikes.
.
4A0341FE-F88A-4B3A-AE89-2F9045CFA50B.jpeg
.
7763D41C-0A06-493E-8452-10AE8C28CB7D.jpeg
.
189EC444-8E93-4C7C-9C4D-FC09A3ABD7ED.jpeg
.
DC156E20-D836-4A8C-AA10-014FEC79F2BF.jpeg
Is the second one down a Triumph? I really like that sort of style ..... looks lovely.


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I have edited my original to include make etc.
Col
Macan Turbo
Air, 20” wheels, ACC, Pano, SurCam, 14w, LEDs, PS+, Int Light Pack, Heated seats and Steering, spare wheel, SC, Privacy glass, PDK gear, SD mirrors, Met Black, rear airbags
Col Lamb
Posts: 9323
Joined: Fri Oct 30, 2015 8:38 pm
Location: Lancashire

Post by Col Lamb »

Hawkeye wrote: Sun Oct 22, 2017 9:58 am
Wing Commander wrote:125cc Ducati. ;)
Actually, the place that is custom building the bike is a Ducati specialist, so maybe there will be some Ducati inspiration!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Ducatis are for hard ass riders, I do not mean tough, I mean those with a hard ass, they are deadly uncomfortable.

BTW a CBT is only valid for two years, if you do not pass your tests in this period the CBT must be retaken.

There is an alternative to a 125cc and that is going the Direct Access route via a training organisation, this is personally what I would recommend.

As far as a Cafe Racer is concerned, look no further than the Triumph Bonneville range, there is a bike to suit all within the range.
Col
Macan Turbo
Air, 20” wheels, ACC, Pano, SurCam, 14w, LEDs, PS+, Int Light Pack, Heated seats and Steering, spare wheel, SC, Privacy glass, PDK gear, SD mirrors, Met Black, rear airbags
Col Lamb
Posts: 9323
Joined: Fri Oct 30, 2015 8:38 pm
Location: Lancashire

Post by Col Lamb »

Bigboyrolo wrote: Sun Oct 22, 2017 3:56 pm Many years ago I bought a simple Honda 250 for commuting, after passing my test I changed up to a Honda 900. At frst I thought I had bought something that was too powerful for my abilites. Within a week, I was on full throttle every time I pulled away and thinking ‘is this all it’s got?’ That summer I graduated to a Kwacker 900 GPZ - I had met my match. Strangely enough I was thinking the same about my S yesterday when accelerating hard in sports setting to pass two lorries - Turbo for the summer?
16D62C5D-676E-4E46-A91C-940BAF925476.jpeg
Time to place another deposit then Frank?
Col
Macan Turbo
Air, 20” wheels, ACC, Pano, SurCam, 14w, LEDs, PS+, Int Light Pack, Heated seats and Steering, spare wheel, SC, Privacy glass, PDK gear, SD mirrors, Met Black, rear airbags
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martinw
Posts: 361
Joined: Wed Feb 04, 2015 1:21 pm

Post by martinw »

Motorcycles are incredible fun, but of course we all know they can be very dangerous.

I started 30 years ago on a Suzuki TS100ERZ, then progressed onto a TS125X.

7CB666B4-D14C-451F-A424-2EBA793274B1.jpeg

Both excellent bikes to get your eye in ;) I then moved onto a Kawasaki GPZ500, which was the first bike I rode where the penny dropped. I can out accelerate nearly every car I meet :)

Progressed to a Honda Fireblade around 1995, went to the Isle Of Man where I was involved in a fatal collision and was very lucky I’m still here.

ACB9D529-9829-4CA1-8D67-6C9206BAE171.jpeg

I had this as my sole bike for about 15 years but have since owned a BMW S1000RR, nearly 200 HP, too fast for the rode in my opinion. Same performance as a Veyron up to about 170MPH.

I now have a KTM 690R and still have the Blade. The KTM is described as a street scalpel. It scythes through traffic and country roads but you wouldn’t want to go far on it. Perfect for my 20 mile (each way) commute. It gets to a ton in the blink of an eye, but runs out of puff soon after, very light and flick able.

F4755D97-D2C3-4ECC-88F9-787CCA40BB4D.jpeg

I am alive (only just) after passing my test about 30 years ago and would say, as most do, the trick is to build up slowly in power, hone your skills on less powerful (yet still lots of fun, I had a favourite hump back bridge near Newport Pagnel that I used to get a lot of air on on the TS125X ;)) bikes and ride as if everybody is trying to kill you!!!

Martin
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Hawkeye
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Joined: Tue Jun 14, 2016 10:20 am

Post by Hawkeye »

All good advice Martin. The 125 KTMs get really good reviews too. I think it’s the full colour screens that are appealing to the smart phone generation.

Good to hear you lived to tell another tale. I’m all for taking a lot of time to perfect the art on a small bike first!


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No longer part of the Porsche Family. Now enjoying a Giulia Quadrifoglio.
Macan S Diesel delivered Oct 6th 2016. http://www.porsche-code.com/PHI3WP95. Sold March 2018.
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