Where to start.

[Chris666]

They are Did you happen to see what it is the school uses for their "big bike" ?

 

[ST Colin]

Yea, SV650s and Z650s. Think they have others too. All pretty new, less than a year old.

 

[Chris666]

Cool, can't go too far wrong with either of those. The newer suzukis have a low RPM assist thing that makes slow/town riding handier

 

[ST Colin]

Got a cancellation, so theory test moved to next Tuesday. Best practice sites?

 

[ALN]

Got a cancellation, so theory test moved to next Tuesday. Best practice sites?

I used this app. About £6 and decent

 

[ST Colin]

Theory test passed! Now onto the practical stuff. Have my first hours of lessons at the end of this month.

 

[Lee]

Theory test passed! Now onto the practical stuff. Have my first hours of lessons at the end of this month.

Good stuff

I really enjoyed learning to ride a bike. It’s like it resets the excitement of learning to drive a car and passing your test. Except bikes are much better.

And that sense of excitement of moving up to different power levels of bikes. It’s like that excitement over things you got when you were a child, and sort of leaves as you become an adult

 

[Nicky]

And that sense of excitement of moving up to different power levels of bikes. It’s like that excitement over things you got when you were a child, and sort of leaves as you become an adult

I went straight on to an 1150 which I bought before doing the test last year and now a 1200. Couldn’t face funking about with small displacement bikes... lol

Now on the hunt for a 1500+CC cruiser to build...

 

[ST Colin]

Yea, riding a bike is just such a different experience to driving a car. I'm not interested in sports bikes (to ride) or big bikes. Just want something that's fun

 

[ALN]

Lesson done this morning in prep for off the road test. Think another one should see me right. Also splashed out on pair of boots and a jacket though made good savings over retail using price match

 

[ST Colin]

Nice one. How have you found the bigger bike? I'm picking up my helmet and own boots next week.

 

[ALN]

Nice one. How have you found the bigger bike? I'm picking up my helmet and own boots next week.

Good. My only issue was learning to trust it to propel itself on the slow manoeuvres as I found myself is wanting to clutch a lot in fear of it stalling.

Do you know what sort of helmet you’re after?

Edit: Sorry I mean lid. That’s what we call it now we’re bikers @ST Colin

 

[Apis]

Good. My only issue was learning to trust it to propel itself on the slow manoeuvres as I found myself is wanting to clutch a lot in fear of it stalling.

Do you know what sort of helmet you’re after?

Edit: Sorry I mean lid. That’s what we call it now we’re bikers @ST Colin

Keep a little pressure on the clutch all the time when doing slow manoeuvers to take up the few mm of slack. Then just squeeze it/feather it to keep the speed under control. It's much more acceptable to do this on a bike than you would on an average car. Probably not the mid range bikes you are learning on, but some bigger bikes have very high first gears. (Some litre sports bikes will do 100mph in 1st gear )

 

[ST Colin]

Good. My only issue was learning to trust it to propel itself on the slow manoeuvres as I found myself is wanting to clutch a lot in fear of it stalling.

Do you know what sort of helmet you’re after?

Edit: Sorry I mean lid. That’s what we call it now we’re bikers @ST Colin

Have ordered a KGV K5-S. Tried on the K3 which was a really nice fit but they didn't have a K5 in the colour I wanted. Just need to try on some boots.

 

[ALN]

Keep a little pressure on the clutch all the time when doing slow manoeuvers to take up the few mm of slack. Then just squeeze it/feather it to keep the speed under control. It's much more acceptable to do this on a bike than you would on an average car. Probably not the mid range bikes you are learning on, but some bigger bikes have very high first gears. (Some litre sports bikes will do 100mph in 1st gear )

All the instructors insist on no clutch at all. Bike only pootles along at 5mph so slow enough but I just have this sensation of it cutting out. Sort of over it now thankfully

Have ordered a KGV K5-S. Tried on the K3 which was a really nice fit but they didn't have a K5 in the colour I wanted. Just need to try on some boots.

That’s a nice looking lid. I think the right sort of price bracket too. Mine has bedded in nicely already and feels great and I’m glad I got one right away.

Just looking to pick up a pair of Kevlar jeans now or maybe textiles that will fit over trousers if thats a thing

 

[Apis]

All the instructors insist on no clutch at all. Bike only pootles along at 5mph so slow enough but I just have this sensation of it cutting out. Sort of over it now thankfully

Ah ok, sorry for any confusion. I remember being taught to do this during U-turns, but I suppose that was 20 years ago, might be different now.

 

[Lee]

I was taught to use the clutch and I only learned 2 years ago. I would have thought you’d be going a bit too fast for some of the manoeuvres without using the clutch but obvs not.

 

[Nicky]

I was taught to use the clutch and I only learned 2 years ago. I would have thought you’d be going a bit too fast for some of the manoeuvres without using the clutch but obvs not.

Light pressure on the rear brake while the clutch is fully out keeps the bike in check for the slow speed slalom, slow ride and figure 8’s. I was told that the instructor would be watching to ensure the left hand wasn’t pulling the clutch during those manoeuvres.

 

[ALN]

I booked another lesson for Saturday which will hopefully see me right for the test. I’m going thinking of bringing the bike up to woke so I can ride about the industrial estate to practice lol

 

[ST Colin]

Picked up my AGV K5-S yesterday along with some nice RST boots. Pretty much ready to go now. Also booked in my MOD1 for early November. All getting very real and the nerves are setting in already. I have 2 days of lessons next weekend.

 

[ALN]

Lessons now cancelled for 4weeks. Feck sake.

 

[cupraricky]

Lessons now cancelled for 4weeks. Feck sake.

Y?

Motorcycle tests still go ahead as they are not considered close contact. Surely lessons would be the same no??

 

[Slimsbikers]

Thats a f@@king joke!You couldn't be more socially distanced than on a bike lesson!!Whole thing has gone mad....way ott.

 

[ST Colin]

I'm hoping mine don't get cancelled either. Have mine next week.

 

[ALN]

Y?

Motorcycle tests still go ahead as they are not considered close contact. Surely lessons would be the same no??

Guy said they were given notice today that they had to close for 4 weeks or something to that effect.

Edit: apparently it’s a decision made by the NI Executive and DVA that the motorcycle training industry should stop training and testing for 4 weeks. Sort of wish I’d just picked up a 125 now so I could have got out