JTDG

So after a bunch of back and forth. Honda dealer let me test ride (my excess went from £100 to £500 but I was allowed to test) Tried a few. Nothing really screamed at me. Ended up finding a dealer nearby that had a 4 year old ninja 650 for sale. Went and gave it a test ride and loved it! I suppose it helps that I learnt on a z650. So first big bike is official! Just need to collect it. Only confusion I have is how to transfer the datatag as the previous owner didn’t transfer it to the dealership, and the form says I need the previous owner. But do have all the info, so hoping to call datatag on Tuesday to see if they can just transfer it.

Today was a day with such excitement and such joy. I was finally going to test ride some bikes I was interested in. Then reality hit. Not a single dealer could let me test ride a bike as all their insurance companies require you to hold your license for a minimum of 1 year. I could sit on as many as I wanted, but they couldn’t let me test a single one. They don’t like it, I don’t like it. But that was sadly the situation.

Thankfully the Honda dealer does have a cbr650r I can try (albeit this is not my first choice, it’ll let me know if that type of bike is for me or not) Big win is a local dealership who has a Voge 900dsx demo. Sure I’m disappointed there isn’t a triumph demo available near me or a Suzuki gsx-8s or CFmoto 800MT. But onwards and upwards!

How common is for dealers not to have a demo? I have called so many places within 40 miles of me. Not a single dealer has a demo of any of the bikes I’m interested in. And surely it would be pointless to buy a bike without testing it?

Current list is; tiger sport 660, versy 650, Suzuki gsx-8s (gotta try sport at some point) v strom 650 and Honda NC750S & Voge 900dsx. adv style mainly because it’s windy up here

Mod 2 this morning, passed with one minor (which I knew exactly as soon as it happened) hesitant on the first junction. But nightmare junction next to a hospital. Did lose the examiner and intercom died, sadly in the industrial estate there was cars for as long as eye could see parked up. Eventually found a spot and just waited. Apparently my gloves are off road gloves and examiner asked if I had a spare pair, luckily instructor had some that fit. Now time to find a bigger bike and sell the old 125

Passed mod 1 today. Mod 2 is tomorrow. Not sure if I had any minors, as he just said well done you passed (the couple of people before me, both got told their minors) the Mod 1 result thing doesn’t mention any (not sure if mentioned in the email to my instructor)

Couple of interesting bits came up over the next few sessions (he did clear up some of the previous points) Not to use the rear break during the slalom or figure of 8 (before I went with him, I did a taster session and was told 100% use it during those manoeuvres to help balance) Filtering, we got to a roundabout to turn left, temporary traffic lights it was backed up. I sat behind the large vehicle as I didn’t want to just sit at the entrance the roundabout as I would block cars wanting to take second exit, but also didn’t want to sit behind a large vehicle. I mentioned personally I would go around and filter up the middle of the lane normally on my 125. He said he would 100% as would most examiners and while they would probably be impressed at the confidence to not do it, which I do agree with (they won’t know my plans, plus it’s another thing I could get wrong so why risk it? ) but in that situation he said it’s kind of a lose lose, as both choices are kinda not great. So just curious has anybody filtered on their mod 2? By our test centre is an insane amount of temporary traffic lights and with a hospital nearby it’s a nightmare.

I wanted to ride ever since I was a kid. I paid £3k for my cb125f, I pay £30 a month insurance. Parked in a brick garage, and we live rurally. Exact same bike in Liverpool where I used to live was £400 a month insurance. That’s more in a year than the bike is worth. Bike theft and the costs associated with it was by a mile the number 1 reason why I didn’t learn to ride down there.

It is! I have my bike in for a service this week, so will be using that as an opportunity to have a little nosey!

Was driving past Halfords yesterday and popped in and got some Muc-Off Motorcycle Premium Anti-Fog Treatment. Used it yesterday at 6pm, still not fogging as of 12pm today. Even breathing on them directly no issues. Very impressed so far. So at 9:20pm (27 hours later) my glasses started to fog ever so slightly.

Following out of interest, my glasses fog up terribly!

I can only speak from learning in a car and diving a car. Some people are absolutely clueless, protected by a steel box or not I wouldn’t trust someone’s indicator at all. But if I’m going to get marked down for understanding that seems crazy. I’m not wanting to die anytime soon.

Nothing on the ground, hadn’t rained, it was a main roundabout so no dirt or gravel. Nothing at all. It was a roundabout by a motorway (so pretty big) we were coming down from 60mph, I approach at around 15mph (second gear) clear view, hadn’t had any wobbles or anything that would make someone think I would drop it. “Always assume worst case” which I get. We don’t have a steel car around us to protect us, but surely we can’t drive around assuming we might consistently drop the bike. Progress would never get made.

Currently in the middle of doing training for my full license. But I am confused by a couple of things my instructor has said. 1 - Approaching round about, was apparently hesitant (there was a gap but I came to a stop) he said we should always be assessing ahead, and if we see a safe space to go, because if we slow down suddenly the gap is no longer safe. Next round about, clear view to the right, access, and drive on (we were taking second exit, there was a just approaching what would have been my third exit) it’s a pretty big round about. Got told it would be a fail as “what if you slipped crashed and was in the middle” ???? So if I stop it’s hesitant and if I push on it’s a fail? 2 - Car on roundabout, indicating to turn off, I wait until he’s moved as I was always told “don’t trust others” he said I should have went what am I waiting for. Okay noted. Few roundabouts later, car indicating, I pull out, car doesn’t turn off “that’s a fail as you pulled out” 3 - At a junction, I looked left and right, safe (car in distance) but plenty of space to get out safely. Told I should wait “what if you dropped the bike” few junctions later (pretty much identical) I remember what he said so I stop and wait “why are you waiting, we assess and if it’s safe we go” that’s a mark against you as it’s showing your not assessing. Basically I’m just confused, I keep getting conflicting advice, and it’s making me far more nervous. I would understand if I had no road experience, but I do drive a car (I know it is different) but understanding when it’s safe etc seems pretty common sense?