ChrisBiggsUK

A very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year to all!

I'm lucky in that regard as the dealership sorted everything out with the bike after I came off it. Didn't realise at the time but I'd done a number on the alignment and other stuff. I'm just glad that I did it on my own bike as I would never have been able to forgive myself if I had damaged one of the dealerships bikes, though I think I mentioned as such on here back when it happened. I'm just peeved that the pristine CG I bought, that only had one minor dent on the top of the fuel tank, now has this big scratch. Still, as mentioned, it is a reminder of how quickly things can go wrong and serves to remind me to not get cocky, not get overconfident, and to remember that I'm still a complete novice (though I'm well and truly getting there!). I think I'll leave it for the time being. Sort of wanted to get it removed when I add bits to the bike over winter, make it go back to looking pristine, but yeah. I'll keep it and the reminder it is. Still going to buy some paint as suggested by @manxie49 though so that if / when I come to sell it on (though that will likely not be for the foreseeable) I can make it look its best. Thanks for the input chaps.

Morning all. As those of you who have been following my complete newbie journey will remember, during my CBT a few months ago (I can't believe it has been a few months already!) I fell off on a roundabout and scuffed my otherwise pristine CG (I should note that I have not fallen off since). I've left the scuff in place so far, as a reminder that I know nothing and am still new to all this and to remind me what can happen if I get cocky, if that makes sense? Well, now that I'm merrily pootling around all over the place in all traffic and weather conditions, I think it is now time for me to remedy said scuff over winter, along with attaching a screen and some other bits and pieces. Attached are some photos of said scuff and its location that I have just taken during washing the bike (hadn't finished yet, hence why it still looks grubby), and my question to you fine people is this; What would be the best course of action for removing / repairing / replacing it? Would paint do it and if so which paint and where would I get said paint? Should I just get a replacement and if so where from? Should I just leave it? Any and all advice, feedback and/or input will as always be most welcome.

Wait... Are you saying that your Wife doesn't chew gloves? I think mine might be defective.

My two vicious killing machines.

I've only recently got my CBT and am doing as much riding as I can over these cold, wet, miserable months. My reasoning is that if I can dive in at the deep end, and learn to ride in the worst of the weather this country can throw at me, then I'll be well placed come the warmer months to just get out there, ride, and enjoy myself. I'm obviously being extra careful in the wet / wind, and if the weather is simply too bad I won't ride, but in general I'm getting out there every day, doing a few miles, getting myself used to all road conditions and types and, perhaps more importantly, taking things entirely at my own pace. I'd never ridden or driven before, so you have one up on me there with being a previous driver, but if I can do it, you can too! (Thermals and waterproofs are your friend. Get some!) Also; Welcome to by far the friendliest, most supportive, and most awesomest (don't care, it's a word to me) forum you will ever find!

Well, given that the consensus is positive, I guess I now need to find a way to drop in to conversation with the wife that there is a website with a screen for my bike for sale and that if she didn't know what she was buying me for christmas, she was buying me that.

Morning all. Just straight off the bat; I'm not a bot. Seems there is a lot of that sort of thing going round at the moment . Anyway, I have been eyeing up a screen to attach to my plucky little CG125 and have found this one https://pyramidmoto.co.uk/products/honda-cg-125-cockpit-screen-light-smoke-1998-2008. Being new to this whole Motorcycling thing, is the price on the site (£59.99) reasonable for a screen and does anyone have any experience buying from them? If so, are they legit / reliable? I've already had a look on sportsbikeshop but they don't seem to have screens for my CG125 and I'm not sure which screens they do sell that would be compatible (if anyone knows and can offer guidance I'd appreciate it since I know that sportsbikeshop sponsors this forum and so I'd prefer to buy from them where possible). Any advice, input, or alternate buying suggestions would be most appreciated.

I'm not podgy, I'm AAA rated for safety!

No worries. I'll squeeze in to it myself and try to not cry at my ever increasing middle-aged waistline.

Just been in and they have no more XL's! I have picked up a Large though if that'll do you. If not, I'll squeeze in to it myself.

I'm off out bright and early tomorrow, at which point I'll be going past the Lidl I went to today. When I go past I'll swing in and, because you have been so helpful and supportive, if they have an XL in stock, I'll pick one up for you and get it sent off to you gratis. Just my way of giving a little bit back to a community that has really helped me. Plus it gives me an excuse to go to Lidl besides getting a Croissant.

After riding around with the top on today, I can confirm that it works! I was nice and toasty. For anyone on the Wirral, the Wallasey Lidl (On Leasowe Road) had plenty of them in both Grey and Black and loads of sizes. At least, they did yesterday and today when I went back for another one. Best £6.99 I've spent.

Right. Thats me off on a ride to Lidl.

I have never bought a bulk box of mars bars (or other confectionary for that matter) that has lasted longer than a week in this house. Don't know what it is, but anything chocolatey seems to evaporate within just a couple of days. I probably need to get someone in to look at that.

Interesting. I shall have to look in to this and have a think on it.

Oh, fear not, I shall (somewhere down the line) be getting my 'big boy' license, as it were. For the short term though, I'm keeping myself grounded and setting not only realistic but also achievable goals. I'm not planning on moving on to a bigger bike in the foreseeable future, certainly not for a couple of years yet (elderly family members and their ailing health necessitates my staying grounded and having a simple, reliable, not too-flashy mode of transport). Getting the L plates off my humble 18 year old CG125 will be the next step (hence the A1), and then once (but hopefully not for a long time yet!) the elderly ailing relatives thing is passed, I can look on to getting a bigger, nicer, more fancy bike as a special treat to myself. I'm in no rush though. 43 years a pedestrian, I can hang on a few more. Just gives me extra experience and confidence out on the road. Though, in a few years (again, hopefully not too soon though), when I get my 'big boy' license, there will be no stopping me!

For me, it is practice, practice and more practice! I'm planning on taking the next step in my journey some time around Easter, that being doing my A1. While yes, at my age I could just jump straight up to the test for the biggest bikes, speed and power isn't my goal. Thus I'm hoping to do my A1 some time around Easter and get the L plates off my plucky little Honda CG. After that? Even more practicing and adventuring further afield. I'm hoping in Summer to be able to take myself off on lengthy day trips, and see about attending any motorcycle meetups that may take my fancy. Getting out and enjoying the weather, enjoying my bike, and letting all the time I have spent practicing really pay off. I'm also going to be actively learning more about maintenance, and hope by the winter of next year, to be in a position where I'm comfortable doing more advanced maintenance on the bike, beyond simple things like oil changes and such. So, between now and Easter 2025 - practice! Easter 2025 - Make moves towards getting my A1. Summer 2025 - Meetups, day trips, maybe an overnight camp or two, adventuring! Winter 2025 - More advanced maintenance skills. So thats my timeline for the next 12 months or so.

As a brand new biker (or indeed driver of any kind) I managed to get insurance (fully comp including breakdown and leathers cover) for just shy of £600 a year (with Bennetts through that Meerkat place). I have no doubt that my age (43) my status (homeowner and retired) the type of bike (2006 Honda CG125) and the security precautions I have taken (perhaps overkill) have served to bring the policy down to, what I feel, is a rather good price considering I am a brand new driver with 0 ncd etc. While you can't do much about your age or status as others have mentioned you can get a 125 for a bit, get cheaper insurance as a result, and (hopefully) build up that no claims discount.

For those of you who have been following my journey from complete novice to attempted biker, today was a huge (for me) milestone. I had a Doctors appointment. In the past, I'd just walk to the Doctors and back. Today, however, I threw caution to the wind and decided no! Not today, pavement! Today, I go by road! And so I did! I went out on the bike for a lunchtime Doctors appointment, and then on to the pharmacy, with all the associated Friday lunchtime traffic and the extra pedestrians around the school and college, and did so with no errors! Shifting up, shifting down, stopping and moving off. Everything went perfectly. While I know I'm still a long way off being as awesome a rider as many of you fine people are, I'm getting there. Slowly but surely, I'm getting there! We are about a Month on from my CBT now and as those of you who have followed will know, things have been slow going for me. 43 years a pedestrian, and never having driven a car, to riding a proper bike, has been one hell of a learning experience. To those of you who may be struggling with your CBT, or who may be nervous about your first steps afterward, please trust me when I say that you should take things easy, all in your own time, acknowledge your weaknesses and work on them and don't get overconfident about your strengths. Every day is a new experience. Every mistake is a learning opportunity. Every ride you can push yourself just a little further and a little more out of your comfort zone. If I can do it, you can too! Mindset is key. I'm really starting to get the hang of this. Oh, and if, by chance, you person reading this was one of the two bikers who waved at me while I was on my way to the Doctors, I apologise for not waving back. I'm new. I'm learning. I'll wave back doubly as hard as soon as I am able but, for now, just accept this forum post as my wave back. *WAVE*. I'm now positively itching to get back out on the bike again tomorrow. I've caught the bug.

Further update; This mornings merry jaunt to practice in a car park went swimmingly. My usual 'practice' route on the road was done three times in succession this morning without any errors on my part. Everything went smoothly including stopping at all lights, setting off from them, the whole works. While I'm sure if I was being followed and being watched there may have been minor errors that someone else may have picked up on, I feel confident that this mornings ride was handled rather well. Likewise, when I was in the car park for a time between the three circuits of my practice route, I only noticed one error on my part which, rather than being during my stopping / starting practice where I had struggled previously (but went perfectly this morning!), was instead while I was doing figure eights. I had a brief moment of, not panic, but worry, that I wasn't going fast enough to stay upright and went to put my leg out. My foot never touched the floor and I put it out needlessly, but put it out I did. I didn't need to, it was only momentary, and I even told myself off for doing so. Tomorrow morning will be more of the same (provided the weather holds off) after which I'll be (again, depending on weather) riding the bike to Church. Also; Aldi are selling these very reflective rucksacks (with chest and belly straps) for a mere tenner. Picked one up as being more visible (and carrying more stuff) is always a plus. Don't know how water / weatherproof it is, but it is certainly reflective and so will do me nicely for the time being.

It was daunting leaving my bike parked up in a car park for the first time yesterday. I half expected to get back to it and find similar happening. And the outcome would have been similar too. I'll use force to defend my Son, my Wife and now my bike. Currently in that order, but things may change over time.

I have just downloaded the app and will give it a try tomorrow and see how it matches up with the speedo on the bike itself. Even if the speedo on my bike is wrong, showing me as going faster than I actually am, I'm still wary about compensating for it and going however much faster would be needed to more 'accurately' reflect my actual speed as if I get pulled over and accused of speeding or something similar, I will have to be honest and tell the police that my speedo said one thing while I was doing another, if that makes sense? I am, perhaps, too honest for my own good. Even still, it would be useful for me as I would be able to more clearly keep track of what the speed limit on any given road is, and given the changeable nature of such things (with 20 zones being brought in, abolished, brought in again and so on) will give me one less thing to worry about. I don't think I will use it for navigation though, certainly not any time soon as for now my eyes are firmly fixed on my surroundings and my mirrors and looking at a screen to see where I'm supposed to be going would (again, at least for now) be a distraction. Once I've got a firmer grasp of the basics, however, and want to get out and explore, it will most certainly be useful!

Update; I have just returned from a 'screw it, lets do this!' trip into town, on the bike, in morning traffic. I set off at 09:15, got in to town at 09:30, and left town at 09:50 and arrived back here at just after 10:00. Coffee. I went to buy some Coffee. Thats it. Just a jar of Coffee. I was thoroughly nervous doing it, but I've done it. I rode in much worse traffic, and at higher speeds, during my CBT but doing it alone was much more nerve wracking. But, I did it. I've popped my 'nipping to the shops' as an excuse to ride the bike cherry. I had one minor mis-step when I hit a diversion. Followed the signs fine, was nice and slow moving around roadworks, turned a corner and hit a red light. As I was going slowly, and had shifted down while doing so, I thought I was in first at the light when I was actually in second. I stalled as I came to move off. I need to get in to the habit (at least for now) of while I'm sat at the lights, just tapping down on the gear lever to make sure I'm down in to first. I recovered quickly, but stalled nonetheless. AT least I'm consistent in that it is gears that are always tripping me up. That I only did it once despite multiple traffic lights, roundabouts, pedestrian crossings and indeed navigating into a parking space is, to me, a massive achievement. I can't use going to get Coffee as an excuse tomorrow morning, but now that I've headed in to town and back during (albeit the tail end of) rush hour traffic, there is no excuse for me to not do it again! Slowly but surely I'm getting there. Every day is a new experience. Every day is a learning curve. Every day I need more Coffee!

I stick to whatever speed is written on the signs or on the road itself and go by what the speedo on my bike says. If I'm in a 20, I have the little dial on my speedo only just over the 20 line. Same with 30 and so on. As a new rider, and indeed a new driver of any sort, I admit I am perhaps being overly cautious when it comes to obeying speed limits, but getting from A - B safely is better than speeding for the sake of it. I will also note that the people getting right up behind me tends to happen on two sections of road, both of which are 20, one of which is through a little shopping area with lots of crossings etc, and one of which is a stretch of main(ish) road which goes from 30 down to 20 for a stretch before going back up to 30. It seemingly only happens on the 20mph sections of road. I get it. Here on the Wirral there is quite strong feeling toward the seemingly arbitrary 20mph zones in the most random of places, and I know that a lot of people ignore them. I, however, cannot bring myself to knowingly speed even if I may have a personal opinion about the arbitrary nature of said speed limit. Again, speeding isn't my thing. Getting from A-B safely is my goal. Nothing is so vitally important in my life as to make me risk speeding and lose my license or indeed my life. With regards to going out at different times, I am indeed working on that. I've been going out progressively later in the morning (I had started at 05:00 but now I'm out at 07:00) and by Monday next week I'll (hopefully) push that time back to around 10:30 (after the school and college rush). Again, I'm taking things slowly (not speed wise, but easing myself into things). And on your suggestion of a nice Sunday ride, not this coming Sunday (Mother in Law requires a visit) but next Sunday I have every intention of taking myself off to the beach after Church. Well, provided the weather is good. It'll break me out of my comfort zone getting there (although I do know the roads and the route as a passenger at least) but it is a goal I have set myself so that I keep on expanding slowly and at my own pace.