newbikergm

2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee - great bus for kids and dogs. All the toys and power I need and so much cheaper than a range rover. 2000 Merc slk320 - I use it mainly for zipping between london and turin. Its just a smile on wheels.

Wow. That may make my bucketlist. It's so scary, imagine the buzz when you made it. - until you remembered that whole families (including grandparents, toddlers, and family pets) regularly make the trip just for a PG. Did you notice in one pic looking downward you can see the woman is wearing open toe sandals ?! Thanks for posting.

I'm not an authority on this but common sense suggests that a second mirror or just blindspot mirror ( http://www.speeding.co.uk/acatalog/Blin ... rror_.html ) covering any area she is unable to check with a turn of the head would be fine. When I was learning I wobbled every time I did a lifesaver (scared the hell out of me). There were 2 causes. 1. I was so tense it was impossible to move any part of my body independantly. 2. I was riding with hunched shoulders, so when I tried to turn my head my helmet was catching my shoulder. I practiced lifesavers just sitting in the yard on the bike, relaxing the riding position until I could spin my head like a bloody owl. Then riding round and round a carpark constantly doing lifesavers until I built confidence before going back on the road. I still got a set of blindspot mirrors for my bike though ! Good luck

It had been one of my ambitions for decades to learn to ride a bike and i finally got the chance with a DAS course in Sept 2013. I wanted to understand all the oily bits, so decided that getting something that needed total rebuild would be a good idea. Deciding on a tourer i fell for the unusual Honda Pacific Coast 800 Through this forum I found a brilliant mechanic who agreed to help me get the bike rebuilt for when I finished the DAS. The bike I bought was pretty much a scrapper, though amazingly it did have an MOT - obviously from the stevie wonder bike shop. 50% of the body was missing, the other 50% damaged, Rear frame twisted, Wheels pointed in different directions, Shocks knackered, oh and it ran like a bag of spanners. But it was mine ! With loads of help from the owners club, purchase of a donor bike, and hundreds of hours labour the finished PC was waiting for me when I emerged from the test centre with a fresh MOD2 certificate in my hand. Took it for my first ride and didn't get off it for 190miles, so I knew I was hooked. Apart from the addition of a topbox, power socket in the storage pod and the single colour paint job the bike is pretty much as it would have come from the factory in 1990, Complete with the "trunk" rather than panniers. The PC was built to tempt car drivers to swap to 2 wheels (though it failed miserably !) so was built for comfort, balance and handling, certainly not speed - which is perfect for me. In total the project cost about 2k, about the same as buying a decent one of these. So I didn't save much money but had a great time doing it, and love the result. I think 2k for a fully sorted tourer is pretty good too. I think I need more experience/knowledge before deciding on future upgrades to the bike and I'm hoping to start gaining that with a high mileage summer 2014. Here's a couple of pics of the PC800. [album]839[/album][album]837[/album][album]836[/album]

The forum helped make 2013 the year I finally got into biking. From info on different bikes, help finding a great mechanic, test tips and bike care, to advice on riding techniques, awful jokes, etc etc etc. So thanks guys. Have a good one peeps, and lets look forward to a long summer.

Well done Mrs G. Good luck with the mod's.

I agree they should be left there. Unfortunately when they do get home they will become pseudo-celebs. I think the bigger question is about the legalisation of drugs. Personally I don't care what people choose to stuff in their arms (or any other part) as long as roadside tests can be perfected as with alcohol. Currently billions are spent in a failing 'war on drugs'. money that could be better spent. If the trade were legalised then idiots like the peru two wouldn't exist.

Agree totally. Get a lesson with a good instructor and he/she will assess what training you need, then you'll know a rough cost. Good luck.

Sounds like you're walking on eggshells 24/7 mate. As has been said many times here talking is the answer. Obviously you're both pretty unhappy, but before you bin-it, spend a bit of time talking about what narks you both and also talk about the reasons you wanted to be together. - you may find they're far more important than the things you argue about. You'll come through it one way or another. Good luck.

So it's a dishwasher for christmas then !?

Like has been said, try calling for deals. Personally I used Camrider in chester - great guys and good price. I know they're doing deals on DAS at the moment so maybe worth a call.

Congratulations DL I hope the tax disc arrives soon. Enjoy and stay safe

It's scientific fact that male genetics make it impossible for us to do ANY two things at once - without first self-medicating with large amounts of alcohol.

Well done. I recently passed mods 1 & 2, and believe mod 1 was the most difficult - because you don't get much practice at high speed avoidance etc. But everything you do on mod 2 you have probably done hundreds of times before. Be confident, relax, think, - you'll do great.

Well done bex.

I've got one of those. Can't give you any comparisons because its the only one i've owned, but I find it very comfy, drop-down dark inner visor is handy too.

After years of having virtually no hobbies I've developed a bit of a bucket-list over the last few years, and I'm having great fun fulfilling it. So far i've covered: Skydiving, Skiing, Scuba, Kayaking, Mountain Biking, restored a classic car (well an MG Midget and a 2CV), renovated a farmhouse in southern france, And of course learnt to ride a Motorbike (cbt, theory, mod1 & mod2 passed sept/oct 13). On my list for next year is a paragliding pilot course and learning to sail. The wife is waiting for "learn to use the washing machine" and "learn to iron" to appear on the list !

Did my DAS a couple of months ago. The day before my Mod1 the trainer took me to the test centre and we had a 1 hour practice session, which really helped. I would say the only danger is nerves. Everything you are expected to do on mod1 is really easy, so treat it that way. I was so nervous that I convinced myself I had no chance so would just use it as preparation for a retake. Relaxed and passed first time. If I can do it anyone can. Good Luck

Good luck with the retake. Have confidence. Look at the gaps not the cones. Its true that the bike normally goes where you're looking.

Just seen this posted on the Camrider Chester facebook page. "We are about to start our amazing two for one price person full training courses! This will have to be on a first come first serve basis as it's very popular, this offer is not on website yet so be quick!! We are hoping to run this until end of the year so please feel free to repost and share with friends thinking about doing there full motorcycle licence" Thought I'd share it in case there's anyone in that area looking to get tests done. I did my DAS with them a couple of months ago and can recommend them.

Hi, Can you add me please. I can't suggest or confirm dates just yet but will do all I can to get there. Thanks Gary

Mac my Irish Wolfhound and Beaut my rescue Greyhound. [album]847[/album][album]848[/album]

Congratulations Have fun with your bike search.

Just done a small payment. i hope it helps.

Happy Birthday. Have a great time.