Lucifah

Nice one! You'll be addicted before you know it

haha but it's fine to get a quick bike because I'm more likely to only hurt myself if it goes wrong... can't see that line of argument working with my mrs lol. Lol, no that was not what I meant to imply I don't think you are more likely to get yourself into trouble on a 600-ish cc, unless you are intending to ride full throttle all the time. Anyway, listen to what Joeman just said. That bloke apparently grew up on two wheels.

I bet it will. I don't think that a smaller bike makes you a better rider per se, because the moment you hop on it you are still a newbie, exposed to the same hazards and risks on the roads. Maybe the bigger bike reduces your exposure to some of them actually (wider tyres, higher weight): a little bit better traction, feels more planted and stable around corners or on dodgy road surfaces and even wind etc (Now, if it was a car, my advice would be the opposite, because a powerful car is a weapon, and unlike on a motorbike where the majority of accidents won't really harm others, accidents in cars are much more likely to claim third party victims.) My first bike was a 600cc (600 Bandit), and if I could turn back time to the 20th century, I'd buy exactly the same bike again. But that's just me. Any advice you get on this subject will be biased anyway

sorry Im not with you By running to beat traffic on a crossing, do you mean people coming from the sides last second, because I would try and make eye contact with people on the junction to make sure they have seen me and stopped. But thats not really what I would call a life saver so I didnt mention that. This may need a badly drawn paint diagram. I'm exceptionally bad at drawing stuff... Soo... Maybe a situation like this? Transcript: Waiting at a crossing for people to, erm, cross... (with or without traffic lights doens't matter). A nob darts across the road from behind you, at an angle where he's in your blind spot. Those folks usually don't follow the markings.. Maybe because it just switched to red for him, but he thinks he can make it before it's going green for you. Maybe because you gave way for another pedestrian and the nob thinks he can make it across, too, before you set off. Or, if it's London, then just because. Two-legged hazards everywhere!

The Mercedes SLK driver who thought it would be a good idea to floor it in the fast lane, while I was in the left lane (A12, Ilford, towards London). He was performing some weird guestures before accelerating. Whatever... If he has to prove something in his leased, hired or borrowed car (assumption, of course), that doesn't bother me. On top of that, the traffic lights, which we were approaching, had been green for a suspiciously long time, and indeed... He floored it, they went amber as he approached them, and a moment later he realises and thows the anchor. Like the amber light caught him totally off guard or something. Squeaking tyres. (Thought it had ABS, but maybe not active/working) He came to a halt way into the crossing, lights red as he skids over the solid line. What he didn't notice (his situational awareness has room for improvement for sure) was that a police rider wasn't that far behind us. He filtered through, pulled up next to the nob, and they had a "conversation". Don't know if he pulled him over. Hopefully. Lights went green just after the copper arrived, so I had to carry on with my journey. Driving faster does not always mean you arrive quicker That's one of the very few situations where you wish you looked like a teletubby (camera on your lid).

I thought ABC instantly, because they are driver's actions/errors, whereas DE are environmental conditions that don't usually come unexpectedly, hence you have to do ABC more carefully to make them a non-issue. With questions like that you always have to approach them like this: a) what is my input/responsibility b) what is beyond my control c) how can I change a) to iron out the problems in b) Admittedly, I haven't done theory over here (in Germany, long time ago, so take it with a grain of salt), but the thought process is always the same.

Could I get 74 please? I'm not sure when to start yet as I strained my back when clearing out the garage for my new bike... But hopefully I can get [strikeout]going[/strikeout] riding in the next couple of days!

An instructor who loses it and shouts at their trainees repeatedly needs to find a different job as much as you need to find a different instructor! When you look for another one, tell them in advance (before committing/booking) that you have no experience with bikes at all and would appreciate a patient instructor who can deal with it.

I've got say that this is a really interesting thread. I will admit that I've got two left hands and close to zero know-how in comparison, which makes it all the more fascinating. So: big thumbs up for this awesome project and your attitude! Good luck!

Nice one! Your determination paid off! You managed to get around the corners. So it wasn't too fast (for the road/weather conditions at that time anyway) (Most people panic and go a straight line when that happens, which is usually worse! So you're one step ahead on that!)

Picked her up from the dealer today and took a photo before putting her into the garage:

Don't you need a lorry licence for those?

Sounds like a fair offer. I would take it. Seems like your bike was manufactured after a company-wide night out with lots of booze. So many issues in such a short time. What's next? I'd get it replaced altogether.

Didn't cause a single scratch. You just have to be careful when you put the tankbag down somehwere. Being magnetic, it can pick up metal pieces, nails etc. As for hunching down... Wasn't a problem on my Bandit back then. And it had the added benefit of having a transparent pocket on top, where you could slip in a map. There weren't smartphones or affordable (if any) GPS solutions that time, only actual maps

Personal opinion: Backpack and magentic tank bag (ideally expandable). That's what I used to have 15 years ago anyway. You don't need to worry about your stuff when leaving bike unattended (my tankbag had extra straps, so easy to carry along). And no ugly racks/mounts while riding without luggage. If even more space was needed, I used a net to tie down extra luggage on the passenger seat. (Not suitable when riding with passenger, granted) I absolutely hate top boxes. They may be practical, but they are also very ugly and make you look like you work for Domino's! I've never had any panniers, mainly because I never needed more luggage space back then.

Sounds like a really bad day Just remember two things next time, if you don't mind me saying this: a) Road biking is NEVER a competition, and you can't compare yourself with somebody who was born on two wheels. Plus, "yoofs" like to show off. Let them do whatever the hell they want to do. It's not your problem. Do everything at your own pace! b) Relax your right hand on both throttle and brake. Smooth movements. Get back on the bike quickly (which you will do) to erase those memories from your subconscious and do better! Fingers crossed for Thursday!

That's great to know! It's within cruising distance from here. Will definitely check it out in due course Cheers!