Arwen

Halvarssons/Lindstrands do a range of summer waterproof gloves. I've found them to be completely waterproof, however I don't go out in torrential downpours.

It does take practise to learn good slow control. From what I gather very few people can do it naturally.

Against pretty much all advice, I use the front break more often in slow traffic than the rear break. You just have to know the front break very well and not pull sharply. Being gradual with it is the key to not stopping with a jolt, which makes you wobble.

This came from the fact I found it awkward/difficult to reach the rear break on my training bikes when my left foot was on the ground (I'm short). So I simply would also use my hand to hold the break. In my Mod 1 i didn't use the rear break at all (I rested my foot on it for the emergency stop, but didn't really press down). On mod 2 I think I used it once, maybe twice!

Doing hill starts using only the front break is tricky, but can be done.

Keeping your shoulders loose also helps with not wobbling during slow control. If I find myself wobbling more than normal I roll my shoulders and suddenly the wobble stops

Stuff that fits properly is much more valuable to you than higher price things. So I would definitely suggest going to a large bike shop like J&S accessories or similler where there is a big range of brands and sizes. The folk in the shop will be able to advise you of what you need and which brands would probably fit you best after talking to you. - They are normally realy helpful in bike shops, so don't be afraid to jsut say "I'm new to biking, help me buy stuff!"

Top brands for me are RST and Halvarssons.

Smart layering.

The wicking base layers from Aldi/Lidi I find very good value for the money. Over the top wear a fleece/jumper and then a water and wind proof layer ideally. For trousers I would suggest investing in some textile motorcycle trousers. Simply because they are designed for it and much less flaffing around with layers. Most textile trousers come with a thermal liner.

Teamed with waterproof boots, good socks and decent gloves that should keep you warm enough for commuting.

Layering is a balancing act. Too many layers and you run the risk of not being able to wick away sweat, so you end up damp and sticky no matter how waterproof your kit is. Too few layers and you'll be cold. Fleeces work well as a mid layer due to the fact they trap air in the them, which will keep you warm and dry at the same time.

Get on ebay and have a look for motorcycle trousers and jackets in your size. Some charity shops also sell them. You could also post up your sizes here any maybe someone will have something suitable for you?

So I've had these gloves for the past few weeks, and they are simply too long in the fingers for me. I've now found waterproof gloves that do fit in the fingers so these are now up for sale. They have only been worn for about 10 hrs in total (I have a short commute) and only a couple of times in the rain and they were completely waterproof. I've found them to be reasonably warm but not massively thick and bulky like other winter gloves.

£50 posted to anyone on here (in the UK, if you are somewhere else I can find out how much it would be).

Tech stuff:

Lindstrand/Halvarssons Orbit gloves. Size 7

Specification

• Made from supple Goat Hide and Textile

• CE approved to EN13594:2015

• Features the Dryway Plus waterproof, windproof and breathable membrane

• Utilises McFit Technology which prevents the inner membrane from pulling out

• Reinforced with Hi Art Technology for ultimate abrasion resistance

• Hard knuckle protectors

• Elasticated wrist straps

• Adjustable Cuffs

Pictures:

Ok, I noticed these in B&Q... expensive and not able to swing out the way like you want. But would look fine against your house (in my opinion) and are minimum effort to build!

http://www.diy.com/departments/outdoor-garden/garden-storage/bike-storage/cat2920307.cat

Strawberries would happily creep out the visor opening.

However I think I'd plant something bushy inside and drill a hole on the top of the helmet. Something like parsley, chives, mint, or most other herbs would sprout out the top and looks rather cool I think.

Yup, it's the exact same up here!

In all my adult life when ever I have blood tests I then get a phone call to make an "urgent" appointment with the doctors to discus them. I ask if I can get a phone appointment, and the answer is always "No, the doctor has to see you to discus them". So I normally get an appointment within 2 weeks. I turn up, the doctor goes "Oh on the range of results you are low in most, but it's not dangerously low" . We then spend 2-4 min talking about my diet, exercise levels and if I'm feeling stressed. Conversation ends with "well it looks like this might just be normal levels for you, but I'd like to retest in 6 months."

I book blood tests for 6 months time.

Rinse and repeat the above...

Cycle breaks when I eventually get bored and simply don't book the blood tests. Sometimes they notice and phone me up and forcibly give me an appointment...

Are the new plugs the right spec/not damaged?

Other than that my guess is anything/everything else.

I found when I got really good at slow control on the grom, once I had found the biting point of the clutch on another bike a few times my slow control was pretty much the same on it. MOD1 is mostly a psychology test in refusing to put your foot down

My insurance stayed the same when I phoned up to tell them I had passed my test. No admin charge or anything

As for the temptation of a bigger bike after you have passed... I think it's all down to what you feel.

It was about 4 months between me passing my test and getting my F700.

I am possibly weird in the fact I really enjoy my little bike. I see the bikes as having two different purposes. The Grom is purely a funny little toy I use for commuting. It is not at all "serious" and I never really treat it as such. I'm a very chilled out rider when I'm on it because I am there for bimbling enjoyment rather than getting from A to B as fast as possible.

All bigger bikes have felt much more "serious" to me. Probably because they are much more capable machines, and the sheer weight of them means I really need to concentrate when moving them around under my own power. The F700 is primary for longer distance rides and eventually touring for me. So its "purpose" is completely different to the Grom.

Don't get me wrong though, I still really enjoy riding it, but it is more an adrenaline and/or exploration fuelled enjoyment than a silly/amusing enjoyment. I see it in a similar way of enjoying two completely different peoples company at different times. The people can be complete opposites, but you do enjoy spending them with both of them separately.

Yay another grom!!

As for the full tests, so long as you are fine with the cold and the rain I don't see why not. I done my MOD 2 in March, in between snow flurries (days either side got cancelled due to snow/wind)!

For Mod 1, practice playing "the floor is lava" while on the bike helped me loads. I'm now pretty confident of riding any bike at a very slow walking pace. I done MOD 1 on a bike I really was not at all comfortable on (SV650, I didn't like the weight being so far forward and it felt too tall for me) but passed it no problems thanks to being very comfortable at pretending my feet were glued to the pegs

Everyone's head being different, this might not apply. However I found my Shark helmet to be fantastically quiet, however it pressed too much against my forehead.

My AVG K5 on the other hand is very loud in comparison. Possibly due to the high number of vents in it.

I've bought from sgs before. Very helpful company should I would have no brother ordering from them.

I need to wear my gloves under my jacket, cause the sleeves are too long

My new gloves are longer than my summer gloves, which is proving to be rather annoying. I may end up just sticking with summer gloves and a liner during winter.

No, those are restricted license types. So having them alongside a full and valid A licence would cause more confusion than your OCD is worth. There is a big chance that if you managed to sit one of them without an instructor noticing, then you would cancel out your A licence.

I'm thinking of doing drunk October, since I'm sober for the vast majority of the year!

Don't just window shop, get in there and sit on as many as possible! I spent a few months before I got my 125 siting on big bikes to get the feel of them. Then a good 6 months of weekends going around every bike shop and show I could to finally decide which bigger bike I wanted.

The folk in most shops are generally full of info, tips and tricks for new riders. Not all are accurate, but they may sit you on a bike you would never have thought of, and you'll just "click" with it

I've only had a sit on a F800GT (the ST was too tall for me) but it felt like it should be able to filter no bother between normal sized gaps. Sitting on it was not nearly as "sporty" a position as I first thought. I found it very comfortable, however I am short!

I normally do city traffic on my MSX, which can do pretty much right angled turns if need be! The F700GS has rather wide bars for filtering, but it is light enough that I don't feel it a problem.

I'm sure some folk with way more experience than me will be along to offer more advice soon

First off, welcome to the forum! Good luck with the tests when the time comes.

I have a F700GS which is basically the same as the newer twin version of the F650GS (for your budget I'm not sure if you could get a twin or the older single). It sits perfectly happily at 70mph on the motorway, with some power to spare. However it does't feel properly at home there due to the lack of wind protection. Average is around 80mpg on mine just now.

If you are doing primarily motorway miles, maybe something like the F800ST or GT? Bit more wind protection and the advantage of belt drive rather than chain. So less maintenance.

Yea the 20mph streets have not been well thought out here either. Reasonable sized road, with a skinny cycle lane on each side. 20mph because of two schools near each other. Its on a hill that you can easily reach 35-40mph going down on a mountain bike (well, I can, and i'm unfit!). Witnessed a cyclist gesticulating at a car in front of them to move... Car was doing about 20mph but because the cycle lane is too narrow the cycle couldn't pass.

Wish I had filmed it!

Wow! Hope you heal quickly, sounds like a right sore one!

Well done! Happy bike shopping

My lovely little MSX/Grom - I still have it and plan to keep it "forever"

https://www.themotorbikeforum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=56&t=58582

Apparently, lots of UK citizens are seriously considering moving to Canada, following the Brexit cuffuffle.

I've thought about this a fair bit. I'm willing to stay for a bit after 2019, but if it get truly awful I should be able to get into Canada with little problem (family over there plus job skills in demand). Alternatively, I qualify for Irish citizenship, so I may simply send off and pay for that then move over there.

Gotta say I agree with Stu on this. Unless they asked for help, don't touch someone else's bike.

I see guys moving and parking bikes like that in showroom around here. It looks weird, but they have it under control and know how it "falls" onto the side stand.

Granted, I don't think they should have left the engine on while parking it, but if they were practised at it they shouldn't have needed anyone to touch it.