bonio

My previous lid was a Qwest - really comfortable. Before that I had an HJC, an FS-14 or something like that - long since discontinued. But I usually find HJCs fit me ok. Not as comfortable as the Qwest though.

No there are no shortcuts . But because you're over 18, you have the two options set out above 1. Take the CBT and ride a 125; where you're 24, take the theory and practical tests (Mod1 and Mod2) for a full licence 2. Take the CBT, theory test and the practical tests (Mod1 and Mod2) for an A2 licence, and when you're 24 do the practical tests on a full powered bike for a full licence 3. Or just do nothing for now, and when you're 24 take the CBT, the theory and the practical tests for a full licence It's all set out here: here. Like has been said, I won't be happy commuting long distances on a 125, or if you're commute uses roads where the traffic goes much over 55, as a 125 won't be able to keep up, and people will try to overtake and cut you up. It's not a great way to start the day. And even where a 125 will do the job, an A2 bike is very likely going to be more fun to ride, and I reckon the experience you clock up will be more useful for the full test when you come to do it.

I live a sheltered life. I went out and bought a bike. Then people started saying things like, oh nice, like on the "Long Way Round", and I'm thinking, what way round? And Charlie Boredom - who? If I'd known what I was buying into I'd have stayed well a... hell, I've have bought it just the same. It's a nice bike.

Proper pissed off with this thread. Going to start my own thread WITH NO PHOTOS OF ME ON IT.

Is that a sports-focussed lid Tango? How do you find it on the Triple?

When I bought a scooter on a mad impulse, I'd never even done a CBT. I didn't need one, as I got my car licence way back when in the time of Noah. The first time I took it out on the road, I made sure I chose a time when the roads were going to be quiet, so that if I did something a bit wrong it wouldn't be a big issue. Is that an option? You could buy the thing, hole up in a cafe with a cuppa until later and then ride home. Only make sure take a big lock with you.

I did bikesafe and then a couple of years later I did the RoSPA course. They paired with me up with a lad who rode a Pan and we did a series of rides over a number of months, and each time I got feedback on how I'd ridden. The guy was great and gave me a lot of positive feedback and some things to work on: mainly position and overtaking. Over a cuppa after each ride we'd talk over a specific junction, or a car I'd had to negotiate, and how I could taken a better position or gained more speed or whatever. I found this kind of specific feedback a lot more useful than reading the general advice you can pick up in roadcraft or other places. At the end I took the test, although there was never any pressure on me to do it; I could just have done the training and walked away and they would have been happy. What did I get out of it? I totally enjoyed it It was a great excuse to get out on the bike and ride places I hadn't been to before. I got some great advice, and learnt to ride and corner with a lot more confidence. And I like the way of riding they teach; I like the way it keeps me focussed on the road and planning ahead, and it feels great when it all comes together. Reading around, I can see that other people have had bad experiences with their RoSPA or IAM group. My guess is that a lot depends on how well you get on with the person who's observing you. If it doesn't work out well with one person, you can ask for someone else or try a different group.

Six, you look blurry. You been on the drink?

Videos are beyond my skill grade. But here are a few time-lapse pics. http://i.imgur.com/k1lSa0b.jpg http://i.imgur.com/OTtBW5s.jpg http://i.imgur.com/lUk1Ipb.jpg http://i.imgur.com/wNoQC5b.jpg http://i.imgur.com/vyHJEZ1.jpg http://i.imgur.com/t8p38Pr.jpg http://i.imgur.com/XVBHsih.jpg http://i.imgur.com/B0GrPJt.jpg http://i.imgur.com/XfbDpil.jpg Wow that is perfect - exactly what I needed for next year's camping tour Top marks, Secret Santa - and thanks!

Great story. But what's really astonishing is the translation - top work

Mine's arrived too . Thanks to you-know-who-you-are.

Don't know how they do it for entertainment and how much for Youtube income.

Stick to the hills and you'll be fine. The rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain.

Ha. Capitalism red in tooth and claw

Yes yes yes . especially about the echo chamber. One way of viewing the problem with the left in the US is that they've made it really hard for a someone such as a Democrat-voting Pennsylvania steel worker to like their candidate enough to vote for them. I used to think politics in the US and UK were quite different, but I wonder if the same thing is beginning to happen here. As for Farage, I think part of his appeal was that he was clearly non-PC, and, just like Trump, he didn't need to say anything to prove it. But you're right, enough of this, before my pixels get ripped out

Interesting. You're not the first person I've heard link this trend to the popularity of Trump and Farage.

Pft you started it with the Ban Hoggs nonsense Nonsense? Where did this "nonsense" bit come from?

Oh sure. 290 hours to go.

If you want to go straight for the A2, you're going to need to do a CBT (£125?), take the theory test (£23), get some lessons on an A2 bike (£30 an hour, so perhaps a bit under £700?), and take the A2 test (£90). So somewhere around £900?. A bit less if you find a cheaper school or if you learn fast. Or more if you need a retake As for insurance, I don't know, but you can try to get some quotes from the comparison web sites. Try with a few different bikes and the variation can be quite large. If you were to do the CBT and ride on L plates for a while, then all you'd pay for now is the cost of the CBT. When you come to take the full test, you'll find you need a lot less time in lessons, as you should have mastered the basic control of a bike (and a big bike is in some ways easier to ride than a 125). This is for sure the cheapest route. There's another option: do the CBT, buy a 125 and ride it on L plates for 6 or 8 months, then get a few lessons on an A2 bike and take your A2 test then. Then sell the 125 and buy something like a restricted SV650 with the money. The training costs would be the CBT and theory as above then perhaps £150 for lessons and £90 for the A2 test. So around £400? When thinking about the costs of getting a bike, remember to add running costs like tyres and the cost of getting some gear: helmet, gloves, jacket, trousers - probably a minimum of £200 for the gear. Oh and set something aside to buy a bike

I did the battery bolt just one just last week, only I was by the side of the road and there no option but to try to grab hold of it: the 3rd and 4th finger tips did the job in the end. What was nice that some random AA man who was passing stopped and asked me if I needed help.

Have you tried translating into Chinese and then back again into English? Can't make it any worse...

I like Toad's approach. Most of the time on a tour we stop for petrol or for lunch in small towns. I've got hard luggage, and it might be locked or it might not, I don't think about it a lot. I just make sure I've my wallet and passport and stuff like that are with me. I feel differently about things In a city. I leave the bike parked up in central London from time to time. I choose a busy well-lit place, and I lock the luggage. If I've ever had a a bag on pillion seat then I've padlocked the bag to the bike and made sure the lock is clearly visible. If I stop for petrol in London, the hard luggage is locked.

Gutted for you.

Wow that looks like it's in great nick. Let us know how the DAS goes.