bonio

Dude. That's eye opening. Had no idea labour was so painful.

Drop by and do mine too

Yes, I'd've thought this would be useful. The handling is very different (600s can feel a bit intimidating at first, but they handle a lot easier). But you do the same thing with the controls: slip the clutch, revs slightly up, light trailing rear brake - that doesn't alter.

Basically I think the answer's no, you can't ride it there yourself. I expect there are all kinds of odd situations where it turns out you can ride the bike to the test yourself, like if you already have a valid CBT and you're riding to take a re-test, or if you have a driving licence issued before 2001 (or whatever the date is) that allows you ride a 50cc and this is what you want to ride to do your CBT on (but why would you do this?). And probably others I've not thought of. But I guess none of these apply to you. Here are the details: https://www.gov.uk/cbt-compulsory-basic-training/overview

Haha. You've got it bad mate. You're hooked.

You're right, there are two options: * Buy a faster, more able 125 and ride it on L plates * Do DAS and get a bigger bike Reading your post, I think you're always going to be a bit frustrated on a 125. So if you can afford it, I'd think about doing DAS, flogging the CG and using the funds to by an older 500/600. You should be able to pick up a reasonable older bike for around grand if you shop around. An ER5 or CB500 or a Bandit, say. But can you really do DAS for £629?? That's a bargain! Does this include the costs of the three tests (theory, Mod 1 and Mod 2)? The biggest hole in this plan, though, is where does it leave you if you fail one of the tests? A failure will means coughing up the test fee plus the tuition fee for at least enough time to ride to the centre, take the test and ride back. (Tip: choosing a school near the test centre keeps the cost of a test down). So do your sums carefully and make sure you're not left stranded if you need to do a retest. If you decide that DAS isn't the way to go, then I'd recommend any option other than buying a Chinese bike! Most are made of sawdust and cheese, and you're unlikely to see much of your money back when you come to flog it on. I don't know, but I'd be thinking of something like a secondhand Cagiva Mito or, if funds allowed, a YZF R125,

Son and girlfriend came over for dinner so no permits available for tonight.

Sorry guys, can't make this one; you'll have to pencil me out.

Misting visor: +1 for the pinlock insert, if your helmet can take one (perhaps that's what you already have, but you need a plain one, not tinted). Alternatively, a bit cheaper, is a foggy mask. Makes you look a bit like a ninja, but it does the job well enough. I only have to open the visor to demist on the wettest, coldest days. Wind gusts: Yes, it's practice. One thing to be aware of is that a good part of the problem comes from the wind blowing against you - it pushes you a bit and you push the bars and ped moves around. If you're a bit nervous, and you're gripping onto the bars and locking your arms, then it gets worse. When you're riding, practice relaxing your shoulders, keeping your arms loose, and being keeping a light hold of the bars. Practice when the traffic's less and when the wind is lighter and then you should be able to do it in heavier traffic and stronger winds. You'll be surprised how straight your machine can go when it's windy Other drivers and riders will tend to look a moped with an L plate and think of them as an obstruction to get round. They don't realise that you can accelerate faster than a car and nip along at 60 -70 as well as they can. They take one look at you and expect to pootle along in the gutter at 34 mph. I don't know how you ride, but I think you should be riding fairly assertively, that is: genearally in teh centre of the lane (or perhaps better, slightly to the right); accelerate quickly to the speed limit whenever the opportunity is there to do so safely. It's a bit sad, but when people see you riding confidently they will lend you a bit more respect. Again where it's safe, try to manouvre yourself into a place where you're less boxed in. This whole area is where some training might help. If you phone your local IAM or RoSPA group and explain, they might be able to help. RoSPA is all run by volunteers and all they ask is that you cover the cost of the trainer's petrol.

Amazing work. Really awesome.

Oh wow reading that brought back all that Mod 1 stress like I was reliving again. Don't be discouraged though, the slow control parts are hardest bits of the whole test - the rest is really easy by comparison. Some really good tips here from Hoggs* and Glorian. And you will do it! If I can anyone can. * and some new vocabulary

Success Nice feeling, isn't it?

If you want to keep riding a 125 but without taking a CBT every 2 years, you can do a "Category A1 light motorcycles" test. Like all the motorcycle tests (not counting the CBT) it consists of Mod 1 (slow skills) and Mod 2 (road test). I think it's exactly the same test as the full (category A) motorcycle test, except you ride a 125 and once you pass you're only licensed to ride bikes up to 125cc and 11kW. Because it's the identical test, some decide it's better to do a full licence test (as long as they've reached the minimum age, which is 24) even if they currently want to stick to a 125, as they then are qualified to ride any bike. This test has to be taken on a bike that's least 595cc (normaly it's a 650), and for this reason can only be done through DAS, that is, by taking lessons on a big bike with a qualified instructor. Others decide that the easiest thing is to re-take the CBT every 2 years. To be fair, thought, the CBT was designed with that in mind; most riders (me included) would think that it's better to get the greater level of training required to pass the test. So to summarise, you can * Take the test (mod 1 and mod 2) on your 125, after which you can ride a 125 without L plates and without taking the CBT again. * Learn to ride a 650 with a qualified instructor. Take you test (mod 1 and mod 2) on the 650, after which you can ride your 125 or any bike without L plates and without taking the CBT again. * Ride your 125 with L plates and take the CBT every two years. PS Bike: Baby Blade? Except it's not big enough for DAS

Cheers I'll let you know Monday.

This is a bit cheeky, but d'you wanna flog one?

Nice write up

I'm guessing you mean the main entrance? As there is also an entrance in adenau too We rode through the main entrance area to adenau and the road is a really nice bit of tarmac! It's very smooth and flowing Ta. Sent from mTalk

Looks like a great trip! Where do you go to get a view of the Nieburgleringring then Stu? We couldn't find anywhere to see anything when we wuz there last year.

What did you get? Hoped no-one would ask. GSXR-600. 2002. It was a crazy impulse buy. Really embarrassed about it as it's sure to end in regrets and/or expensive bills. Pick it up at the weekend

I bailed. I went to Haverhill and bought another bike.

I'll pencil it in and let you all know.

:nod:

I might tip along. But I'm not going to wear a carnation or anything. I'll have a bike and a helmet, if that helps

Getting stranger and stranger Nah. Just one stranger, only Six. Sounds like a bummer of a day MarkW.