Foxy Stoat seeks Pig

Ok, so MOD 1 training and test is now booked aswell (providing I pass theory of course, which I’ve moved to next Saturday). Will be out on my bike this weekend as usual, usually I will stop somewhere quiet and practice manoeuvres, u turns, figure of eight etc. My question is is there any point me continuing this? I assume the difference between a 125 and 600 handing is huge. Just a thought.. Really excited about the training but also worried too, I made hard work of the CBT to be honest although in my defence I had never even touched a bike before that day. Covered over 1000 miles so feel as though ive come a long way since May. Initially was really worried about going out on my bike, riding to work etc but now I look forward to it.

Really £1500? What year is that? I'm struggling to find training dates any time soon I need weekend training as im woefully short on leave entitlement at work. not happy

Tried CamRider, did a free test but had to register to view results. Wouldnt let me register but didnt actaully say why. Gave up.

Thanks for all the advice. Getting mixed messages from Rant Machine though

Thanks. im hoping to find some kind of online practice test site.

So decided last night that doing a DAS soon is the way to go (confirmation was when a gleaming R1 pulled up next to me this morning). Stick it out for the rest of the year on my Honda CG and hopefully bigger bike next year. So Theory test is booked for next week. Never taken one before as they came in a year after I passed my driving test.

My Theory test is booked for next Thursday. Does it really take an hour to complete? If I take the 8am booking I would like to be able to get to work for 9am. The test centre is only a two minute walk so if I was to allow 50 mins for the test would that be enough time? Otherwise I may need to rebook and the waiting times are long. Also, are there any decent online training sites I can use for practice tests? I don’t mind paying but haven’t really got time to wait for a DVD to be posted. Thanks all.

Thanks for all the replies. Think i'm heading towards the DAS but I still keep looking at shiny new 125's. Probably better to book the course soon!

The theory test isn't too expensive, at £23, but factor it in. The training times listed seem a bit skinny, I'm more worried about the Mod 2 only allowing you 6 hours. I realise you've been riding for a while now, so not fresh to it, but it still doesn't sound like long to get the hang of all the scenarios the test might throw at you, get used to the bigger bike etc. However, that's still the route I'd take, it gets rid of the L plates, and doesn't even force you to get rid of your 125 if you simply don't have funds or can't find a bigger bike. But is setting you up the future when you may be able to buy the bigger bike. and that's why I would and did do it. Good luck whichever way you go! Should have mentioned you also get 3 hours 'conversion' training, so basically getting used to going from a 125 to 600.

Thanks for replies. I have double checked the £629 and it is correct. Its includes mod 1 and mod 2 training and test fees. Not theory test though. 'The above charges include three hours training for Module 1 plus the run to the purpose built test centre at Greenham. Six hours training for Module 2 plus the run to the test centre in Salisbury with an hour before the test. You would complete the training on a date before the day of the test. Conversions and Module 1 training usually take place at weekend or can be on a weekday if the school children are on holiday. Module 2 training can take place any day. Tests are always on a weekday'

CBT done in May this year. Been using my T Reg CG 125 for my daily commute for a couple of months now and trying to gain experience. To be honest its been a great bike for me to get into biking with but already only a couple of months in and I know its not going to be a keeper It’s fine on the B roads (limited are 40 mph max) but if I need the quicker route I take the A road but it struggles to get to 55mph and really struggles to hold 40-45mph on an incline. Its just too slow and painful although great around town. Drum brakes are not great though. Currently funds are limited to about £2000 max so my options are: Buy a new Chinese bike for £1500, looking at the Lexmoto ZSX-R and continue on a CBT cert for another 12/18 months. The blurb tells me that I can do 70mph on one, maybe/maybe not but a steady 60mph would do me in all honesty. I have seen the bad reviews of the previously released Chinese bikes but some have been ok and the new releases look more promising. Rust has been an issue but in the winter months it will be sheltered form the elements. Or Do my DAS during this summer hopefully over a few days for £629 (if I pass first time) which would leave me little money for a 600cc which I know I will want as soon as I’ve passed. Of course I would like to be able to ditch the l-plates and have the option of buying/riding any bike but due to current money available I don’t think I could pick up 600cc cheap enough to get me on the road quickly, also if I’ve passed my test then riding the CG will be even more of a bind. I also need to bare in mind that I’m probably not going to be riding (to work)through the winter months and will pick and choose my weekend rides, however, this might change. But realistically only got a few months of commuting this year. I enjoy local weekend rides at the moment but have to plan carefully to avoid any major/steep roads. I enjoy my commute and actually look forward to riding to work (apart from the occasional A road pain) but I’m thinking I would be happier on a shiny new slightly quicker bike so I’m really undecided whether to continue on the CBT with a new 125 bike straight away and go for my DAS next year and something bigger eventually. I am extremely impatient so I’m leaning towards the new 125 and a DAS next year. Sorry to ramble on…….any advice appreciated. I really regret not discovering the joy of riding 20 years ago…………

Definitely, I was chuffed with myself, so simple yet satisfying. Wife didn't care too much though....

Think I've sorted it. It appears as though some of the hairspray had seeped out the end of the bar grip/throttle pipe and formed a glue on the handlebar, this caused extra resistance to the throttle pipe movement. So i cleaned off the bar metal so it was nice and smooth and now all seems fine and dandy.

I pushed them on as far as they would go also they do have bar end weights. I will have another tinker tomorrow see what else I can screw up. whats odd is that is was fine this morning and then wasn't this evening

I used hairspray as an adhesive and everything seem very erm stuck

Ok so things have been going really well so far. Been using my bike daily for ride to work and loving it. My bar grips were worn and looked tatty so I thought id replace them...I mean how hard could it be?? Well I put new grips on yesterday, took the bike out this morning and all was fine. Took my bike out this evening and now the throttle doesn't return to it's idle position (hope that makes sense). Just sticks in position, like I have cruise control. Any ideas what I've done and will I be able to fix it. Thanks all.

Thanks. Hairspray eh, haven't bought any of that since the 80's. Will see what Tesco has tomorrow.

My grips are shoddy and ripped at ends so I want to replace them. I will cut the old ones off but what is the best way make the new ones 'stick'? I have noticed you can buy proper grip glue or is there anything else that will also do the job? Thanks.

Oil change today, went for the specified in the manual motorbike oil

Thanks all. No issues paying a tenner but if it's basically the same as what I already have then I thought not much point.

http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy283/martash2009/IMG_20160526_182309999.jpg http://s800.photobucket.com/user/martash2009/media/IMG_20160526_182304684.jpg.html http://s800.photobucket.com/user/martash2009/media/IMG_20160526_182300769.jpg.html Few more of left side of bike I it helps at all.

Going to attempt an oil change at the weekend. Do i need to buy motorbike oil or can i use 10w40 car oil? i have plenty of10w40 i could use. Thanks

Left side. http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy283/martash2009/IMG_20160522_185933323.jpg

http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy283/martash2009/IMG_20160522_185912864.jpg http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy283/martash2009/IMG_20160522_185956876.jpg

http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy283/martash2009/IMG_20160522_185912864.jpg' alt='IMG_20160522_185912864.jpg'> http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy283/martash2009/IMG_20160522_185956876.jpg[/img]