Scholesfan

Thanks for the replies. Currently like the look of the shipping containers, especially as some are flat pack. This could be hidden behind the fence at the side of house relatively well.

Hi all So we're purchasing our first home and moving out of rented. The new house unfortunately doesn't have a garage, but has space at the side and large rear garden to build one in the future. Funds are obviously limited as the whole house buying thing is so expensive. However bike security is a priority and I need to find a solution before we get the keys. Does anyone personally have/recommend a shed or similar that will last a couple of years until we can get a permanent structure in place? It either needs to be large enough for bike plus lawn mower and other bits or I dont mind getting another shed for the mower and stuff if needed. Cheers SF

How did you get on fella?

Decent set of waterproof pants, jacket, boots and gloves. If you're getting piss wet through, chances are you'll be distracted from whats going on infront of you. Pinlock visor if you have/can get one for your lid will make all the difference aswell.

Finishing work at silly times doesn't have much to do with having a 125cc or a 1000cc bike to be fair. Check out the MT125 and similar if you dont want to go down the full lisence route. They're a full size bike, so will suit your hight/weight better.

No point torturing yourself on a 125, get the DAS done.

This isn't true. There are cases where if the lower speed limit is a side road to a main road, then only 1 speed limit sign is needed on the left hand side of the side road. I also wouldn't ignore speed limit changes while on a MOD 2 test if a sign was missing. There is a classic example of this on a St Helens test route near Millennium Motorcycles, where on the main road the speed limit changes from 30 to 20mph and the left hand sign has been removed. People get failed on that particular part of road very often for not obeying the change of speed.

You're riding can't be perfectly fine if you failed once for pulling out on a car, which your lucky you didnt have the test abandoned and made to wait on the side of the road and then fail on a serious fault for speeding. And the examiner is correct, you shouldn't use him to judge the speed limit, he would have been matching your speed so he could record it. You failed both tests on poor observations. Examiners dont have vendettas, get another test and lesson booked beforehand.

Agreed, mine goes over the disk rather than through the vent holes.

I have a good disklock and use the steering lock on the bike when in the garage and out and about. If theives want your bike, they'll get it. I only use the disck lock so it's not easily rolled away by oppertunists. If they really want your bike and it's armed to the teeth, they're probably going to smash your door in and/or put a knife to your face until you handover the keys. A bikes replaceable, your life (or your familys) is not, and should the above happen i know which would be the more traumatic experience should you escape unarmed. As for trackers, I personally wouldnt want my bike back after some scrotes thrashed and beaten the arse out it. A garage defender and visible driveway alarms only alert theives that there's treasures inside, if they didnt already know. If i was casing a street and only 1 garage was like fort knox, i know which i'd be interested in? Your bike is an attachment of you and very gutting if it get's taken. Just thought i'd add my 10 pence worth.

Congratulations on passing the MOD 1, the hardest part is over imo. Are you taking your MOD 2 at St Helens? If you are, be careful of the 20 mph zone if you get taken left out of the test centre then left again on your next 2 side roads after it. It catches people out as it's normal to be nervous for the first couple minutes and miss the signs. The general test routes are good in that area, just need to keep your eyes peeled on speed limits, they seem to focus on 2 areas where the limit changes every few hundred yards.

Talk to your optician about monthly continuous wear contacts. I dont get on with contacts, for the love of me i just cant get the things in without my eyes forcing shut. However a friend has the continous wear ones which he now wouldnt be without. Stick them in and forget about them for a month before changing them, no taking out every night and putting in solution etc... He's had no issues after around 18 months of using them.

Thanks chaps A 2018 Honda CB650F in White Already have a few bits for the bike to add to it when it arrives. Itching to get a few miles under my belt before winter arrives, it'll be a fair weather bike only!

Passed my MOD 2 first time on Friday at St Helens test centre. Examiner was Paul and he was pleasant enough, not overly friendly but very calm and reassuring. On the ride to the test centre before the test was the best I'd ever rode. When under pressure I seem to perform alot better and relax, the opposite of most people it seems. Took a test route that we hadn't been on with the instructor, partly due to me only doing 2 MOD 2 lessons prior to the test itself. However my old man had done his DAS a couple of months before and told me his test route, and it ended up being the exact same route. The biker gods were on my side that day, as 200 yards after leaving the test centre I was stuck behind a learner car driver on test with no safe places to pass and make progress. The route consisted of 60% country lane riding with varying 30/40/50 bending road speed limits. Grinning like a Cheshire cat when i got back and told me I'd passed. I have a new 'big' bike being delivered on Tuesday coming up. It's been the longest few days of my life waiting for this bike!

Do your CBT and see what you think, you may decide biking isn't for you. I personally wouldn't put myself through the pain of having a 125, if your able to go straight to a big bike through DAS.

Will the training provider not do hourly lessons on the 125? I know the guys i've used in the past are more than willing to give lessons at there normal hourly rate. Wether thats to go for a full lisence or just to polish up on your skills. That being said, it is very much about getting out there and doing your thing. You'd be surprised just how much you learn on your own with nobody riding up your jacksy yelling down an ear piece. As for the DAS, it's a hell of alot easier to ride a 600 than it is a 125. The clutch/throttle is more refined and smooth, the weight helps with balance and they arent the beast that some think they are. Some people have a misconception that the slightest twist of the throttle and you'll be poppoing a 120mph wheelie down the road.

as long as you cover the monthly payments!! this is what im looking at. http://www.shirlaws.com/pages/used/used-bikes/2016-16-TRIUMPH-STREET%20TRIPLE%20R-675cc/585ad8268d8c1dcb.htm That's a lovely bike, have you done insurance quotes with the mods declared? I'm also looking for my first bike, i had my heart set on a new CB650F or a Triple R however knowing that the chances of dropping the bike in the first year or so is very high i think i'll be going for something a couple of years older and upgrade after a year or two. Worth thinking about?

Hi folks I'm in the process of going through my DAS, just waiting to do my theory which ive had to rearrange twice due to work but i've started to get some stuff together in preparation for when it comes around and hopefully pick a bike up after going through the test. I went to Oakmere J&S at the weekend and the first purchase was a good pair of waterproof gloves. Had a chat to one of the lads whilst there about helmets as that'll be next when pay day comes around. On the way out i spotted a few textile jackets that caught my eye in their sale, both by RST and seemed to fit the bill in terms of what i was looking for in a jacket. The jackets were labelled a 4XL (im a 2XL in normal clothing and a loose fit), however after trying them on they fitted like a Medium! What the... In general is bike clothing alot smaller than standard UK sizes? I was abit baffled, however as i wont be getting jacket/pants until after the helmet then i didnt speak to the guys instore about it. Cheers Scholesy

My old man always told me when he passed his test in the 70's, the examiner that told him to ride down one council estate street, the examiner hid behind a parked car (not very well may i add) and he jumped out and made you do an emergency stop. He flicked through a few highway code cards and that was the test done, ride the bike back to the end of the road to the test centre and you were given your pass certificate.