wannars125

Ah nevermind, the weather's supposed to be crap all week anyway so wouldn't have been able to enjoy the riding much! Let's hope the weather improves on the weekend!

I suppose the main question is have you been on a bike before? In my opinion, if not, I would have a crack at the CBT first, see how you fair with that. If you get through it easily, then ask the instructor whether he thinks you'd be suitable to go on and do your DAS. I'm sure he/she will give you an honest opinion. If he says he thinks you'd be ok, then ask to have a go on a 500 (I'm assuming you're over 21..) and take it from there. The school I done my test with have said they will put you in for Mod 1 then have a week gap before Mod 2 so that if you fail Mod 1, you've still got an opportunity to retest before Mod 2 to save yourself losing money.

Nice one Cypek! Enjoy the CBT on Sunday and I'm sure you'll be fine and on the road in the evening!

Got a workmate up that way so maybe during the summer will be up there. I didn't really like the Suffolk / Essex roads much tbh. There's a few people around from Colcheter and Thurrock way and some in London. Where do you normally go on your rideouts?

Well done matey! Are you sticking with the R125 for a bit or stepping up to a bigger bike?

Well done on passing Cobbz!

The main rule for me as with all riding is ride within your limits. If it doesn't look safe to you, you're going to be riding anxiously and not relaxed possibly causing a lack of concentration. I've seen some couriers riding in London traffic like a hot knife through butter but wouldn't attempt a lot of what they do. I'd say for now, use the gaps when it is safe to do so and progress from there. Remember, 5 minutes isn't worth endagering yourself for.

I'm pretty sure that if you buy a 250 ninja new it's going to have devalued a heck of a lot in a couple of years. I'd say go with the full licence then you can pick and choose what you want. Remember that a lot of bike shops won't let you test ride anything if you're on a restricted licence too so you may end up with a bike not completely suited to you. If you're worried about the power, don't be. After riding a 125 for 6 months then getting on an ER-5, the power increase didn't feel that much but felt like it had enough torque to get you out of sticky situations. Have a go on the training centres 500cc bike and see how it feels and make your mind up then.

I chose the CBR. Not ridden any of them but from sitting on, the CBR felt the best for my height.

I think in the case above you need to have a feel for when the lights will change. Obviously, if you're a few cars back and they've just changed to red, you're more than likely going to be able to get to the front. If you've arrived at a big queue of cars waiting at the lights, the chances are that the lights will change back to green soon. I think the important thing with filtering is to be aware of everything including timing of lights and read each situation individually.

Is anyone going this year? I'm not too sure if I am yet. Supposed to be moving on the 6th so don't know if I'll have time or not.

Cheers Dan! I tried looking for "group riding"...

Just thought I'd ask as I couldn't find a post and haven't really done much of it, what is the riding etiquette (sp) in groups?

Well done!!! You'd have thought the L plates and the high vis vest would've given some kind of indication that you were on instruction. Some people are just thick!

Not equal now! I've just voted blue. I think if I ever got a gixxer it would have to be the blue and white but IMO I don't think it looks as nice as some of the older ones. Just had a look at that 25th anniversary one, hubba hubba!!!

Does anyone know if there's any correlation between price and soundproofing? I've not really got much experience with helmets (no jokes please!) so don't know which ones would be best for soundproofing or if there's much difference between makes.

Have to say this is a good idea.. Ebay around this time has got all the Xmas gifts that people dont want.. Including gear that doesnt fit.. What make is it that keeps breaking, if im alowd to ask? The make is Revvit. I've not seen them being sold in many places. All is well though, I don't have to settle for mismatched boots. I got a call from the shop yesterday and they said that they are still getting deliveries of these boots (I assumed incorrectly that on sale meant they were being discontinued/last of the stock) so I'm just going to hold out until they get the right size through. Plus side no one will have tried them on either!

Any reason for not going with this option or just that you guys would prefer a proper pair? Just curious, no offence intended towards your comments

They didn't feel bad in all honesty and I wouldn't have noticed had I not looked at the bottom of the boot so I'm sure it won't be that bad if that's what I end up with.

So, I found a couple of pairs of boots. The first were the Oxford Bonedry boots at 99 pounds. Tried them on but extremely narrow across the top of the foot so didn't bother. The second pair were Hein Gerick (sp) Maxwell GTX, 99 reduced from 159 plus an extra 10% off only today. Plus side they're Goretex so guaranteed waterproof. Downside, someone walked out of the shop at some point with odd boots. One size 43 and the other size 42 which leaves me with an odd pair. They're going to try and locate another pair at another store and let me know if they can find it, if not, they'll take off another 5%. Does anyone have any comments on this boot at all? It seems pretty good value to me.

The getgeared shop isn't too far away from me so I'm going to pay them a visit on Saturday along with some other shops. I think I've been without bike too long so will just bite the bullet and get another pair and get the broken ones to the shop that I bought them from when I next visit Suffolk (hopefully not too long!).

I wasn't expecting a refund to be honest, a straight swap or repair would be fine as I want a second pair of boots regardless. I was just wondering whether it'd be better to wait for the show to get another pair as I know they do have some good deals or would the money I saved just be wasted on the price of the ticket and train fair (in reality making it a better option to buy locally). Please excuse the rambling and hope it makes sense!

The zip on one of my boots broke a couple of weeks ago. It's going to be another couple of weeks til I can get them to the shop where I bought them to see if they'll repair (2nd pair of boots from them as the first ones broke in the same way - replaced under warranty). The question is, do I wait for the Excel Bike Show at the beginning of Feb to buy another pair as they might be cheaper there or shall I buy a pair now? I can't decide as its going to cost me about £15 for train fare plus £14 for admission. Would I really save more than £30 buying from the show? Also, can anyone recommend a half decent pair of boots that are waterproof for under £100 if such a thing exists?

My my, you created quite a little debate here! I haven't really got anything useful to add myself so I'll end it on this; Well done!!!!

Well done on getting it booked. I'm sure you'll have a great time! As for doing the DAS straight away, I'd say see how you feel after the CBT. If you enjoyed it and felt comfortable, ask the training centre if they'll allow you to try on a 500. If they do allow, give it a go. I wish I'd just gone straight in now rather than getting the 125 and wasting money on it. As I say though, it depends on how confident you are. If you feel that you could use some time getting used to being on 2 wheels, stick to the 125 for the moment.