Quentin

have any acknowledged your nod? It would be awesome if they did!! I nod at everyone and since losing my L plates most nod back now. Oh and I wave at kids if they wave at me, only because I know how much my daughter loves it when she gets a wave back from a bike.

Had my Mod 2 at Burgess Hill yesterday (23rd Oct) Had the usual questions about pillions then the old how would I check the oil and the chain. The examiner Mark was really laid back and gave clear instructions throughout the ride. We went through a variety of town and country roads, different speed limits, roundabouts etc. It was all pretty straight forward, had to pull over 5 times (twice behand a car and once up a hill). It all felt like a nice little ride really, I did have a dodgy moment where I miss judged the angle of a junction and had to slow down when I pulled out which didn't give the examiner chance to follow straight away. I got a minor for that as it was poor planning. I also got a minor for breaking in a corner on a national speed limit road which was pretty fair as it did catch me out a bit, I could have just leant in more but I didn't want to look like I was booting it. So thats it passed with 2 minors. Seems that falling off my bike 30 minutes before my test was just good luck!!* *please note I don't advise falling off your bike for any reason, even if it helps pass your test

Here's what I wrote about my mod 1 when I passed tother week I had my module one today and passed with no minors I thought i'd write a little about it as I know myself I had an odd apprehension of it! I saw 4 people take it before me, 3 passed and 1 failed as he kept the throttle open during his emergency stop and nearly went through a fence, the examiner made him push the bike out rather than ride it! The main thing I did was over exaggerate left & right life savers before doing ANYTHING! One guy got a minor for not doing life savers when he set off to go through the gate and another forgot to do em when his test had ended and was riding out of the test area. So yeah my test started and I did all the life savers (despite the fact my bike was backed into a parking bay against a wall) went through the gate and the examiner told me what he wanted me to do (they only tell you what you have to do next maneuver) and showed me a map. Pushing my bike from one box to another was really easy as its light and i'm pretty tall. I then got on my bike as the examiner told me about the slalom and figure of 8 (which are the only two consecutive ones) He told me not to worry keeping count of my figures of 8 as he'd signal when he'd seen enough. Again I stopped while I had the swerve explained to me. I built my speed up to around 20mph for the corner and then just gave it a whole load of throttle when I got up straight. The swerve part of it kinda just happened, its all really clear what cones to go through. When I stopped in t' box I asked what speed I reached and i'd got 47kpm Un deterred I executed a fine U turn and then managed to stay behind his clip board as he walked excruciatingly slow. As I wasn't fast enough for my first swerve I thought I better give it some more on my emergency stop and ended up clocking 57kph. The stop was ok, I didn't think I stopped quick enough but apparently its more about being controlled than stopping at any cost. I was then asked if I wanted another go at t' swerve and clocked up 57kph again. I did find that the box I had to stop in came at me pretty quick but I could easily have stopped safely before the box. After that the examiner went t' open t' gate and ,after a pair of pantomime life savers, I rode out and parked up. Module 2 here I come! Hope that was of some use I still haven't booked my MOd 2 yet, a job for the morning I think!

Hurrah! Hopefully i'll be saying the same about my module 2 very soon

I had my module one today and passed with no minors I thought i'd write a little about it as I know myself I had an odd apprehension of it! I saw 4 people take it before me, 3 passed and 1 failed as he kept the throttle open during his emergency stop and nearly went through a fence, the examiner made him push the bike out rather than ride it! The main thing I did was over exaggerate left & right life savers before doing ANYTHING! One guy got a minor for not doing life savers when he set off to go through the gate and another forgot to do em when his test had ended and was riding out of the test area. So yeah my test started and I did all the life savers (despite the fact my bike was backed into a parking bay against a wall) went through the gate and the examiner told me what he wanted me to do (they only tell you what you have to do next maneuver) and showed me a map. Pushing my bike from one box to another was really easy as its light and i'm pretty tall. I then got on my bike as the examiner told me about the slalom and figure of 8 (which are the only two consecutive ones) He told me not to worry keeping count of my figures of 8 as he'd signal when he'd seen enough. Again I stopped while I had the swerve explained to me. I built my speed up to around 20mph for the corner and then just gave it a whole load of throttle when I got up straight. The swerve part of it kinda just happened, its all really clear what cones to go through. When I stopped in t' box I asked what speed I reached and i'd got 47kpm Un deterred I executed a fine U turn and then managed to stay behind his clip board as he walked excruciatingly slow. As I wasn't fast enough for my first swerve I thought I better give it some more on my emergency stop and ended up clocking 57kph. The stop was ok, I didn't think I stopped quick enough but apparently its more about being controlled than stopping at any cost. I was then asked if I wanted another go at t' swerve and clocked up 57kph again. I did find that the box I had to stop in came at me pretty quick but I could easily have stopped safely before the box. After that the examiner went t' open t' gate and ,after a pair of pantomime life savers, I rode out and parked up. Module 2 here I come!

Cheers!!! I'll let you know how it all goes

Sorry to hijack this but I passed my theory test today and I have to say it was bloody easy, I have driven for a while so I guess that helped. When do you have your module 1 Dave? Mines on t' 9th July. Someone at work did both modules 4 weeks back and he thought module 1 was tricky but 2 was only 30 mins so he didn't have enough time to mess that up! Oh and despite it being easy well done on the theory Heres to a full licence

I recently bought a back protector for £50 including delivery http://www.getgeared.co.uk/SUPER_SHIELD_Back_Protector_Belt?sc=20&category=-120 Its CE approved level 2 and is pretty comfy when riding.

My jacket doesn't have a foam insert so its just the old super shield cheapo. I also couldn't decided which one to get as all the ones I tried on felt pretty similar and if it has the relevant level 2 CE markings then the protection is pretty much the same also. I had £100ish to spend on one but being a tight Yorkshireman I couldn't resist one that was half the price. If I wasn't tight I would have got a knox contour. Good luck with your quest to protect your back

Just a quick note on how that cheap back protector I bought is...... http://www.getgeared.co.uk/SUPER_SHIELD_Back_Protector_Belt?sc=20&category=-120 I've lived with it for a week now and have to say it's pretty comfy! The under the armpit straps are a bit odd at first but don't need to be too tight to stay in place. It is flexible enough to bend with my back when in a riding position. A few I tried on (knox & forcefield) had more padding than this one but again it is comfy when riding, I don't notice it until I get off and sweat buckets. The actual protection part of it covers my spine from top to bottom but it doesn't have any protection over the shoulders or kidneys. For £50 i'm well pleased with it!

After a bit of travelling and trying on back protectors and looking a bit of a nob sitting on bikes I don't own I decided the ones I tried on (Dainese, Knox, forcefield and some unbranded) were all similar and the comfort would only be knwn by actually wearing one while riding for a bit soooooooooooooooo I went for the cheapish one that I first saw the damn skin flint I am! I shall let you all know how it is when it arrives! Oh and cheers for the link Korben

Cheers guys It is the comfort thing i'm worried about and I must admit those shoulder straps do look odd. Trouble i'm having at moment is finding a shop that has back protectors in stock. Rang 3 close to me today, 2 only order them in and other only has Dainese ones. Anyone know a shop in sussex that have a good range of back protectors in stock?

Hello! I'm going to take the plunge and buy a back protector as I enjoy my functions as they are. Anyway I have come across (he he) this back protector http://www.getgeared.co.uk/SUPER_SHIELD_Back_Protector_Belt?sc=20&category=-120 and wondered if anyone has/had one? It is CE level 2 approved so I guess it has the protection, I am suspicious that its only has 2 sizes and might not suit all bodies. I have got £100 to spend on a back protector but at half the price of knox/forcefield ones it does tempt me as I also want some new gloves. So all opinons will be greatly recieved!

I nod at every bike I pass and to my constant suprise get a nod back at least 90% of the time. I say suprise as I ride on L plates and always thought I'd be looked down on by, ahem proper bikers. I have since realised that proper bikers tend to be friendly and all round good folk!

Hi Quentin, Sorry for delay, been out enjoying the bank holiday! No plug offers a flat response, I won't go into great detail, but basically the ear canal amplifies certain frequencies above others naturally, so putting a plug in always reduces these more than others. Best way of putting it is, if in correctly they should sound a bit like you've got ure fingers in your ears, so they do take some time to get used to. The sound shouldn't be distorted tho, or sound muffled. Ive got the attenuation figures for the plugs somewhere, and they do come with differing degrees of attenuation dependant on the filter Best way to get your hearing checked if anyone is worried about it is your GP. I dont work privately, so I have no idea what the private sector is like at testing peoples hearing, but your GP should be able to sort out an in-surgery hearing test for you. Jason Cheers Jason I do ask odd questions as I own a pair of ER9shttp://www.audiorelief.co.uk/shop/product_info.php?cPath=24&products_id=40 which are (were) pretty amazing until some bloody moron stood on one. Still kinda works but doesn't fit perfectly. Therefore I'm in the market for a new pair and would much prefere not to spend £160 especially as my new job isn't half as loud. I wouldn't mind seeing the attenuation figures just because i'm anal. Back to your first post Yeah I'd deffinatly buy some for £40 just for general use. If the owner looks after them it would work out cheaper than disposables over 4ish years.

I'm inetersted in this! £40 sounds cheap for moulded ear plugs. What effect will they have on my hearing despite the obvious? Will they have a nice flat response across my hearing range, ie say 9dB drop across my full hearing range or will I get everything muffled with some severe drops in certain frequencies? Oh and do you have different dB level cuts? Cheers

Although I haven't had a bike very long I'd still stop if I thought someone needed a hand. I always stop in my car for pretty much anything, i've changed wheels as I like doing such things (makes me feel like a man). I have found a lot that more people that I expect either dont have a phone or have a phone with no credit so ae generally pleased to use my credit to phone for help. Saying that I wouldn't expect anyone to stop for me just because I've broken down. I can understand why people wouldn't , the person who looks like they need help might just want to stab someone or rob them or both

I have one of those for my CBR125 and it could go over it twice(ish) so i'm preety sure you'd be alright. Its a good cover too, bike stayed nice, dry and clean even with a large amount of snow on!

Hello there I recently got my new bike and as I'm super proud of it I want to make sure it's shiney as shiney can be. Just wondering if anyone can recomend some cleaning brands which are good but don't cost a fortune, oh and some good wax. Also, this is going to make me sound like a complete moron but..., whats the best kind of oil I should use for the chain? Oh and is there anything especially for wheels, i'm thinking in terms of all the salt on t' road at the moment! Cheers guys

I passed my CBT today woooooooo I was well nervous what with my first CBT being a bit of a sham and a few weeks back but this time it was brilliant. The instructor was great, explaining things really well and giving good feedback on my riding (mistakes) Spent all morning with gear changes, slow manuevers, emergency stops etc. Went out on the road around 1pm for 2 and half hours. It was brilliant being on the road and just confirmed my thought that buying a bike was a freaking good idea! The first 20 mins or so were a bit freakish but after that It was all good. I did have a few panic moments but they just helped me learn and improve. The last hour was bliss though, can't wait to get my bike tomorrow and get some more experience on the road!

I had my CBT yesterday and it was terrible Started with the old this is a helmet, helmet good no helmet bad etc. Then out to do some 'training'. I got riding round, starting, stopping changing gears up and down. Then came the slow maneuvering. I found it a might tricky as I pulled the clutch in rather than use the rear brake to slow down but was getting usede to it. I had a couple of goes round some cones then got told I wouldn't be going out on t road. I wouldn't have minded but it was only 10:30am and the only other guy who turned up arrived on a bloody scooter as he was just renewing his and had everything down easy. Is this normal for a CBT, I did expect to be there til 4pm so saying I wouldn't be going out at 10:30 seems a bit mental. It was raining a load so would I be jumping to conclusions that the examiner wanted an early day by just taking out the guy who could already ride? I must admit i'm very p***ed off as it cost £140 for 2 hours of someone telling me they don't like rain

Cheers for moving my post to a more relevent board Korben! Drilling into the ground shouldn't be a problem, my neighbours don't mind and some guy has a plastic shed bolted to his! Although since posting this my wife has had the brilliant idea that I just park it in the garden and put an anchor (or two) on the patio which means we'll be able to see it from t' house. With this in mind i'll probably get two anchors and chains along with a cover, it'll be annoying come summer when I have to move it to have a BBQ but hey ho. I have seen a few reviews of this alarm http://www.motorbikealarm.co.uk/node/26 and most people have good things to say so for £25 should be worth it to scare off the odd chav. Might get a disc lock for when i'm at work still though as i'll be more worried about my bike when i'm there, unless I can park it inside which would be possible i guess. Cheers for the advice

Hey I'm picking up my CBR125 on the 15th and need to sort out some security sharpish. I don't have a drive but have a parking space in a private car park which I plan on fixing an anchor to. I've pretty much sorted what anchor and chain i'm going to get. The problem is I would also like an alarm on it but not sure if a fitted one or a disc lock one would be best, or if I get a fitted alarm, to get a disc lock too (I guess you can never have too much!) Can anyone recomend a decent alarm or disc lock alarm please as the choice and price range is baffling me. Cheers Q

I do want a back protector! I kinda ran out of time in the shop as I spent ages walking around with helmets on and sitting on bikes in various combinations of jackets & trousers. I'm going to go back soon to try a few on as I have some cash left in my fund, although I do need to sort out some security with that aswell!

Just to follow up my post as I like tales to have a happy ending............ I tried on a load of helmets, most of which just didn't fit very well. AVG didn't seem to have any space for my chin (which amused my dad when I told him, seems i'm to be called Jimmy from now) It came down to Ari or Shoei, I ended up with a Shoei Raid II as it edged the Ari comfort wise. Went for Frank Thomas XTI Aqua jacket & trousers oh and gloves too. They fit me really well, a bit tight round the knee when on a bike but I'm assured they'll break in a little! And finally some Dianese Apache boots which, as far as i'm concerned, are ace! I almost stayed on budget as well which is pleasing. I was secretly hoping my head would get on better with a slightly cheaper make of helmet but not bothered as my daughter spent a good half hour sat in its box giggling, which reminded me why I like my head and the other parts of me I'd like to keep functioning!