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Thanks guys. Tried the muc off spray too, yeah you're right didn't help. Do have contact lenses but hate wearing them. Haven't 100% decided to go the 125 route. May still decide to put up with wether/glasses misting up and spread DAS lessons over a couple of months over the winter. Then hopefully passing mod 2 by the spring time and buying a big bike to enjoy for spring/summer! I've heard of people doing much worse in the CBT, getting through it and straight onto DAS. I don't mind having to pay for a few more DAS lessons and getting more experience on a big bike rather than losing more money on a 125.

Also forgot to add on my CBT got my first nod from a fellow biker!

So did the CBT yesterday and absolutely loved it! New to bikes so was a bit scary at first. Did a previous post regarding clutch control during a pre-cbt/taster session. You guys were all very encouraging, told me to relax and use the back break. And you were so right! It all clicked fairly quickly and had no problems with the U turn or hill start. Only had two wobbles. A stall at junction and other was a bit jerky with the clutch when pulling out. Weather was horrible, cold, windy and rain. Had problems with glasses misting up on starting the slow manoeuvres and when the bike was stopped. Also had to stop and wait as the other person was struggling a little bit (fell off as applied front brake on a sharp left roundabout exit). They were ok though and to their credit got up, carried on. Now have a dilemma. At the end instructor says he always recommend learning road craft on a 125 for a few months (observations, road position etc) and then moving onto DAS. Thats what I'm now leaning towards.I know my clutch control, gear changes and better observations is what I need to work on. Also the weather is a factor in regards to wearing specs. Think I would enjoy lessons on a big bike more without having to worry about my specs fogging up and wiping them every 2 minutes. So have decided to get a 125 for about 3-4 months, practice on my own and then DAS lessons early Spring. Cbt was on a Kawasaki KLX125. Didn't feel comfortable on it though. Height was ok (I'm 6ft, 16 stone). Found the seat uncomfortable for 2 hours though and woke up with a pretty sore lower back this morning. Maybe just because I'm new to riding. Thinking about either a Yamaha MT-125 or Honda CB125. 2-3 year old Mts are bout 3K and the Honda about £1800 for a year old. Hopefully won't lose too much when coming to sell/part-ex in 3-4 months. Like the bigger bike looks/tyres of the MT125 but they are expensive, also has nearly 5bhp more than the Honda. Would that make that much difference? Personally I think its not worth the extra if I'm going to get rid of it so soon and could spend what I save on a bigger bike or lessons. I'd appreciate anyones opinion on either. Sorry for the long post guys and have a good weekend!

Thanks for tips and encouragement guys. I also thought it was a good idea to have a free pre CBT/taster too being new to bikes. Just didn't think that I'd be introduced to figure of 8s and u turns so quickly though. Perhaps it was because the other two lads had previous experience on bikes. Not complaining though even as I struggled with slow speed u turns, hopefully should help me pick it up quicker in the full CBT. From what I've heard we should be given a fair bit more time to get the slow stuff right in the car park before the road session. Really buzzing now to give it another go!

Cheers guys No the pre CBT was free (included in the £110 For the cbt). Will try the slow straight. Think nerves and frustration just got the better of me by the end. Just need to get used to it I guess. As it was so cold and wearing winter gloves couldn't get a precise feel for the clutch. Also had new bike boots on which felt big and heavy for the brake and gears. Instructor suggested borrowing theirs for the CBT which will be softer. Even though I hate wearing them will put in contact lenses for the CBT. When I'm riding more hopefully the ventilation at speed in the helmet will stop the glasses misting up. At the lesson there was a fair bit of standing around in the cold. Obviously I'll see how the CBT goes but I was considering doing lessons straight after on a bigger bike but if my clutch control at low speeds isn't that good I might consider buying a 125 to get more practice and then have lessons on bigger bike. I think they use er6s. Thanks for the advice guys!

Hello everyone So just had a pre CBT lesson (90 mins) prior to the full CBT next Saturday. First off putting on my gear felt so weird for the first time, claustrophobic with the helmet and glasses kept misting up (it was freezing cold!). Instructor showed us the controls and put us on the bikes. They use Kawasaki KLXs which I didn't feel comfortable on with a very narrow seat but wasn't too bad. First was going round in circles in the car park (which was fairly small). Was fairly ok with that once I got used to the biting point. Then was figure of 8 with 2 cones about 3 metres apart. Bit wobbly but just about managed it by the end of that bit. Lastly was U turn within the width of 3 car park spaces. This is when it went pear shaped. Got very wobbly and kept putting my foot down on the turn and stalling. Just couldn't get the hang of holding it at the biting point and keeping the revs up to control it and keeping my balance when turning. Got a bit annoyed with myself and more tense as I was the last to go and the others were waiting for me to finish. Hopefully be better for the full CBT, left the lesson frustrated but determined to get back on. Wish I didn't have to wait a week though! Instructor was a top bloke, very calm and patient. Any advice greatly appreciated. Cheers guys.

Hi Guys, New to biking and passed my theory this week. I am now looking to book my CBT and then lessons. Just wanted to ask the experienced riders their thoughts on doing training in the winter months as first I was thinking of holding off towards end of winter/early summer and buying a bike Feb/March (Big bike after passing full test). But I am really excited to get onto two wheels again (started just to learn abroad 20 years ago before I had to move back). Experienced riders probably think its a daft question and to just do it, but when I started before it was in a much sunnier climate than Birmingham! Cheers

So theory passed this week and wanted to get my own gear for CBT and lessons. Tried on loads of helmets and the one that felt the most comfortable was the HJC RPHA ST Murano (rrp £299 but reduced to £199, with 20% off cost £160). Also got an IXS jacket reduced from £199 to £99 so was £80 and Frank Thomas winter gloves for £24 after discount. The gloves seem of reasonable quality so I thought would get these to at least see me through a winter of training and then get better ones for the spring/summer when hopefully I'll have my full license. Being new to buying gear I think I got a pretty good deal, not sure about the RRPs though, but I think the lid was probably close to £299 when it first came out a couple of years ago and seems to be of pretty good quality compared to the cheaper ones I tried. Will pop in again to J and S this Friday and see if I can pick up some good boots and trousers. Any suggestions guys? Anyways am pleased with my first bit of gear, can't wait to start riding now!

Thanks as well Hoggs!

Cheers for the reply Megawatt. Any recommendations in regards to getting fully kitted out for a newb if you reckon J and S are more expensive? Or I guess the bigger chains will be more anyway?

Hello everyone, As a newbie I was looking to buy my gear after taking my CBT and before DAS. But I just saw on their website that J and S are doing 20 per cent off everything online and in store. Seeing as I have to buy the lot (good helmet and all the other decent safety gear) I was thinking of getting it now with the 20 per cent off to save a fair bit. My question is am I better off waiting if this is just a ploy that retailers do normally to get rid of older stock or before bigger sales around the new year when perhaps sales of biking gear is slower due to the winter weather? Cheers for any advice and a big thanks for the warm welcome I got in the newbie section!

Hi All, As a newbie biker, I'm looking to get all the gear prior to doing my DAS. Anyone have experience of motorcycle live at the NEC? Good place to get kitted out? Or will it be mostly the latest premium stuff, obviously at a premium price? Seeing all those great bikes though will probably make me even more impatient for getting one! First time buying basically everything. Been to J and S to get an idea of sizes and prices. So far only been to them and looked online at Streetbike in Halesowen. I know there is loads of online retailers but would rather go instore and try on. Would like to buy decent gear that will last in all weathers. So probably start with textile. Any advice much appreciated in terms of good starting point or what to avoid. Thanks guys.