Jamieking86

The bit I hated, and where it is more difficult, is the manual handling test. Those bikes are heavy to walk around. Although you may be stronger and less arthritic than me, so it may not be a problem for you. Most people manage, and somehow I did too.

I have to agree with this. As I mentioned above I’m only 5 foot 3 on a good day, so this is the part I struggled with the most. I found out that wheeling it straight back to the first yellow cone for the slalom, then pushing it forwards in line with your green cones destination, then wheeling it back into the green cones, if that makes sense, was much easier. When I tried wheeling straight back from 1 set of green cones to the other, I found that when I turned the handlebars, it was a real struggle with the weight of the bike. Maybe I turned the handlebars too much, but I found the other way much easier for me. I was more worried about the u-turn, I was dreading it but funnily enough it was probably the easiest one to do. Just look at where you want to go and you’ll get their.

I was exactly the same 4 days ago mate when I did my mod 1. I was a nervous wreck, my hearts never pounded so fast but I’m pleased to say I passed with a couple of minors. I was very nervous about learning on a bigger bike as I’m a short arse at only 5 foot 3 on a good day. I always thought a bigger bike would be too heavy or too big for me. To my surprise, it was a lowered Suzuki gladius and actually fairly light. It was a dream to ride compared to a ybr 125 that I did my cbt on. Their smoother and easier to ride, only thing is their heavier but get used to your balance and stopping on your rear brake (which i found so much easier than using the front at low speeds) and you’ll be fine mate. Just take deep breaths, and if you fail? So what, you can take it again within 3 working days, which you’ll pass 2nd time round.

AS has been said RELAX, whats the worst that can happen, Its not just the whole mental attitude that helps, if you are tense the bike wont be able to balance its self, your all stiff with clenched mitts on the bars the bike cant do what it wants to do, going slow you need to keep revs slightly up, slip the clutch and use the rear brake as a damper to smooth it all out, as well as the gyroscopic effect of the wheels turning the driving force of the engine trying to drive it all forward will keep the bike upright if you allow it.

Have a look on youtube at slow riding tips, its early days dont let it get you down its all just part of the journey.

Ever since I got home at 11:30 All I've been doing on it is research lol. I didn't think I was tense, the instructor saw me struggling with the handlebars wanting to go both ways and he never said relax, but may be I was tense. I will try to relax more next time for sure, and use the rear brake instead for certain.

Thanks guys, i was generally thinking of throwing the towel in thinking is this really for me? But like you say mate, you learn from mistakes, i need to learn not to use the front brake whilst doing slow speed

After watching some helpful tips on youtube i just want to get back on the thing now and try again, but ive got to wait another 6 frigging days

Do you get used to the balance of your bike, or do experienced riders still nearly drop theirs? lol.

 

Yes You get used to it

&

Yes we still nearly drop ours, its just a very rare thing is all,

It usually happens at VERY slow speeds (1-5 mph) and most time its when we go full lock or misjudge a kerb or gravel (that sort of thing)

My Mate Dropped his "New" Triumph Rocket 3 twice........and he has 50+ year experience

In his defence the Rocket 3 is HUGE!

That also helps lol. My dad was saying he went on a trip to switzerland with his mates who had been riding all their life (30 40 years) and they dropped their bike due to using the front brake instead of the rear. So it definately helps knowing even the most experience still have major slip ups. I think once i get to grips with slow speed and using the rear brake, the rest should hopefully come naturally.

Thanks guys, it helps a bit knowing that people do struggle when they first start which is obvious as it's new to all of us in some parts of our life. Reading peoples experiences of their CBT's all help a bit too knowing that other people do drop the bike and fall off, I think i was just very unfortunate to snap the clutch lever. All i wanted to do was get back on it and try again. Now I'm worried about my balance on the bike though and worried it will happen again but i guess that's normal. Do you get used to the balance of your bike, or do experienced riders still nearly drop theirs? lol.

So i did my CBT this morning, or some of it.

Their were 2 of us, i actually expected more but was kind of relieved as i knew we'd get more attention and more help with it been a smaller crowd. The other lad was a nice lad so we got on well.

We went through all the briefing of equipment road safety etc and was hummng and arghing wether to ge through with it due to a little ice on the grounds. We did though and just took it steady, after 3 laps round though of the slow maneovuring i lost balance of the bike, panicked and used the front brake, obviously not the best thing to do. I dropped the bike, fell off with it and broke the clutch lever, he didn't have a spare so we've had to call it a day and I've got to go back next week.

I'm having major doubts now though about my skills, i felt as if i couldn't steer properly even in a straight line, the bike felt as if it wanted to go both ways. I guess i just need more practice but I'm snookered now till next week. I've been looking forward to it for so long then that happens after the 3rd frigging lap round. Pretty gutted to be honest, has anything similar happened to anyone else? I want someone to tell me they did that on their first try but it get's easier with practice lol.

Yeah i think i will get it lowered, would be much easier for me.

So i had my CBT this morning, we was hummng and arghing wether to ge through with it due to a little ice on the grounds. We did though and just took it steady, after 3 laps round i lost balance of the bike, dropped the bike and broke the clutch lever, he didn't have a spare so we've had to call it a day and I've got to go back next week. I'm having major doubts now though about my skills, i felt as if i couldn't steer properly even in a straight line, the bike felt as if it wanted to go both ways. I guess i just need more practice but I'm snookered now till next week. Pretty gutted to be honest.

I have added the photos to show i can reach with my feet, the other picture i just wanted to show how nice the bike was lol.

We actually came to an agreement for £1950 for the bike, a little more than i was hoping to spend but it comes with warranty and a full service before sale, full mot etc and the bike is in top condition so i'll be able to get most of my money back when i come to sell it. I'll actually be paying finance for now as I'm a gardener and work is very quiet this time of year, but come summer, my peak time and I've hopefully passed my test and much more experienced by then, I'll pay it off in full then probably part x it for an R3, see how things are. I may want to keep it for a little while longer. Got my CBT tomorrow though, very nervous but also very excited.

I can certainly imagine how different the custom would be handlebar wise, they we're quite high up but I'm a short bum

I sat on the YBR125 today, and it was more or less perfect for me. I wasn't quite flat footed but certainly comfortable enough and the riding position seemed ok for me too although i didn't test ride it....obviously. I also got a chance to sit on me beloved R3. Must admit i was tip toeing slightly but once i get the hang of riding I think I'll be ok with tip toeing. I love the R3, everything about it just stands out to me and i felt upright rather than hunched over like super sports bikes, that is definately the bike I'm going for later next year, I would upload the picture my partner took of me on it, but I have no idea how lol. For now though I have decided to get a YBR125 to learn, I've seen one top notch condition for 2k but if i offer £1800 cash i think he'll take it. It's got 2451 miles on, 2014 full MOT, serviced etc 3 month warranty, the bike itself there's not a mark on it. Would you say that's pretty good deal?

We just all love bikes and riding so are happy to help others share in that!

And I started on a YBR 125 Custom. It is not an exciting bike itself, but you can have a lot of fun on one. Mine took me 200 miles to my parents with luggage, on hundreds of day trips, around town for hospital visits and shopping, and many times to a local car park for figure-8s and U-turns. And all for under £10 for 200 miles.

I just wish I could afford to insure a second bike so could still use it around town.

Yes i heard you can fill the tank up for £10 and get 200 mile out of it. Well i went to see it this afternoon, with me been a short rider my dad said i didn't look comfortable on it, my feet didn't flat foot the floor but i was quite comfortable reaching the floor with both feet, but the handlebars were a little high for me. I'm looking at getting an R3 eventually so my dad said i would be better looking for a 125 around the same position as the R3 to make sure I'm comfortable on it and to make sure I'll be comfortable on the R3, so going to go look at a bike shop sometime this week for a 125 that's a similar shape as the R3, any recommendations? I can understand why it's so fun, although I haven't ridden one yet, apart from a little trial bike 20+ years ago, just sitting on it I just couldn't wait to get going on one. I'm 31 now, and just can't believe it's taken me this long to actually want to do it, what's wrong with me? Lol.

Thanks someone that is actually a massive help. I will ask my instructor after my CBT where i should go from their. I'm going to see a YBR 125 custom this afternoon, all being well I'm hopefully going to buy it, then after my CBT can drive around as much as i can to get the experience needed. Thanks for your time replying.

Hello Hoggs, i very much intend to thank you

Yeah I've done some tests online and passed every one of them. Would you personally recommend buying a 125 to learn on for a few month? I think it's one of them things where I've done so much research online, YouTube etc, know exactly how to ride a bike but only gain experience by actually riding.

Ok thanks. As I have a full driving licence I'm guessing you still have to do the theory and hazard perception tests too? I wasn't sure if you still had to do them as their basically the same as when you do your driving theory test.

The CBT consists of three main parts, some class room learning, some manoeuvres done off-road, and some riding on the road. This in essence is what the theory test, Mod 1, and Mod 2 are the more comprehensive versions when going for a full licence.

Anyway, after the CBT you have two options:

1/ Ride a 125 with L-plates (and no motorways or pillions) for the next two years.

2/ Go for training and test for a full licence.

What is right for you depends on your personal circumstances, such as:

1/ How you learn, some people may find the time spent riding a 125 or self-learning to be more helpful to them, others may not.

2/ Why you are riding, a 125 might be enough for you for now, others need to commute on motorways or dual carriageways where they will need the speed of a bigger bike or a full licence.

3/ How much you can afford, a 125 is cheap to tax and has far better MPG than anything else, a bigger bike not only costs more to run but you also have the upfront costs of the training and tests that you could be saving whilst riding a 125.

4/ How old you are, which will determine the sort of licence you can get.

If you want to go for a full licence though then you will need to do the theory test first, however you do not need to complete this to ride a 125 on a CBT. So unless you plan on riding on just renewing your CBT in two years (some people do) then it is best to book that now and start practicing.

You also need to be over 24 to get a full A category licence to ride any bike, this is what DAS refers to. If you are over 19 you can get an A2 licence which will allow you to ride an R3, but you would then need to retake Mod 1 and Mod 2 after two years (or once you are 24) to upgrade to the full licence. So it can be expensive if you are unable to wait.

(An A1 licence which you can get if you are under 19 is not worth bothering with unless you need to ride a 125 on motorways or with pillions, as you have to wait two years to upgrade to an A2 but would be 19 by then so able to test for it anyway.)

You can use your own bike for the tests, but unless you are going for an A1 licence which restricts you to a 125 then this is not a realistic option. You are unlikely to get insurance to ride anything bigger than a 125 without a full licence, plus you would need someone else to take the bike to and from the test centre as you will not be able to ride it there. And there is no legal way to privately learn to ride a bigger bike on the road so you would need somewhere suitable to learn the bike and practice on it.

So that leaves your only realistic option for anything over a 125s as going through a training school. They will provide the bike and insurance, and by being accompanied by a certified trainer will allow you to ride a bigger bike with L-plates. Were you already an experienced rider then you could ask a school about just doing the tests with them, but as a complete beginner that is not a good idea and I cannot imagine any willing to take that risk, so you would be looking at a full training course which will be from around £600.

Second-hand Japanese 125s, such as the Yamaha, hold their value well, though. They are very reliable and many people want one after completing their CBT, so usually you will not lose much financially by buying one to ride until you are ready to move on to something bigger then reselling it.

But as a complete beginner, the only good advice that can be given is to do the CBT and see how you feel after that. You may even hate the experience!

But only then will you know how confident you feel about going straight for training for a full licence, or if you would prefer some time on a 125. You can also ask the instructors for advice as they will be far better informed having seen you on a bike than people on a forum can ever be.

And generally people on forums can only tell you what was right for them or their ego, but everyone is different.

Thanks for that also. As im 31 My ideal scenario would be to go straight for my full licence. Could I buy the 125 to learn on and still go for the mod 1 and mod 2 to do my test on a bigger bike? Also would they provide the bike if I were to do my test on a bigger bike?

Thanks for clearing that up. Yes as I say, I'm a complete beginner

I'm 31 so I'm happy to go straight for the bigger bikes. As I've already booked and paid for my cbt next week does that mean I can't do the das? Or can I go for that once I've completed my CBT? I'm going to ask my instructors next week anyway what the next best step would be for me, tell them what I want etc. I'm sure they can help that way.

Hi guys, I have booked my CBT for next week. As i'm new to riding and a complete beginner I'm not quite sure where to go after that. I literally thought you could do your CBT then go straight for your test (that's how much of a beginner I am) but as I've researched their seems so many options to do after the CBT. I have read about Module 1, which from what I've read sounds just the same as the CBT? Could be wrong though, then you move to Module 2 and I've heard about the DAS? Question is, what would be the best thing to do? I have considered and i'm actually going to view a Yamaha CBR 125 custom tomorrow just to buy so I can practice on after the CBT and learn myself, get in the habit of the lifesaver look etc. Would this be a reasonable thing to do? Or would you recommend me going on another course after the CBT? I've read you have to take your own bike to do your actual test, but if i pass on a 125 i am restricted on the bike i really want which is the Yamaha R3, so not 100% sure on buying the 125 idea. Any help would be really appreciated. Thanks in advance.