peatear

Like you, I had never sat on a motorcycle, ridden one, and don't know anyone who owns one or rides. Been driving for 16 or whatever years. Unlike you, I don't ride bicycles. Not been on one since I was a kid. It is nerve racking, but the CBT /IS/ that training. Some places will do ONE-2-ONE CBT, but charge more. My CBT was £99. Both times I did CBT there was only one other person doing it with me. First time they also had never ridden, the second time obviously I had ridden a bit but the other guy hadn't ridden at all. It is actually quite useful having someone else there riding as you can see what they are doing right and wrong. And with the instructor helping them, you learn more stuff. For the majority of the CBT your instructor isn't on a bike. But will help a lot. I know what you're trying to get, as I went through the same - wanting to do some basic bike stuff by myself without other people but the instructor around. As i'd never done anything with a motorbike before. But it all goes away once you are doing a CBT and it is THE most basic of basics. And you won't be wobbling out on to the road at all, as they simply won't let you if you aren't able to go round the enclosed bit safely. You don't need to buy anything extra, they have everything. Just yourself and a clear mind. And about £100. £150 sounds fkn excessive for a normal CBT. Unfortunately that is what you'll find from most places, do CBT ignore lessons. As in the long run in a way it'd be cheaper. CBT £99 for a full day of absolute basic teaching to ride a motorcycle which is what you need. Or lessons at, I dunno are they £25 an hour? And you'll possibly be doing 5 hours +... With no CBT at the end of it. Book a CBT, you'll not regret it. I've done mine with NCL Rider Training in NCL, and 2wheels in Sunderland. Preferred Sunderland. But that is a long way from you. :]

Same happened for me. And happened with my car too. My notices were the other way around though. Had it auto-renewal, was notified about 4 weeks in advance. The renew price was about £95 more than the year before. Rang up got it changed to a better amount and took off auto-renew. The next year I got a notice about a week before ending, and giving a different quote. Was around £50 less than the year before. So it doesn't surprise me if the 'auto-renew' quote is more than any other. They hope you just let it run.

DAS - Direct Access Scheme. Basically straight in to the full A license, not A1/A2. Usually getting a an hour or two (or more..) training on the big bike, then you do the Mod1/Mod2 tests. That is considered 'DAS'. How many training sessions I guess depends how good (or crap in my case) you are on a bike. ;D Good Luck, i'm trying to get mine sorted soon. Tests open up again on the 13th July apparently.

Yes you are! 1st class is next day delivery On their website it was classed as next day delivery so that's a yes yes yes You need to read a bit more . As you find 1st class IS NOT GARENNTEED next day delivery . Unless you pay for special delivery .9am or 1pm So unless you PAID EXTRA ( THIS IS THE WHOLE POINT IS I PAID EXTRA) For them to deliver it GUARANTEED. I sent a parcle not a letter I paid over £200 not 40p . But I take you dont understnd Nothing is guaranteed right now. Even in the same country. I know. I deliver. Some things just don't get sent out as we run with less people, split shifts, and a big increase in parcels (suprise suprise as to why that is.). We don't guarantee 1pm special mail now. It could arrive anytime. USUALLY on the day expected, but if something happens at some point it could be next day. It has all been relaxed so that we can cope with the big influx of extra parcels and a loss of workers, and lots of other reasons. It's a pain in the arse for those who pay for the expensive option, but use your head. Don't pay the expensive option. It'll be about the same for DHL/Parcelforce/UPS etc etc - although personally the couple of things i've had delivered have all been on time. I also tip them with biscuits for delivering. Unlucky you paid extra on top of extra, but you know what is going on. Be happy it wasn't delayed by a couple of weeks. It went to another country. Try your credit card company, you'll probably get the money back that way.

Even keyworkers need a day off sometimes.

Andes V2 Drystar, amazing. Jacket a TAD over your budget (can also get in other colourways, just search 'andes' on sportsbikeshop or other sites) Friend has the white set and loves it. https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/content_prod/329694 https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/content_prod/329670

[strikeout]Afternoon all, Selling my 125cc Sinnis Terrain, in great condition, nothing has been changed (all stock). Panniers are included, just not on the bike. Only 7 months old. Works great, great first bike and commuter. First service was done around 400 miles. Warranty is transferrable (as far as I know), 24months from Aug '19. Next service is due March (if warranty is wanted to be kept). £1900 Any questions, do ask There is a face book post linked that I have put it on, but I know some don't like FB. https://[/strikeout]

I was with MCE for first bike (125 Varadero), £790 p/a - with £2000 excess. '05 reg bike, bought for £1200. Current bike (still 125 but brand new) with bikesure is £790 on 3rd party. Was £1900 fullycomp. :/ Only £100 excess though. Nowhere else came close to that figure. Either FC or 3rd. Hate insurance.

Buy a used Jap bike. As someone else said, if you're already of the mindset that you think you'll get a bigger bike soon once you can (after the test if done soon) - defo used. If you bought new, while the jap bike would hold value, i'd say you want a good min of two/three years use out of it to make it worth while with the price drop. Saying that, someone I know bought a brand new MT125 for £4400. Sold it a year later for £4000. Depends on if you can risk the money or not. I got a Varadero for £1250 sold it roughly a year later for same amount. Was an 05 reg. Amazing bike. Jap bikes hold value.

DONATED/GONE Hey all, Need a clear out, and these two helmets are needing rid of. Just seeing if anyone wants them for purposes other than using as 'active helmets' in their motorcycling. Like for a toy for a kid to muck about with, or to dismantle for (the insides?) whatever reason. Maybe bits can be interchanged? Their insides seem in pretty decent shape - i've never used them as they were given to me just after I had bought my first helmet. So they were second hand then. Anyway, free +postage (not sure how much) to anyone who wants them - collection welcome (and preferred). Or i'll find somewhere to chuck 'em. DONATED/GONE

Evenin’ Really, just seeing who uses GMaps as navigation on their bike with a custom route and how you do it? You can’t change the route it chooses on the phone (iOS) and if I put a route in (my example, completely avoiding the A19 and any other ‘big roads’) on the PC and then ‘share’ said route - it simply shares the start and end of the route whilst resetting the actual route to Google’s preferred (fastest) route. Trying any way I can to sort this but everything just resets the route Anyone know how to/if possible to sort this crap issue or is there a better free Nav app for iOS? That enables totally custom route specifying where to go exactly not just start and end? TIA, gentle(wo)men.

It sounds like whoever you used were tossers pure and simple. Hope they didn't take your money if that is how it actually went. I took two days to complete my CBT. I am not a natural on the bike. And it probably had something to do with making a couple of BMW and Merc drivers shit their pants as I careered at them round a corner, unable to turn. As you say, you've found another place. Hopefully they'll do more 1on1 and help you get settled a bit on the bike. Mine got us to use our throttle hand with nothing else, just to get the feel. Then as Bender says, get a 125 and practice every single chance you can. Is exactly what I am doing. Good Luck

Would it even be legal?

Afternoon biscuit lovers, I am trying to find a reliable phone/Satnav holder of some sort that attaches to the bikes windscreen. So it is higher up in my FOV. My Terrain hasn’t got a lot of space on the handle bars (it feels) and one there would cover up my speedo etc - which while I know some people wouldn’t be bothered by, I’m not quite ready to not see my speed/revs etc just yet Space on the screen isn’t exactly great either, but it’d be better than down low. Something that doesn’t mark the screen but is very secure would be good, although I can always get a new screen they’re about £25 if drilling through is needed to guarantee security. I’ve looked through the forums at old suggestions and found one I liked but it is for handle bars. And the oxford dryphone pro which I like I couldn’t find a way to go on the screen. I do need to be able to plug things in to the phone, like charger etc Anyone use one on the screen? Any suggestions? Thanks in advance

Part of why I jumped at it. It looks great. I love the Triumph Tiger. This is closest 125 to it, in terms of look at least. Sadly a Tiger would be utterly wasted on me as i'll never be an offroader But, it'll still be the bike I want to go for. Road touring is something I would like to do though. Trip to Spain and wherever else at some point. Once time permits.

I'll be the one everyone is overtaking doing 45 on the 50/60s roads It is a Llama (looks more Alpaca really ) - and hope not a pillion, i'm not insured for it! Cable tie it to the front, I expect that isn't considered pillion...

Aaaand finally i've got another bike, so I can get back out on the road and ride. Still a 125 mind, and definitely not as 'grunty?'/powerful as my Varadero was, won't be doing 70 anytime soon like that one 'easily' could. However, MUCH easier to do the required practice of uturns/fig8s etc. Had my birthday ride today a quick few miles at 5:30 to wake people up, before I have to leave it under a hundred chains and cover for the day while i'm out. Miss it already. My new Terrain. Yup, I went Chinese. Don't hate me. Going to give it a full clean when I can and then get it acf50 sprayed to within an inch of its life.

Sorry, I forgot about the actual post. I’ve said I want it, details exchanged just waiting for Igloo to be less busy to be able to get it sent

Bit hard to say/explain how to use it... but...one way which seems to be popular... Find a box that shows a text cursor, anywhere on the page and just write insults and click on/send/post etc! Seems to be how a lot use it. I literally only use it to browse ‘owner groups’ of things I have nowadays.

If you come south of the river, Ultimate Moto (Boldon) and David Sykes (Peterlee) were pretty helpful for me. Good bikes in too. I didn't even ask for a test ride (as I am so new, and not done full license). But they were so accommodating I felt they would probably allow it, if showing confidence. *Yes I know sales people WILL be friendly, but i'd already explained i'm not buying and just looking etc. didn't want to waste their time. But still helpful with advice.

Jarrow

Yeah, I found it. I was impatient writing the post then looked for it and edited. lol PM'd you aswell Igloo.

Interested! I'll take it if still available? Find out what P+P will be, shouldn't be more than a fiver with RM and i'll get some monies over? Use RM if you could, as I will pick it up at work, I work for them.

NoRust, Coverust, and a wirebrush! I'll look into those As for bolts, would something like this be sufficient? Or are these bicycle ones? I can't tell, and i'm not sure the size i'd need. Assorted A2-70 Stainless Steel Bolts and Screws I don't think i'll have time to take it apart as such, i'm still going to be riding it. So it is a case of getting to parts I can get to easily, and doing the best I can. As for the shocks, I did wonder if a new one would be in order. Seem about £280 for a new one as far as I can see. I'll probably have a look into it. Not so flush with money at the moment to replace it ;/ Thanks for the advice guys!