Katie

Sign up to the skills for life with your local IAM group, has helped my confidence post DAS no end.

Congrats

Thanks. The test is a 90 minute ride on a mixture of roads from single track to dual carriageways with an ex police motorcyclist following behind you. It's all about positioning yourself in the safest position, where you get the best view ahead and riding progressively. It's been invaluable to me as I was so nervous after I passed my test as I felt like I didn't know where to be on the road, how to assess what speed to approach a bend, overtake safely, filter etc and now I do. Although lots still to learn and I don't have the years of experience of most people but I do have the basis to continue improving from. I've booked onto the Performance Plus at Cadwell in Sept so that's my next challenge

Passed my IAMs test today

Nightmare!!! Hope the leg heals quickly and after all that you'll sail thorugh it next time

One of the instructors where I went suggested I just stick to 125s so I didn't have him for my training. Although I about wanted to kill the guy I did use by the end it was such an idiot. But hey you just smile sweetly and remember once you've passed you never need to see them again

Get a new helmet, made a huge difference to me once I got a Shoei compared to my cheapo one that felt like it was going to fly off over about 50 mph

Thanks, just been and had a look and they are both BT021 tyres which seem to be recommended for my bike so I'll just get a new front one. Cheers Kt

My front tyre has come up as advisory on my MOT so guess I better get a new one. Do I need to replace front and back at the same time, back has loads of tread left on it? Anything else I should know? Thanks Katie

I went for IAMs as there was an acitve group nearby and you only have to take the test once whereas with ROSPA you have to renew, I think every 3 years. There was also no active ROSPA group nearby. That said the guy who takes me out is both IAMs and ROSPA in the car and on the bike so I'm probably getting training that would pass either. I've found it very worthwhile, gives me the tools to make me feel safer and get round the twisties faster. Not sure where you live but our IAMs does a block course over the summer which might suit you. I'm taking it slowly as only passed my test last summer so I need more time to get the hang of each new thing. Kt

Ha Ha I've done it!! Needed to prod them with a key, fingers just not enough

Thanks everyone Tango I know exactly what you mean. One of the centrifuges at work has been in German for the last couple of years after I tried to set a new protocol on it! I've tried pressing the two buttong but it's like they don't do anything. They are squashy bits of rubber rather than buttons and you don't seem to be able to press them properly. Here's link to one for sale on ebay so you can see what I mean http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Speedo-Speedometer-Clock-Unit-Tacho-Kawasaki-ZZR600-ZX600-E5-1997-Ninja-EAB9-/260929347157?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item3cc099de55

Does anyone know how to do this? I don't have the manual and it's driving me nuts as it's a random amount so I can't quickly work out what time it really is. Thanks It's a 2007 if that makes any difference.

Sounds good I'm back on with my training now, finding it really helpful but I'm still super slow around tight bends in 30s and roundabouts.

Asking on behalf of a friend of a friend. He has a ZZR600e and it's rear shck has dumped it's oil. He doesn't think they can be rebuilt, does anyone have any experience with this and can they offer any advice? He can't afford a new halogen shock so thinking he may have to buy a second hand one off ebay. None of this means anything to me so hope it makes sense!

Brilliant thanks

Megawatt I can't find that guy, any more info greatly appreciated. TC - I don't want to lower it as I'd rather not mess around with the handling.

Well done

Can anyone recommend who to send my seat to to get it cut out. I've found a few places online but a recommendation would be great. Thanks Katie

Well I've just got back from my second day out. The first day was for them to assess my riding but this time was really the start of the training. I've been assigned the same person for all my training as they live down the road, I'll refer to them as Y. Rather than try and do everything all in one go today we concentrated on corners and a bit of filtering, which due to lack of confidence I never do. First we did cornering, Y did a demo ride in front and then I did a few runs on the same road. Next Y took us onto a narrow B road and again did a demo ride. After this I needed a break as my concentration was starting to drop off so we went and had a drink at the services before heading back along the B road with me in front then off into Newark for a bit of town riding. This is my real weak point as I hate going slowly, I am paranoid about dropping it and I'm very wobbly. But I did OK with Y keep reminding me to use the back break and then when the traffic built up he went past and I followed for a bit of filtering. This was done v v slowly, all in first gear with him explaining what he was doing/observing and why all the time. Then to Waitrose for a debrief. At no time was I pushed to go faster than I was comfortable with, in fact Y kept reminding me only to go as fast as I was happy with. I was riding faster than I would usually but that's because I felt more confident and knew what to look for to know if I needed to really slow for a bend. I'd definately recommend anyone thinking about it to give it a go as I'm finding it invaluable even after a day.

I went for Notts as it's nearer, all the Lincs meetings seemed to focus in North Lincs. I think I must of chosen the right one though as there is a Senior observer who lives in a village a few miles away and another guy who lives on the outskirts of Newark. I've joined with hubby so it's handy as we're each doing our observation ride at the same time with one of these 2 guys. You should join, they've been really friendly and sorted out our initial assessment really quickly. We'll probably not get it finished this year but it doesn't matter as your membership lasts 12 months. Notts usually start everything at Arnold but they are reversing the routes for us and starting at Newark instead Rollingskies, I'm very very slow!! Thankfully the bloke I spoke to was very positive and didn't seem at all bothered when I said I'd lost my confidence since dropping it so finger crossed I can take it all at my pace until I build up my confidence

Well you've all convinced me and I've just joined my local IAM and have my initial observation ride on Sunday. Really looking forward to it

Woooo Hoooooo brilliant, well done

Oh crap I'm sorry. Have you rebooked, you'll pass no problem next time!

I wouldn't worry too much, on the morning of my Mod 2 I was still making mistakes which would of failed me. I also nearly dropped it at a cambered junction At least you know what you've done wrong so you'll make sure you don't make the same mistakes again. Something I didn't realise as well I missed a life saver on a right hand turn at a cross roads which I would of thought would of meant a fail but he still passed me. Good Luck for Friday