birchy

I am Southampton based so anytime people want to meet at Loomies is fine by me...shift dependant

be happy to keep speed down if it helps

I'd be interested as well if people want to meet up before hand, work in fareham but live southampton

Am living in Southampton and happy to meet some bikers in local area, as not long moved down here.

Congratulations...take it steady but enjoy

I've got a Garmin Zumo 550 - Covers UK and Europe. Designed for bikes and easy to use with gloves. Various mounting options. Decent battery life but got it wired in to the electrics so not an issue any more.

Nice extra is that it comes with a PC app called Mapsource that allows you to create routes and download to the sat nav. This is really useful if you want to plot a route that isn't the shortest or fastest!

Speed-cameras and other POI can be downloaded from various web-sites.

Had it bluetoothed to a Scala headset but gets irritating pretty quickly, so I don't bother with audio.

same here, fantastic sat nav, i've had a couple for my car in the last few years, and this one is usable for cars and bike...great bit of kit with the mapsource

Thanks guys.

I will be posting what routes I did and pictures from most of the towns. I am open if anyone wants to join me. I am not planning much, only my tunnel crossings. I want the trip to be pretty flexable, I might take a tent and just stop off at hotels

I have had my full car license for about 8 years now and have european coverage on my insurance as well. So pretty lucky in that respect. Pricing up the chunnel is suprising cheap.

I am looking at organising myself a tour of a few countries. I've only been riding for about 6 months but want to go on a tour. Looking for tips and advice-I've read through the previous posts-which have been very informative.

I'm looking at travelling through Belgium, Germany, through the alps, turin, marsaille & then head back after a day or two on the french coast.

Any comments are welcome

Thanks in advanced

Birchy

PASSED! 2nd time lucky.

Compared to yesterday, the weather was really nice so had no worries there.

Went out for a lesson before hand with Mark (really cool instructor from 1stGear), nice route, not much traffic around, didn't do anything stupid, so was feeling good.

Time for the test. Was being examined by a guy called Jim (nice guy!) and he asked me all the questions before we went out for the test, so it was good to get that out the way. Then it was off out for the test. Started off going on the same route as i had done in my lesson before hand, so was quite pleased about that. Got asked to pull over a few times early on in the test in a quiet housing estate (instead of on a main busy road like last time), so that went well. Then proceeded to do the EXACT same route as i had done in my lesson before hand (my instructor is such a legend for taking me on that route this morning!!!!), so was really pleased about that.

Got back in after what i thought was a pretty good ride, and was told pretty much straight away that i passed.

Thank fuk for that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Trying my hardest to wipe the stupid grin off my face at work, as they all i think i was at the 'doctors' ha

Now time for bike shopping! Brilliant!

thanks to everyone on the forum, the information on here has really helped me a lot.

Pete

congratulations mate, bet you cant wait. What bike you going to go for?

Afternoon all, I need a bit of advice from some of you if thats ok. I pick up my new bike tomorrow and off to Wolverhampton in the afternoon, Gloucester sat, and back to Northolt Via Aldershot on sunday. I want to get the 1st service out of the way ASAP (hence the miles)

What I am thinking of though is I have a HG Gortex suit, and silver helmet, but was thinking about a H belt, to give me some visibilty to other road users-as my gear & bike are black.

What would you guys advise? Any suggestions welcome...they dont have to all be sensible

Mod 2 passed today at southall, no minors

Now I wasn't expecting that. Good ride nothing out of the ordinary, apart from buses pulling out on my and pulling in with out indicating. Time seemed to fly, and.

Just been and ordered a new gsx650F and already insured it...only annoying thing is I now have to wait until friday next week to take delivery. The guys at passmasters ruislip were fantastic throughout.

Now off for beer and footy

good luck matey

I dropped the training bike for the 1st time on thursday during one of my final Direct access lessons.

I was left, using a bus lane when over the radio the instructor said at the end we are turning right, just to warn you for road postioning, so I did my mirrors indicate and lifesave, come out to the outside lane and saw the traffic lights-but before there was a small road on the right, I was sure he meant the traffic lights but as I approached the gap in the central reservation he said again turn right....So I paniked and braked, aiming for the central reservation, making it just but it was tight, causing me to drop the bike and fall off.

Was a bit shaken and the instructor appologised as he didn't even consider the minor road.....all is ok now though as I passed mod 1 yesterday and mod 2 is on friday

Mod One taken and passed this morning.

Day started with about ten mins rain...great! i thought this was an omen!!! lol. So my mate George did his just before me watched him and everything seemed perfect for him, all maneuvers looked solid and stable.

So my turn, met the instructor and had a bit of a laugh...putting nerves at ease a bit.

1st bit was the box to box push. all observations done..did it in a oner, trained with the 3 point turn but in the brief he said push backwards all the way, so i did and he said thats how i like it to be done, all in one move.....again nerves being put at ease a bit.

2nd bit was the cones and the figure of 8...I'd messed this up in my mini practice but kept the revs and clutch under good control...so far so good.

Then came the swerve- hit 57 Kph and did everything nice n controlled....going well.

So the U turn was next....my most dreaded exercise. once moving I looked where I wanted to go and was right by the correct area, brakes..and right foot down BOL&*CKS!!! that was what I shouted and then I was sure I'd failed, anyways onwards and upwards, so I had to do the emergency stop, off I went all well, 59kph and no skid or stall.

Last one was the controlled slow speed, just looked ahead and everything felt good. Pulled up and the guy told me to make my way to the office.....did so and was told excellent passed no minors...WHAT!!!! So I asked about the right foot and he said not even marking down as momentum is on right hand side so why not put right foot down, as I was over by the opposite curb!

Sorry to have gone on a bit there...Mod 2 booked for friday

Took my CBT today and for some reason didn't really have any nerves (not too sure why but think its because I knew what to expect having read other experiences) There we 3 of us, one 17 year old going for his 1st CBT, an Indian gentleman who had failed his 1st CBT and myself-Booked in for Direct access all week

Day started with the usual brief and docs check, and then the customary eye sight check and then highway code questions.

From their we had an in depth walk around the bikes, with an explanation on what to look out for.

We then went on to the basic maneuvers and a good ride around the training area.After about an hour or so we stopped and had another talk about what we would look out for and how we would have to react to different scenarios. The Indian guy then went for an hours drive, only to return unsuccessful, so he went back out again and this time passed.

It was then the turn of the young lad and myself to go for our 2 hour ride. At 1st it was very daunting-Very different to driving a car as you have very little road presence. After getting over the initial 20 mins we pulled up and had another quick talk, after being a little cautious with the throttle the instructor told me to be a bit more brisk in accelerating...and off we went for another 30mins, all went pretty well bar one stall when coming to a late changing traffic light....doh!!

Then we had a little break and a drink at a nearby petrol station, 10 mins later we were off for another ride, and to do our U turn and emergency stops....little lock of the rear tire on the 1st attempt but fine on the second. Then it was a ride back via the A40-up to 60mph on a 125 was quiet a 1st experience and I can honestly say I am well and truly buzzing.

Got back and the instructor said no problems whatsoever....good observations as well apparently...So in all week for my direct access, mod 1 booked for sunday and mod 2 next thurs.