Shasel

This one is more difficult. at 1m you would be getting about 85 dB (at which point ear defenders would be mandatory) but I am guessing you are a closer than 1m and unfortunately the calculations kind of stop working at that point but at 0.5m you are likely in the high 90s.

API 521 would say a peak of about 81 dB (so equivalent to a loud radio) at the worst case distance. (API 521 calculates at 30m and I have then adjusted for 2m). I am a bit rusty on the calculations as it has been a while since I have done them but relatively confident I am right. It will be sudden and definitely make you jump but should not cause any lasting damage to your hearing.

There are three kinds of people in this world. Those who can count and those who cant.

I kind of agree but it just feels fake and forced. Slow straight line I get and use a lot. Slalom and figure of 8 I kind of get and certainly makes me confident filtering. U turn just feels overblown to me as you have already demonstrated slow speed control.

Current obsession is Ren and his album Sick Boi

Had been practising on my 125 a lot prior to my DAS. In two minds as to if this was useful. In some ways I was very comfortable with what I was going to be asked to do but it is much easier to do an a big bike and feels very different. On my 125 the bit that worried me was the U turn. on a bike bike it was the figure of 8. While practising I complained bitterly about the test to anyone who would listen. Felt it seemed a bit pointless. Who in the real world would do a U turn and not put their feet down if they needed to? Looking back I got a lot of value from the test as it was a big confidence booster. Emergency stop on a modern big bike with ABS was an eye opener. Test day I was nervous but confident. The main bit I was worried about was the figure of 8. I almost fluffed it as I was going to slow and the bike started to tip but gave it a bit more power and rescued the situation. After that I was also incredibly focused on not being too slow for the emergency stop. Fat chance of that as I was feeling confident after getting through the slow speed stuff and gave it some beans. As I finished my last emergency stop the last thing my instructor said to me came to mind. Don't forget the life savers after the emergency stop when he tells you you can go out. Passed with no minors. Genuinely nowhere near as bad as I had made it in my head. Actually kind of enjoyed it.

So my CBT experience was interesting. I live in shetland so have to come to the mainland to do anything test related. Decided to do CBT while on holiday visiting relatives. First day I was super nervous and truth be told a little frightened of the bike. Trainers were old school bikers who had next to no patience, didn't really explain anything well about how to control the bike and shouted a lot. That did not help my nerves. I was getting there but not ready to go out on the road so spent more time in the yard trying to cope with gears and clutch. Came away pretty deflated and was ready to give up to be honest. My wife suggested I should try again while it was still fresh. I decided that I would go the automatic route to just get the CBT and then run a 125 for a period and learn on ym own time. Really enjoyed it on the automatic and got my CBT. Almost went the twist and go route I enjoyed it that much.

Sorry should say I did mine in four days but I could ride and was confident on a bike at that point.

I went with CMS Bike School in Aberdeen and they were great. Saw them giving CBT training while I was on my DAS and they seemed good at that too. Prices were competitive in my opinion. You can find them on Facebook and drop them a message. I used them as I live in Shetland so had to go to Aberdeen for my test.

I can't believe I forgot to add that. It was CMS Bike School in Aberdeen. You can find them on facebook and they were great.

Despite being a bit older I am a newbie. Did my CBT 2022 during the summer. Cost £140. Didn't really enjoy the CBT if I am honest and was not confident to go out first time. Couple of old school biker types who had no patience for learners but because I am stubborn and had bought my kit I got through the CBT. initial CBT plus revisit cost me ~£200. Bought myself a nice little 125 and was loving that. Was thinking of keeping doing the CBT and sticking with a 125 but decided in a moment of madness to try direct access done over four days. Cost about £800 all in and passed first time. Experience was night and day and the group I did my direct access with were fantastic (CMS Bike School in Aberdeen). It helped I was confident on a bike by that point but I watched them deal with others who weren't and they were really good.

If i were to get a Hornet that would probably be the colour I would go for. Love the look of it.

That made me laugh. Yes wind is a bit of an issue up here. When I started riding I thought it would be rain that would put me off but actually riding in rain doesn't bother me that much but high winds can be exciting and not in a good way. Hoping that something a bit heavier than my 125 will be a bit more stable to be honest. Like the suggestion of the Himalayan as do love the look of them. See this thread is what I love about motorbikes. Loads of great options each one good in their own way and each one I would love.

So I am mainly on mainland Shetland and highly likely to do a lot of commuting and general cruising with the odd excursion down a side/back road. Have to say I had been sleeping on the CB500X and that might just have jumped to the top of the list. Thanks for all the suggestions.

Looking for some views and opinions please as I am genuinely stuck. Passed my bike bike test this year but still riding my trusty 125. I am thinking I might get a big boy bike next year but getting stumped as to what bike to get. I have a strong preference to Honda as I live on Shetland and there is only a Honda garage on island. Any other bike would be two overnight ferries and two days out of my life to get it to an approved garage. Being on Shetland even when commuting it is hardly a lot of town driving or stop start stuff. Filtering is not really I thing. Most of my riding time is spent at 50mph+ Also being Shetland I am not likely to be doing motorway type speeds So what type of bike? I like the idea of a more offroad biased bike like the CRF300 Rally as it could be fun to explore the more out of the way roads. But realistically most of my riding will be on good quality faster roads. I had thought of something like the Hornet but then a fairing might be nice if I cruise at 60mph or so. I love the look of sports bikes and have slowly been looking at them more and more. I had thought more sports tourer but I am unlikely to tour and the island isn't even two hours end to end so comfort isn't as big deal. I am paralysed by too much choice! I guess right now I am stuck between Hornet, CBR650R and CRF 300 Rally and utterly confused because they are all so different.