Pre- CBT done....

[Phil]

Well just got back from my first ever time on a motorcycle!

Quite enjoyed it, although it's going to take some time for things to settle in and I settle down, I was a bit white knuckle at times even though it was just a little 125

Went over the basic controls, got the bike started found first and got the biting point.

Next step was riding in a straight line, which was more of a curved arc to the left first time. Then was riding round in circles which I couldn't do at first for putting my feet down all the time as I felt like I was going to fall off

I did some figure of 8's, first of all using the turning circle of a large container ship, gradually bringing it down to within a few meters of the cones.

Next step was hill starts..... That's when it started to go wrong. I didn't drop the bike, but I'm positive the bikes battery and starter motor wouldn't have taken much more punishment I eventually got one or two decent starts off but wasn't the most confident at that.

Last of all, did a few gear changes up and down through first and second which seemed to go well, if not too well?

Overall a very interesting and fun (if not slightly unnerving initally!) experience for someone who's never done it before and I'm booked in next week for my CBT!

[davefly76]

Congrats! You've taken the first steps to getting your licence! Don't worry about stalling it, just use more revs to get away, exactly like you would do in a car

[Phil]

Congrats! You've taken the first steps to getting your licence! Don't worry about stalling it, just use more revs to get away, exactly like you would do in a car

 

Yeah that's what he kept telling me, It's probably half because I'm used to driving a slow revving torquey diesel engine and it's taking some used to having to give it quite a bit more revs than I initially felt comfortable with. They don't take much stalling these small single cylinder engines!

Got the gear changing fine though it was just hill starts and initially trying to put my feet down all the time going round corners

[Weebl]

I would not worry too much about stalling on hill starts if all the bike experience you have is one hour mate, you did well!

Even the hours you do on CBT will see you acclimatised enough to hill start I expect.

[Phil]

Well did my cbt on sunday and I've certainly got a lot more comfortable with it all now.

Arrived about half 8 and got straight on with the safety talk and gear etc. Next was a bit of a chat about a few road signs etc, all pretty basic stuff for a car licence holder.

Next step was to get geared up and get out on the yard, usual chat about bike checks, then onto putting on and taking off the centre stand.

Next step was to do some basic manouvers, gradully building up to junctions emergency stops hill starts all that jazz.

Lunch time then kitted up again, this time with radio. Walked outside and almost instantly started to rain! Great stuff. Straight out of the compound is a 50mph uphill road which is pretty busy so I set off out there neaerly stalling it but got some good speed up and a great feeling.

First stop was an industrial estate to do some u turns. They went horribly wrong for both me and the other guy who was out with us, just couldn't do it on the road for some reason! Anyway I suggested we had a 5 min break and the instructor agreed. Back on the bikes and the chill time paid off. Three almost perfect u turns from both of us. Couple of emergency stops each and it was back on the main road.

I struggled a little bit coordinating my observations with riding the bike, so much going on upstairs!

Did a few roundabouts and had the tail of the bike out due to changing down to first instead of up into third! Major brain fart. Locked the back wheel up and nearly blew the engine up!

After that a bit of free riding which wasn't that good with the rain battering down but we didn't do too badly at the end of it! Certifcate claimed and next stop is the theory test!

[techno]

Well good luck with it as you can see there not that scary really!

[dizzolizz]

I did u turns perfectly in the carpark, but on my actual CBT couldn't do one for the life of me. He let me off though because said it would be harsh to fail me when I had everything else all ok and I can't really do a U turn on my street on a r125 anyway

[Remy]

Well done, I hated the u-turns and they were the one thing I practised most before my test, lol. It gets easier with practise, believe me . Remember to look where you want to go, not at the front wheel or kerb - it really does make a difference.

[Phil]

I think my main issue was just I was rushing to get round the turn, rather than getting the bike moving and balanced before starting to turn. I was taking far too long doing shoulder checks too which all serve to throw your balance even more! Only needs a quick glance!