bjr55 Posted February 28 Share Posted February 28 I passed my motorbike test in the late 1970s, meaning I had a full A licence, from the outset. I rode a Honda CG 125 for three years, and nothing since. For the last 10 years, I have been wanting to get a bike, and now I am about to. First, I have booked a one-day, one-to-one, "return to biking" course. The aim is to make me aware of how biking has changed in the last 44 years, refresh what basic skills I have, impart some new skills and give me an honest appraisal as to whether I am fit to get on a bike and venture out on the roads. I have held off buying a bike, as the course will provide me with a Honda CB500 for the day. As part of my preparation, I have been cycling for several months, reminding myself of how vulnerable one can feel on two wheels on our roads. I am very much looking forward to being back on a motorbike, and the web has provided me with a lot of information and advice. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick the wanderer Posted February 28 Share Posted February 28 Sounds like you are doing the prep work and taking a healthy attitude. Enjoy and welcome. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bjr55 Posted February 28 Author Share Posted February 28 (edited) Thank you for the comment and the welcome. I am looking forward to being part of a motorcycling community. In theory, I could have gone from a Honda CG125, straight to a Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP, in a single step. That would probably have resulted in me killing myself in the first 48 hours, or worse, killing somebody else. If the training course goes well, I am looking to buy something in the A2 bracket and see how it goes. Edited February 28 by bjr55 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RideWithStyles Posted February 28 Share Posted February 28 Hi same as nick said. things have moved on for both bikes and yourself, nothing wrong with a mid capacity bike..realistically more than enough for most people especially on the road. ive been up and down cap bikes over the years (still so now) and i was still more than happy enough with even a 46hp 500cc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 28 Share Posted February 28 Hi and welcome, the most forgiving bikes I've ridden are enduro's or scramblers, mind you I've no room to talk. I jumped on a blackbird after a few years lay-off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manxie49 Posted February 28 Share Posted February 28 1 hour ago, Vic101 said: the most forgiving bikes I've ridden are enduro's or scramblers Surely not with nobbly tyres?? I rode off roaders for years, and nobblies, especially on wet tarmac, were twitchy as f---. Brilliant in the mud though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Davey Posted February 28 Share Posted February 28 Welcome back to motorcycling @bjr55 You've been a lot more practical and sensible than me, jumping straight on a 1200 after 24 years. However, it's the fear that keeps us sensible, and a having a good motoring mindset that keeps us from killing ourselves, whether gripping handlebars or a steering wheel. I had a souped up Renault five try to race me at the weekend, I was quite pleased with myself that I just didn't bother and I let him roar off down the road. On a bike that could do 180, the only thing I have to prove is that I'm not that that stupid. With your obvious good attitude, you'd have no problem with a big bike, as it'll only go as fast as you make it. The very best of luck to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 28 Share Posted February 28 51 minutes ago, manxie49 said: Surely not with nobbly tyres?? I rode off roaders for years, and nobblies, especially on wet tarmac, were twitchy as f---. Brilliant in the mud though. well the way i've always looked at is, you can feel when a nobbles is about to splash you all over the road, where as road tyres just high side or slide out without any warning. that's just my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bjr55 Posted February 28 Author Share Posted February 28 2 hours ago, Simon Davey said: Welcome back to motorcycling @bjr55 You've been a lot more practical and sensible than me, jumping straight on a 1200 after 24 years. However, it's the fear that keeps us sensible, and a having a good motoring mindset that keeps us from killing ourselves, whether gripping handlebars or a steering wheel. I had a souped up Renault five try to race me at the weekend, I was quite pleased with myself that I just didn't bother and I let him roar off down the road. On a bike that could do 180, the only thing I have to prove is that I'm not that that stupid. With your obvious good attitude, you'd have no problem with a big bike, as it'll only go as fast as you make it. The very best of luck to you. Thank you for that. At traffic lights I, like you, resist the temptation to descend to the level of the boy racer 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bjr55 Posted April 7 Author Share Posted April 7 I thought that I would give you an update. On Thursday last week, I went to Marches Motorcycle Training in Oswestry. There I met my instructor for the day, Phil Stubbins. He immediately made me feel relaxed and started asking a few questions to ascertain my experience, knowledge and expectations from the day. I explained that I had been working towards this day and I had watched a lot of YouTube videos offering advice, started reading Roadcraft, checked out the RoSPA Advanced Motorcycle Training course and done a few online tests - highway code, hazard perception, the Theory Test for a car licence etc. He introduced me to my bike for the morning a Honda CB500F, making sure that I was familiar with the controls. We then moved to the training area which was quite big, and so began the baby steps of slow manoeuvring, the exercises that I know you will be familiar with. After three hours I was doing emergency stops at 35 mph and simulations of joining a main road from a junction. We then stopped for lunch. Phil asked me if I would like to ride the Suzuki 650cc Gladius for the afternoon. That was Hobson's choice and I am so pleased that I said yes. Quite a step up from the CB500 in terms of performance, well for a noobie like me i was. As I was familiar with the area he asked where I wanted to ride for the afternoon and explained that he would be riding behind me and with a Bluetooth transmitter he would be able to give me instructions and feedback as we went along. We decided to head over the border into Powys and took a beautiful route up to Lake Vyrnwy. We decided the narrow country roads were a good choice for me, as I live in mid-Wales where we have no motorways, few dual carriageways and lots of narrow, twisty, roads. We set off, and Phil's words of encouragement quickly made me relaxed. We stopped at regular intervals, to begin with, to discuss how it was going and for Phil to remind me to focus on turning off my indicators - will I ever get used to that? He suggested that I should try to get used to manually cancelling the indicator in my car so that it just becomes natural to me when I was on a Bike A quick stop for coffee at the lake and we headed back to Oswestry in some rain. Before setting off, Phil had given me advice, and reassurance, about riding in the rain and if anything I made better progress than riding up to Vyrnwy. The day was most definitely worth doing. Phil was very good at imparting what I needed to do, spotted small things and we practised, and practised, them until both he and I were satisfied. In conclusion, he said that not only was he satisfied that I was safe to go back on a bike, but that had it been a formal DAS Module 2 test, I would have passed. That was the best £250 I have spent in some time. Phil offers a range of courses, at all levels, and I would recommend him without reservation. (I cannot take credit for the photos. They are from copyright-free sources on the Web.) 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Davey Posted April 7 Share Posted April 7 (edited) What a day! Nice work, and beautiful pictures. It's great you're feeling confident about being back on 2 wheels. Edited April 7 by Simon Davey 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angela Collen Posted April 7 Share Posted April 7 Well done bjr55 with taking your refresher course. When I got back to biking after a long break I also took 3 day course with my local instructor,one to one. You cannot beat that instruction and advise that makes you safer and happier on the roads. He would drill into me road positioning,especially at roundabouts and junctions,until he was confident I got it. Got ear ache , but confidence is priceless. He too got me quickly onto bigger bike and that took that fear away. My first lesson back was on a runway, good to get basics when not on actual road,fortunately didn't have to dodge any planes as none flying that day!! Welcome back to the biking family and enjoy your bike when it comes. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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