Three months on from the CBT, >1000 miles ridden, where I stand now.

[ChrisBiggsUK]

I can't believe it has been three months already!  At the tail end of October, I finally (after several mis-steps along the way) passed the CBT, officially took delivery of my bike and set about my adventures.  It's been fun!

Over the past three months, we have seen some great weather and some utterly miserable weather, and I have ridden in almost all of it.  Barring a few days where the ice was particularly bad, and winds particularly high, I have endeavoured to get out each and every day, sometimes managing to, other times not being able to for one reason or another.  After now passing 1000 miles, I think I'm finally starting to get the hang of things.

I still have some issues, particularly in charging gear from 1st to 2nd.  No matter how much I practice, I just can't seem to get it.  90 - 95% of the time, I manage to change up fine, but there is still that 5 - 10% of the time where no matter how hard I may push the lever up, it doesn't go to second properly and I end up hitting neutral.  Still, I recover from it instantly and it has never been anything more than an annoyance to myself nor has it led to any issues with safety on the road as, again, I can correct it instantly.  

I've found that when cornering, if I'm turning left, I can take corners at sharp angles, at speed, you name it.  If there is one thing I'm good at, it is turning left!  Turning right, however, not so much.  Again, this isn't something that has caused me any issues, but whenever I'm turning right, it always feels like the bike is going to slip out from under me.  It hasn't done, and I turn the corners completely fine, but I seem unable to take right hand corners as well as I can left hand ones, again no matter how hard I try nor how often I practice.  I still take them safely and at appropriate speeds, of course, but it never 'feels' right, if that makes sense?  I know that this is merely a psychological issue though as I've had (and worn in) a new rear tyre and had the bike thoroughly checked over so I know it isn't going to slip out from under me.  Just a quirk I guess.

If you will remember back to when I started, I was super nervous, not going out in traffic, and being overly cautious.  That has all gone.  I go out in all traffic types and weathers, and at all manner of times of the day and night (indeed I even rode to and from Church for Christmas Evening services which was fantastic as the roads were empty and I could just ride and enjoy myself rather than stop-start and keep up with traffic, if that makes sense?).  I hit major roads, industrial estates with huge lorries, windy country lanes and town centres all with confidence and assuredness that I belong there on the road.  I didn't have that at the beginning, which after 43 years as a pedestrian and never having ridden or driven before, is probably understandable.  Now, however, I have my music on and just enjoy the ride, whether it being slowly moving with traffic in town centres or tearing (safely) down national speed limit country roads.  I've got this!

The bike itself.  My humble little Silver 2006 CG125 may not turn heads, may not make the ladies swoon or the gents jealous of my mighty steed, but it gets me where I need to go comfortably, safely, speedily enough and more importantly with amazing fuel efficiency!  I found out the other day that the previous owner was told about me and is very happy that his beloved little 125 is now my beloved little 125 and is seeing good use and being looked after.  While I can't say that the bike is in the best of hands with me, it is certainly in hands that will try their very best!

The future.  This is where I now get slightly iffy.  I'm sure that with a little coaching, I'd be able to progress on toward my big boy license, as it were, and am tentatively eyeing up some time around Easter to either do it, or to at least get some one-to-one training in to improve my skillset.  If I'm honest, I think It'll probably be the latter.  I mentioned to a couple of the lads at the bike shop yesterday that I didn't feel 'ready' to do it yet, if that makes sense?  One of them replied that that was entirely fine and that I should take things at my own pace, and more importantly just enjoy myself.  As any of you who have read my previous lengthy posts on my progress will know, taking things at my own pace is very much something that I'm good at.  But yeah, come easter, some moves will be made.  

And so there we have it.  Three months on, >1000 miles ridden, and I'm still alive!

Wish I hadn't put my bike to bed for the day now as I could just go for a nice sunny afternoon ride.  No.  I mustn't.  I've got things to do around the house.  Though, I suppose a quick one wouldn't hurt?

Onward!

[RideWithStyles]

59 minutes ago, ChrisBiggsUK said:

I can't believe it has been three months already!  At the tail end of October, I finally (after several mis-steps along the way) passed the CBT, officially took delivery of my bike and set about my adventures.  It's been fun!

Great, glad you’re getting out, out of slightly out of your comfort zone. 
getting use to things.

I still have some issues, particularly in charging gear from 1st to 2nd.  No matter how much I practice, I just can't seem to get it.  90 - 95% of the time, I manage to change up fine, but there is still that 5 - 10% of the time where no matter how hard I may push the lever up, it doesn't go to second properly and I end up hitting neutral.  Still, I recover from it instantly and it has never been anything more than an annoyance to myself nor has it led to any issues with safety on the road as, again, I can correct it instantly. 
Most small Hondas (older ones anyway) can be difficult to get into neutral when you want (stopped) but to keep getting into it. 
suspect your gear lever needs adjustment to be slightly lower so your ankle isn’t trying to hard/far to lift the lever up past this neutral into second.

as I recommended on a different post a 

You need to adjust the clamp that  (arrow) is pointing to as like the cbf doesn’t have an adjustable rod (ringed), doesn’t need much just a fine tooth moved along should be enough.

I've found that when cornering, if I'm turning left, I can take corners at sharp angles, at speed, you name it.  If there is one thing I'm good at, it is turning left!  Turning right, however, not so much.  Again, this isn't something that has caused me any issues, but whenever I'm turning right, it always feels like the bike is going to slip out from under me.  It hasn't done, and I turn the corners completely fine, but I seem unable to take right hand corners as well as I can left hand ones, again no matter how hard I try nor how often I practice.  I still take them safely and at appropriate speeds, of course, but it never 'feels' right, if that makes sense?  I know that this is merely a psychological issue though as I've had (and worn in) a new rear tyre and had the bike thoroughly checked over so I know it isn't going to slip out from under me.  Just a quirk I guess.

So many reasons being and most is unique and individual.

Without seeing what your doing differently its difficult to directly advise.
most of the time is a confidence thing, also could be your body position that isn’t giving you the same confidence.  
Arm placement and wrist control of the throttle being harder for you (being a separate independent movement no matter what angle your hand/wrist/elbow is at takes time).
but one method - rights - your not subconsciously moving you body over and forward to the right and not counter steering the same as your lefts which also makes you ridged, then your arm/hand control suffers so does your confidence. 
Maybe it’s also your road position apon taking the corner not the same so maybe a fear of :

tyres nearing the curb /off the road? So you stay nearer the middle to right side? Giving yourself less space to move within your lane to take the corner?

Are you taking the corner to early or late because of above? 

getting  your head/upper body nearing cars on the other side?

eyes not looking throughout and high enough?
Are you tentatively taking it so your subconscious making it difficult/worse? 
something to think about.

If you will remember back to when I started, I was super nervous, not going out in traffic, and being overly cautious.  That has all gone.  I go out in all traffic types and weathers, and at all manner of times of the day and night (indeed I even rode to and from Church for Christmas Evening services which was fantastic as the roads were empty and I could just ride and enjoy myself rather than stop-start and keep up with traffic, if that makes sense?).  I hit major roads, industrial estates with huge lorries, windy country lanes and town centres all with confidence and assuredness that I belong there on the road.  I didn't have that at the beginning, which after 43 years as a pedestrian and never having ridden or driven before, is probably understandable.  Now, however, I have my music on and just enjoy the ride, whether it being slowly moving with traffic in town centres or tearing (safely) down national speed limit country roads.  I've got this!

great carry on. 

The bike itself.  My humble little Silver 2006 CG125 may not turn heads, may not make the ladies swoon or the gents jealous of my mighty steed, but it gets me where I need to go comfortably, safely, speedily enough and more importantly with amazing fuel efficiency!  I found out the other day that the previous owner was told about me and is very happy that his beloved little 125 is now my beloved little 125 and is seeing good use and being looked after.  While I can't say that the bike is in the best of hands with me, it is certainly in hands that will try their very best!

The best bike is only what is right and fits you best - period.

The future.  This is where I now get slightly iffy.  I'm sure that with a little coaching, I'd be able to progress on toward my big boy license, as it were, and am tentatively eyeing up some time around Easter to either do it, or to at least get some one-to-one training in to improve my skillset.  If I'm honest, I think It'll probably be the latter.  I mentioned to a couple of the lads at the bike shop yesterday that I didn't feel 'ready' to do it yet, if that makes sense?  One of them replied that that was entirely fine and that I should take things at my own pace, and more importantly just enjoy myself.  As any of you who have read my previous lengthy posts on my progress will know, taking things at my own pace is very much something that I'm good at.  But yeah, come easter, some moves will be made.  
To make good progress go at your or slightly above your comfort zone. Extra tutoring will be great, and advice on making your weakest points and confidence better.

then closer to where they feel your good they can go through some of the manoeuvres so at least its less stress later on. 

Wish I hadn't put my bike to bed for the day now as I could just go for a nice sunny afternoon ride.  No.  I mustn't.  I've got things to do around the house.  Though, I suppose a quick one wouldn't hurt?

Onward!

 

[Simon Davey]

That's a nice read @ChrisBiggsUK

 

Funny you mention your steed, I said to my daughter today that I actually just fancy a smaller buke to whizz about on, as much as I love my ZZR, going for a ride is always "a bit of a thing".

 

As for right-handers, me too, roundabouts are the worse thing, if I blast into them because there's no traffic, the entry and exit at speed is great, but that right hand tip into the roundabout always makes my heart jump a bit. This is why driving on the right in Europe is so much fun, because one has to slow down more for the right hand bends, so it's not a worry, and the left handers offer more visibility.

 

Going at your own pace has served you well thus far, no point doing otherwise.

[bonio]

Nice one buddy. I'm impressed you've managed to get out every day.

You wait, when the weather's good and roads are dry it gets even better.

[ChrisBiggsUK]

1 minute ago, bonio said:

Nice one buddy. I'm impressed you've managed to get out every day.

You wait, when the weather's good and roads are dry it gets even better.

 

That was part of my thinking and why I've been pushing myself so much over these miserable months.  If I can learn to ride in the worst the country has to offer in terms of weather, then come the 'riding season', as it were, I'll be all set to just get out there and enjoy myself, confident that I can handle whatever the road may throw at me.

[Hairsy]

Re your right turns, I can offer a couple of suggestions:

 

1) Technically, when riding on the left, right turns are often less grippy. Most roads are highest at the centre and then fall away to each side for drainage. In a left turn, the slight falling away of the road helps you and on right turns it does the opposite. In practice, this isn't a major effect and unless you're scraping your peg regularly, you're not going to be challenging the limits of adhesion of your tyres. But your brain may just be registering this effect - so, if it helps, it's not an illogical thought.

 

2) If you tend to position yourself towards the left of your lane, with left hand bends you can see lots of 'run off' to your right i.e. you could widen your turn and still stay on the road without heading off into the scenery. On the other hand, if you're in a right hand bend while on the left side of your lane, you have very little runoff before the scenery. That will make you more nervous. When you come to look at advanced riding techniques, you'll be be advised that you do often want to be on the left side of the lane for right hand bends but, for now, maybe focus on not being too close to the left curb when riding round a right hand bend.

 

As everyone has said and will continue to say - move forward at your own pace. I'm really enjoying hearing your story so thanks for sharing.

[Capt Sisko]

Remember even Christopher Columbus had a couple of goes around the harbour first. Those things you're worried about will come natural and that by riding in the bad weather you're building a skill that many fair weather bikers just don't acquire. Those sunny days will soon be back and you’ll be way ahead of the rusty put it away for the winter guys & gals.

 

Just a thought. The B bit in CBT stands for basic and whilst I’m not advocating you take an IAM, ROSPA course or anything like that, going back to your training school and getting a few real world riding lessons ain’t a bad thing to do. Tell them no, at this stage I’m not looking to take my test, just looking to improve my bike handling, awareness and general road skills. Without the pressure of knowing there's a test and accepting that mistakes are there to be learned from, you’ll be more relaxed and probably take a lot more in.

Keep up the good work.

[Ian Frog]

Something else to consider is if you are right handed you might find you are happier with your right hand uppermost when leant over.

It is something we noticed when instructing drivers on an off road course with Johnathon Palmer`s course in Bedfordshire, when taking drivers up through a lorry trailer where they could only see the sky while they ascended we could tell which hand was dominant by the way they pulled the steering wheel.

Cheers

Ian

[Shepherd]

It's a great feeling isn't is @ChrisBiggsUK?

Getting out on the road, whatever the weather is sometimes a bit of a grind, but always worth the ride.

I think lots of bikers (which is what you are!), have a favoured side,  I certainly do. I don't think about it as often now, so perhaps it sorts itself out, who knows?

 

As @Capt Sisko says, it is worth taking a couple or ride outs with an instructor just to refresh the basics and get a hint or two on techniques. Look out for the Police / Firebike courses in your area. 

 

Just wait until the better weather gets here - you'll find any excuse going to get the bike gear on 

[bud]

6 hours ago, Ian Frog said:

Something else to consider is if you are right handed you might find you are happier with your right hand uppermost when leant over.

It is something we noticed when instructing drivers on an off road course with Johnathon Palmer`s course in Bedfordshire, when taking drivers up through a lorry trailer where they could only see the sky while they ascended we could tell which hand was dominant by the way they pulled the steering wheel.

Cheers

Ian

It's funny you mentioning the arm higher. On a Michael Nerves Q&A video there was a question about cornering. He said when doing instruction on the track he often noticed riders who were having difficulty turning one way. Had this arm higher. And once they learned to relax and drop their arm. They found cornering easier.

I still go round left's easier than rights.

Edited January 30 by bud

[ChrisBiggsUK]

So heres a thing.  After a couple of comments about right handedness and arm dominance, this morning I tried a little experiment.

For the first half of my ride, I rode as I normally do and found as usual my left turns super easy while my right turns were troublesome.  Made them all completely fine and nicely lane positioned, but felt constantly like the bike would slip out.  Anyway, I completed a nice 20 mile circuit, and then did the exact same circuit again, but this time letting my right arm be much more 'floppy'.  In so doing, I found my right hand turns to be much easier.  I didn't feel comfortable having my arm so loose, if that makes sense, but it does seem to have had an effect.

I'm thinking that maybe, especially since I know there is nothing wrong with the bike or tyres as the bike has been thoroughly checked over and the rear tyre is new (it has done 500 miles so has been sufficiently worn in), this right turn issue is probably due to my trying to turn, my right arm being dominant is subconsciously fighting against it to paradoxically 'keep control', and this is causing me to feel as though I am going to lose control.

This has been quite interesting.  I'm going to have to fight my instincts and let my arm be more 'floppy', as it were, but having a floppy arm does seem to have helped.

Not going to try any more today though.  Waiting for a new pair of riding boots to arrive (just some cheap and cheerful DXR Huka boots from SportsBikeShop).  Tomorrow looks like it will be a nice day though.  Well, tomorrow afternoon.  I'll re-floppy my arm tomorrow afternoon and see if it continues to have an effect.  

Every day is a new learning experience.  I'm loving it!

[bonio]

That's interesting. Going to have to try that one myself.

[Bungleaio]

I must be the odd one out, I much prefer right handers than lefts. Interesting point about high arms, gonna try and pay attention to that.

[Shepherd]

I find it really hard to do it, but everyone says to look where you want to go. It makes your body and more importantly your shoulders help with the turn.

 

I'm consciously telling myself out loud now to do this, and it's a help.

It's not that I can't do it, it's just me in car driver mode I think. A bit like changing the gears to soon and too often.

[S-Westerly]

Absolutely  - look where you want to go. If you look at the hedge get that's where you'll end up.

[JRH]

16 hours ago, Bungleaio said:

I must be the odd one out, I much prefer right handers than lefts. Interesting point about high arms, gonna try and pay attention to that.

Are you left handed?

I prefer left hander bends.

[Bungleaio]

43 minutes ago, JRH said:

Are you left handed?

I prefer left hander bends.

No right handed, maybe it comes from lots of roundabout practice

[bonio]

So I was doing righty loosey today, and it worked! My normal is that a right hander takes 5 times the concentration of the left hander. But today the right handers seemed oddly easy.

[RideWithStyles]

I work on it.

prominently left handed to write but will use right hand for most other tasks normal and abnormal.
Right hand turns are my strongest side confirmed by my road, track and tyres given by confidence of the suspension and tyres.

[Davidtav]

There are many folks on here much more knowledgeable than myself. But here are my thoughts: posture is important. You are an integral part of the motorcycle.  I keep my forearms fairly horizontal. And I sit close to the tank. And grip the tank with the knees. And keep the balls of your feet on the pegs. And understand counter steering. There is no other way. You don’t want to be fighting against it. Works for me. So far!

Edited February 3 by Davidtav

[S-Westerly]

I only steer with counter steering unless I'm going really slow. Only way so far as I know.

[RideWithStyles]

Ohhhhhhhh let’s not open a debate on this but just to say a motorbike only really steers on counter steer, hence the need for the round and radius of a front tyre and not a square one of a car.
Even stationary - push the right bar and it will tip to the right. Push the left side and it will tip left. Hence coppers and gymkhana are so effective at turning REALLY tight corners at FA speed….

 

bicyles and wheel barrows (to some degree of tip) follow the same rule depending on the tyres. Or using the ice cream cone method.

Edited February 5 by RideWithStyles