View Full Version : Anyone know about starting out with a bike?
Charlotte and I (who talks like that any more?) are thinking of getting our bike licenses... getting rid of the Clio and buying a bike.. with some talk of selling my N/A and putting the extra cash towards a TT... :d
Do any of you good folks know approx cost of CBT and actually getting a bike license? Is it like a car when you have to do 20 lessons or would a couple suffice being that we've both driven for a good few years? I'm thinking it has to be cheaper than getting a car license?
..and also what bike would I be looking for as 'a tall person' i.e 6ft 10.. and not really looking for crazy power from day 1... the other thing is Charlotte would have to ride it too so that could be a bit of a problem..?!
Any advice would be mucho appreciated...
Also can anyone recommend any good webby resources for the novice wannabe biker..?
I did my full license one week course about 7 years ago which included cbt, cost me £350
probs cost double that now:)
what sort of bike do you want, cruiser or sports bike?
The way I see it the bike process goes as follows:
1) Get your license
2) Something doesn't see you and pulls out
3) You loose a limb
4) You have to drive autos the rest of your life.
I really don't like bikes.
yea would be a right downer if you had to drive a auto:( :D
GeordieSteve
04-06-06, 18:20
CBT is about £100, theory £35 practical £55 IIRC. Ever riden a bike before? I'd say 10 lessons would be more than enough
CBT is about £100, theory £35 practical £55 IIRC. Ever riden a bike before? I'd say 10 lessons would be more than enough
No never been near one... but in Gosport / Portsmouth everyone seems to have one... and with mid-life crisis impending I thought I'd do it now...;)
No idea what kind of bike? I'm think my height will decide that for me.. something 'easy to ride' is my only preference...
The way I see it the bike process goes as follows:
1) Get your license
2) Something doesn't see you and pulls out
3) You loose a limb
4) You have to drive autos the rest of your life.
I really don't like bikes.
I thought this for years, but I do regret not 'having a go'... believe me I'll be the most careful of careful bikers out there... I'm thinking day glow yellow head to foot and ride round with full beam permanently on, with my hand on the horn so everyone knows I'm coming...:p
Come on Pete, wheres your Easy Rider spirit...?
..and also what bike would I be looking for as 'a tall person' i.e 6ft 10..
Penny farthing:d
RobSoarer2.5TT
04-06-06, 18:43
It won't stop um mate, you can be as carful as you like but it's others you need to worry about.
I used to ride, was never gonna get a car, until my best mate died 7 years back.
We were out for a blast. He was riding, lorry in front, lorry behind, I was a car behind the lorry, there hadn't been room to catch up to him, he had overtaken about a mile ago.
Front lorry broke hard as he nearly missed a turning, Ben stopped, lorry behind him didn't rear ended front lorry with Ben between.
Not nice sitting with ur mate as he dies in ur arms.
Other road users don't realise a bike can stop on a penny and drive way to close, don't look for a little bike at junctions, which brings to my other horrible tale. Which is the account given at the court case.
A mates dad had been a biker for 40 years, plenty of experiance. He was riding along a nice stright open bit of road. A car was sat in the layby indicating as if stopped there. Said car pulled out of a layby without warning pulling a U turn. He hit it at around 80mph bike and rider became mangled with the car.
Since my mate Ben was kiled I have never riden a bike.
Shocking tales I know but need to be considered. You could be the best rider in the world all it takes is a muppet to send ya to your maker.
I thought this for years, but I do regret not 'having a go'... believe me I'll be the most careful of careful bikers out there... I'm thinking day glow yellow head to foot and ride round with full beam permanently on, with my hand on the horn so everyone knows I'm coming...:p
Come on Pete, wheres your Easy Rider spirit...?
Yup I done That..Bright clothes, Bright bike, Lights on and took it carefull which led too>>>>
The way I see it the bike process goes as follows:
1) Get your license
2) Something doesn't see you and pulls out
3) You loose a limb
4) You have to drive autos the rest of your life.
I really don't like bikes.
You can only cover your arse so far and you cant control other people. But hey, Like life everything is a gamble. My mate also thought he would take the gamble and he was a very very good bike rider until we had to put him in the ground last year.
If i had to do it all over again ..I would keep the bike for tracks and have a blast..too many stupid people on the road. Be carefull:)
Jesus... sorry to dredge up horrible memories lads... but thanks for the reality check... possibly not the best idea I've had....
Most sexual post on the forum:
I'm thinking day glow yellow head to foot ...with my hand on my horn so everyone knows I'm coming...:p
Trust you to bring it down to spandex and money shot thoughts :d
Most sexual post on the forum:
:rlol:
are me and Charlotte just alternating dodgy quotes in your sig or what!? :d
:rlol:
are me and Charlotte just alternating dodgy quotes in your sig or what!? :d
yup, I'll probably forget about yours and leave it there for about 3 months like I did with hers lol. :innocent:
Trust you to bring it down to spandex and money shot thoughts :d
You know me bud :D
Speaking of which, when you going to get your arse up here to see me? I'm only up the road now (a long road, granted!)
Get you CBT out the way first.
If your over 21 years of age, you can go direct access. This costs approx 500 quid for a 4-5 day intensive course with your test at the end.
I did mine 3 years ago, and like everyone has said, its other people you have to watch out for.
There are plenty of riding schools around, have a look in the yellow pages for your nearest centre and give em a ring
Si
You know me bud :D
Speaking of which, when you going to get your arse up here to see me? I'm only up the road now (a long road, granted!)
In the working of fixing a motor on me chair and I'll wizz up to you for a beer or 2. I'll even wear some spandex for ya ..make you feel at home ;)
In the working of fixing a motor on me chair and I'll wizz up to you for a beer or 2. I'll even wear some spandex for ya ..make you feel at home ;)
Kinky sod ;)
I am am fault mate, I keep meaning to come down. I keep saying I'll do it when I visit my nan in feltham but I haven't been down. I will though I promise
Roger that squirrel control :)
I used Paragon in Gosport (Orange place up past St Vincent College on the right) & they were brilliant.
Did the 6 day intensive, having never ridden before & was totally confident & composed (not cocky) by the end of it, which made the test actually enjoyable :)
Come on Pete, wheres your Easy Rider spirit...?
I'd have a nice Hog or custom chopper. Shame I don't have any hair to flow in the wind.
I used Paragon in Gosport (Orange place up past St Vincent College on the right) & they were brilliant.
Did the 6 day intensive, having never ridden before & was totally confident & composed (not cocky) by the end of it, which made the test actually enjoyable :)
Cheers bud, I was thinking of giving them a call... pass them on my way to work... and always think.. one day!
How much did that set you back if you don't mind me asking..?
So you've been riding for a bit then? any scary moments?
I'd have a nice Hog or custom chopper. Shame I don't have any hair to flow in the wind.
Theres some lovely sirups on the market now :p
I'd have a nice Hog or custom chopper. Shame I don't have any hair to flow in the wind.
That's enough about your custom chopper Pete! :lol:
That's enough about your custom chopper Pete! :lol:
That's it - another quote :D
Theres some lovely sirups on the market now :p
What's a sirup dude? I don't get it? :confused:
Something like this.
http://www.scottys-choppers.com.au/bikes/images/acid%20monster_r3_c1.jpg
red X
http://www.thefoodhall.es/images/dry_goods/golden_syrup.jpg
Can i just say, at the beginning of this thread where it says 'Charlotte and I were talking' what this actually means is that Mike was suggesting things to me and i was smiling and nodding (whilst driving the supe).
I would like to 'have a crack' at the whole bike thing but i don't think i'd be that brave when faced with Gosport/Portsmouth traffic daily.
Can i just say, at the beginning of this thread where it says 'Charlotte and I were talking' what this actually means is that Mike was suggesting things to me and i was smiling and nodding (whilst driving the supe).
I would like to 'have a crack' at the whole bike thing but i don't think i'd be that brave when faced with Gosport/Portsmouth traffic daily.
I was more surprised that he managed to get a word in.....:taped:
red X
http://www.thefoodhall.es/images/dry_goods/golden_syrup.jpg
It must be a southern thing. I've still no idea what on Earth you're on about?!
Syrup is good on pancakes one a year...that's all I know about it.
i was smiling and nodding (whilst driving the supe).
Takes a lot on concentration for a girl doesn't it?
I was more surprised that he managed to get a word in.....:taped:
Like i said, i was driving the supe. He could've said anything.
Takes a lot on concentration for a girl doesn't it?
To block his voice out? Yes. ;)
It must be a southern thing. I've still no idea what on Earth you're on about?!
Syrup is good on pancakes one a year...that's all I know about it.
huh? I never brought it up, I know how to spell syrup, lol
LOl syrup/ sirup whatever it is ..WIG in no chav speak ..Sorry i never went to school..Learnt english of the wolves that draged me up :d
LOl syrup/ sirup whatever it is ..WIG in no chav speak ..Sorry i never went to school..Learnt english of the wolves that draged me up :d
But...I've still no idea what you mean about syrup?
What's it got to do with hogs, choppers and hair flowing in the wind. I'm totally confused now. :nyah:
But...I've still no idea what you mean about syrup?
What's it got to do with hogs, choppers and hair flowing in the wind. I'm totally confused now. :nyah:
If you had one then you could do the whole hair blowing in the wind thing.
He's telling you to buy a wig. :)
I'd have a nice Hog or custom chopper. Shame I don't have any hair to flow in the wind.
Never Mind ;)
GeordieSteve
04-06-06, 22:57
Don't let all the talk of accidents put you off. You risk death every day. You drive a Supra... that's gotta knock a few years off your life!
Don't let all the talk of accidents put you off. You risk death every day. You drive a Supra... that's gotta knock a few years off your life!
Indeed.. I dont think the talk of accidents was meant to put off ..More make aware of the higher risks on a bike, as any Biker knows it's not IF you have a smash it's when but we still went for it . Bikes are excelent fun and I would love to do it all over again. As has already been said, Life is full of risks and whats makes us all different is the amount of risk we are all willing to take. :)
I'd love to ride, but my testicles are too small.
SupraStar 3000
04-06-06, 23:27
Mike,
please take it easy bud.
Bikes are dangerous. Not necessarily because of the bike itself or your skill but the mistakes made by other road users and road condition ie. diesel, water, oil etc..
I could do with a syrup too :d
Carlos_Hathcock
05-06-06, 00:33
I have been riding for over 15 years.
I'm a DAS and CBT instructor, or was.
12 years accident free, the in 6 months I had a low side off on deisel and a few months later some cnut with no licence did a U turn in front of me. Wrote the bike off and I was in hospital for a couple of days, luckaily not badly injured. I also had a high side off on Snetterton circuit, but that was my own fault for using Dragon Corsa tyres with no side tread on a damp day, V twins push out alot of tourqe low down when I was still banked over and ...... Ahhh Bugger! Ouch!
While I was in the hospital, one of my mates who I used to go biking with at work had a head on accident with a car who was on the wrong side of the road and died.
As I was looking for a new bike to get after the insurance paid out another very old friend of mine who was an awesome rider and who I used to go on blats with hit a hay lorry on the Crooked Mile by Harlow on the way home from work and died.
I decided to mainly ride on tracks, and went with a group of mates to the Ring, one of the lads, 18 years in the Army, got hit by a BMW and died.
I went skiing and dislocated my knee, and have used this as a convienent excuse to sell the bike, but when I can I will get another one, and use it on tracks - but not the Ring!
IF you decide to ride, make sure that you spend as much as you can on your helmet, and get either Arai or Showi. Dont bother with anything else cos in an accident where you hit your head those 2 makes offer the best protection.
Get a full set of leathers and NEVER ride without them on, even for a quick trip to the shop, or on a red hot day.
Get a full length back protector, Knox are about the best.
When you can, go on a track school day like the California Superbike school, as they will teach you more about cornering and handleing that you will learn on the week long bike course, as all they have time to teach on the course is how to pass a test, not how to stay alive and ride well.
Also try to get some advanced instruction, like the IAD.
I am a fireman, and I turn up at accidents where the little scooter riding chav's has been knocked off at 30mph or less.
It sometimes can take upto an hour to scrape all the skin and body parts off the road, and then we have to hose it down afterwards.
If you ride - get the correct kit and use it always!
:yeahthat: (what Carlos said)
The way I see it the bike process goes as follows:
1) Get your license
2) Something doesn't see you and pulls out
3) You loose a limb
But I like my limbs to be loose!
Cheers bud, I was thinking of giving them a call... pass them on my way to work... and always think.. one day!
How much did that set you back if you don't mind me asking..?
So you've been riding for a bit then? any scary moments?
I think it was £545 or £645 or something, so with your helmet & gear it can be quite expensive initially, but it does pay for itself in petrol eventually if your only other transport is the Supra!
I've only been riding for 2 years now, and most scary moments I've been lucky enough to see coming before they've happened.
Did I read that you're 6ft 10!? No idea, what sort of bike you'd fit on! lol
We should start a new poll on who is the tallest member on .net :)
Don't let all the talk of accidents put you off. You risk death every day.
Tell your insurance company that.
But I like my limbs to be loose!
Damn, you got me! ;)
We should start a new poll on who is the tallest member on .net :)
I'm 10 ft tall.
Thanks for the advice Carlos... much appreciated and lots to think about..
I think it was £545 or £645 or something, so with your helmet & gear it can be quite expensive initially, but it does pay for itself in petrol eventually if your only other transport is the Supra!
I've only been riding for 2 years now, and most scary moments I've been lucky enough to see coming before they've happened.
Did I read that you're 6ft 10!? No idea, what sort of bike you'd fit on! lol
We should start a new poll on who is the tallest member on .net :)
Cheers bud... yep 6ft 10...
This place has been a lot to think about, but I'm still thinking I want to give it a go.... think I'll get the CBT out the way and see how it goes...
nice to have a place like this to run my crazy ideas past.... :blink:
As others have already said....invest in the proper gear and a decent helmet, similar to the personal re-post below
As others have already said....invest in the proper gear and a decent helmet, similar to the personal re-post below
I bet those trousers flapped a bit in the wind.
I see he's sporting the popular 'Sans' helmet of the day..... :d
bike= danger
fast bike=death
bike= danger
fast bike=death
my option is 'slow bike' at the minute.. just very mild danger is really what I'm aiming for...
my option is 'slow bike' at the minute.. just very mild danger is really what I'm aiming for...
i came off a racer on a bike ride, (here goes:innocent: ) traumertized ever since....:rlol:
i came off a racer on a bike ride
Did you bang your head by any chance?
Did you bang your head by any chance?
no, ive always been a little thick........ i was looking at the peddles at the time, not where i was going:rlol: :rlol:
Iwas looking at the peddles at the time, not where i was going:rlol: :rlol:
Thinking ..oO( left foot down....right foot down....left foot down...right foot....) ARGH! Smack.
Thinking ..oO( left foot down....right foot down....left foot down...right foot....) ARGH! Smack.
harsh........ but fare
Bill Prawn
05-06-06, 16:08
Bikes are dangerous..
Bit of a sweeping statement.:rolleyes:
So are many other things.
I love bikes, I've ridden for years and been faster on a bike than in a car.
As of yet the only crash I've had was on a track, but in a car I've been hit a few times.
The worst injuries I've had is over a dozen broken bones from football, so is that dangerous?
lies
prawn have no bones.
I am also intrested in learning bike.....
China
I've been looking into getting a CBR600 when Zoe passes her test and starts driving the Yaris. A bit worried but generally all the riders I talk to say it is dangerous yes, but you very rarely get a fatal accident unless you ride like a tool - as long as you don't try and filter through traffic all the time and overtake in small gaps you should be fine and the only crashes you're likely to have you will be protected by the gear (you MUST wear your gear!!!!) and it'll only be the bike and your pride to fix up.
I'll get one one day - life's worth living.
I lost a friend this year only weeks after competing in a 24hr enduro and have not felt the same on a road bike since. Will still compete off road though as no pensioners or mums doing the school run out in the mud. It does seem to be getting worse out there on the roads. Consider getting a road legal trail bike. Good upright position and easy to ride. Harder wearing than a sports bike too. Whatever you get they are fun.
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