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CBT booked for this Sunday. The forecast is not looking grand.
Good luck! 🙂
So, I did my CBT yesterday. Eventually it was great.
In the morning, there were 4 of us, with one instructor. Another was scheduled for later in the day to accompany us on the mandatory road ride section. The other 3 lads were complete novices, never having so much as sat on a bike before. They also were not car drivers. I had already done the recommended complete novice intro.
The first theory session was fine, just what we expected. Here are the controls, this is what you need to wear etc. The first practical session was slow, and even the instructor was getting a little frustrated, although he did a good job of hiding it. We were well behind by the time we got to lunch - a couple of the lads were having serious issues with the clutch control, and that stopped us moving on to any kind of manoeuvres. Frustratingly, I felt like I was making good progress on the exercises, but ended up waiting around for 20 minutes at a time while the rest of them pootled around the cones. Not their fault at all, as complete novices, but it was winding me up.
At the first break, instructor #1 told us that we probably wouldn't complete the course in the day, because we were all struggling so much. Not much I could do, but I wasn't happy.
Thankfully, at that point, Instructor #2 turned up and we went out on to the airfield again to try u-turns. I'd had some lunch by then, and my brain was working again, so I had no trouble. The instructors decided that I should go down to my own patch of tarmac and just practise what I wanted while we waited for the others to catch up. After a while, #2 came over to me and said "Look, I want to try and get you out on the road today - it's a shame that you've had to wait around so much." so while the others went back to the classroom to do the Highway Code gubbins, #2 took me around some fake junctions, watched me to an emergency stop, check I was ok with the gears etc. We had a really quick dash through the road theory - I was fine on that due to years of car driving (and a couple of police-mandated "awareness" days...), and at half three, we just got out onto the West Surrey road network.
All fine, all fun. I was regularly convinced I was going faster than I actually was. Enjoyed some curves, the road surface was a bit mulchy in places due to the horrendous weather that morning. At one point I got a corner wrong: left hand bend, tightening, slightly greasy surface, MASSIVE pile of horse **** bang in the centre of the lane, exactly half way through the turn. I found myself on the wrong side of the road, having had a complete failure to process all the issues quickly enough. But I think (and #2 agreed) that that did me a favour. I saw how quickly things can go unexpected, and how my brain reacts, especially when everything is still so new to me.
Got back to the office at 5:30, got handed my certificate and a handshake, and was very pleased with myself.
And massive credit to Barry @ Ridesure training (at Dunsfold) for going out of his way, and staying late just so I could make the progress I needed to, and being a constant, informative chatterer in my ear throughout the whole ride.
Right. Shopping...
Incidentally, having been told about counter-steering on my previous session, I decided to deliberately emply it on my mountain bike on Saturday morning. Good grief can I now change direction quickly!
Two of the basic ways you can change direction on a bike.
A) countersteer,
B) Weight the footppegs.
You've tried the countersteering now see the difference when you weight the pegs.
You can try both on a bicycle so try it on your MTB .
Before any of the Super-Moto or track day gods chime in,yes there's rear wheel steering etc.But it's probably best to stick to the basics for a few months...
well done
is it the direct access next?
Two of the basic ways you can change direction on a bike.
A) countersteer,
B) Weight the footppegs
Wasn’t it the Keith code race school that had a bike with a welded steering head to demonstrate that weighting the pegs is not a method of steering. Transfer of body weight may help your other steering inputs (and fairly marginal use for normal road riding) but it’s not steering on it’s own
I passed my Module 1 recently and I started my Module 2 training this weekend (more to follow this week).
Although bigger bikes are a bit daunting at first (just size/weight) they are just as easy to ride as a 125cc (if not easier). I'm still learning the ropes but the first Mod 2 session was great fun 🙂
well done
is it the direct access next?
Eventually. My plan was to ride a 125 around for a whole so I make all my mistakes at low speed, then DAS early next year when the days are getting shorter again.
Good work, pig! Glad they turned it round for you. I did my direct access with then a few years ago. Nice lot.
@16stonepig Honestly don't waste your time on the 125, if you can afford to do the DAS now just do it. Then if you are not feeling you want to get something fancy by a cheap CB500 or such like and ride that. It will just ride a lot better than a 125.
Edited to add
Well done on the CBT 🙂
Was going to say what bazzer said. If you are 16 stone, I'd imagine when you do get on a bigger bike, you'll wonder why you didn't do it sooner!
A good way to do it without too much commitment would be to go back to Ridesure after a couple of weeks/months and do a day with them on a bigger bike. It will be good to have some more input on your riding, it'll be training that will push you up towards your Mod1 and 2, and you'll find out if you want to get it all done and get onto a bigger bike sooner rather than later,
I get wanting to ride the 125 for longer but have a think about bigger bikes.
You don't need to go fast, the power is on tap to be used - they aren't on or off.
Instruction on the DAS will be better and more comprehensive so by the time you pass you'll be more used to it and can continue to gain experience at your own rate.
Then you'll be able to ride a proper bike with a working headlight and can get to speed a lot easier.
Sounds as if you can ride so don't worry about taking extra time and get it done.
Apart from something like a unrestricted 2 stroke RS125 or something interesting like that, if I was going to ride something low capacity around town I would choose a scooter. If I wanted to ride a bike for fun I would deffo get something bigger.
Comfier, Better suspension, better brakes and just more reliable as your not screaming the tits off it everywhere.
PS I am looking at RS125's 🙂 Even though I have 3 litre bikes and a 650cc bike 🙂
I am looking at RS125’s
Budget for a rebuild (I have enough parts to build 3, but only have one on the road, the rest is spares (and an AF1, and a Pegaso 125 too...))
Yeah it would only be for a bit of fun and really a project. I prefer the look of the later RSV4 looking bikes. Is there anything I should know about buying them ?
On your collective advice, and rehashing my experiences on Sunday in my mind, I've gone back to the school and asked what would be involved in getting the DAS done straight away.
Even though the 125 was overwhelming in terms of number of things to think about on the road, I was still struggling for power when I needed it. After a few weeks driving one, I can see myself getting really frustrated. Especially on a commute, potentially in the dark, when I don't want to be trundling along holding cars up, or being caught up by one with a huge speed difference.
You will know you made the right decision the moment you ride away on the instructor’s 600cc and realise how much easier it is to ride!
I'll second that, I found a 125 really tricky to ride slowly, the extra weight of the bigger bike made it easier to handle.
Also not having to change gear every 15s gave me more time to think.
Good luck with DAS, it sounds like the right choice for you.
Theory test passed. It astounds me that anyone can actually fail it.
And MOD1 test booked in a couple of weeks. Excitement is building.
Well done so far!
Anyone in south west London who needs a cheap bike pm me, I need to get rid of my Kawasaki gt550 (bit tatty around the edges but mot 26k mileage just serviced) to make way for a 250cc scooter
Completed my MOD 2 training today - test next week 😬
Passed my MOD 1 on Wednesday!
We rode from Dunsfold over to the test centre at Burgess Hill. Lots of junctions and other cars and things to think about. Then had an enormous cafe lunch of chilli with chips and cheese which put me into a food coma. On moving the bike from cafe to car park to test centre car park, I must have stalled it 8 times. I was convinced I'd completely forgotten how to operate it, which did not help my test nerves.
Test was fine though. A fault for going too fast on the slow ride (I disagree) and a fault for being 1kph under speed on the swerve test (Hard to argue with the machine).
Another hour navigating some potential test routes at Burgess Hill, then a 45 minute ride back to the airfield, and my brain was properly broken.
Now I've got a couple of weeks before I can do any more training and the MOD 2 test.
EDIT: The instructor was trying to convince me not to bother with a pokey little 650cc as my first bike, and just go straight to a litre. I'm not convinced of his logic.
650cc is fine as a starting bike, that's still faster than a porsche!
For your mod 2 don't worry if you stall it. As long as you start it up and pull away normally (rather than cane it off) you'll be fine
Depends on the litre bike - CBR1000RR mught be a bit much, Harley might be a bit slow!
650cc is fine as a starting bike, that’s still faster than a porsche!
I did DAS and then bought a '93 VFR 750 as my first bike. Regretted selling it as I never found another bike I liked as much as it.
Harley might be a bit slow!
Depends how hard you can push
I can firmly say that a CBR1000RR is too much, its mind blowingly quick. It's obviously as tame as you want, but it's pointless pootling around on it like a baby as a new rider
I still found my Street Triple R to be not utilised enough after two years and many thousand miles on an SV650s. I did my advanced licence after getting my STR, helped my confidence and competence no end
There's something fun about pushing a smaller engined bike. I'll probably be getting something slower (and maybe naked) once I move my Blade on
I had a 650 single so nothing like quick at all after I passed my test...took a good 6 months before I felt I was riding it.
My first bike was an F800GSA that was a bit difficult to get both feet on the ground with. That bothered me a hell of a lot more than the 80bhp!!
after two years, I was definitely hankering for more - that came in the shape of the 160bhp S1000XR
Only really having occasional “moar power!!!” Moments now after another two years
rachel
I'm 2k in on my first bike. First few hundred miles or so and it still felt quick, it is starting to lack a wee bit of low down grunt now though. I still have loads to learn with it mind and can see me looking for something next year. Don't necessarily want loads of power all the same, if I was to look at litre plus bikes itd probably be big torquey retros.
My tip, fwiw, is think about the seat height. A lot of new bikes seem to be very tall and make for very nervous stopping and starting, parking and paddling backwards. My last bike was a Tiger 800XCX and the height and high C of G had started to spoil biking a bit for me, especially with a pillion. I'm not tiny (a smidge under 5' 10") - I don't know how some people cope with these really tall bikes. I suppose strength will come into it too, I'm 63 now and losing strength, especially in my arms. Anyway, I chopped the Tiger in for a BMW F800R and it is a doddle to ride. Enough power for most roads, light-ish and a low (790mm) seat height. Good pillion seat, too. The engine can't match the Tiger, but those Triumph triples are some of the best engines ever, IMO. If only the Street Triple had a decent pillion seat and was just a touch bigger it would be the perfect bike for me and I suspect, many others too.
The seat height was a decision on me choosing the Triumph Street Scrambler (I'm 5ft 4" with ickle legs), as well as only having 55 HP, which I thought was more than enough for my first bike.
An update for any of you that are at all bothered.
Had my MOD2 test on Friday, and managed to fail it. In an extremely frustrating, but difficult to argue with manner.
The ride to the test centre was lovely and smooth. Fun even. Really confidence inspiring. My lovely instructor was happy for me to lead the way and let me make my own decisions. On to the test, and I had zero nerves at all - relaxed and comfortable. I followed the signs, pulled up and pulled away when told. negotiated every junction and roundabout with ease and safety, got straight up to 60 when I hit the NSLs and tried to show the examiner that I was enjoying myself, when we hit queues and roadworks, I was smooth at low speed.
As we get back to the test centre, he asks if I want my instructor to come with me. This is not usually a good sign. Go into the little office and he says that I have "not passed". (Not "failed" though - his language was quite specific, which was a nice touch.) He explained to me that although it was an excellent ride, and he was glad to see me making progress and being smooth and confident, there were two issues. Or rather, two instances of the same issue. During a slow queue which crossed over several of those traffic-calming one-way things, I had moved past one give way into a situation where I was too close to the queuing car in front. Then later on, at roadworks with a traffic light, I had stopped with a good distance between me and the car in front. However, I was partly blocking a junction. When a van arrived and wanted to turn into the junction, I moved ahead and let him past, but this put me too close to the car in front again.
I'm not going to argue about either of these points, or claim that the examiner was wrong, but it's extremely frustrating for a few reasons. One: the rest of the ride was great. I was never surprised by anything, didn't react late or muck up the controls (except for one very slightly slow move off). The faults were purely about making a conscious decision which the chap disagreed with. Two: If either one of those faults had happened on their own, it would have been a minor - two of them together I guess made him worry that I had a bit of a systematic planning issue. Three: The other guy who was taking the test the same day got 7 minors, completely fell apart and yet still passed. Four: I now have to wait 10 DAYS before I am allowed to take the test again.
It's easier to deal with if I accept that the examiner is looking out for my own safety, and asking me to get used to creating more space for myself, but I'm still nagged by what-ifs.
The ride home was fun though. Again, my lovely instructor backed off and just let me enjoy myself for an hour or so - didn't try to give me any more advice or feedback and risk me over-thinking things. I know I can do it next time.
Hmmmm does seem fairly strict on the enforcement there.
Hmmmm does seem fairly strict on the enforcement there.
Well, yes, but it makes me less aggrieved if I pretend it's not.
Sorry to hear you didn't pass. It is what it is. You just have to take the feedback into consideration and get it re-booked. It doesn't matter how anyone else rode that day. Just concentrate on the next test. It sounds like you are ready and on a different day you would have passed.
Sorry to hear that. You will get it next time!
Then its time for bike shopping.
chin up and good luck for the re-test.
let us know how you get on
I started a similar journey a couple of months back aged 57. I had owned bikes when I was 17 (you could ride up to a 250cc back then) but never took my test. So following a thread on here I bought a Duke 390 and booked the CBT training. That went well (would highly recommend 121 training if it is available to you) so I booked the full test. I really enjoyed the experience, the Mod 1 was great fun. A bit more pressure on the Mod 2 but I still really enjoyed it and luckily passed first time. So tax paid (£42) and Ins bought (£352) and I am on the road and having a great time.
I only have a 390 but it is quite quick enough for me. I'm sure I spend most of my time on it grinning like a Cheshire Cat.
So do you mean you were too close to the car in front while stationary queuing to go through a pinch point ?
So do you mean you were too close to the car in front while stationary queuing to go through a pinch point ?
Series of pinch points with a long queue on my side of the road, covering several of them. I was apparently too keen to go through one of them, and ended up too close to the car still queuing beyond. Borderline at best.
Cool story, glad you are making the most of the training..
Seems a little harsh on that particular element of the test IMO, but clearly I wasn’t present.
Well, an update from me....despite a MOD 2 failure from me also - and similarly frustrating as yours, @16stonepig - I have now passed and a lovely full bike licnece is now mine 🙂
@16stonepig - how are you getting on?
I passed! I bloody passed. 3rd time of trying...
The 2nd fail was also extremely harsh - I was apparently too hesitant to go past a doddering fool in a Micra who was crawling along with his indicators on for about 50 yards. Apart from that, zero minors.
On the 3rd attempt I survived an enormous clunking stall at a t-junction (purely down to nerves). Same examiner as test 2, but he told me he went back and forth all the way home over whether the stall was a minor or major.
Still, it's done now, so on to bike shopping. The school themselves have a couple for sale - a couple of CBF600s and one MT-07. I'm inclined to go with them because although they'll have been knocked about a bit, they won't have been thrashed and will have had regular attention. My head says CBF600 but my heart says MT-07. So torquey.
Yay ! Well done !
MT-07 is a decent call for a relative newbie.... KTM 690 Duke if you want something similar but a bit cooler 🙂
Good stuff 👍.
Well done 👍
I learnt on a CBF600 but have recently bought myself an MT-07 - it's a very nice bike, loads of low-end grunt so rarely a need to push the revs. Take it for a ride to see what it's like, I'm sure you won't be disappointed. Both good bikes though.
Still, it’s done now, so on to bike shopping. The school themselves have a couple for sale – a couple of CBF600s and one MT-07. I’m inclined to go with them because although they’ll have been knocked about a bit, they won’t have been thrashed and will have had regular attention. My head says CBF600 but my heart says MT-07. So torquey.
Depends on the school. I rode some barely rideable piles of crap when I was learning!
And while they won't have been thrashed, they will have had a hard life constantly being in the wrong gear, plodding around car parks and town. The only upside is they'll come with a full set of crash bars and bungs if you're not confident!
A motorbike designed to be revved to 14,000 RPM isn't going to suffer from it. Especially when you consider that the average middleweight sports/touring bike probably only spends 1% of it's life being thrashed even if it's a trackday toy (assuming it's ridden to the track), the rest is still (relatively) pootling along at the NSL to Matlock / Devils Bridge / Skegness and back.
The biggest issue I've had with school bikes is baggy gearboxes and false neutrals from the higher than average number of hamfisted/footed gearchanges they experience.
Well done ‘Pig! Have been lurking and following your adventures while getting my own license sorted.
2 x theory tests, lack of preparation on the first
2 x Mod 1’s after silly attack of nerves made me wobble around the first one like Bambi on ice! Then thankfully passed the Mod 2 first time, but I was convinced I’d failed early on. That made me relax and ride properly for the remainder! Bloody nerves!!
That was late Oct/early Nov. Immediately went out looking at new bikes (MT07/MT09/Street triple and Duke 790) before settling on an older Kawasaki Z750 which I’m loving so far!
I was very close to getting the MT07 and slightly regret not doing so as it was the best option for cost vs fun I found being a new rider. Anything bigger or sportier was very expensive to insure for riders with no “big bike” experience, now I know that I rarely want anywhere near full power most of the time...
My Z750 feels very, very heavy (it’s over 200kg) and quite slow witted compared to the 695 monster I trained on and I really wanted a few less cylinders. But it’s just got back from France, and covered over a 1000 miles with me, all quite cold, but very enjoyable!
Get yourself biked-up and start riding for fun😀
Well done mate 🙂
There will be plenty of low mile garage ornaments being sold privately this time of year. Buy something that has been loved, not that has been treated like crap by learners 🙂
I have a sweet spot for Street Triples and even older first gen models ride really really well.
Get planning that summer trip to the Alps 🙂
Chuffed for you.
KTM 690 Duke if you want something similar but a bit camper
Fixed that now that every Tom, DICK & Harry has one.
Plus they’re completely overated.
I’ll pick a bike that’d be problem free any day of the week over a kaboom!
Lol I disagree 100%
Mine toured Germany, then went to Silverstone and many other things beside that.
I upgraded to 790 though.
I started a similar journey a couple of months back aged 57. I had owned bikes when I was 17 (you could ride up to a 250cc back then) but never took my test. So following a thread on here I bought a Duke 390 and booked the CBT training. That went well (would highly recommend 121 training if it is available to you) so I booked the full test. I really enjoyed the experience, the Mod 1 was great fun. A bit more pressure on the Mod 2 but I still really enjoyed it and luckily passed first time. So tax paid (£42) and Ins bought (£352) and I am on the road and having a great time.
I only have a 390 but it is quite quick enough for me. I’m sure I spend most of my time on it grinning like a Cheshire Cat.
Bianchi Boy - how are you finding the Duke 390? I'm considering one of the Husky's that's based on it.
I'm thinking of either a 1970s Z650 or a Yamaha RD200 as my first bike over 125cc, purely as I have access to both (although in need of rebuilding)
The Duke 390 is a great bike.
I bought one last March as a 2nd bike, It has transformed my biking. My bikes are parked round the back of the house, it's a right pain to get my 250+kg Guzzi out, so I'd rather use the car for shorter trips. Now I have the lightweight KTM, which is dead easy to get out, that is used rather than the car.
I fitted a screen and handguards which transformed it, it took all the wind from the top half of the body, and made it far more rideable at 50mph+. Top speed is 105ish. I've had it to 95, and that was enough for me, it isnt made for speeding, its a great town and B road/twisty A road bike, and it keeps up with 600cc bikes up to 70mph. 2 up doesnt really slow performance, though the brakes need more power 2 up, a couple of times I've gone past my braking line with the OH on the back, I dont tend to take her out on it now - too much fun on my own!
I'd thoroughly recommend it, they also do a cracking 3 year finance deal, £100 down, £104 / month for 3 years (1.5% apr roughly). Maybe you can still get a similar deal now?
Bianchi Boy – how are you finding the Duke 390? I’m considering one of the Husky’s that’s based on it.
Not Bianchi Boy, obviously, but I'm a little over 6 months into 390 Duke ownership. Been commuting 65 miles a day, 4 days a week on it and I love the wonderful little thing. So much fun, so easy to ride, very confidence inspiring, quick enough (about 6s 0-60 with my lard ass sat on it) but without being silly fast - not a chance it'll do triple figure speeds. I've stuck on some heated grips and wind deflectors, and a USB port cable thingy spliced into the battery for heated clothing connections and it's set for all weathers.
If I was looking to buy new right now I'd maybe hang fire until the 390 Adventure arrives (or whatever Husqvarna equivalent may be). Due out this year and with a whopping 270 mile range (claimed) it solves the only problem I have with the Duke: fuel refills every other day. Even that's not too bad, I'm getting around 145 miles from £11 of fuel - works out around 70-75mpg.
If new's not on the cards and it's the type of bike you're after, you'll not go far wrong with the Duke.
Thanks folks, appreciate that. I just love the looks of the Vitpilen 401 and the fact is based on the Duke give me confidence, I hear nothing but good things - other than the odd off-hand snobbish remark. Fast enough to be useable is really what I want, at least while I get used to things
Alan - yeah, there's a 0% deal I've been offered which is much of what's nudging this forwards for me. I've only ever had a basic 125 before and I sold that without moving on - regret that.
Commute's only 13 miles of Peak District roads, so plenty of petrol there!
There are fixing and fastenings issues sometimes on 390s etc, they're built to a budget after all, but essentially speaking they're cracking machines.
I’m thinking of either a 1970s Z650 or a Yamaha RD200 as my first bike over 125cc
Beautiful bike the Z650. Always wanted one back in me yoot. Ended up with a 1974 Z900 that I ran for a few years.
Love the seventies 4's.
Well done, I did all my lessons on the MT-07 and really enjoyed it.
Well, it's done. MT-07 purchased. The school were kind enough to stick a new chain and sprocket on, and replace the clutch (it was a bit bindy).
It's been fun, if a little nervy so far. It's weird how much drivers crowd you when you don't have L plates on. And riding home in the dark and snow was a bit sketchy last night, but I'm still alive. And it's so refreshing to turn up to work having been in fresh (cold) air all the way in, rather than cooped up in a glass box.
Good on ya riding in this weather, mines tucked up nice and cosy in the garage.
Just wait for summer, it will be great 🙂
Mine too vortex, although I did see it last week. I never made it to Brum though.
Ticket purchased for the Conwy MCC Dragon Rally ☺️
Rachel
@16stonepig I'm sure you'll love the MT-07, I bought one last year and I love it. I've not been out much during winter, but if I spot a half decent day then I'm out 🙂
Take it easy and stay safe!
Anyone got any tips for making my riding more confident? OR things that I should be doing that the DVSA wouldn't necessarily want to see in a test?
Anyone got any tips for making my riding more confident?
Cross a continent, keep getting training.
Rachel
For me, i'd say Trackdays, teaching you how to lean/corner and brake etc... Others will say IAM etc, some will as above say "Just ride more" there's no right or wrong answer, time and practice will all help.
Anyone got any tips for making my riding more confident?
Wait until the weather improves.
Its always a bit grim this time of year, with either greasy roads or ones which are covered in grit.
Advanced training (something with ex police instructors should be good) and more riding. I never did the track day route of training and I'm not 100% on it! the advanced training I did was all road related as the hazards on the road are different to those on a track, but it may help your overall handling to know how far a bike will lean over.
With regard to your comment about drivers crowding you , I would suggest you dominate the road by your positioning - if needs be block cars trying to go up your left or right, much like taking the primary position on the bike. Don't be afraid to go slow to leave space in front to brake, accelerate and manoeuvre, you have the oomph so if needed use it. Use your indicators and also consider hand signals. I find eye contact and a thumbs up when you move helps. Get used to your brakes, how hard you can brake (often harder than you think) and how you can gently rub off speed if you overlook it.Roadcraft is a good read but don't get too hung up on extreme positioning too early in your riding career.
Also good kit, earplugs and check your tyre pressures regularly and often
Morning-
Congratulations on passing and on the MT07.
It's a great bike- I have MT07 Tracer and I am so pleased with it. Joanne has an XSR700 (MT07 in retro clothes) and loves it too. We are an MT07 house!
As everyone will tell you the only way to become more confident is riding. On top of that think about more training. I am halfway through my preparations to take my IAM test and feel my riding has improved immeasurably since I started. Come down on the First Sunday of the month for a free observed ride to see what you think. The way that IAM works is through observed rides with some incredibly skilled riders who just want to share there love and knowledge of motorcycling.
Your local club is Wey Valley Advanced Motorcyclists and we meet at Ripley Village hall. First Sunday of the month (Sunday 3rd February is the next one) Come down, have a coffee and a bacon sarnie!
More information here: http://www.wvam.org.uk/
Drop me a message of you want to go out for a spin as well.
Paul
Good to see this thread pop-up again.
My wife and I have both decided to do our bike tests this year. She passed her theory on Wednesday, I passed mine this morning. CBT next weekend and then on to proper training. London Bike show tickets booked too!
Drop me a message of you want to go out for a spin as well.
Paul
I am definitely up for a his & hers & his ride.
Erm...
I've got my first full on-road lesson tomorrow, having been riding on CBTs for 8 years I think(!)
My current one expires in April, place your bets as to whether I'll get my full license before then....
Welp. Dropped it today. At an eventual 5mph probably. Pride hurt more than anything else.
Opps. Either you or the bike hurt ?
Opps. Either you or the bike hurt ?
The crash bungs are shorter than they were, and a bar plug is slightly scuffed. I am fine, but suddenly aware (again) how inexperienced I am. Which I suppose is healthy.
A combination of a slightly damp greasy road reducing my confidence in the grip, and some frankly piss poor road positioning going into a corner meant I found myself heading right towards the outside verge. Didn't have the nerve to really change my line and ended up just drifting my wheels onto the soft stuff. And down I go.
Thankfully didn't get as far as the drainage ditch, otherwise I was never getting the bike out again.