Safe Speed Forums

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There is no doubt that wearing the right protection in this country is a good thing but I strongly maintain that it should not be mandatory. I think it is down to the individual rider to decide if he is taking a risk or not. I ride more than 3000 miles a year helmet free but I generally on long distance rides I still have one strapped to the bike in case I feel the need to wear one, so does my wife. She also carries chaps in the luggage for additional leg protection on long trips.

We all have a different view on motorcycling. Any one who has not ridden cannot possibly know what issues we face. As I said before unfortunately motorcycling is full of “know-it-alls” who have a narrow minded view but have an opinion on EVERYTHING everybody else has to say.

We all ride for different reasons, some as a hobby, some as part of our job and it is useful to share experiences. I am in favour of information sharing and personal choice. The diversity of motorcycling is reflected in the range of machinery available.

I think that road planning NEVER takes the safety of motorcycling into account and this is a far bigger issue than protective clothing. road junctions continue to be the most dangerous places for bikes to be. Also car driver visibility as discussed elsewhere in this forum.

Getting a motorcycle license is getting more and more difficult. If the new EU rules come in it is set to be twice as complicated as it is now. Some EU countries have even considered banning powered two wheelers altogether in order to get the casualties down. That’s how stupid it is getting.

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Speed camera policy Kills

I went for a ride on the mighty C90 today. It was great, down all the b roads and minor roads. Sports bike riders not giving me the time of day either. To hell with 'em I say. Sure their bikes go like stink, but mine only cost 300 quid, does 100+ to the gallon and doesn't offend anyone. I use it EVERY day too. I'm sure the 113 miles (one hundred and thirteen) I did on it this afternoon is worthy of some sort of medal but there is a 200 mile C90 day on the horizon. I need a bigger bike...

Let it go Adam.....let it go..........

I did Leicester to Anglesey once. 400 mile round trip in one day on a Yamaha XV125. Great days ride.....but man my ass was sore for days after.

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Speed camera policy Kills

Having just done a direct access course and passed about one month ago I can shed a little light on getting your full UK bike license.

So where dose it all start? What I would start with is deciding what you want for your biking. If you like I want to commute into work and do a bit of touring getting a full license is the way to go. If it just to get to work then a CBT and a 125 my just ticket.

As a full UK car license holder over 21 you can go the direct access route, you will do the CBT then a few more days training with a training school including 2 days on a 500cc with your test on the second day of ridding the 500’s to get a full license.

I found the CBT a lot to learn in one day as someone completely new to motorbikes I would strongly suggest dressing in warm comfortable clothing so that you can move freely. I made the mistake of wearing all my brand new bike gear without testing it properly for fit. (I dint know what to look for then) so as a taller rider at 6’2 I found the kneepads in my trousers where to tight and stopped me bending my knees properly a big pain in the arse when the bike seat only comes up to just under your knees.

As for the CBT itself remember it not a test it is Basic Training and you can have as many goes at getting something right till your happy with it so relax listen and enjoy.

After your CBT I would strongly recommend getting your own 125 to ride for a bit if like me you only just got through the CBT. You will be ably to find a bike that fits you weather you’re tall or short and it will go a long way in making you comfortable on the bike so you can worry more about the riding and not getting killed lark.

Depending on your budget you can go for a bargain bucket bike or as I did a new bike with a view to a trade in some time in the near future. I purchased a new Honda Varadero XL125V an excellent bike for the taller learner rider and then traded it is 6 weeks later for £500 less than I paid for it and in that time I had a good safe reliable bike. Just talk to your dealer mine did me a stunning deal all it all it worked out a hell of a lot cheaper than renting a bike.

Once you are happy with your riding talk to your school and book up rest of your course.

Typically before you can do the second part of the course including the test you will have to have passed the theory test. For any competent driver this should be easy enough but I would still very strongly suggest picking up the theory test book from the DVLA web sight and reading it as there are some difference between the car driving and bike riding that reflected in the questions.

Depending on your skill level you will ether do a day or two on a 125 before progressing to the 500cc bike and doing your test? I found these days tiring but fun just listen to you instructor and ask if you have any question no mater how dumb you think they are.

As for the test just relax and enjoy it. I know it is very hard not to be nervous I know I was as my turn in the road wasn’t my strong point. But after a good ride to the test centre and a really good practice of the turn in the road I knew I had the skills and it would only be nerves that would fail me.

My instructor told the examiners tend to look favourable on riders with the appropriate gear us and I have to say I think he was spot on if I am any judge of people. The examiners I must say placed me at my ease and gave clear full polite instructions and as the first thing we did was the turn in the road and the emergency stop after I had done these and well all my nerves just disappeared and I really just enjoyed the rest of the test I wasn’t nervous again till I was waiting for him to remove his helmet and tell me if I had passed or not.

Sad to say the other chap doing the test that day failed and from the two days riding with him I can only place it down to nerves and lack of confidence in what he was doing but I am sure he will pass the next time he goes to test as he dose have the skills he just need a little more confidence in himself.

After the test i picked up my Honda CBF600 with ABS and love it to bits it is comfortable has enough power and speed without scaring the crap out of a novice user and after getting a reading all the reviews doing the daily comute and riding to Wales and back I can say it is what it says on the tin a excellent first big bike.

P.S sorry it a bit rambling but hell I am at work and bored so shoot me )

Gizmo sir, where did you go in Kansas? Goodland, Protection, Colby, Hoxie??? Dodge City, you must have go to Dodge! What about concuring Mount Sunflower. As you might have guessed I've done KS in a big way...

Ummm, you weren't in your sheeps' clothing by any chance were you?

Wichita and Selina

Going back in a couple of weeks. gonna try and get to Dodge City then. Looks about 3 hours from Wichita.

I got stopped by the cops last time. On the way back to the airport. First time ever in the USA. I was doing 60 in a 40 zone. He just gave me a lecture. No ticket... Slowed me down a bit though.

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Speed camera policy Kills

Nah, going to watch the racing. They have got a neat little circuit there.

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Speed camera policy Kills

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Two ride nekked....I think I met them last year in Sturgis..

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Speed camera policy Kills