(RE)Learning to ride a motorbike again

Garry Edwards said:
I had quite a nasty bike crash 50 years ago, never ridden one since, at least not on the road. I still have a licence and no doubt am considered to be an excellent risk as I haven't had a claim for 50 years:)

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Sorry nope, due to age and I'm guessing not had a bike insured for all that time. You'd be considered a high risk probably.
 
In the late '80's/early 90's I was a regular 125 cc commuter bike rider and then became a car driver for the first time in 1994. However, in 2010, I gave up the car and bought a brand new Yammy YBR 125 from the sale of the car with the idea of getting back into commuter bike riding "just like the old days" - but then I encountered a series of drawbacks which made it all impractical. For a start I lost my regular job in 2011 and wouldn't able to afford to take the motorbike test so I quickly sold the bike while I was still able to get a good price for it.
Besides, even if I had kept the bike and be able to carry on riding it legally with L plates on for an indefinite period (like we used to be able to all the time we had a valid driving licence), my being a home carer looking after an elderly mother, the British weather often being too rubbish for motorbike riding and having to take a separate motorbike test were what killed it off for me and it has got to a point where I have no desire in owning a car again as I hated driving (sends my stress levels shooting high).
Although that said, I have found a small compromise in the form of converting my trusty pushbike into an electric bike only a year ago, that works for me! :D
 
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Byker28i said:
Sorry nope, due to age and I'm guessing not had a bike insured for all that time. You'd be considered a high risk probably.
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Well, you're probably right and they would be right to consider me high risk...

I was perfectly at home with my Norton 650 but modern bikes... couldn't even find the kick start, probably because there isn't one:) I wouldn't even be able to make it go, let alone drive it safely.

Funny story - at least I think it's funny, my youngest son might not agree - a few years ago he was given an old Honda, he did it up. No MOT, tax or insurance but not needed as it was on the farm. Anyway, when he got it going I volunteered to ride it, and took it along our track and out of sight and sound. Couldn't go fast because of my incompetence and the unsurfaced track, and found balance difficult. I found it very scary, stopped and had a long rest before riding it back again. I missed a phone call from my son Bill, and he was standing there looking a bit frantic when I finally re-appeared. I explained that I'd driven it to the village and back to see how fast it would go on a surfaced road...
 
Al, I have a LOT of bike gear in various sizes that is no longer needed by me. If you are interested let me know, as I would rather it went somewhere it would be used! :)
 
Some years back, there was a bit of a peak in the number of older riders coming to grief. They suddenly discovered that they had some spare fun money kicking about so thought they'd buy a new bike, having had one in their youth. Now, these "experienced" older riders used to have 750s and 850s back in the day so bought similar capacity bikes when they got back on 2 wheels. The difference between a '60s or '70s Bonny and a GSX750R surprised more than a few!
 
Tigger.ufo said:
Al, I have a LOT of bike gear in various sizes that is no longer needed by me. If you are interested let me know, as I would rather it went somewhere it would be used! :)
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And if you're a BIG bloke, I have a leather jacket that fitted me when I was ~21stone... If interested, start a wanted thread in the classies and drop me a PM alerting me to it - I usually have the section shrunk/collapsed to stop my GAS!
 
dont go less than a 600,smaller bikes can be more dangerous than bigger bikes in lots of situations,have you got any mates with bikes see what you like the feel of, something like a bandit or fazer are great to start off on and not to expensive if you drop it and you wont hit silly speeds for long with no fairing on, if you can get some training that would be great im pretty sure that there must be courses available local to where you are, get out there and ride roads your familiar with,little country roads can be a bit dodgy for newbies with hidden dips, cow s*** on the road, blind bends and slow tractors, try and avoid the temptation to race bell ends from the lights...were abouts are you btw
 
Thanks everyone again for the continued great advice, I'll have a look at those bikes recommended, clubs and kit.

Tigger.ufo said:
Al, I have a LOT of bike gear in various sizes that is no longer needed by me. If you are interested let me know, as I would rather it went somewhere it would be used! :)
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Thanks Heather that's really generous of you - I may take you up on that!

Nod said:
And if you're a BIG bloke, I have a leather jacket that fitted me when I was ~21stone... If interested, start a wanted thread in the classies and drop me a PM alerting me to it - I usually have the section shrunk/collapsed to stop my GAS!
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I'm 15 and a bit stone but hoping to go down not up so that's probably a bit big for me but thanks very much for the offer

Brendan Mulachy said:
dont go less than a 600,smaller bikes can be more dangerous than bigger bikes in lots of situations,have you got any mates with bikes see what you like the feel of, something like a bandit or fazer are great to start off on and not to expensive if you drop it and you wont hit silly speeds for long with no fairing on, if you can get some training that would be great im pretty sure that there must be courses available local to where you are, get out there and ride roads your familiar with,little country roads can be a bit dodgy for newbies with hidden dips, cow s*** on the road, blind bends and slow tractors, try and avoid the temptation to race bell ends from the lights...were abouts are you btw
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I've read conflicting views on big bikes vs smaller bikes. I'll mainly be using it in London, where smaller and lighter appears 'better' with the stop start nature and potentially narrow parking \ traffic jams. I'm open to all types but for starting out am thinking midrange to smaller as opposed to mid-range to bigger.
 
Gupster said:
As has been said, helmets can be had pretty cheaply and offer very decent protective qualities even when compared to more expensive models (if you believe the SHARP ratings). I've got an expensive Shoei and a cheapish flip-front. The major difference is wind noise and weight - reducing both is where the money goes.The cheapo is incredibly noisy at motorway speeds and weighs roughly a kilo more.

In this country get some heated grips too. I've been known to use them in the summer when I've had my summer gloves on and it's got a bit chilly at night. But I am a big southern softy.
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My bold, remember many years ago I was on a Honda 400 four on the motorway when I had to switch over to the reserve petrol tank. It was then that I found my fingers had got so cold I could not turn the tap - quite interesting on the outside lane at 70 ish
 
If you are planning on commuting in London then a smaller machine would definitely be a good start.
Even consider a cheap used 125 as a first bike and pass your test on that, you will then be restricted to 48hp or killowhatsits as it is now for 2 years.
Most modern bikes can be electronically restriced now to that limit and then switched off after two years. Also due to EU standards there are some cracking bikes being sold that come under the 48kn rules :-)
 
Mr Bump said:
If you are planning on commuting in London then a smaller machine would definitely be a good start.
Even consider a cheap used 125 as a first bike and pass your test on that, you will then be restricted to 48hp or killowhatsits as it is now for 2 years.
Most modern bikes can be electronically restriced now to that limit and then switched off after two years. Also due to EU standards there are some cracking bikes being sold that come under the 48kn rules :)
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He doesn't need to pass his test.
 
There is a scheme, bankrolled by the manufacturers, called 'GET ON'.

This is a free initial trial on a bike, generally a 125cc to give people a chance to experience 2 wheels.

May give you a chance to see if the reality matches the nostalgia without forking out money.

Believe a Google search should throw up where these trials are carried out.
 
Another one who would suggest join the local IAM affiliated club, you get some good training there.
 
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Captain Caveman said:
I have my MOD 1 & 2 tomorrow.........my arse is just falling out ,god knows how bad Im gonna be in the morning :eek:
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Yup, hope it goes well.


Our son has been rebuilding a Guzzi V50 from a bitsa case, and I picked up a high mileage runner off the 'bay to give him an example to work from. Took it out this afternoon for the first time, and rather enjoyed the experience, though I was terribly cautious and drove it like a car driver: the last bike was a Trident 900 that we flogged about 8 years ago, and I ended up travelling everywhere at a ton on that. This would struggle to reach 100mph, so is a good change for me, though I wouldn't mind more brakes.......
 
Gupster said:
I'd spend the money on IAM training. Your local IAM biking group would be able to tailor the training to ease you back in to riding and build your skills to eventually pass the advanced test. It's the best money I've ever spent on my bike. I passed my advanced driving years ago then, after a motorbike accident I was lucky to escape from virtually injury free, took the advanced riding training/test.

The observers will quite often be ex-police riders (at least they were in my group) who are the best road riders out there. They always know the best biking routes in your area too!
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I was looking to see if anyone posted about the IAM

Back in the 1970's when I passed my IAM and RoAD tests both testers were serving Police Class 1 motorcyclists. I then went on to do observer runs for the local IAM group........a great insight into human nature it was too ;)

So unless there have been significant changes signing up with your local group for a series of observed runs will refresh and enhance your defensive riding skills.

For myself I would not biy another bike and have not ridden since about 1991'ish

There have been repeated stories over the decades of older (middle aged male) riders with disposable income buying powerful and remembered youth coming a cropper because of not taking the sensible precaution of refreshing their skills.

Best of luck finding your ideal bike but with the refresher 'course' asap once you have the bike.
 
I've still not got the bike, but been keeping an eye out and getting a feel for things in the classifieds - assume more will come on now spring is arriving and people trade up. My better half has ruled out a new bike, for now anyway, so been looking for a second CB500 or ER5 generally, or something similar. Hope you get something before winter! :eek: . Not sure why but have fallen for Kawasaki Vulcan S.

Thanks to everyone who posted on the thread, been of great help to me and I'm sure others who read it. (y)
 
Road works on the most direct route home from g*/f mean that I sometimes come home through a trading estate where I pass a fairly well stocked 2nd hand bike showroom. Well, when I say pass, I mean stop at and see if they have anything I'd rather have than what I've got at the moment! Missed a modern Bonnie by 1/2 an hour last week and would probably have added that to the stable rather than replacing something.
 
Well done! Now you (we!) just need the weather to cooperate!!!
 
probably riden over 500 miles in the past 5 days (first 3.5 days on the school bike), went out this morning with my summer gloves on, turned round after 10 mins as was too cold for em lol. Popped my winter gloves on and too the bike to my local triumph dealer to put the "arrow map" on as Iv fitted a race exhaust and all is well :)
 
Captain Caveman said:
probably riden over 500 miles in the past 5 days (first 3.5 days on the school bike), went out this morning with my summer gloves on, turned round after 10 mins as was too cold for em lol. Popped my winter gloves on and too the bike to my local triumph dealer to put the "arrow map" on as Iv fitted a race exhaust and all is well :)
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gerbing heated gloves
 
Captain Caveman said:
PASSED !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:banana:
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Congratulations! Good choice of bike too although I am a little biased as my last bike was a 58 reg street'R' with arrow cans.
street triple.co.uk is a good forum (if you've not already found it).
Make sure your insurance company know you have the exhaust system fitted or they WILL try and stiff you if you have a bump....

Enjoy and be safe.
 
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I bought a secondhand motorcycle when I was 16, it was a BSA C11 250cc. At the time most learners started with a 250cc, anything less and you would have had the proverbial taken. Cost £5.19s 6d, I had to buy it on hire purchase over a year. I rode it home from the dealer in 1st gear, I didn't know how to change gear. Frightened me so much I parked it in the shed and that's where it stayed until I'd paid off the hire purchase. I sold it for £6 giving me a profit of 6d (2.5pence in new money), never went on a motorcycle again. Saved up for the deposit on a 1956 Series 1 Land Rover, learn't to drive and took my test with the Land Rover.
 
Yelkrub said:
Congratulations! Good choice of bike too although I am a little biased as my last bike was a 58 reg street'R' with arrow cans.
street triple.co.uk is a good forum (if you've not already found it).
Make sure your insurance company know you have the exhaust system fitted or they WILL try and stiff you if you have a bump....

Enjoy and be safe.
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Called my insurance company who added the can AT NO EXTRA COST ! , as for the street triple.co.uk Im already a member ( Caveo ) , plenty of info on there :)
 
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