Phew! After three days in a row on a bike, I'm finally at home! Here's how I got on with my intensive training and module 1 test.
Day 1
As I mentioned in my last entry, I'd got on the Kawasaki ER-5 at the end of my final lesson, and assumed I would be riding that for my intensive training. But instead I found out I was using the Yamaha XJ6 instead. I thought this bike was okay, although much faster revving than I would have liked. At heart, I like a lot of torque rather than top end power, and when I wound up the XJ6 it did almost feel like it was running away with me. I found it nice and easy to manouver though.
Day 1 (and 2) was divided into three hour sessions of roughly 2 hours each. I did plenty of practicing of Mod 1 manouvers and found the XJ6 to be quite managable. The only thing I was having a little difficulty with was the swerve and stop excercise. The highlight of the day was a 2 hour ride out towards Newport on the A519, and then cutting up to Baldwin's Gate, returning to base via Newcastle Under Lyme. This is the kind of riding I'm looking forward to doing when I pass, and a throughly enjoyed it, getting up to some quite high (but legal!) speeds. It was raining too, but I didn't mind that so much and I was pleased that all the gear I bought over the last couple of months kept me warm and dry.
Day 2
My instructors and I were reasonably happy with my roadcraft, and with my Mod 1 test following the next day, day 2 saw me concentrate on practicing for that test. They wanted me to try the ER-5 again - I was hesitant as I was now used to the XJ6 - but it didn't take me long to settle into it, and I preferred it anyway (being a twin as opposed to the four of the XJ6). The two key things I mastered during this day were stopping 'professionally', as I wasn't too elegant before when it came to putting my foot down, and mastering the swerve and stop manouver. Sometimes I find it easier to get left alone and figure something out for myself, so I was happy when I got about 5 minutes to give the swerve and stop a go alone, and get it in my head.
We did some road craft in the middle portion of the day. With my confidence increasing (and on the ER-5, which I was becoming genuinely fond of), I began to relax and enjoy the ride. We spent some time around Newcastle Under Lyme again, and despite this being an area I'm quite familiar with, I went down roads I've never seen before! On a bike you can get more of a 'feel' for a place than in the cocoon of a car, so I would flip my visor up and have the breeze on my face, and take in some of the sights and smells.
The final session of the day was more practicing of Mod 1 manouvers. As part of the emergency stop and swerve and stop excercises, one must ride around a corner at roughly 20mph. I wasn't getting up to speed on these, so I was encouraged to really pick up the pace and lean over. Now, to those who've been riding for years it will seem like second nature, but it was a real mental challenge to lean so far over and corner at such a speed. It took quite a few goes, but as my confidence increased and I learned to trust the physics of a bike in that state, I got up to speed and improved my entry into both manouvers.
Day 3 - Module 1 test
I have to admit to not feeling terribly confident on the morning of the test. My instructors thought I was good for it, and there was no reason really for me to feel that way. I had read a lot of scare stories about the Mod 1 test which really help. I decided to look at it philosophically - treat it as a practice run and be fully prepared to have to do it again.
My test was in Burton on Trent, which is about 45 minutes away. It was quite rainy and blustery on the way down there, but it was a good experience to get on the A50 and do a long stretch of dual carriageway. After turning onto some excellent A roads to get to the test centre, we arrived and watched another candidate go through her test, then went inside.
While waiting for my examiner to come out, I told my instructor how when I took my driving test I'd managed to keep a cool head because I was under the impression I'd failed after a slightly juddery start out of the first junction at the test centre, and stayed relaxed throughout the test. To my amusement, I managed to unintentionally repeat the trick - when the examiner asked me to start my bike up and wheel it backwards out of the bay, I managed to leave the side stand down. I saw it before I got into the test area, but I know examiners are always watching and again assumed I'd failed.
With the pressure off, I did all my manouvers fairly confidently. I don't remember too much of it actually, and it is rather short, probably under 10 minutes in my case. I parked up, went inside and to my delight, the examiner told me I'd passed! And not only passed, but with no faults at all.
We headed back along the route we came, and I had a big smile on my face.
My Mod 2 test is next week. I may well put in one final lesson, just to brush up the day before. Of course, if I pass I will be able to ride my Pegaso, but as I'm due to be away working the week after, I may wait until the end of the month to get it delivered.
Friday, 12 November 2010
Thursday, 4 November 2010
Second lesson - and points! (But no prizes?)
Higher speeds
I'd been looking forward to my second lesson all week. I knew I would at some point be getting up to one of the school's 500cc bikes this week, but there would first be another trip onto the roads on a 125.
Having ridden the CG125 on my CBT and for most of last week's lesson, I thought it would be a good idea to ride the YBR125 for this week's road session. I hadn't liked the YBR as much when I rode it last week, I found it cramped and just 'looser' in it's feel, yet I'd found it easier to manouver. I went out onto the road with my instructor and felt confident. Again, I had the same complaints for the YBR, at 5'10" I'm perhaps a bit too tall for it, and I got a little annoyed at it's unwillingness to change up gear at times - the YBR seems to need a very positive shove, as opposed to the quick flick that was sufficient on the CG. Still, I'm a believer that making things harder in practice makes it easy when it's time to do it for real, so I didn't feel bad about it. I had a quick run around the yard and went through the slalom and figure 8 again - they felt fine.
This lesson on the road was good for three reasons. Firstly, I went faster than I'd ever gone before, round about 55mph on a national speed limit section. I was surprised at how much windblast I felt at that speed, and also how much my helmet seems to weathervane. I've said before I'm not a speed freak, but I think riding up to 70mph is realistic on dual carriageways, and up to 60mph on some of the A roads in the Peak District.
Secondly, I learned countersteering. It took a few minutes for this to sink in, and a few more practice runs to actually implement, but it's actually something I'd done before when riding my pedal bike on the road (I have been at times a keen road cyclist).
Thirdly, there was the general feeling of confidence from putting all this together. I'm getting my observations mostly correct now, and they are beginning to become instinctive rather than something I have to remember to do. Still, I don't want to become complacent and forget any of them come time for the mod 2 test.
Larger Capacity
Finally, the time came to ride one of the big bikes! When I arrived for my lesson I spotted the Kawasaki ER-5 parked up in readiness, and this was to be my steed for the second hour of the lesson. The first thing impressed upon me was the weight of the bike and having to re-learn getting it off the stand and coming to a halt.
Once I mastered these basics, it was on to circuits of the yard and stops, and then the slalom and figure 8. Just as my instructors told me, once I was used to the weight, this larger bike felt better for these low speed excercises as the centre of gravity is lower. I felt confident going through them, and my instructor told me I'd done well so I finished the lesson a happy man. A few days respite now before I begin my intensive course next tuesday, and my Mod 1 test in a week's time.
Say Cheese!
It's taken 13 years on the road, but I've finally been caught speeding. It happened last Sunday morning, at 9am on the A6 in Stockport as I made my way to Eastlands. I was doing 38mph in a 30 zone, and I was caught by a Gatso, of all things.
Now, I am very careful not to speed. I never intentionally break the speed limit in urban areas. While I'm not very familiar with this stretch of road, it is an extemely wide boulevard, and with no speed limit signs, it felt fairly safe to assume it was a 40. I'm pretty eagle-eyed when it comes to speed cameras, so I would have happily sailed through this particular trap in the full knowledge of the speed I was going at.
Amongst one of the FAQs on the form Greater Manchester Police sent me was something along the lines of "I didn't know this was a 30mph zone, there were no signs up". With the response "30mph areas are not marked with repeater signs." Well, I can tell my new Mancunian friends that they most certainly are thoughout Stoke-on-Trent, and indeed if there had been on this stretch on Stockport I most certainly wouldn't have been driving over the limit. Assuming other drivers think the same way, the motorist could be kept within the speed limit just by having the signs up, thus reducing road casualties. I'll leave you to consider their motives for not marking a wide stretch of road with speed limit signs.
AOB
The workshop manual for the Pegaso arrived last week, and I spent an evening printing it out and binding it. I was looking on course to have it delivered after I (hopefully) pass my Mod 1 test next week, so I have it ready to rride after I (hopefully) pass my Mod 2 a week later. But it looks like I may be working away for a week just after the Mod 2 test, so I may hang fire until after I come home.
I've also found a couple of places online which can supply me with Aprilia parts, and as I order a few things from there I will report on their service. I think a centre stand is likely to be amongst the first purchases.
I forgot to mention last week that I sat on a KTM Superduke which felt great, and this week got to sit on a colleagues Triumph Tiger which seems a great bike too, but perhaps a bit to tall for me.
I begin my intensive course next Tuesday!
I'd been looking forward to my second lesson all week. I knew I would at some point be getting up to one of the school's 500cc bikes this week, but there would first be another trip onto the roads on a 125.
Having ridden the CG125 on my CBT and for most of last week's lesson, I thought it would be a good idea to ride the YBR125 for this week's road session. I hadn't liked the YBR as much when I rode it last week, I found it cramped and just 'looser' in it's feel, yet I'd found it easier to manouver. I went out onto the road with my instructor and felt confident. Again, I had the same complaints for the YBR, at 5'10" I'm perhaps a bit too tall for it, and I got a little annoyed at it's unwillingness to change up gear at times - the YBR seems to need a very positive shove, as opposed to the quick flick that was sufficient on the CG. Still, I'm a believer that making things harder in practice makes it easy when it's time to do it for real, so I didn't feel bad about it. I had a quick run around the yard and went through the slalom and figure 8 again - they felt fine.
This lesson on the road was good for three reasons. Firstly, I went faster than I'd ever gone before, round about 55mph on a national speed limit section. I was surprised at how much windblast I felt at that speed, and also how much my helmet seems to weathervane. I've said before I'm not a speed freak, but I think riding up to 70mph is realistic on dual carriageways, and up to 60mph on some of the A roads in the Peak District.
Secondly, I learned countersteering. It took a few minutes for this to sink in, and a few more practice runs to actually implement, but it's actually something I'd done before when riding my pedal bike on the road (I have been at times a keen road cyclist).
Thirdly, there was the general feeling of confidence from putting all this together. I'm getting my observations mostly correct now, and they are beginning to become instinctive rather than something I have to remember to do. Still, I don't want to become complacent and forget any of them come time for the mod 2 test.
Larger Capacity
Finally, the time came to ride one of the big bikes! When I arrived for my lesson I spotted the Kawasaki ER-5 parked up in readiness, and this was to be my steed for the second hour of the lesson. The first thing impressed upon me was the weight of the bike and having to re-learn getting it off the stand and coming to a halt.
Once I mastered these basics, it was on to circuits of the yard and stops, and then the slalom and figure 8. Just as my instructors told me, once I was used to the weight, this larger bike felt better for these low speed excercises as the centre of gravity is lower. I felt confident going through them, and my instructor told me I'd done well so I finished the lesson a happy man. A few days respite now before I begin my intensive course next tuesday, and my Mod 1 test in a week's time.
Say Cheese!
It's taken 13 years on the road, but I've finally been caught speeding. It happened last Sunday morning, at 9am on the A6 in Stockport as I made my way to Eastlands. I was doing 38mph in a 30 zone, and I was caught by a Gatso, of all things.
Now, I am very careful not to speed. I never intentionally break the speed limit in urban areas. While I'm not very familiar with this stretch of road, it is an extemely wide boulevard, and with no speed limit signs, it felt fairly safe to assume it was a 40. I'm pretty eagle-eyed when it comes to speed cameras, so I would have happily sailed through this particular trap in the full knowledge of the speed I was going at.
Amongst one of the FAQs on the form Greater Manchester Police sent me was something along the lines of "I didn't know this was a 30mph zone, there were no signs up". With the response "30mph areas are not marked with repeater signs." Well, I can tell my new Mancunian friends that they most certainly are thoughout Stoke-on-Trent, and indeed if there had been on this stretch on Stockport I most certainly wouldn't have been driving over the limit. Assuming other drivers think the same way, the motorist could be kept within the speed limit just by having the signs up, thus reducing road casualties. I'll leave you to consider their motives for not marking a wide stretch of road with speed limit signs.
AOB
The workshop manual for the Pegaso arrived last week, and I spent an evening printing it out and binding it. I was looking on course to have it delivered after I (hopefully) pass my Mod 1 test next week, so I have it ready to rride after I (hopefully) pass my Mod 2 a week later. But it looks like I may be working away for a week just after the Mod 2 test, so I may hang fire until after I come home.
I've also found a couple of places online which can supply me with Aprilia parts, and as I order a few things from there I will report on their service. I think a centre stand is likely to be amongst the first purchases.
I forgot to mention last week that I sat on a KTM Superduke which felt great, and this week got to sit on a colleagues Triumph Tiger which seems a great bike too, but perhaps a bit to tall for me.
I begin my intensive course next Tuesday!
Friday, 29 October 2010
New suit and my first lesson
Clothes
With the Pegaso now paid for and my training looming ever closer, the time came for me to get a suit for riding in. As I mentioned before, my local school will provide all the gear I need to actually do my training, but I wanted to wear my own clothes, and helmet. I'd already got my own gloves and boots, plus a helmet in the last couple of months in preparation (and so it wasn't such a large amount of money to pay in one go!). After consulting the few bikers I know, most - but not all - seemed to come down on the side of leathers, but looking at it practically I preferred the idea of textiles. After all, I should be starting riding in the middle of winter, so I want something that's waterproof, and the added ability to wear them over my regular clothes is a bonus too.
I headed to Hein Gericke in Newcastle-under-Lyme and once again was massively impressed with their friendly customer service. One thing that really gets my goat is walking into a shop, especially a specialist one, and being immediately pounced upon by a store assistant. This has never happened to me in Hein Gericke, I have a couple of minutes to browse before one of the staff come over just to check I'm okay. Everytime I have gone in there I've had friendly and non-pushy advice and come away with a very happy purchase. And so it was this week, when I picked out their Nagano Jacket and Atlas pants which are going to fit the bill perfectly.
125cc Lesson
Yesterday was the first of the lessons on the 125cc I'd booked in advance of my intensive traning course. Suited up, I arrived at the school and managed to get the same Honda CG125 I did my CBT on. After a quick ride around the yard (in which I very quickly had to try and remember how to actually ride a bike!), I headed off on the road for an hour, along with Kev (my instructor) and Sue who was another student. For the first part of the ride Sue led, followed by Kev with me bringing up the rear. It was great to be back in the saddle again! Following one minor hiccup when I stalled the bike at the A34/A500 roundabout in Trentham (great place to cut out!) we changed formation with me taking the lead. I was glad I was mostly remembering to cancel my signals, and I felt reasonably confident I was getting in all my observations and lifesavers. Finally, Kev took the lead and gave us a commentary on everything he was doing and observing, which was very useful.
The second hour took us back to the yard to practice some of the Mod 1 excercises. The moving the bike into another parking bay routine was fairly easy, but the bit I wasn't looking forward to were the low speed manouvers - slalom and figure of 8.
"Slower... but faster"
A lot of people talk about riding bikes fast, but I think the real skill is riding one slowly and under control. I think back to early 2002, long before I had any interest in getting a bike. My friends and I somewhat randomly went to see a motorcycle trials tournament at Sheffield Arena. Watching those riders - especially our own Dougie Lampkin - navigate these mind blowingly complex obstacles was impressive, and seems to be much harder than getting on a Fireblade and opening up the throttle.
When I did my CBT I remember this being probably the hardest thing I had to do. While I never actually dropped the bike, I negotiated them in a fairly staccato manner. So it was on my initial run through the slalom and figure of 8 - I got through, but I was very tense and not confident I would be able to do it with any consistency.
As ever, the key was practice. It's essentially a balancing act - getting everything co-ordinated between the back brake, the throttle and the clutch. After I few run throughs I felt better at it. Kev then suggested I try the Yamaha YBR125, as it was a bigger bike. I actually felt more cramped than on the CG, and I didn't like the handlebars being at a more acute angle, or that everything felt looser. BUT! For some reason, I found it much easier to do the excercises on, and I was scooting through the slalom at a fair old rate, and following up with nice tight figure 8s. By the end of the lesson I was happy, and with the U-turn and walking speed excercises feeling good too, I finished the session in a confident mood.
Next week's lesson is booked in for the same time, and it seems I'm running through it all again, but very likely on a 500cc bike, which i'm looking forward to as it's the end goal (and indeed, I have bought a 660cc bike!). I really enjoyed my lesson, can't wait for the next one, and I was very happy with all my gear which performed brilliantly on it's first use!
With the Pegaso now paid for and my training looming ever closer, the time came for me to get a suit for riding in. As I mentioned before, my local school will provide all the gear I need to actually do my training, but I wanted to wear my own clothes, and helmet. I'd already got my own gloves and boots, plus a helmet in the last couple of months in preparation (and so it wasn't such a large amount of money to pay in one go!). After consulting the few bikers I know, most - but not all - seemed to come down on the side of leathers, but looking at it practically I preferred the idea of textiles. After all, I should be starting riding in the middle of winter, so I want something that's waterproof, and the added ability to wear them over my regular clothes is a bonus too.
I headed to Hein Gericke in Newcastle-under-Lyme and once again was massively impressed with their friendly customer service. One thing that really gets my goat is walking into a shop, especially a specialist one, and being immediately pounced upon by a store assistant. This has never happened to me in Hein Gericke, I have a couple of minutes to browse before one of the staff come over just to check I'm okay. Everytime I have gone in there I've had friendly and non-pushy advice and come away with a very happy purchase. And so it was this week, when I picked out their Nagano Jacket and Atlas pants which are going to fit the bill perfectly.
125cc Lesson
Yesterday was the first of the lessons on the 125cc I'd booked in advance of my intensive traning course. Suited up, I arrived at the school and managed to get the same Honda CG125 I did my CBT on. After a quick ride around the yard (in which I very quickly had to try and remember how to actually ride a bike!), I headed off on the road for an hour, along with Kev (my instructor) and Sue who was another student. For the first part of the ride Sue led, followed by Kev with me bringing up the rear. It was great to be back in the saddle again! Following one minor hiccup when I stalled the bike at the A34/A500 roundabout in Trentham (great place to cut out!) we changed formation with me taking the lead. I was glad I was mostly remembering to cancel my signals, and I felt reasonably confident I was getting in all my observations and lifesavers. Finally, Kev took the lead and gave us a commentary on everything he was doing and observing, which was very useful.
The second hour took us back to the yard to practice some of the Mod 1 excercises. The moving the bike into another parking bay routine was fairly easy, but the bit I wasn't looking forward to were the low speed manouvers - slalom and figure of 8.
"Slower... but faster"
A lot of people talk about riding bikes fast, but I think the real skill is riding one slowly and under control. I think back to early 2002, long before I had any interest in getting a bike. My friends and I somewhat randomly went to see a motorcycle trials tournament at Sheffield Arena. Watching those riders - especially our own Dougie Lampkin - navigate these mind blowingly complex obstacles was impressive, and seems to be much harder than getting on a Fireblade and opening up the throttle.
When I did my CBT I remember this being probably the hardest thing I had to do. While I never actually dropped the bike, I negotiated them in a fairly staccato manner. So it was on my initial run through the slalom and figure of 8 - I got through, but I was very tense and not confident I would be able to do it with any consistency.
As ever, the key was practice. It's essentially a balancing act - getting everything co-ordinated between the back brake, the throttle and the clutch. After I few run throughs I felt better at it. Kev then suggested I try the Yamaha YBR125, as it was a bigger bike. I actually felt more cramped than on the CG, and I didn't like the handlebars being at a more acute angle, or that everything felt looser. BUT! For some reason, I found it much easier to do the excercises on, and I was scooting through the slalom at a fair old rate, and following up with nice tight figure 8s. By the end of the lesson I was happy, and with the U-turn and walking speed excercises feeling good too, I finished the session in a confident mood.
Next week's lesson is booked in for the same time, and it seems I'm running through it all again, but very likely on a 500cc bike, which i'm looking forward to as it's the end goal (and indeed, I have bought a 660cc bike!). I really enjoyed my lesson, can't wait for the next one, and I was very happy with all my gear which performed brilliantly on it's first use!
Wednesday, 20 October 2010
Cover, Locks and Clothing
I had a free afternoon today, and with the bike's arrival date getting closer (maybe even closer than I'd originally planned), I thought it a good idea to go out and get some physical security for the bike. Aprilias are quite nickable - well, their more glamourous models certainly are - and I want to make sure no-one makes off with mine.
There's a Hein Gericke very near to me, and I've already bought from them a couple of times before. I got a rather cool HJC matt black helmet from there, and later some boots and gloves. The intention is to wear these when I do my training, rather than wear items that have been worn by many others before. Over the last few weeks I've been wearing my boots around the house to get used to them, occasionally the gloves too. And yes, sometimes the helmet...
Hein Gericke's catalogue is a good guide, and after picking the brains of a few biking colleages, they seem to be a reputable shop. The staff have certainly been very helpful when I've been in before. Anyway, I went down today and bought their Storm bike cover, plus some heavy duty security gear.
The only thing that's left for me to get is a suit for riding. I've alternated between wanting leathers or a textile suit for a while. Recently I've been thinking leathers - they look cooler, and apprently have better abrasion in the event one falls off the bike. I think this would be my ideal choice, but I have to be practical. If I get on the road sometime in November or December it's going to be cold, wet and very likely will not change until about March. I'd looked at some cold weather leathers at Hein Gericke a few months ago, but I fear they'll be a bit too hot when summer comes. I'll probably get the advice of the staff when I'm ready to buy, but I'm kind of thinking textile at the moment, and then maybe when summer comes I'll invest in some lighter and cheaper leathers.
All being well I'll be off tomorrow to go pay for the Pegaso and arrange a date for delivery. I was thinking of getting it delivered in about 2 weeks time, just before I'm due to do my Direct Access course. But I might get it sooner, and just spend a bit of time getting to know it. I ordered a workshop manual from ebay today, so I can get acquainted with it a little better.
There's a Hein Gericke very near to me, and I've already bought from them a couple of times before. I got a rather cool HJC matt black helmet from there, and later some boots and gloves. The intention is to wear these when I do my training, rather than wear items that have been worn by many others before. Over the last few weeks I've been wearing my boots around the house to get used to them, occasionally the gloves too. And yes, sometimes the helmet...
Hein Gericke's catalogue is a good guide, and after picking the brains of a few biking colleages, they seem to be a reputable shop. The staff have certainly been very helpful when I've been in before. Anyway, I went down today and bought their Storm bike cover, plus some heavy duty security gear.
The only thing that's left for me to get is a suit for riding. I've alternated between wanting leathers or a textile suit for a while. Recently I've been thinking leathers - they look cooler, and apprently have better abrasion in the event one falls off the bike. I think this would be my ideal choice, but I have to be practical. If I get on the road sometime in November or December it's going to be cold, wet and very likely will not change until about March. I'd looked at some cold weather leathers at Hein Gericke a few months ago, but I fear they'll be a bit too hot when summer comes. I'll probably get the advice of the staff when I'm ready to buy, but I'm kind of thinking textile at the moment, and then maybe when summer comes I'll invest in some lighter and cheaper leathers.
All being well I'll be off tomorrow to go pay for the Pegaso and arrange a date for delivery. I was thinking of getting it delivered in about 2 weeks time, just before I'm due to do my Direct Access course. But I might get it sooner, and just spend a bit of time getting to know it. I ordered a workshop manual from ebay today, so I can get acquainted with it a little better.
Tuesday, 19 October 2010
Aprilia Pegaso and training
Decision Time
I decided to go with the Pegaso Factory. I knew when I saw it it was the one that appealed most to me, and that if I went with the Strada it would be something of a compromise. So I called up the garage yesterday, left a deposit, and I'll be off over on Friday to pay the rest and take another look at my new bike!
As well as this, I called up my local riding school and confirmed my training. I booked it in some weeks ago, an intensive 3 day Direct Access course in the second week of November, with a short lesson on a 125cc next week and possibly the week after if I need one. My Mod #1 and Mod #2 tests are also booked for the second and third weeks of November. This may all have to be resceduled though as I might have to work away for a couple of weeks in that period! We'll see.
The dealer is going to hold onto the bike for me for a couple of weeks. The plan is to have it delivered about a week before I do my DA course, giving me week to generally get to know it, sit on it, and perhaps take it for a quick spin on the private car park across from where I live and practice some low speed manouvering. I've got my eye on an outdoor cover from Hein Gericke as well as an Oxford ground anchor and a mighty chain. This week's MCN helpfully incuded a Servicing and Maintenence guide which I'll be pouring over as I intend on doing all this myself.
I'm looking forward to doing my training. Apparently, it has got harder in the last couple of years and this has put people off getting their licence, with many people staying on their L plates and 125s, doing their CBTs every couple of years to stay on the road. I look at this logically - want to ride a bike? Then you've got to pass the test, no matter how hard it is. These words might come back to bite me in the same way as I got scorched on the theory test. I'm approaching it all with a positive attitude, and let's face it - the only way i'll get on the road is by passing.
I decided to go with the Pegaso Factory. I knew when I saw it it was the one that appealed most to me, and that if I went with the Strada it would be something of a compromise. So I called up the garage yesterday, left a deposit, and I'll be off over on Friday to pay the rest and take another look at my new bike!
As well as this, I called up my local riding school and confirmed my training. I booked it in some weeks ago, an intensive 3 day Direct Access course in the second week of November, with a short lesson on a 125cc next week and possibly the week after if I need one. My Mod #1 and Mod #2 tests are also booked for the second and third weeks of November. This may all have to be resceduled though as I might have to work away for a couple of weeks in that period! We'll see.
The dealer is going to hold onto the bike for me for a couple of weeks. The plan is to have it delivered about a week before I do my DA course, giving me week to generally get to know it, sit on it, and perhaps take it for a quick spin on the private car park across from where I live and practice some low speed manouvering. I've got my eye on an outdoor cover from Hein Gericke as well as an Oxford ground anchor and a mighty chain. This week's MCN helpfully incuded a Servicing and Maintenence guide which I'll be pouring over as I intend on doing all this myself.
I'm looking forward to doing my training. Apparently, it has got harder in the last couple of years and this has put people off getting their licence, with many people staying on their L plates and 125s, doing their CBTs every couple of years to stay on the road. I look at this logically - want to ride a bike? Then you've got to pass the test, no matter how hard it is. These words might come back to bite me in the same way as I got scorched on the theory test. I'm approaching it all with a positive attitude, and let's face it - the only way i'll get on the road is by passing.
Choosing a bike
So many different bikes!
I love to spend hours pouring over magazines and website, furiously reading about a subject that takes my interest until I become an expert on it. So it has been with motorbikes over the past couple of months. I'd saved my issues of Ride magazine from 2008, knowing that at some point I'd want to resurrect my interest in bikes. I've also bought the last three issues, plus a few MCNs. Something I can never quite get over is just how many different types of motorbikes there are! It seems every major manufacturer has roughly fifteen different bikes in their range, all slightly different. Factor in all the different manufacturers and you can find a bike that's probably exactly right for what you want. The only thing you have to decide it: What kind of riding do you want to do?
I knew from the outset that I didn't want to go extremely fast. Superbikes don't do anything for me, although conversely, Super-Nakeds do. This leads to the strange scenario of The Aprilia Tuono 1000R being one of my favourite bikes, but the RSV1000 barely registering any interest (they're essentially the same bike but with different handlebars and a lack of fairing on the Tuono). But as much as I like the Tuono, I know it's a suicidal choice as a first bike, and so much of a handful for a beginner that it would likely put me off biking, rather than enourage me.
I was very interested in BMW boxers, and so sure I'd get a BMW Rockster I even got the Haynes manual off Amazon for some research. But looking at the price of a good second hand one (or similar R1150R), I figured I could probably get something much better for the money. The next bike I looked at was a Kawasaki Z750, as a new purchase. I do love the lines of this bike, it looks very cool indeed. But again, I figured that as a beginner I was likely to scuff it or even drop it at some point, and it seemed a shame to do this to a new bike. Plus, a new bike needs proper servicing for the first year at least. I intend on doing my own serciving and maintenence, indeed, the reconnection with machinery is one of the pulling factors towards bike ownership for me. Other bikes I briefly considered were the Suzuki SV650S and Honda CBR600F, but these were a bit too sporty for my liking.
What kind of riding?
So what do I want from bike ownership? I do some big miles for work, and I'm keeping the car for that, but I'd like to get to a point where I was doing everything else on a bike. That includes nipping into town occasionally, so luggage carrying capability is an advantage. I want to recapture the adventurous spirit I had in my younger days, and explore the Peak District which I live close to. I want to do some touring, maybe occasionally head off to Europe. I want something that I can take pride in, take care of, but also be simple enough for me to do my own servicing and learn about how bikes work.
I really love Italian bikes, especially Benellis and Aprilias. Some Ducatis and Moto Guzzis are nice too. Looking through the stock of one of the local dealers, I saw the Aprilia Pegaso. It was Pegaso Strada and CAT D damagaed, but as I'm quite handy I wasn't scared of taking on a bit of work. It had done less than 600 miles and was virtually new. I went to have a look, and got the price down to a rather reasonable level. The damage amounted to some small scrapes on the side, which I could easily respray and get new decals for. I was quite suprised a bike could be written off for so little damage! I didn't especially like the oranage colour scheme, but I came away thinking I would be happy to buy it. As I was also going to have a look at a Pegaso Factory the same day I'd reserve judgement.
I took an hour's drive to Alfreton in Derbyshire and took a look at the Factory. Basically the same bike as the Strada mechanically at least, but with better paintwork, some carbon fibre and bronze parts. It was more than the Strada, and had done almost 7000 miles. But dealer knew the bike from new, and I was impressed with the service I got there. I decided to take the weekend to make my mind up....
I love to spend hours pouring over magazines and website, furiously reading about a subject that takes my interest until I become an expert on it. So it has been with motorbikes over the past couple of months. I'd saved my issues of Ride magazine from 2008, knowing that at some point I'd want to resurrect my interest in bikes. I've also bought the last three issues, plus a few MCNs. Something I can never quite get over is just how many different types of motorbikes there are! It seems every major manufacturer has roughly fifteen different bikes in their range, all slightly different. Factor in all the different manufacturers and you can find a bike that's probably exactly right for what you want. The only thing you have to decide it: What kind of riding do you want to do?
I knew from the outset that I didn't want to go extremely fast. Superbikes don't do anything for me, although conversely, Super-Nakeds do. This leads to the strange scenario of The Aprilia Tuono 1000R being one of my favourite bikes, but the RSV1000 barely registering any interest (they're essentially the same bike but with different handlebars and a lack of fairing on the Tuono). But as much as I like the Tuono, I know it's a suicidal choice as a first bike, and so much of a handful for a beginner that it would likely put me off biking, rather than enourage me.
I was very interested in BMW boxers, and so sure I'd get a BMW Rockster I even got the Haynes manual off Amazon for some research. But looking at the price of a good second hand one (or similar R1150R), I figured I could probably get something much better for the money. The next bike I looked at was a Kawasaki Z750, as a new purchase. I do love the lines of this bike, it looks very cool indeed. But again, I figured that as a beginner I was likely to scuff it or even drop it at some point, and it seemed a shame to do this to a new bike. Plus, a new bike needs proper servicing for the first year at least. I intend on doing my own serciving and maintenence, indeed, the reconnection with machinery is one of the pulling factors towards bike ownership for me. Other bikes I briefly considered were the Suzuki SV650S and Honda CBR600F, but these were a bit too sporty for my liking.
What kind of riding?
So what do I want from bike ownership? I do some big miles for work, and I'm keeping the car for that, but I'd like to get to a point where I was doing everything else on a bike. That includes nipping into town occasionally, so luggage carrying capability is an advantage. I want to recapture the adventurous spirit I had in my younger days, and explore the Peak District which I live close to. I want to do some touring, maybe occasionally head off to Europe. I want something that I can take pride in, take care of, but also be simple enough for me to do my own servicing and learn about how bikes work.
I really love Italian bikes, especially Benellis and Aprilias. Some Ducatis and Moto Guzzis are nice too. Looking through the stock of one of the local dealers, I saw the Aprilia Pegaso. It was Pegaso Strada and CAT D damagaed, but as I'm quite handy I wasn't scared of taking on a bit of work. It had done less than 600 miles and was virtually new. I went to have a look, and got the price down to a rather reasonable level. The damage amounted to some small scrapes on the side, which I could easily respray and get new decals for. I was quite suprised a bike could be written off for so little damage! I didn't especially like the oranage colour scheme, but I came away thinking I would be happy to buy it. As I was also going to have a look at a Pegaso Factory the same day I'd reserve judgement.
I took an hour's drive to Alfreton in Derbyshire and took a look at the Factory. Basically the same bike as the Strada mechanically at least, but with better paintwork, some carbon fibre and bronze parts. It was more than the Strada, and had done almost 7000 miles. But dealer knew the bike from new, and I was impressed with the service I got there. I decided to take the weekend to make my mind up....
Introduction
Welcome!
Hello and welcome to my motorbike blog! I'm starting down the road of motorbike ownership and this blog is where I'll record my adventures, experiences and anything else of note related to my ownership of a two wheeler.
About me
At the time of writing, I have just passed my 31st birthday. I live in Staffordshire in the UK. Until roughly five years ago I'd never considered owning a motorbike. Although something of a petrolhead, I was more interested in cars, and for four years I had an old Porsche 928 which I spent a lot of time driving, and almost as much time with it off the road, tweaking, rebuilding the engine and respraying over the time I owned it.
My first interest in bikes came when I read a review in the Independent newspaper of the then newly released BMW R1200RT. I thought it looked amazing, it confounded my (then very uninformed) expectations of what a motorbike should be. I spent a couple of weeks reading what I could on the internet, but my attention drifted to something else and I left it.
Then, about two years ago, I began to look at it again, and more seriously. The Porker had been gone a while at that point and I was missing going out for drives for fun. As I was now working freelance and overlong distances, it wasn't really practical for me to start tinkering with my E30 BMW. I looked into bikes again, and much more seriously, buying a couple of issues of Ride magazine, heading over to my local riding school to get prices for training, doing online insurance quotes and generally pricing up how much it would cost. All this came abruptly to an end when the E30 finally expired, and I used all my spare cash to replace it with a newer BMW E36.
Again, the idea lay dormant until July this year. While working in Barcelona at the time of the European Athletics Championships, I by chance got to ride pillion on one of the BMW K1200GTs that would be following the marathon runners with camaramen in the pillion position. Believe it or not, this was the first time I had ever ridden on a motorbike! I really enjoyed it, and vowed when I returned I would go to do my CBT (Compulsory Basic Training).
If you are wondering whether riding a bike is for you, then I can't recommend enough that you go and do a CBT. For just £125 I got some really useful time with an experienced instructor who told me all about bike clothing, choosing a helmet, boots and gloves. To someone who seems to have gone all through their life without a riding friend or family member this was very good! I was then taken out onto the yard to actually try and ride the bike - initially I couldn't get used to the controls, but after a while I managed it. I practiced manouvers and riding up to a junction, and then had 2 hours out on the road. I was delighted to pass, and at that point I was hooked!
In the UK, once the CBT has been passed, a rider can use a 125cc bike on the road, provided L plates are put on the front and back of the bike. I initially intended to do this, and got within £75 of buying a 800 miler Honda CBF 125. But being honest with myself, there weren't any 125cc's I could get excited about. I decided the best route was to just do my Direct Access course - once this is passed I will be able to ride any bike. And since most of the interesting stuff has a higher capacity than 125cc, this I definitely what I want to do.
Theory Test
Before taking a Direct Access course, a learner driver must pass the Theory test. I took my driving theory test back in 1997, so I knew to a degree what to expect. I got a theory test app for my iPhone and got almost perfect marks every time. So I felt pretty confident going into the test...
One part I'd heard a little about but not really looked at was the Hazard Perception Test (HPT). Having been a driver for 12 years, how hard could this be? Answer: VERY hard. I sat twice through the video explanation and was not really any the wiser what to do. I fluffed my way through the 14 or so clips, and when the test was over I went to collect my results the news was not good. 49/50 on the multiple choice questions, but 42 out of 75 for the HPT - the pass mark was 44.
I was furious, because I didn't think that what to do had been explained properly, and I didn't think the staged clips were an accurate representation of the hazards one faces on the roads. Go online and you will find plenty of people aggreived with the HPT - I did! But I'm essentially a pragmatist in these situations. The system's not gonna change - want to ride a bike? Then you've got to pass the HPT. I re-booked my test straight away, and ordered a DVD from Amazon that would help me practice the clips. I practiced for hours and hours, treating it essentially as I game. I re-sat my test, got 49/50 again for multiple choice and 47 for the HPT. I had passed! But only just. I think the HPT needs to be looked at, it seems a very arbitary way to judge a learner's hazard perception - quantification of quality if you will. Yes, I passed it, but I don't think the whole charade made me any more safer on the roads than, say, my abilty to jump on platforms, navigate spiky pits and squish robotic creatured was accurately assessed by completing the first three Sonic The Hedgehog games.
Still, the way ahead now clear, I was free to book my Direct Access Course and begin looking at what bike I'd like.
Hello and welcome to my motorbike blog! I'm starting down the road of motorbike ownership and this blog is where I'll record my adventures, experiences and anything else of note related to my ownership of a two wheeler.
About me
At the time of writing, I have just passed my 31st birthday. I live in Staffordshire in the UK. Until roughly five years ago I'd never considered owning a motorbike. Although something of a petrolhead, I was more interested in cars, and for four years I had an old Porsche 928 which I spent a lot of time driving, and almost as much time with it off the road, tweaking, rebuilding the engine and respraying over the time I owned it.
My first interest in bikes came when I read a review in the Independent newspaper of the then newly released BMW R1200RT. I thought it looked amazing, it confounded my (then very uninformed) expectations of what a motorbike should be. I spent a couple of weeks reading what I could on the internet, but my attention drifted to something else and I left it.
Then, about two years ago, I began to look at it again, and more seriously. The Porker had been gone a while at that point and I was missing going out for drives for fun. As I was now working freelance and overlong distances, it wasn't really practical for me to start tinkering with my E30 BMW. I looked into bikes again, and much more seriously, buying a couple of issues of Ride magazine, heading over to my local riding school to get prices for training, doing online insurance quotes and generally pricing up how much it would cost. All this came abruptly to an end when the E30 finally expired, and I used all my spare cash to replace it with a newer BMW E36.
Again, the idea lay dormant until July this year. While working in Barcelona at the time of the European Athletics Championships, I by chance got to ride pillion on one of the BMW K1200GTs that would be following the marathon runners with camaramen in the pillion position. Believe it or not, this was the first time I had ever ridden on a motorbike! I really enjoyed it, and vowed when I returned I would go to do my CBT (Compulsory Basic Training).
If you are wondering whether riding a bike is for you, then I can't recommend enough that you go and do a CBT. For just £125 I got some really useful time with an experienced instructor who told me all about bike clothing, choosing a helmet, boots and gloves. To someone who seems to have gone all through their life without a riding friend or family member this was very good! I was then taken out onto the yard to actually try and ride the bike - initially I couldn't get used to the controls, but after a while I managed it. I practiced manouvers and riding up to a junction, and then had 2 hours out on the road. I was delighted to pass, and at that point I was hooked!
In the UK, once the CBT has been passed, a rider can use a 125cc bike on the road, provided L plates are put on the front and back of the bike. I initially intended to do this, and got within £75 of buying a 800 miler Honda CBF 125. But being honest with myself, there weren't any 125cc's I could get excited about. I decided the best route was to just do my Direct Access course - once this is passed I will be able to ride any bike. And since most of the interesting stuff has a higher capacity than 125cc, this I definitely what I want to do.
Theory Test
Before taking a Direct Access course, a learner driver must pass the Theory test. I took my driving theory test back in 1997, so I knew to a degree what to expect. I got a theory test app for my iPhone and got almost perfect marks every time. So I felt pretty confident going into the test...
One part I'd heard a little about but not really looked at was the Hazard Perception Test (HPT). Having been a driver for 12 years, how hard could this be? Answer: VERY hard. I sat twice through the video explanation and was not really any the wiser what to do. I fluffed my way through the 14 or so clips, and when the test was over I went to collect my results the news was not good. 49/50 on the multiple choice questions, but 42 out of 75 for the HPT - the pass mark was 44.
I was furious, because I didn't think that what to do had been explained properly, and I didn't think the staged clips were an accurate representation of the hazards one faces on the roads. Go online and you will find plenty of people aggreived with the HPT - I did! But I'm essentially a pragmatist in these situations. The system's not gonna change - want to ride a bike? Then you've got to pass the HPT. I re-booked my test straight away, and ordered a DVD from Amazon that would help me practice the clips. I practiced for hours and hours, treating it essentially as I game. I re-sat my test, got 49/50 again for multiple choice and 47 for the HPT. I had passed! But only just. I think the HPT needs to be looked at, it seems a very arbitary way to judge a learner's hazard perception - quantification of quality if you will. Yes, I passed it, but I don't think the whole charade made me any more safer on the roads than, say, my abilty to jump on platforms, navigate spiky pits and squish robotic creatured was accurately assessed by completing the first three Sonic The Hedgehog games.
Still, the way ahead now clear, I was free to book my Direct Access Course and begin looking at what bike I'd like.
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