Here's my last month in facts and figures: - Licence granted (after two mod 1s) on Friday July 18th - 2012 Mutley S Touring bought on Sunday July 20th - Bike dropped whilst talking to a builder outside my house but thankfully towards him and he caught us. Thankfully no other mishaps. - Tried to ride to Cornwall on Sunday 27th but got a puncture after 140 miles - New set of rubber (PR4 GTs - yes, i know i shouldn't have the GT specs but I screwed up) on Tuesday 29th and rode back to London - Steering head bearing fixed when I got back to London - was horribly tight and made the handling scary - California Superbike School level 1 completed at Brands Hatch on Wed 20th August. One of the most incredible days of my life. - 1700 miles ridden - One life long love affair started Thanks for all the support and friendliness that you've all shown a totally clueless beginner, it's been a huge help on what has been a voyage of discovery for me.
Well done, a great introduction to biking! Now you know what all your car driving friends are missing.... Highly recommend a Bikesafe course for good on road technique. Helped my riding a lot. Ride safe
Superbike school level 2 mid-September Trail riding school in Dorking late September Bikesafe booked for October Wheelie school booked for November (!!) Considering going out to Athens for superbike school level 3 in November too but we'll see
Glad to hear it just take your time easing into the bike and traffic etc... and the roads. You are officially in the high risk category - fresh biker - big bike - summer fun.
I hear you. I'm trying to dominate my road space without taking risks or being aggressive, which can be an interesting balancing act especially when passing through some of the sketchier parts of London.
With time you will get the bikers "sixth sense", you can spot hazards a mile away and go on the defensive well in advance, saying that I am still surprised daily on my commute into the busy town centre with the things I have to negotiate. Even on a big white bike with blazing HID's and riding defensively people still seem able to completely not see you.
I know, some of us are on Ducati MTS' Got my last pre-test next week for my IAM with the local test guy. Considering how little it is to do cost wise I would say it's better than Superbike School for real road riding skills.
Any training is a great base. If you do lots of road riding, choose a road biased model. I have followed loads of rospa, iam, pace etc users and tbh most are pretty much the same. Appropriate speed, observation, planning, road positioning. Rocket science it aint
Did my RoSPA on my 749. Yes bradders, they are all based on the police blue book that's why they are largely the same. TBH it aint rocket science, but does take practice. Motorcycle roadcraft: the police rider's handbook: Amazon.co.uk: Penny Mares, Police Foundation, Philip Coyne: Books
Easily self learned but quicker to have someone observing and feeding back to get the baseline in habit
Good point. In tight traffic situations and difficult corners, you can tense up more and more until you find you are not breathing properly. If you can keep your breathing smooth and regular it will help keep you calm and collected while riding.
