Insurance Question (UK) - Solved, Now Discussing My Progress.

[Dragonistic]

The hunt continues! Damn these DTXs move fast. I've found one which my stepdad is going to view for me tomorrow as it hasn't been sold yet. It's such a great looking bike I'm determined to get it!

I passed my CBT today no problem with no gear and clutch experience prior to it. I picked it up pretty quickly and by completed the carpark section of training (around the cones) within about 2 hours of arriving. Then I was practically flawless out on the roads when leading and following. It was great to be on the road again after a few months. The bike was a Honda CG125 and it really shows how unneccessary a 125 race replica is. It accelerated plenty fast and happily cruised along at 70mph.

Of course the DTX I'm after is alot more sporty and aggressive then that 4 stroke CG, but it's not excessive (probably only about 80-90 top end) but I'll actually get to use it's awesome acceleration on the twisty hills by me (a local rally stage!). Here's hoping

Watch this spot

 

[Dragonistic]

Hmm, triple post for the win.

I got it! I was the very first mover on that DTX I found yesterday, and no way was I letting it slip. It has a bit of weathered plastic and some rust on the exhaust and very tiny bit on the handle bars. All from rain though it's evident. The bike was on 4 month old petrol and hadn't been started in that amount of time but it fired right up with little hassle. This info has all been relayed by my stepdad, and then he bought it for me . Since then I've been described as a little kid with his new toy, and I don't even have it yet! Very excited to say the least.

Just need to rent a trailer using the £150 we got off the asking price and get it back home

 

[Ev0 4 drifter]

Awesome! you going to put pics of it up? I'd love to see it Me and a friend are planning a trip around the country on our 125's next year, John O' Groats to Lands End and then home (Suffolk) Oh and congrats on passing your CBT, I'm going in for my theory soon, hopefully I can get my full test done 👍

 

[Dragonistic]

Well the trailer cost a teeny £20, we got it today and I've clocked up 60-70 miles on it already Boy does it shift though, give it some juice and in typical 2 stroke style if you're in a high gear you get nothing...nothing...nothing...ZOOOMM. It's really great because I can ride sensibly and use just a tiny bit of power to happily cruise along with minimal effort, then drop a gear twist my right hand and fly. Top end isn't brilliant, but 75-80mph is plenty enough seeing as when I want to have fun, I rarely do it on a long straight. Just got it back from the local rally stage and it's just amazing, the way it pushes forward is lightyears ahead of the CG125 I did my CBT on.

Complete adore it

Here's the pictures from autotrader, I haven't got any of it myself yet. The exhaust rust has been painted over and cleaned, we also got a fill of oil and a general clean and grease job to make sure all runs well.

 

[homeforsummer]

Nice one Looks great, and sure it's even better with the rust covered. That's one hell of a front brake for a 125!

Ahhh can't wait to have enough money to have a pop at my CBT...

 

[Dragonistic]

That's one hell of a front brake for a 125!

Yea, I've probably not even used 1/4 of that brakes power when slowing down so far, it's a bit ridiculous but it's a nice thing to know I will never run out of stopping power.

Ahhh can't wait to have enough money to have a pop at my CBT...

It's a great thing the CBT I think, the guys are always so casual and easy to talk to it seems. Even if things go badly and you don't pass, enjoy the experience it's a decent thing to do for the day. I however have faith in you to pass it first time, once you get used to using the clutch (if you have no experience with one like I did) it was a breeze as long as you just kind of over do your observations and checks etc. He said check your mirrors every 7-8 seconds when you're just going straight, so I was every 4 or so.

I was paying extra attention so if I was in any bad habits from my previous 2 years, that they wouldn't show. Lets be honest if you see a clear road when you pull off in your mirror, you don't always check your blind spot because you know it's completely clear, but you have to make sure you do on the CBT.

Good luck to ya though, doubt you'll need it

 

[homeforsummer]

I however have faith in you to pass it first time

What I've neglected to mention is that I took it earlier on this year already and didn't pass... I do have excuses, and good ones too, but mainly I just didn't really know what to expect so the learning curve was a bit steep for me.

I'm going to give it another go once I've scraped together some money, and hopefully some time next spring-ish (did it spring time earlier this year, and on the day it decided to blow a gale and p*** it down an hour into the training).

I was originally going to try and do CBT and test before the start of this month when the test changed to the new format, but not gaining the certificate put paid to that.

Anyway, at least I won't be a complete beginner next time!

 

[Dragonistic]

What I've neglected to mention is that I took it earlier on this year already and didn't pass... I do have excuses, and good ones too, but mainly I just didn't really know what to expect so the learning curve was a bit steep for me.

I'm going to give it another go once I've scraped together some money, and hopefully some time next spring-ish (did it spring time earlier this year, and on the day it decided to blow a gale and p*** it down an hour into the training).

I was originally going to try and do CBT and test before the start of this month when the test changed to the new format, but not gaining the certificate put paid to that.

Anyway, at least I won't be a complete beginner next time!

Ah I figured you would pass because you seem to know your stuff better then I do. Rain is a real problem for new riders though, we had alot of rain in the morning which dried up fully during our road section of the course. Having2 years road experience helped me tenfold as well. It is alot more difficult on the geared bike then the 50CC twist and goes. I think when you give it another go you should be fine. Simply spending time in a car as a passenger gives you much much more of an ability to anticipate things and be prepared for everything when it comes to you driving/riding yourself.

Good luck with it all anyway, I still carry my faith in you

 

[homeforsummer]

Thanks The info just comes from having been interested in bikes for most of my life and having swatted up a lot ready for starting to ride.

Before I attempted my CBT I'd already been driving for five years, and I think if anything that was part of my downfall. I'd got so used to how a car is with regard to things like the clutch, brakes, throttle etc that riding a motorcycle was "too" new.

I think I'll even have a practice on a pushbike before next time, get used to balancing on two wheels again. I was probably more tense than I needed to be because I was attempting not to drop it.

I also asked a few people who had better knowledge than me about the controls too, because I reckoned the clutch and gearbox were a bit dodgy on the one I was riding - the obvious sign was that even the instructor couldn't knock it into neutral while the engine was on, so every time I wanted to engage neutral I had to switch it off, click it in, and switch it back on again.

Told you I had excuses

I will have another crack at some point though, it's not something I intend on giving up on.

 

[Dragonistic]

I found I was to tense at first being worried about stalling it and so on, and the U-turn as well. Relaxing helped alot, and I was overthinking things to so I just took a few deep breaths, thought about what I was doing BEFORE I did it not as. Then everything clicked right away and I felt like I'd been doing it for years by the end of the road section. I already feel like a part of my own machine when I ride, U-turns I no longer use the clutch OR brake, all done with the throttle and steering as are most turns I make if I don't need to stop. I noticed my downshifts weren't as smooth as they could be to on my CBT and I've already got that sussed now I've been on the road solo.

I was even singing along to myself for the last hour of the CBT! Take your time, slow down nice and early, I was often barely touching the brakes to stop and was already well sorted in the correct gear long before the turn or obstacle. Obviously don't slow down to much or you'll be forcing the bike to the line, but just a nice steady pull up is much better then leaving it late and doing it all at once, that leads to mistakes.

 

[homeforsummer]

I'll probably buy some thinner gloves for the next attempt too. The gloves I was using were winter gloves - great for keeping the rain and wind at bay, hopeless for having any feel for the controls...

 

[Dragonistic]

I didn't bother taking my own stuff bar jacket, was wearing trainers for better gear control and he gave me summer gloves which worked just fine.