Losing interest before I've properly started
Discussion
I'm one of the many 40 somethings who rode a 125 when they were younger and some 20 something years later has suddenly decided riding a motorcycle would be fun again.
I did the CBT around this time last year and borrowed a little 125 from my old man. I've pottered around on it and have went on the odd group ride with him and his mates which I've enjoyed (spending some quality time with my old man while he's still about was part of the attraction in getting back on a bike).
I've done the theory test, Have done about 6 hours worth of lessons on a SV650 and have booked my mod 1 for end of the month. The trouble is I'm just not enjoying it as much as I thought I would so now I'm wondering if it's best to just cut my losses rather than throw more money at it.
Anyone else have the same feeling when they were going through the hassle of getting a full license?
I did the CBT around this time last year and borrowed a little 125 from my old man. I've pottered around on it and have went on the odd group ride with him and his mates which I've enjoyed (spending some quality time with my old man while he's still about was part of the attraction in getting back on a bike).
I've done the theory test, Have done about 6 hours worth of lessons on a SV650 and have booked my mod 1 for end of the month. The trouble is I'm just not enjoying it as much as I thought I would so now I'm wondering if it's best to just cut my losses rather than throw more money at it.
Anyone else have the same feeling when they were going through the hassle of getting a full license?
Sounds like you're doing something right! I didn't find learning to ride much fun tbh. IOt was okay, but hard work as it was constantly learning and trying to improve. \Even after I passed I didn't really enjoy it a lot. It's only now, some 3 months and several thousands miles later I'm beginning to actually enjoy it. Stick with it and keep learning/developing!
What he said.
Learning was only fun in the novelty and occasional achievement. But it was a lot of hard work, lots of frustration. It won't help if your instructor is giving you too much of a hard time. I had a few and the first was not good.
And as said above, even after the test it's not immediately good. My first bike in hindsight wasn't the best choice, and I ended up for want of a better word "afraid" of it. I certainly didn't push it too hard, and so was riding -very- safely. Lean? What's that.
My later bike is a lot more encouraging, and after more months and more miles I'm finding I'm able to push far more than I used to.
That being said I don't ride with others (I've a couple of friends who ride, but their lack of self-preservation just leaves me lagging behind), so enjoy doing what I do, rather than living up to other people's expectations. It's all been helped by the recent good weather of course.
Equally, it's different for all of us. Me saying "I don't ride with others" may be the only reason you do ride. That said if there's one thing I would suggest you take from this, and the chap above, is give it time, and try a few bikes until you find the right one.
Learning was only fun in the novelty and occasional achievement. But it was a lot of hard work, lots of frustration. It won't help if your instructor is giving you too much of a hard time. I had a few and the first was not good.
And as said above, even after the test it's not immediately good. My first bike in hindsight wasn't the best choice, and I ended up for want of a better word "afraid" of it. I certainly didn't push it too hard, and so was riding -very- safely. Lean? What's that.
My later bike is a lot more encouraging, and after more months and more miles I'm finding I'm able to push far more than I used to.
That being said I don't ride with others (I've a couple of friends who ride, but their lack of self-preservation just leaves me lagging behind), so enjoy doing what I do, rather than living up to other people's expectations. It's all been helped by the recent good weather of course.
Equally, it's different for all of us. Me saying "I don't ride with others" may be the only reason you do ride. That said if there's one thing I would suggest you take from this, and the chap above, is give it time, and try a few bikes until you find the right one.
I was expecting to enjoy my DAS too, but didn't. As with most of these things, they are teaching you how to pass a very prescriptive test and drilling you on the finer points of junction discipline- it's not riveting stuff.
I passed the DAS and I now have an unrestricted 'A' until my motoring days are over. This makes me happy. In my circumstances it means that when I travel in future to a place where road conditions are conductive to fun motorcycling, I can go motorcycling.
In your circumstances it means that you can continue to ride with your Dad, only on a motorcycle which is safer and more appropriate for that kind of usage, hopefully more fun to ride and look at, and without the inconvenience of renewing your CBT every two years.
Maybe when your Dad no longer rides you'll pack it in. On the other hand maybe you will have new people to ride with by that point and will be thoroughly enjoying riding regularly. Either way the license would've paid for itself.
I certainly wouldn't jack it in now that you've done the lion's share of the preparation.
I passed the DAS and I now have an unrestricted 'A' until my motoring days are over. This makes me happy. In my circumstances it means that when I travel in future to a place where road conditions are conductive to fun motorcycling, I can go motorcycling.
In your circumstances it means that you can continue to ride with your Dad, only on a motorcycle which is safer and more appropriate for that kind of usage, hopefully more fun to ride and look at, and without the inconvenience of renewing your CBT every two years.
Maybe when your Dad no longer rides you'll pack it in. On the other hand maybe you will have new people to ride with by that point and will be thoroughly enjoying riding regularly. Either way the license would've paid for itself.
I certainly wouldn't jack it in now that you've done the lion's share of the preparation.
joema said:
Get your licence then it will always be there and you can do what you want. And you've already spent a large amount which will be completely wasted if you don't continue so what's a bit more?
You'll feel pretty good when you pass and you can do your own thing.
This is the thing to do.You'll feel pretty good when you pass and you can do your own thing.
I started riding when I was about 6 years old. I will be 50 next time round.
The only time I didn't enjoy riding was when I was taking lessons for my test, about 30 years ago.
There was nowt wrong with my Star Rider instructor, in fact he was very good.
Just that motorcycling provides such freedom and that training is so prescriptive. The two don't sit very comfortably together.
Get it done. Then it's in the bag. God knows how many hoops you might have to jump through if you leave it for the future.
My wife did her DA a couple of years ago and it is such a bloody rigmarole. There's no wonder you aren't enjoying it.
It's been said already, but DAS wasn't particularly fun. I enjoyed it as I learnt with a couple of mates, and we had a good instructor, but it is regimented, tiring, and a bit of a chore to get you through the test.
I think you'll feel differently when you've done that, and bought a bike you actually want to ride, look after and look at with a beer after a good blast out.
I would 100% stick with it.
I think you'll feel differently when you've done that, and bought a bike you actually want to ride, look after and look at with a beer after a good blast out.
I would 100% stick with it.
For comparison, I've got about 25 hours in a PPL logbook and got to the same stage with flying as you have with biking. I never went on to get my licence. I guess it just didn't grab me as much as I thought it would. No shame in walking away, you might prefer golf, or sailing, or whatever.
Good to know the others have felt the same.
I quite enjoyed the road ride part of the CBT so was expecting to feel the same about the DAS training if not a bit more exciting due to the bigger bike. I don't find the SVT particularly comfortable, not as quick as I was expecting, horrid brakes etc so I guess that's a big factor. It's not difficult to ride, I just don't like riding it.
My instructors are good so they are keeping me going but at the moment all this just feels like a chore I could do without.
I quite enjoyed the road ride part of the CBT so was expecting to feel the same about the DAS training if not a bit more exciting due to the bigger bike. I don't find the SVT particularly comfortable, not as quick as I was expecting, horrid brakes etc so I guess that's a big factor. It's not difficult to ride, I just don't like riding it.
My instructors are good so they are keeping me going but at the moment all this just feels like a chore I could do without.
Bear in mind an SV650 is "only" 70 odd HP, so it may not be as fast as you were expecting. I doubt you have been revving it much over 6krpm either on your lessons - if that. The power delivery will likely be completely different to what you are expecting coming from a car background.
It might even be restricted so they can use it with A2 learners too.
Certainly the difference between the 650cc A2 bike I did my DAS on, to the 636cc sports bike I bought for my first bike was staggering.
It might take some time for you to find a bike which meets your expectations & feel.
It might even be restricted so they can use it with A2 learners too.
Certainly the difference between the 650cc A2 bike I did my DAS on, to the 636cc sports bike I bought for my first bike was staggering.
It might take some time for you to find a bike which meets your expectations & feel.
Nyphur said:
Bear in mind an SV650 is "only" 70 odd HP, so it may not be as fast as you were expecting. I doubt you have been revving it much over 6krpm either on your lessons - if that. The power delivery will likely be completely different to what you are expecting coming from a car background.
It might even be restricted so they can use it with A2 learners too.
Certainly the difference between the 650cc A2 bike I did my DAS on, to the 636cc sports bike I bought for my first bike was staggering.
It might take some time for you to find a bike which meets your expectations & feel.
This. The first time you rev out a big bike with a decent amount of power (100bhp+) It will blow you away. If you don't find it thrilling and addictive and totally absorbing you're clinically dead. It might even be restricted so they can use it with A2 learners too.
Certainly the difference between the 650cc A2 bike I did my DAS on, to the 636cc sports bike I bought for my first bike was staggering.
It might take some time for you to find a bike which meets your expectations & feel.
cbmotorsport said:
This. The first time you rev out a big bike with a decent amount of power (100bhp+) It will blow you away. If you don't find it thrilling and addictive and totally absorbing you're clinically dead.
Yep.But whilst this is true, there is also much fun to be had wringing the neck of something modestly powered.
I find it more fun pushing against the limits of a bike, than having a bike with performance that far eclipses my ability.
Very similar story to you, I decided late last year to finally get a bike license, did the whole thing in 6 months (long story) and bought an interim 125. I wasn't sure if I was enjoying it, especially as I was really nervy on corners out on my own. Add in there are soooo many idiots on the road that just don't see you.
I am blessed however with some amazing roads nearby (I live in Wales). I took my 125 out on a blast around the black mountains one sunny day. I recall it, like a switching going off in my head - the road opened up in front of me, stunning views, just me and the bike. It was then I said to myself, I get it, I get why you ride a bike.
I've since passed my test and bought a tracer 700 (stolen last month). To help build experience I did a 3 day weekend tour of Wales, some amazing roads, with my mates, staying in North Wales overnight. It was one of the most fun things I've ever done.
I'm just waiting for insurance payout to clear and I'm picking up my brand new MT-09. Part of me isn't excited becuase of the reasons for buying the bike, but another part of me just can't wait to get out on the road again.
It maybe biking isn't for you, maybe you won't have that moment - give yourself the chance though.
I am blessed however with some amazing roads nearby (I live in Wales). I took my 125 out on a blast around the black mountains one sunny day. I recall it, like a switching going off in my head - the road opened up in front of me, stunning views, just me and the bike. It was then I said to myself, I get it, I get why you ride a bike.
I've since passed my test and bought a tracer 700 (stolen last month). To help build experience I did a 3 day weekend tour of Wales, some amazing roads, with my mates, staying in North Wales overnight. It was one of the most fun things I've ever done.
I'm just waiting for insurance payout to clear and I'm picking up my brand new MT-09. Part of me isn't excited becuase of the reasons for buying the bike, but another part of me just can't wait to get out on the road again.
It maybe biking isn't for you, maybe you won't have that moment - give yourself the chance though.
I passed my test in 1969, and have had over twenty five machines, but tbh, I have lost interest in biking, I'm still interested in classic late 60's British, and seventies Jap stuff but modern bikes leave me cold. They are soulless.
Sure you can go from 0-100 in a few seconds, but once you've done that a few times it becomes boring.
As for "freedom" what's so free about being cooped up in a load of heavy protective leathers, peering through a tiny slit in a full face helmet on a boiling hot day? No thanks.
Freedom to me is riding down route 66 on a Harley in a tee shirt, piss pot and shades.
I never ever thought I would think like this, but things change.
Sure you can go from 0-100 in a few seconds, but once you've done that a few times it becomes boring.
As for "freedom" what's so free about being cooped up in a load of heavy protective leathers, peering through a tiny slit in a full face helmet on a boiling hot day? No thanks.
Freedom to me is riding down route 66 on a Harley in a tee shirt, piss pot and shades.
I never ever thought I would think like this, but things change.
Nyphur said:
Bear in mind an SV650 is "only" 70 odd HP, so it may not be as fast as you were expecting. I doubt you have been revving it much over 6krpm either on your lessons - if that. The power delivery will likely be completely different to what you are expecting coming from a car background.
It might even be restricted so they can use it with A2 learners too.
Certainly the difference between the 650cc A2 bike I did my DAS on, to the 636cc sports bike I bought for my first bike was staggering.
It might take some time for you to find a bike which meets your expectations & feel.
I've recently got back on a bike (SV650) after a good few years off and to begin with i was riding it like i would drive a car, i.e. changing up too early and not revving it out. Having had a few weeks riding, i'm back into the swing of things, getting as much out of it as possible and really enjoying it again....problem now is i'm looking at newer, faster machinery.....the temptation for an MT-10 is strong!! It might even be restricted so they can use it with A2 learners too.
Certainly the difference between the 650cc A2 bike I did my DAS on, to the 636cc sports bike I bought for my first bike was staggering.
It might take some time for you to find a bike which meets your expectations & feel.
phil4 said:
Wacky Racer said:
Freedom to me is riding down route 66 on a Harley in a tee shirt, piss pot and shades.
Luckily for you, and anyone like you who has a UK A license... you can (apart from there being no route 66 in the UK). Since open face helmets are permitted, and nothing else is required legally... knock yourself out.
t nine months of the year.Must just be me. When you go to places like Devil's Bridge, Matlock Bath, Rivington Barn, Squire's cafe etc, happily biking seems as popular as ever, but there are that many hurdles for newbies to overcome, plus all the expense I fear for the future.
Whilst I was learning I almost lost the will to carry on. Especially as I was riding around on a 125 practising.
Once the test was over the next year just got more and more fun. It was only after an off where van did a SMIDSY. I got a new bike in 3 days or I wouldn’t have gotten back on.
Years later and I still enjoy it, although commuting on the bike almost did me in for a while.
Once the test was over the next year just got more and more fun. It was only after an off where van did a SMIDSY. I got a new bike in 3 days or I wouldn’t have gotten back on.
Years later and I still enjoy it, although commuting on the bike almost did me in for a while.
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