Discussion
Hi All
Well, as a TVR driver I've decided that I've had enough excitment on the road so I've decided to take my motorbike test and travel by bike instead.
I believe I now know the various steps I need to take to pass (having asked elsewhere) and am going to take a 1 week 'crash' course. I live on the edge of Cheshire, about 12 miles outside Manchester (south) and was wondering if anyone could recommend a decent place to learn as I want to make sure I get a good instructor and learn properly??
If anyone could also recommend a good defensive riding course for once I've passed I'd be very interested to hear about that.
Also, I've been advised to get a CBR400 for my first bike as I can pick up one for little cash, it's fast enough for the experience of riding it to be of some use when I move on to a genuine superbike and it's a good size for my frame (I'm 5'9" and 74kg/11.5 stone). Does this sound like a sensible option?
Finally, this is completely irrelevant, but travelling in convoy with friends on two tuned ZX9-Rs in my Chimaera proved to be an interesting experience! Of course I took it easy so they could stay with me, particlarly on the straights, so there were no problems on that score.
Your thoughts would be much appreciated.
roadsweeper (soon to be a biker!
)
Well, as a TVR driver I've decided that I've had enough excitment on the road so I've decided to take my motorbike test and travel by bike instead.
I believe I now know the various steps I need to take to pass (having asked elsewhere) and am going to take a 1 week 'crash' course. I live on the edge of Cheshire, about 12 miles outside Manchester (south) and was wondering if anyone could recommend a decent place to learn as I want to make sure I get a good instructor and learn properly??
If anyone could also recommend a good defensive riding course for once I've passed I'd be very interested to hear about that.
Also, I've been advised to get a CBR400 for my first bike as I can pick up one for little cash, it's fast enough for the experience of riding it to be of some use when I move on to a genuine superbike and it's a good size for my frame (I'm 5'9" and 74kg/11.5 stone). Does this sound like a sensible option?
Finally, this is completely irrelevant, but travelling in convoy with friends on two tuned ZX9-Rs in my Chimaera proved to be an interesting experience! Of course I took it easy so they could stay with me, particlarly on the straights, so there were no problems on that score.
Your thoughts would be much appreciated.
roadsweeper (soon to be a biker!
)I'd seriously recommend that you look at a 600. The 400 is a far more tightly focused tool. Its sole purpose in life is to have the nuts thrashed off it and to maintain as much corner speed as possible.
Something like a CBR600 is not only more powerful but also much more of an all-rounder. You'll keep up with your mates when you have found some confidence in almost every scenario and you'll also have a less stressed bike that is plush enough to ride all day.
Something like a CBR600 is not only more powerful but also much more of an all-rounder. You'll keep up with your mates when you have found some confidence in almost every scenario and you'll also have a less stressed bike that is plush enough to ride all day.
Hi Malcolm
Thanks for your comments. One of my considerations when choosing which bike to buy is cost, both in terms of buying the bike itself and insuring it. I haven't had any quotes yet but is a CBR600 likely to be substantially more expensive than a CBR400?
Comfort isn't that much of a consideration as I only drive at the weekends and I can choose between the one of the cars so the bike would be mainly used for going for a thrash!
Cheers.
Lee.
Thanks for your comments. One of my considerations when choosing which bike to buy is cost, both in terms of buying the bike itself and insuring it. I haven't had any quotes yet but is a CBR600 likely to be substantially more expensive than a CBR400?
Comfort isn't that much of a consideration as I only drive at the weekends and I can choose between the one of the cars so the bike would be mainly used for going for a thrash!
Cheers.
Lee.
The CBR400s are all grey imports, and as a result of the limited supply are somewhat overpriced IMHO compared to a similar aged 600.
TBH I'd just go for the 600, just keep the revs down and out of the power band until you get comfortable with it.
I could well imagine you getting bored with the 400 quickly, especially when your mates on the litre bikes disappear into the distance out of the corners.
TBH I'd just go for the 600, just keep the revs down and out of the power band until you get comfortable with it.
I could well imagine you getting bored with the 400 quickly, especially when your mates on the litre bikes disappear into the distance out of the corners.
OK, I'm going to have a think about the CBR600 - maybe it is the way to go.
Probably a stupid question, but when I do my crash course to pass my test do they supply the bike like the instructor supplies the car when you learn to drive? I'm guessing I'll need my own bike because the instructor isn't going to be on the same bike as me, which is where the car analogy falls down of course!?
I've read through quite a lot of the other threas and got lots of contacts for advanced training, but nothing for CBT and direct access yet. Can anyone help?
Cheers.
Lee.
Probably a stupid question, but when I do my crash course to pass my test do they supply the bike like the instructor supplies the car when you learn to drive? I'm guessing I'll need my own bike because the instructor isn't going to be on the same bike as me, which is where the car analogy falls down of course!?
I've read through quite a lot of the other threas and got lots of contacts for advanced training, but nothing for CBT and direct access yet. Can anyone help?
Cheers.
Lee.
Okay doing the crash course a quick summary.
The instruction centre should include bike hire for both your training and the test. Mine was a suzuki 500GS although they do varie they are usually of this ilk with sufficient power for the DAS.
With your case (1 week) they do a CBT first (125) and you'll have to do a theory test. Mine were done seperately although through/booked the same school.
Your instructor will either use their own bike or another from the centre.
after briefings you get wired up with a radio (they can talk to you but you cannot reply) and wear a floresent jacket and then you're off, riding around with instructor either leading or following.
It is a fun but very kn@ckering experience so don't plan on doing anything that night as you'll fall asleep in your chair (I did).
Also the instructor/centre should book the test for you as they often have already paid for and booked tests. If you do it on your own then the DSA come up with rediculous dates or you'll have to keep ringing for cancelations.
The centre will lend you basic safety kit (helmet and gloves, incl in the price) although I had all my own full stuff including boots.
Thats about it, hope that helps.
The instruction centre should include bike hire for both your training and the test. Mine was a suzuki 500GS although they do varie they are usually of this ilk with sufficient power for the DAS.
With your case (1 week) they do a CBT first (125) and you'll have to do a theory test. Mine were done seperately although through/booked the same school.
Your instructor will either use their own bike or another from the centre.
after briefings you get wired up with a radio (they can talk to you but you cannot reply) and wear a floresent jacket and then you're off, riding around with instructor either leading or following.
It is a fun but very kn@ckering experience so don't plan on doing anything that night as you'll fall asleep in your chair (I did).
Also the instructor/centre should book the test for you as they often have already paid for and booked tests. If you do it on your own then the DSA come up with rediculous dates or you'll have to keep ringing for cancelations.
The centre will lend you basic safety kit (helmet and gloves, incl in the price) although I had all my own full stuff including boots.
Thats about it, hope that helps.
Thanks everyone.
I've been browsing the boards and found the following topics on 'What First Bike?' in case this is of use to anyone else...
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=12723&f=74&h=0
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=39988&f=23&h=0&hw=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Edvla%2Egov%2Euk%2Fdrivers%2Frdmcycle%2Ehtm
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=42977&f=74&h=0
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=39113&f=74&h=0
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=39337&f=74&h=0
A CBR600 is looking like a good choice. I guess I should start shopping around for quotes. I'm 25 and have 8yrs wihtout a claim driving cars. I spotted on other topics that some companies will take my car NCB into account. One of my co-workers has just claimed that my bike insurance is going to set me back about £2k - given that I'm only paying £770 for my TVR fully comp, NCB protection, legal cover, track day cover and 45 days European driving cover surely he can't be right?!
I'm still hoping someone can recommend a good test centre, or somewhere that has a list or something? There doesn't seem to be any mention of any on this forum.
Cheers.
Lee.
I've been browsing the boards and found the following topics on 'What First Bike?' in case this is of use to anyone else...
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=12723&f=74&h=0
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=39988&f=23&h=0&hw=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Edvla%2Egov%2Euk%2Fdrivers%2Frdmcycle%2Ehtm
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=42977&f=74&h=0
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=39113&f=74&h=0
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=39337&f=74&h=0
A CBR600 is looking like a good choice. I guess I should start shopping around for quotes. I'm 25 and have 8yrs wihtout a claim driving cars. I spotted on other topics that some companies will take my car NCB into account. One of my co-workers has just claimed that my bike insurance is going to set me back about £2k - given that I'm only paying £770 for my TVR fully comp, NCB protection, legal cover, track day cover and 45 days European driving cover surely he can't be right?!
I'm still hoping someone can recommend a good test centre, or somewhere that has a list or something? There doesn't seem to be any mention of any on this forum.
Cheers.
Lee.
As a guide, I ended up paying about £900 FC on a brand new CBR600F in 2001, but I was 29 at the time with 5 years NCB on the car and 1xSP30 living in the sticks in scotland, bike garaged.
The bike insurance will be more than the Tiv, its not like you can do >£500 worth of damage to the Tiv by dropping it at 0 mph
Looking at some of the older generation of sports bikes like the ZZR600 or Yamaha Thundercat should see the the quotes should come down a bit.
If you want to keep the insurance down, have a look at naked bikes like the Suzuki Bandit, SV650, Yamaha Fazer, and Honda Hornet. IIRC at the time quotes for a SV650s or hornet were coming in around £400 FC. Not having all the plastic body panels to replace when you drop it is the main reason, a side panel on a CBR600 comes in at around £350 from a dealer.
The bike insurance will be more than the Tiv, its not like you can do >£500 worth of damage to the Tiv by dropping it at 0 mph
Looking at some of the older generation of sports bikes like the ZZR600 or Yamaha Thundercat should see the the quotes should come down a bit.
If you want to keep the insurance down, have a look at naked bikes like the Suzuki Bandit, SV650, Yamaha Fazer, and Honda Hornet. IIRC at the time quotes for a SV650s or hornet were coming in around £400 FC. Not having all the plastic body panels to replace when you drop it is the main reason, a side panel on a CBR600 comes in at around £350 from a dealer.
as test centres go, I can recommend my local one, but I think redditch is too far for you! there should be a local one nearby. stop the next biker you see and ask, there friendly enough.
I claimed on my 1000c sportsbike insurance last year, so have 0 NCB, but am 33. and its only £800
get to a garage and buy MCN (motorcycle news) theres also a sales section in it (fortnightly I believe)
but www.autotrader.co.uk, has a bike section with links for the major insurers names
www.bikesource.co.uk may well have training centres on it.
Have a look a a triumph ST too. sporty, but less of a high risk bike. www.triumph.com
OK im a bit triumph biased, but the speed triple is a mean looking streetfighter too., just dont get the pink one please?
I claimed on my 1000c sportsbike insurance last year, so have 0 NCB, but am 33. and its only £800
get to a garage and buy MCN (motorcycle news) theres also a sales section in it (fortnightly I believe)
but www.autotrader.co.uk, has a bike section with links for the major insurers names
www.bikesource.co.uk may well have training centres on it.
Have a look a a triumph ST too. sporty, but less of a high risk bike. www.triumph.com
OK im a bit triumph biased, but the speed triple is a mean looking streetfighter too., just dont get the pink one please?
Have a good shop around for bike insurance quotes before deciding which bike to buy, as quotes often vary hugely.
My situation was not dissimilar to your own. I had a 4.5 Chimaera when I decided to take my bike test (also direct access) and was astonished to find they wanted more to insure the VFR800 I bought (cost £4k) than the TVR (cost £36k).
Get through your first year of biking claim free and prices will tumble. Get through 2 years claim free and you should be able to ensure pretty much any bike (I wanted to buy a fireblade with only 1 years no claims and most companies said no as I needed 2 years).
You'll have lots of fun learning to ride, but be prepared to think the TVR is slow when compared to your CBR600.
My situation was not dissimilar to your own. I had a 4.5 Chimaera when I decided to take my bike test (also direct access) and was astonished to find they wanted more to insure the VFR800 I bought (cost £4k) than the TVR (cost £36k).
Get through your first year of biking claim free and prices will tumble. Get through 2 years claim free and you should be able to ensure pretty much any bike (I wanted to buy a fireblade with only 1 years no claims and most companies said no as I needed 2 years).
You'll have lots of fun learning to ride, but be prepared to think the TVR is slow when compared to your CBR600.
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