Any bikers out there?

I'm having a mid-life crisis and have decided that I want to buy a motorbike, get some lessons and get out on my new bike but not sure of what to do. I've held a full license for 22 years and never made a claim on my insurance, is this important? Other questions:
What size bike can I have?
Any good training schools?
How much should I be spending on lessons / tests
How much on helmet / leathers
How much should I spend on a bike

Thanks in advance.

 

Ady's your man, mate

He's bike mad.

 

yep

 

btw - you'l love it! )

Just ride safe and steady until you get the hang of it. Always expect the unexpeted and assume everyone is going to pull out on you - ride like that you will be fine. Its the people that ride like lunatics and dont take other road users into consideration that end up dead.

Carol Nash insurance was best for me as well. You get free EU break down cover with that too. We went around europe a month after i passed! Was quality.

 

Great; thanks guys (Y)

 

RE: btw - you'l love it! )

Thats what I'm after doing too. Now the kids are pretty much grown up I want to go off for long weekends and weeks with the Mrs and see some of the world. Just a bit nervous as I had a bit of an accident on a small 100cc bike about 22 years ago and haven't been back on a bike since. I think the lessons will settle any nerves I have.

 

RE: btw - you'l love it! )

yeah man - go for it. Bikes have come along way in 22 years. You have to do your CBT then an essessment on a 500 if you are going for direct access. He will then tell you if you will be ok with just the intense course or whether yo might need a lesson or 2. He is straight up and wont rip you off. Im gonno go back for some advanced riding lessons with him.

 

just noticed! thought you said you were 22

seen as your not but in your 40s go straight for direct access dude. You wouldnt want to be riding a 125 around europe!

 

This might be a daft question but does he supply the bike or can I hire one? I dont want to be limited to a certain size until I pass my test then need to buy a bigger bike once I've passed?

 

yep - hes got the bikes to use and some waterproofs, helmet and golves. I bought my own helmet and leathers ready for the lessons as there was a bit of a wait - as you have the lessons 2 days before your test date. He does pre-book tests though so you could get one quick quick if he has a slot.

 

Great, thanks for the advice mate.

 

Why not mate..

When i toured europe a couple of years ago, i met 3 guys from Holland when i stopped for a night in Austria.. and they were each rideing one of these, one had the tent, another had the sound system which was a car stereo wired to it complete with speakers lol and the third carried all the clothes that they needed. It took them over a week to get there when it took me a day pmsl..</p>

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And here is the moped that is similar to what they had.</p>

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RE: yep

could'nt put it better me'sen..

Warning though if you do eventually get to tour Europe its bloody addictive and you'll want to do it all the time.. lol

I've done it 5 times now and loved every second of it.. So good luck if you do decide to get a bike.

 

3 things to consider

1)if it is still in print get a copy of Roadcraft(Police M/C riders handbook,and read it cover to cover)
2)When you're through your test don't be tempted to buy a high powered sports model without some
experience on something a little less hot,they really are incredibly powerful,and its very easy to put yourself
in hospital (I have two Bambi mates who have done this)with too much use of the throttle.
3)although you're an experienced car driver,you will need to pay a lot more attention to the road
surface than ever you did before.
hope this is of help,I love bikes myself,but be bloody careful and it can be wonderful

 

Ask Ady - Been riding for yonks, Has had one slight mishap recently mind...

 

My 125 lawn mowers ace!

 

http://sharp.direct.gov.uk/

guide fo helmet bits.

 

Piss Off

How the **** can you class yourself has a biker??

 

BTW mate,

Passed my test in '69 (Thats the bike test, nowt else like) and rode mi last machine in 72. Will I have tek another test or owt?

 

About the same as the stupid lovely person in the subaru classes himself as a driver every morning!