Tips for new rider / someone who wants to ride?

Akagi

Akagi

Akagi

Caporegime
Joined
29 Jul 2011
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37,097
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In acme's chair.
Hi guys,

My friend wants to do her CBT soon and has asked me out for a drink to talk bikes. Now, I'm no expert and I don't have a bike licence, but I grew up around bikes, have ridden pillion for years, ridden bikes off road, and drive a car. I also know basic bits about bike maintenance and so forth, but no experience of riding on the road!

Any tips / warnings / etc you'd like to contribute? :)

Will also post any questions she asks which I can't answer myself, after our meet up.

Taa :)
 
Sounds like an excuse to ask you out for a drink... I reckon you're in there :p :D


Basic CBT question: wear jeans and sturdy boots (walking boots), the training place should provide everything else.

When passed CBT and if she just wants to pootle round on a 125cc for a few months, DO NOT buy a chinese bike. Buy a jap 125 for £1000-1500.

Does she drive? if so that will make the gears/clutch/brakes a lot easier to work as there's a lot going on at the same time.
 
I don't think she drives no. And I've suggested an MSX125 and she seems to like them! :)
 
Part of the reason for the MSX is that she is very short :)

I'll ask her how much she wants to spend, but I've seen Groms for £2K which doesn't seem bad!
 
Acme said:
21 I believe. May be 22 soon.
Click to expand...

That shouldn't be too bad then, adding less miles to the policy will bring the price down, i stupidly entered 5000 miles a year on my policy, bringing that down to 2000 dropped £90 off my policy.

Good luck to her. :)
 
I was gonna ask if she's short - are we talking 5ft or just over? Most 125's are pretty tiny so she shouldn't have too much issue.

http://cycle-ergo.com/ gives seat height and size info for pretty much evry bike. If she's 5ft nothing she won't be able to flat foot an MSX, or probably any bike unless it's lowered.
 
I haven't seen her for a long time, but the last time I saw her when she was 17 she must have been under 5ft I think. Maybe bang on 5 foot.

Is it easy to lower a bike? Does it need aftermarket parts like a car would or..? Would it affect insurance if it is for usability?
 
Last edited:
Depends on the bike, for a lot of bikes you get lowering kits with instructions. I wouldn't bother with reporting it to the insurance...
 
A 125 will not need lowered unless she does something daft like get a varadero. I speak from experience of being a short arse.
 
Noted, ill see what she wants. I'm not certain if she is "into bikes" or just wants it to get from A to B. If the latter its likely she wont change it for some time.

Ive asked her how short she is. :D
 
The CBT intructor will cover the basics of riding, all the pros and cons, plus any questions she might have about the lifestyle... and it is a lifestyle, since you always have to think about things like the weather, your kit, luggage and how you manage all this once you're off your bike at your destination. Pillions can still have a pretty good insight into a lot of this, so share whatever you can!

As far as actual bikes go, there are plenty of choices - It's usually about her trying some out and finding the best combination of comfort and looks, especially at 125cc level.
 
I shall explain the sheer joy of getting into a baking hot armoured suit inside your house and going out to your bike, looking forward to the sweet relief of the flow of air cooling you down, only for the bike to not start, and then for you to turn around and realise you've been locked out of your house... :D
 
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