Biker's Cafe Chatroom

Malt_Vinegar · 12 Apr 2018 at 13:36

EVH said:
I did the MOD 1 months after the CBT and had no bike to practice on. If you’ve got a 125 to ride around and have been riding regularly then it should be easy enough.

InvaderGIR said:
It's not hard per se but you'd struggle with little to no training and not having ridden a bigger bike, plus the cost and hassle of getting a bike for it, you might as well just go with a training centre and have them assess your level then book in for it via them.

Makes sense, I will get some more miles in, and get fully comfy with the bike I have, and then have a go!

InvaderGIR · 12 Apr 2018 at 15:37

As if by magic, 44 Teeth have done an A2 (Mod 1) video! Although they don't cover the hazard avoidance or the emergency stop. Also in the real test you do slalom straight into the figure 8 so you can do half of an 8 by continuing your slalom (same line of cones but blue for figure 8). It's a fun video though and gives you an idea of the basics involved in the mod 1.

Mod 1 is the same for all the licence types, just different engine sizes depending on the level of license being taken.

IC3 · 12 Apr 2018 at 16:40

I'll be doing the same **** over again for A licence... Woohoo, not.

The_Abyss · 12 Apr 2018 at 16:44

Kreeeee said:
I need to go to the Vosges, but my standards are very high so do you have any roads in particular to recommend?

I think it's just about doable in a day trip there and back from my house. 3 hours to get to the middle of the place from my house.

The 415, 430 and 431 were good, along with the 27 that goes across the top. There are so many to explore though - you could spend all day and not get through them all. A couple - I can't remember which now - do have some overbanding though, unhelpfully on hairpins!

Kreeeee · 12 Apr 2018 at 17:08

The_Abyss said:
The 415, 430 and 431 were good, along with the 27 that goes across the top. There are so many to explore though - you could spend all day and not get through them all. A couple - I can't remember which now - do have some overbanding though, unhelpfully on hairpins!

Thanks. I might do the entire B500 one day, stay at a hotel and do the Vosges, and then do the B500 back home over three days.

What other places have you been to in Europe to compare? When you say it's your favourite I need to know how much of the alps and Dolomites you've covered

I'm used to the impeccable road surface and views in the Dolomites and Swiss alps and Google Street View isn't filling me with confidence.

Malt_Vinegar · 12 Apr 2018 at 22:06

Great video! So I guess I just need to get down to a test center and get some training.

The_Abyss · 13 Apr 2018 at 08:37

I've had three tours to the Alps now, and over those covered pretty much all the main Swiss, French and Italian passes. Fewer in Austria - we've never managed to get to Grossglockner which is a real shame. Dolomites are also on the to do list. I'd put the majority of roads in the Vosges on a par with the Furka - some great parts, some questionable parts, occasional cobbles

We're having a change of heart this year. Originally planning to do the Atlantic Way in Ireland and then over to the NC500, we're now looking at the Picos in Spain instead. Just worried about the heat in July - it won't be pleasant!

Kreeeee · 13 Apr 2018 at 09:14

The_Abyss said:
I've had three tours to the Alps now, and over those covered pretty much all the main Swiss, French and Italian passes. Fewer in Austria - we've never managed to get to Grossglockner which is a real shame. Dolomites are also on the to do list. I'd put the majority of roads in the Vosges on a par with the Furka - some great parts, some questionable parts, occasional cobbles

We're having a change of heart this year. Originally planning to do the Atlantic Way in Ireland and then over to the NC500, we're now looking at the Picos in Spain instead. Just worried about the heat in July - it won't be pleasant!

OK, I'll try to fit in in this year

I'd love to do Spain but it's too far for me considering what I have nearby.

TallPaul_S · 13 Apr 2018 at 13:04

The_Abyss said:
I've had three tours to the Alps now, and over those covered pretty much all the main Swiss, French and Italian passes. Fewer in Austria - we've never managed to get to Grossglockner which is a real shame. Dolomites are also on the to do list. I'd put the majority of roads in the Vosges on a par with the Furka - some great parts, some questionable parts, occasional cobbles

We're having a change of heart this year. Originally planning to do the Atlantic Way in Ireland and then over to the NC500, we're now looking at the Picos in Spain instead. Just worried about the heat in July - it won't be pleasant!

The dolomites are truly stunning, and the roads... Oh the roads. :cool:

We did a loop around the Giau pass, loads of awesome tight twisty roads. I'll be taking the tuono back there at some point, it was made for roads like that.

Kreeeee · 13 Apr 2018 at 17:25

arfoll said:
Grossglockner is awesome, did it last year. Hopefully will get to dolomites this year.

One of my favourites.

tom_e · 13 Apr 2018 at 19:45

Haven't been on the bike all week, as it was my first week owning a car I thought I'd get some practise in.
****ing hate it, it's so boring and slow being sat in a car.

Tomorrow's plan is to fit a new chain, sprockets, spark plugs, clean and oil the air filter and strip down the rear linkage and grease it while the wheel is out. Might even give it a wash and then enjoy the warm dry weather next week

IC3 · 13 Apr 2018 at 20:05

tom_e said:
****ing hate it, it's so boring and slow being sat in a car.

To match a slow SV acceleration, you'll need a 380bhp per 1tonne. Average car weight is 1400kg, so in your car, you would probably need around 500bhp.

TallPaul_S · 13 Apr 2018 at 20:16

As a biker, driving a car I have no interest in going quick - music on, heated seats/aircon on, cruise control on and let it waft me to my destination

Kreeeee · 13 Apr 2018 at 20:21

TallPaul_S said:
As a biker, driving a car I have no interest in going quick - music on, heated seats/aircon on, cruise control on and let it waft me to my destination

I find fast cars so pointless if you can ride a bike. Not only are they faster and far cheaper, they're much more engaging too.

A car is just a tool for me. American muscle cars sound awesome though.

tom_e · 13 Apr 2018 at 20:56

I think half the problem is I'm so new to driving I'm still finding it hard work whereas riding is just completely natural and fluid to me now but there's definitely no "Oh yay I'm going driving" thoughts unlike when I ride it's always fun even in the peeing wet .

AndyCr15 · 13 Apr 2018 at 21:51

You can have some fun in a car, especially if you get the back end swinging about a bit

Diddums · 13 Apr 2018 at 22:26

AndyCr15 said:
You can have some fun in a car, especially if you get the back end swinging about a bit

*looks at sig*

Not quite the Hyundai most are talking about

TallPaul_S · 13 Apr 2018 at 22:32

Haha - yeah cars can be fun, but the budget required is a little higher

Normal cars are (like Kreeee) a tool for me, to transport me and other items to places a motorbike cannot take me, or in more comfort/weather protection.

The_Abyss · 13 Apr 2018 at 23:41

My car's mostly for the dull commute every day, and being able to cover longer distances in any weather. But it is nice to have a bit of zip in it to have a little fun when you want to. Our trip to Europe last week would have been unbearable on a bike.