Finally decided that i want a big bike.

[LEUVEN]

After riding my ybr 125 for over a year, I decided enough was enough and booked my theory test at the beggining of june.
Had a quick look at hazard perception videos online and just went for it. Passed first go.
Went straight to the training school on the way back from the test centre to book some lessons etc.
Had a few lessons, booked mod 1 and passed with one minor.
One lesson later and mod 2 booked for thursday last week. And passed
went to the bike shop last friday and got my first big bike on saturday

 

[LEUVEN]

I can get some pics up on saturday as im working till then. I bought an R1 in blue with black rims

 

[LEUVEN]

YBR TO R1? Thanks gonna end well lol

What makes you so sure of that?

 

[LEUVEN]

To be honest i may only be getting half of the performance out of it right now so i wont miss out completely on the step up. itll just be more of a slide up as i learn the bike and how it reacts.
I also know me and that while sensible enough i would soon get used to the power of something smalle
even riding back from the mod 2 test confirmed it for me as we came back on the motorway and some a roads and i was already yearning for more power from the er6n.
whilst im no rossi, stoner etc i knew it wouldnt be long before i had to sell up and get a bigger bike if i got a 600 or similar. plus im not exactly small and light son need a bigger bike to look normal on and to move my "substantial" frame.
Having spent most of last weekend riding in the rain im looing forward to getting some dry riding done

 

[LEUVEN]

Yeah insurance isnt cheap but i have one year riding on the ybr and after another year in 12 months it really wont be much dearer to insure than a sporty hatch so will be fine. the sooner the big hit is out of the way the sooner it gets cheaper.
I originally thought that an r6 may be more sensible but performance to 100mph is not that much in real world terms and i would look a bit big for the narrower 600, also if my instructors think ill handle a 1l bike fine and would look silly on a smaller bike then getting a "dream bike" is the right choice.
Hopefully it will stay dry so i dont have to spend all day riding in the heavy rain again all weekend.

 

[LEUVEN]

Just to make it 100% clear that i did not for 1 second want an R1 for bragging rights and i know enough about throttle control and brake control to know that it's not ON or OFF.
Also wanting a certain bike because i would get beaten on the road is a path i dont want nor need to care about as it shouldnt be the basis of a purchase IMO

 

[LEUVEN]

ROSPA grade one police motorcycle instructor are you? Famous last words.

What's with the attitude?
Your first post in this thread was mature.
Had a few beers or am I missing something?

Anyway, it's a big bike to me as it weighs 180kg+

There seems to be quite a few people looking to do their tests and i hope they can take away the fact that if you set yourself a goal and put the time and effort in then you can achieve it.
Other than that I may aswell have posted this in GD as I thought the bikers section would be more of a positive bunch.

 

[LEUVEN]

You'll find most veteran riders are a little sceptical of beginners jumping on high powered bikes before they've truly learnt how to ride.

No disrespect intended, but headstrong lads on powerful machines tend not to do our communities reputation much good. Sweeping generalisation though it may be, it's more often right than wrong. As long as you keep your wits about you and don't let the red mist do the riding for you, good on you. I hope you enjoy the bike and that you keep the thing rubber side down. By all means prove us grouches wrong

The good thing is that while i have confidence in my own abilities, i also have a good idea of my limilts and Im not one for trying to show off or give in to peer presure or to try and please a crowd of mates/girls etc..
I know how and when to have fun but within limits and not to be stupid.

 

[LEUVEN]

Ok, I know some of you are concerned in general and that's fair enough.
But if you can see it from my side and think that I've not already had people I know who are bikers mentioning to me to be careful etc then you're very much mistaken.
I'm not a "20-something-year-old" as growse said before he checked my profile.
I have owned and still do own a moderately tuned Impreza for ten years (and 1 month) and I know a fast bike is in a different league to even a very fast car but it's starting to turn into a discussion of weather I could or can or will be able to ride/cope/handle an R1 etc when it's not what this thread was for, plus for those who may not have read the first post (or skimmed through it) you would have noticed that I already have the bike and have now been riding it pretty much all week (and even taken my older brother out as a pillion)(yes I have pillion cover included on my insurance)
So even though you may mean well and you've said your piece (some of which I've heard before and I appreciate your concern), can we now please get back to having a new "toy" to play with so I can update with pics tomorrow after it gets treated to some new boots and levers, as well as a security chain and padlock.

EDIT: I'm not telling you the things above to try and justify that I'm the next "John McGuinness" before it gets posted in a reply, It's just so you get more of the bigger picture.

 

[LEUVEN]

A couple taken today.





Excuse poor quality phone pics, will have to remember to take proper camera next time.

I suppose I should have taken a loaf of bread with me?

 

[LEUVEN]

Thanks, well I was looking forward to getting to know it a little better through the twisties this weekend but it's had some new rubber put on this morning so I'm going to take it a little easier for a good few miles yet especially as the roads are a little greasy with this patchy rain we've had today.
I'll be back out on it again in the morning to put some miles on the tyres and under mybelt whilst hoping to catch some dry weather and get more of an idea of what it's/I'm capable of.

Before I got on a bike, going fast in a straight line never really appealed to me anywhere near as much as handling through corners did, but it does go well in a straight line.

 

[LEUVEN]

Out of interest, what's the damage to the pocket insurance wise? (ball park will do) I ask cos when I passed in Feb. 2011, I was sold on having a zx6 or cbr600...however the quotes being well on the wrong side of £1000 put me off and I was 42 when I passed but have been driving since 17.

My best quotes were more towards 1k, which still seems quite high but seeing as it's my first big bike and I have a carp post code (M) then I can't complain.

Leuven where were those pictures taken mate? looks similar to a place I usually end up at

Near the M62 between Oldham and Huddersfield, there's usually an ice cream van in that parking area if the weather is nice.

 

[LEUVEN]

Yeah that is usually where I end up I usually do the run to Hollingworth lake then coming back I go through Milnrow and around then end up there then go onto Brighouse then cut through to Halifax.

Lovely spot though except for the crazy amount of wind on good days and the ice cream man puts the cans on the back window to cook in the sun I don't get it :/

Sweet bike by the way

That long straight is pretty good (if you turn to the right out of the car park) if a little bumpy. Theres no road marking on some of it as they must be ready for painting them on after resurfacing.

Never stopped there today but can't say I've tried one of those hot cold drinks from there before.

@the op, what year is your bike? and how are you feeling about the fuel consumption compared to a 125? nice machine though you wanna look after it

It's an 07 (4C8)
The fuel consumption isn't important as I would have kept the 125 and got 2 weeks of commuting for £10/11 to fill it. (Although I will miss it a bit)
It's still better than my car and I'm sure you know it's not what I or pretty much anyone would have bought an R1 for anyway. .
Today I went from Manchester>Northwich>Manchester>Huddersfield>Manchester on about 20 litres as the fuel light came on on the way out and I had to fill it up about 5 miles from home with the fuel light on for 17 miles before hand according to the fuel trip meter.
Even then it's only cost around £25 for a days worth of fun. (ignoring all other costs of course)