Joining the dark side!

gropingmantis · 16 Apr 2012 at 20:36

Finally decided to make the leap from cars to bikes...well big bikes, having been a cyclist for years, I mean it cant be that much different surely

I am 22 so going to do DAS before the new regulations put a stop to that. All helped a long by a loan from work (they need more people to ride/cycle due to total lack of parking spaces) which is paying for me to get kitted out and licensed.

Booked my CBT for Saturday and Theory for the following Thursday. Not my first CBT but barely rode my dads old moped before learning to drive ages ago, I am guessing that it hasnt changed much?.

VERY EXCITED!

Not sure what to get as a first bike though. What do people recommend?

domthecondom · 16 Apr 2012 at 20:54

THEY PAYING? for your license? and kit?

stuman · 16 Apr 2012 at 20:56

i've made myself a shortlist but that is half the fun, a week of test rides!!

i'm looking at triumph street triple, KTM duke 690 (2012) or the Ducati monster 696+.

all of which are euro bikes, for some reason none of the map ones take my fancy, all look very plastic-y. *shrug*

stuman · 16 Apr 2012 at 20:57

domthecondom said:
THEY PAYING? for your license? and kit?

a LOAN, comes out of pay every month, no interest. still a VERY sweet deal!

gropingmantis · 16 Apr 2012 at 20:59

stuman said:
a LOAN, comes out of pay every month, no interest. still a VERY sweet deal!

Exactly that. Yes its a sweet deal but not free money, certainly the kickstarter I needed to make the leap.

stuman said:
i've made myself a shortlist but that is half the fun, a week of test rides!!

i'm looking at triumph street triple, KTM duke 690 (2012) or the Ducati monster 696+.

all of which are euro bikes, for some reason none of the map ones take my fancy, all look very plastic-y. *shrug*

Haven't looked at any euro bikes yet, will have a look now!

stuman · 16 Apr 2012 at 21:16

remember to also have a snoop around for maintenance prices, as euro bikes seem to be a touch more expensive than most to service and repair.

also age wise you may have to limit yourself to a 600cc naked bike, as for some reason as soon as you strap fairings to a bike insurance premiums double. well, for me they did :S

gropingmantis · 16 Apr 2012 at 21:29

stuman said:
remember to also have a snoop around for maintenance prices, as euro bikes seem to be a touch more expensive than most to service and repair.

also age wise you may have to limit yourself to a 600cc naked bike, as for some reason as soon as you strap fairings to a bike insurance premiums double. well, for me they did :S

Yes I have been noticing that. I am guessing bike premiums drop as fast as car ones? I dont mind having a lower powered naked bike for a few years to get some no-claims/experience before getting something a little sportier.

Evil^ · 17 Apr 2012 at 02:21

Im after a certain bike, must admit im getting tired of looking for it now since near me theres bugger all of them! good luck with everything op

FunkyCowie · 17 Apr 2012 at 18:13

With a title like that I thought you were getting a scooter

gropingmantis · 17 Apr 2012 at 20:19

FunkyCowie said:
With a title like that I thought you were getting a scooter

Ha no, never again. Riding around on my dads old NC50 barely hitting 25mph has ruined scooters for me, never ever again. Besides there is only one way to have a scooter in my eyes. Black vespa with brown leather seat, jeans, smart brown shoes, white shirt unbuttoned slightly too far, aviators and a massive open faced helmet, shouting "ciao bella" at every every attractive lady that walks past. THAT is how you do scooters properly

One · 17 Apr 2012 at 20:23

If you don't like your boss get a big Harley, take up just as much room as a car

gropingmantis · 17 Apr 2012 at 20:25

desires said:
If you don't like your boss get a big Harley, take up just as much room as a car

Haha sadly that wouldnt make any difference as it will get parked in a bike shed rather than a parking space. Tempting to book a parking space and put the bike in it though

arctine · 17 Apr 2012 at 22:43

gropingmantis said:
Ha no, never again. Riding around on my dads old NC50 barely hitting 25mph has ruined scooters for me, never ever again. Besides there is only one way to have a scooter in my eyes. Black vespa with brown leather seat, jeans, smart brown shoes, white shirt unbuttoned slightly too far, aviators and a massive open faced helmet, shouting "ciao bella" at every every attractive lady that walks past. THAT is how you do scooters properly

That's how you lose a large percentage of skin properly.

FunkyCowie · 18 Apr 2012 at 04:36

gropingmantis said:
Ha no, never again. Riding around on my dads old NC50 barely hitting 25mph has ruined scooters for me, never ever again. Besides there is only one way to have a scooter in my eyes. Black vespa with brown leather seat, jeans, smart brown shoes, white shirt unbuttoned slightly too far, aviators and a massive open faced helmet, shouting "ciao bella" at every every attractive lady that walks past. THAT is how you do scooters properly

This is my idea of a scooter (mine by the way), riding it with protective gear.

popovich · 20 Apr 2012 at 10:30

No no, you got that backwards mate....you're joining the LIGHT, not dark.

Fireskull · 20 Apr 2012 at 11:12

^^ This

Isn't the dark side a Harley...?

Lt_Red · 20 Apr 2012 at 13:02

That's a 600cc isn't it Funky?

gillywibble · 20 Apr 2012 at 13:12

Fireskull said:
Isn't the dark side a Harley...?

They're not real motorbikes

popovich · 20 Apr 2012 at 13:50

gillywibble said:
They're not real motorbikes

That's like saying Mustang is not a real car.

gropingmantis · 21 Apr 2012 at 18:11

CBT done! First time on a geared bike and it is much more complicated than I was expecting but didn't take too long to get the hang of it.

BIKES ARE SO MUCH FUN! Even though I was only doing 30mph it was great!

Just theory on Thursday now then try to find a place on a DAS course.