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magicroundabout

magicroundabout

magicroundabout

Soldato
Joined
20 Apr 2008
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3,805
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West Midlands
slowly getting into bikes and have been tempted to do my bike test etc but still unsure if it's for me.

So with starting a new job i've brought myself a nice little scooter to start me off and see how i go. It's only a small 50cc Peugeot V-Click which i can use on my car license (i'm 33) but it's gonna be used for getting me the 5 miles to work and back everyday.

I'm planning on using this for 6 months and then look at doing my full test and getting something like a bandit/XJ6 as a first big bike.

anyone got any advice for a first time rider?
 
I know you won't want to hear this but I would sell your scooter, pass your CBT and then ride on a geared 125cc for six months. I think you will gain more valuable experience using a geared bike.
 
well selling it i can't do as i've only just purchased it.

Reason i went for a 50cc is cost. it would cost an additional £300 - £500 for a bike + CBT + Insurance.

If in 6 months time i feel i like it and want to upgrade i will. i will also be 6 months into my new job so past the probation period etc.
 
magicroundabout said:
well selling it i can't do as i've only just purchased it.

Reason i went for a 50cc is cost. it would cost an additional £300 - £500 for a bike + CBT + Insurance.

If in 6 months time i feel i like it and want to upgrade i will. i will also be 6 months into my new job so past the probation period etc.
Click to expand...

You're absolutely wasting your time. Riding a crappy 'ped is NOTHING like riding a motorbike. Should have asked here, or a bike forum, before you wasted your money.
 
hmm i had one of those V-Clicks when i was 16, got rid of it in a week and moved to an Aprilia RS50, still a 50cc but a way better experience then sitting on a ped and getting "attacked" by cars because of it
 
Ok, now that the helpful parade have finished being useful to those of us with time machines, maybe we can move the conversation on to those who are stuck with what the OP has.

First thing I would say is start to build up your protective gear now if you havn't already. I'm forever seeing scooters driven by people in suits because its sunny. Bear in mind that while you will only be doing 30MPH, if someone knocks into you at that speed, you will slide along the deck for about 4 seconds. If you wear suit clothes, they will disintergrate almost instantly, normal jeans will last about 1 second. Thats around 3 seconds sliding on the black stuff on your skin. Also, don't just put waterproofs onver a suit, if I'm not mistaken, they melt and stick to the woulds, making it worse to treat. Stick on some leathers or textile gear and you will have a much less unpleasant time. This stuff can be expensive, so I would start buying what you can afford now. Ebay is good for pretty much everything except helmets.

Also, if you havn't ridden in the rain, next time it rains, go practice. Your bike will handle differently, so a bit of practice on an empty road will be useful.
 
I'm with the others in thinking you'd probably be better off on a geared 125.

But with what you have right now... I'd still suggest doing a CBT. During the day they'll assess your current skills to make sure you are safe on the road, and also not a hazard to other road users.

They'll also be able to clue you in on all kinds of hazards to watch out for etc.
 
To be honest if I wanted a practical bike to get me too and from work 5 miles a day I'd go for the scooter. Better weather protection and storage. I'd have gone for a 125 though - 50's are just too slow unless you're 16 and have never ridden anything faster than a bicycle before.

I don't buy into the geared thing either. Plenty of us started our biking careers on honda C50's, Puch Maxis and the like, and they can be a lot of fun. A geared 50 isn't any closer to how a proper bike feels.

Advice? Don't crash. Assume every car driver is a blind idiot determined to kill you, and ride to the right of the center of your lane so cars dont try and boss you into the gutter.
 
thankyou linkex for you help.

whilst a 125 would have been ideal i simply can't afford the cbt/insurance and extras cost of purchasing the bike.

I was made redundant 2 months ago so could only afford a 50cc/insurance and the extras. thats why in 6 months time i;; be able to afford the extra
 
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