Thinking of getting into biking
- Thread starter antijoke
- Start date
Soldato
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- 18 Oct 2002
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When I was 16 I had a Piaggio Zip 50 2-Stroke, that's as far as my riding went
Living in an area where driving standards are horrific (London), I didn't feel too safe on 2 wheels.
pffft I regularly commute on two wheels motorized or pedal and thats up from Croydon to Holborn, at least its exciting.
Associate
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Also remember that you'll have to do your theory for bikes before you do your test. 
Slight deviation. On bike practical test (DAS), examiner guy asks bikey questions like "what's this thing?" and "how do you check the level of this thing?" and "are you wearing my wife's dress?". Do they do this on the car test now? The number of people I know who haven't a clue where the engine/steering wheel/oil filler cap/DRIVEN WHEELS are astounds me.
I can’t recommend biking enough! Even after being hit off last year, I was gagging to get back onto a bike, before I had even left A&E for the ward
As others have already posted enough advice on how to go about getting you licence, I don’t think I need to give you details, but you can learn on the school’s bikes, I wouldn’t advise buying one; keep that financial commitment for when you’re ready to buy your first bike.
Kit on the other hand, I bought mine before I started lessons, as a way of spurring me on to do it, and I’m glad I did as the lend out kit seemed a little rank. As for the kit itself, budget a decent whack for this, you really shouldn’t scrimp on costs, here’s a rough idea based on my own kit:
Weekend rides/random blasts out kit
Two piece Berik leathers - £399.99
Alpinestars Super Tech R boots - £250
Alpinestars GP Pro gloves – £120
Weise race gloves – £110 (alternate between these and the GPs)
Forcefield Pro Pants (extra layer of armour) – err £100 I think
Commuting kit
Frank Thomas jacket and trousers - £250
Sidi Vertigo Boots - £130
Extras for all riding
Arai Chaser helmet - £320
Knox Aegis back protector - £90
As for the type of bike to go for, don’t believe the old adages about Sports or Super bikes – they wont cripple you with discomfort, nor will they kill you in an instant, however, as with a high performance car, you need to keep your sensible head on and show it some respect.
Scort.
As others have already posted enough advice on how to go about getting you licence, I don’t think I need to give you details, but you can learn on the school’s bikes, I wouldn’t advise buying one; keep that financial commitment for when you’re ready to buy your first bike.
Kit on the other hand, I bought mine before I started lessons, as a way of spurring me on to do it, and I’m glad I did as the lend out kit seemed a little rank. As for the kit itself, budget a decent whack for this, you really shouldn’t scrimp on costs, here’s a rough idea based on my own kit:
Weekend rides/random blasts out kit
Two piece Berik leathers - £399.99
Alpinestars Super Tech R boots - £250
Alpinestars GP Pro gloves – £120
Weise race gloves – £110 (alternate between these and the GPs)
Forcefield Pro Pants (extra layer of armour) – err £100 I think
Commuting kit
Frank Thomas jacket and trousers - £250
Sidi Vertigo Boots - £130
Extras for all riding
Arai Chaser helmet - £320
Knox Aegis back protector - £90
As for the type of bike to go for, don’t believe the old adages about Sports or Super bikes – they wont cripple you with discomfort, nor will they kill you in an instant, however, as with a high performance car, you need to keep your sensible head on and show it some respect.
Scort.
Associate
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- 8 May 2008
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- Leeds/Cambridge Uni.
You'll run into dificulties if you intend on doing DAS with your own bike - you're not allowed to ride it unless supervised so you would have to get the instructor to meet you at your house - I don't know how many would be happy with you doing that. On a 125 it wouldn't matter, but if you're over 21 and have some strength there's no reason not to go for the 500. Plus you don't want to drop your own bike.