Hi, just wondering if anyone on here has their bike license and rides regularly? I have been thinking about getting a bike for about 4 years now and have finally come to a stage where one would be useful for trips to the gym and work. I am well aware of the dangers from reading/hearing/seeing but would like some personal experiences if possible. At the risk of sounding a little childish, I really don't need to hear from everyone on the risks involved/death/serious injury- what I am more looking for is experiences learning, what your first bike was, what bike you would recommend, when you woulnd't ride, why you decided to get your license, things that only a bike rider would know. Hopefully some of you can help me! :-)

PS: A guy just dropped his CBR right in front of me at a set of lights.... had to get out and help  him pick it up coz he was so small. Something like this happens every time I think about getting my license!

Hiya,

I've had my licence for 2 years now, and for 8 months of the year use my bike daily to commute into London (35 miles each way). I'm a converted biker, didn't have any interest mainly due to my brother chasing me along a pavement on his when I was a child!!!. My OH rides and was convinced I'd love it, so mainly to shut him up I did my CBT and then went on to do my full licence. Because I'm only 5'2 and had never ridden before I didn't do the direct access licence which allows you to ride any size of bike from the day you pass your test, I did the A2? which means that for 2 years I couldn't ride a bike over 33 break horse power. My 2 years are up now, and I can ride anything I can touch the ground on - although seeing some of the other riders on my daily commute, I don't think that's a consideration for everyone!!

The main thing with riding is to just be aware, I ride (and drive) like everyone else is stupid, so I always look 3/4 vehicles ahead, and am constantly on the look out for people changing lanes/breaking suddenly etc. I have to say that in the better months (jun-aug) I see about an accident a day, and 90% of them involve bikes.

When wouldn't I ride - In extreme weather conditions. I've got all the proper gear, but the cold gets me. The initial part of my commute is all motorway/dual carriageway, so by the time I hit traffic and need to brake my hands are frozen and not as responsive as I'd like, so the bike goes away from Oct-MArch. Riding in rain is OK but you just need to take it into account, that and the fact that most other road users don't, so you have to make extra allowances for that.

As to what bike - it depends:
What do you want to use it for?
How tall are you?
HAve you ever ridden before?
What type of bike do you prefer - naked or sports (there are lots more but this is an easier split).

I have a Honda CB-1 400 which is a perfect height for me, it's got some oommph for the motorways/dual carriageways, but it's also small enough and agile enough to cope with filtering through the horrible london traffic. Even my OH enjoys riding my bike, and up until 2 months ago he had a Hyabusa, which is like a rocket on 2 wheels. He's currently sulking as he's between bikes and I ride more than he does!

I'm no expert on bikes but happy to try and field any questions. I know we have at least one other biker on here, one of our Canadian members has just bought a Ducati Monster and was waiting for the snow to melt before she could get out on it.

My late husband was a biker and I used to ride pillion. The one thing I would definitely recommend is to buy, and wear, all the protective clothing. I cringe when I see bikers riding round in shorts and tee shirts. It hurts enough if you trip over on the pavement and graze your knees let alone go skidding along the surface of a road if you are unfortunate enough to come off your bike. I know that in the height of  summer wearingthe protective gear can be akin to stepping into an oven but it has to beat shredding your skin to the bone.

We bought some denim bike gear that is kevlar lined and this is great for the hot weather but still provides the protection that is an absolute must IMHO.

>The one thing I would definitely recommend is to buy, and wear, all the protective clothing. I cringe when I see bikers riding round in shorts and tee shirts.

I couldn't agree more. I remember hearing a biker say the same thing on the radio - in fact he suggested that to save time why not just go and sit in your local A&E department and rub a grater firmly over your body. It'll have a similar effect but without damaging your bike.

>>The one thing I would definitely recommend is to buy, and wear, all the protective clothing

Absolutely agree. In hot weather it's not comfortable but I wouldn't dream of riding without it.

>>We bought some denim bike gear that is kevlar lined

An ex colleague of mine mentioned these once, think they're called something like "Draggin jeans".

> An ex colleague of mine mentioned these once, think they're called something like "Draggin jeans".

Draggin jeans do a range of these clothes but we bought ours in either Suffolk or Norfolk from a small family run business. We were camping in the area and called in on the off chance. I would highly recommend them but just have to remember their name now. When we called in they actually gave me, free of charge, a pair of trousers that they had made to order and the person never paid them. I did offer to buy them but he wouldn't take the money. I will try and remember the name of the company as I would highly recommend them and their products.

Stormy84, my partner has an Aprillia Factory RSV 1000 which absolutely terrifies me!  He started riding motor cross very young, and then got his road licence 16 years ago and bought a 125 Aprillia, then went onto a Suzuki GSXR 600.  He was obsessed with bikes from a very young age.  I ride pillion, but to be honest every time I do I'm terrified by the car drivers who just don't see you coming!  He had a terrible accident some years ago, as have most of his biking friends (some of them sadly no longer here to tell the tale).  However, it appears these stories cannot put off dedicated bikers, it just makes them even more careful.

On a different point they are incredibly easy to steal, my partners GSXR was stolen from our driveway in broad daylight, it was alarmed and chained!

It's also really bloody miserable riding in the rain!  Mark goes out in pretty much all weathers (except ice), but I'm definitely a fair weather girl!!

On the positive side, you don't get stuck in traffic, it gives you an immense feeling of freedom, and they're cheaper to run than a car.

As other posters have said good quality clothing is essential, I would NEVER get on a bike without full leathers. 

Keep us updated

Ive held a licence for about um... 35 years I dont ride now but my youngest son has had his for about 5 years and uses his Suzuki 650 daily down in Kent.
Its reliable, we bought it s/hand when he went off to Uni about 4 years ago, costs a pittance for tax about £365 annual for his insurance and as long as you have the right clothing ok. Yes its a bit moserable when it pees down with rain but it is easy.
My brother has a big 1500cc Kawasaki and he rides in the good weather for fun.
You know the risks as does my son but if you are sensible no problems.
(and this is from one whose 19 year old brother died in a moptorcycle accident in 1977!)
I never stopped riding for years after the accident, went across the sahara on a R80RT BMW and it was a great adventure, I worry as much over my eldest on his mountain bike in traffic as I do about my youngest on his motorbike.

Absolutely agree about mountain bike, my nephew has a scooter and I'd much rather he got a proper bike, at least he'd have a bit of power to get out of the way!

You could be knocked over crossing the road, so there's no point wrapping yourself in cotton wool, if it's something you want to do and you enjoy it, go for it!

>On a different point they are incredibly easy to steal

Not only are they easy to steal, they're easy to steal from, as I found out when I went to replace my tax disc (£35 for 12 months bargain), and some little blighter had nicked it - both the disc and the holder. I hadn't noticed, but I should have considered it really as a friend of mine always takes a colour photo copy of his disc and displays that rather than the original, as he's had so many pinched over the years and there's a charge to re-issue them.

Biking is great though. Mine was in being serviced and MOT'd on THu/Fri last week so i was back to commuting by train. The ONLY upside to that was being able to read my book, and the ability to have a glass of something with my Colleagues on friday lunchtime. It was good to get back on my girl this morning.

Speaking as a pillion i think biking is great. I have riden (in private areas, obviously :-) ) and it is relatively simple to get the hang off, i just havent gone in for my license becuase a)i couldnt afford to get a bike if i passed and b) to ride a bike you have to be very quick and have good reaction times. You need to be alert and be much more aware not only of your own actions but forseeing other peoples too - there are a lot of idiots on the road to watch out for. Im better off sitting on the back, enjoying the ride and enjoying the view :-)
If you are going for it - good luck and well done!!!

Oooh ........would I like a motorbike ....would I .....WOULD I ......WOULD I   Yes please!!!

Way back in 1959, my big bro was just finishing his national service, and I was great friends with his girlfriend.   He bought (much to the distress of my mum & dad) a Triumph Bonneville (drool) - and his friends had bikes like the Norton 500 and BSA Thunderflash (I think), plus others that were always breaking down, being repaired, being tuned up, etc etc etc ....all in the yard at the side of our house and so, as a friend of BB's g/f, I was generally able to tag along with the lads and their bikes, and will pillion up behind whomsoever was without a girlfriend any particular weekend and go off to Wittering/Cheddar Gorge/London/whereever - and I loved it!

They all acted as marshalls to some sort of Motorcycle scramble course, and I learned to ride a bike then - think it was a Norton 350 - offroad - on a scramble course!- although I never got anywhere near getting a licence - I think my mother would have killed me first - but I've always loved it - and, had I still got the strength to hold one up, I would love to have one now!!!

Even back then - late 50s/early 60s - wore full leathers and helmet and goggles!

> although I never got anywhere near getting a licence - I think my mother would have killed me first - but I've always loved it - and, had I still got the strength to hold one up, I would love to have one now!!!
>

Margot I have one sitting in my back garden that you could borrow :-)

> Margot I have one sitting in my back garden that you could borrow :-)

Ooh ....if only .......but I know I can't hold one upright anymore - I'd have to go into Serious Training to be able to!!!

Think I'd have Loki sitting pillion - can just imagine her - goggles on, ickle helmet, flying scarf - she'd be in 7th Heaven too!

OMG thanks for all the replies... I don't have time to read them all as someone needs to go for walkies... but hopefully will have time tomorrow!! :-D

Thanks again for all the useful comments, this is exactly what I was looking for. I would be using the bike for general getting around (gym, work, seeing friends all within about 10miles), mainly short distances. I am currently borrowing my brothers V6 Holden and it uses so much fuel it makes me sick. I am going to have to sell my beloved Supra as I am pretty short of cash, so as a small bonus I will buy a bike instead and use the Holden for the dog/ food shopping.

I would prefer a sexy little sports bike, however I have been told it's inevitable as a first time rider that I will drop the bike at some point. My mate has suggested going for something without fairings to sart with, just incase we bite the dust. I guess it's like like a first time driver not buying a brand new car, but instead learning in a bomb and then getting something nice once the skill is there. Anyone have any thoughts on that?

To answer a couple of the questions- I am 5'7'' and about 128pounds. I don't want something massively powerful, just enough to accelerate out of trouble if need be. I have ridden a tiny bit when I was younger but never on the road. I guess I want my first bike to be sexy, but tolerant of me giving it a bit of cr@p if I mess up. Is that possible? I would like to think my skill as a driver would help me to become a decent rider; aggressive but defensive. I have started driving as though I was on a bike (if that makes sense?) paying more attention to every little detail. I guess nothing is going to compare to actually riding though... scary!

Any thoughts on lessons? I have three seperate mates who are all massively experienced riders, one has been riding for about 30yrs, one is a pro motor X rider and the other for about 10 years. Can you see any harm getting taught by them instead of a 'real' instructor? The main prob a forsee is developing their bad habits....?

I think that is about all for now... and for all the worriers... I will most definitely be getting the best set of leathers I can afford. Over here in Australia you see guys out in shorts, tshirts and flip flops with no helmet, makes me feel sick to my stomach. :-(

A lot of companies that provide motorbike training do taster days so you can try out bike riding before signing up for a course.

I myself would recommend having lessons from an instructor - there is so much more to bike lessons than car lessons and having an instructor out with you who is also looking out for all the potential hazards is a  necessity in my view. Concentrating on how the gears etc work and maintaining a good, safe line on the road takes a lot of concentration to begin with so having a trained back up system is vital during the very vulnerable time of being a learner. Mistakes on a bike are not so forgiving as those in a car.

If you like sportsbikes then that's what you should go for, just don't spend a fortune on it.  You can get mushrooms which will save it being wrecked if you do drop it.    

I really like GSXRs, and they get good reviews in the bike papers.  Also have a female friend who rides a CBR400.  OHs first Aprilia RS was great too (small, and sensible but looks like proper sports bike).

I should imagine your biking friends would be more than capable of teaching you how to ride properly and safely, but they probably won't teach you things that you need to pass your test.  For example, in your car driving test you have to hold the wheel at ten to two, and you always have to put the handbrake on when stopped, but in reality how many experienced drivers do this? 

The drawback with learning from friends, however experienced, is that we all tend to develop bad habits with our driving ( be they small ones or larger transgressions :-) ). A trained instructor will be trained to teach you how to ride in the correct and most safe manner. Experienced riders have a wealth of knowledge to impart but not everyone is good at teaching which is a skill in itself. Not everyone explains all the ins and outs of something because they are used to doing it and often assume that the person they are teaching will also know certain procedures that they do themselves out of habit and experience.

My OH did a course but also went out with experienced friends as well during the time he was going through the course.

Thanks guys. I think I will have some formal lessons first... get all the nonsense out the way with someone I don't know and then once I have a good feel for it maybe go out with a friend. I won't be getting the bike for probably another month or two- time to start hunting! I like the look of GSXR's so that will probably be top of the list. I have also seen some nice CBR's... I can see this decision taking a while.

Do you think I will find each bike very different to ride? For example, the car I am driving now has brand new brakes and I still HATE the way it is under brakes. My normal car has never had a brake upgrade and is a lot older, however I love how she is when braking.... will I find different makes of bike have different 'quirks' like cars do? I would assume they would... love to know what you think and if there are any well known traits of certain makes and models.

This has been hugely helpful, I am really appreciative of you all taking the time to answer my questions :-D

Take a peek at http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/bikereviews/, you can get reviews for every make and model you can think off.

Every bike is different, and it may take you a while to find one that suits you and the way you ride.

Do you have a really good motorcycle sales place near you?? I have a really good one near me, they sell a HUGE range of bikes and of course accessories. During the summer months everyone congregates there, has a mosey round the shop and a coffee before we set out for a long rideout.
They are great and give friendly helpful advice . If you know of a shop like that then pop in and have a try of just sitting on some bikes and see how you feel. Different bikes have different riding positions and its no good falling in love with a bike you are not comfortable on becuase of size/weight distribution/position of riding etc. Once you have narrowed the search down then you can start feeling them when the engine is runnning / riding etc etc.
If they hold rideout meets then pop along and speak to the riders. I'm sure they will be more than willing to give you some advice and welcome you into 'the biking world'

I have just sold my Honda NSR and i miss it soo much.....I would go for it, it gives you such a feeling when out in the sun accelerating to hilt and the wind blowing against you. Sports bikes are fine, but do kill your arms,wrists etc when on long distances because of riding position, but they are by far the best :-)

If you want a bike for practicality - getting to work and the gym - then a decent sized scooter would be far better.   Of course you may want a motorcycle rather than a scooter - I understand that - but something like a 200cc scooter will be plenty fast enough, provide you with far more weather protection and be far more manoueverable round town than a sports bike.   A sports bike for commuting will be like having a thoroughbred racehorse giving children rides on Skegness beach.

I got my licence last summer and I was on cloud nine... My first bike was a Buell Blast 500 excellent bike to learn on- not to much power but enough,and if you drop it the bike doesn't seem to get hurt either- I dropped mine a couple times. Even the bike class they offer here they now have 10 new Buell blast 500 for people to take the course with.

I now own a Pearl White Ducati Monster 696 2009 and I just love it- My hubby owns a Ducati Monster 1000 dark- I have rode his my very first bike I was ever on and it did scare me- I have alot more play with my clutch then he has with his, to much let out you either stall it or it bucks where mine I have alot of play before it even moves forward, my bike is a wet clutch where his is a dry... His bike you sit more up where mine is more leaned forward but not as forward as the super bikes like the Ducati 1098, or the GSX-R 1000 (our buddy has the GSX-R 1000) very nice super bike. I love the look of them but I do no you are more bent over and does get a lil hard on the wrist.

Do they offer bike courses down there? That I have to say was the best thing I ever did- we took them together and I am glad I did.

Me personally I would never be caught on a scooter just not for me- I have seen the Spiders (2 wheels up front and 1 in the back) they look like alot of fun- but it all depends do you want a superbike, cruiser- just depends what type of bike you want and feel comfy on- I def would not run out and get anything higher then maybe 500-600 when just learning even with that it can scare you- you want something you can def handle. I even find them dirtbike ones fun- my friend has a 125 cc and she loves that- its easy to learn on, I rode one at the course and I just loved it.

Edit: Just to say your first bike you don't want anything expensive till you learn how to ride, then trade up- def take the course well worth it plus if its anything like our course they have alot of different bikes for you to try out.