HI FROM A NEW MEMBER!

[Jin]

Hi, my name's Jin and I'm a 'born again Biker'!! I used to have a CG125 and after a 30 year break I'm Biking again and loving it!! I took my CBT and decided I wanted to do a Direct Access Test, but found I couldn't touch the ground on the Bike Schools er6n's. This meant finding something lower, which turned out to be a 400 Bandit. I absolutely love riding it, but managed to land in an undignified heap on the Tarmac a few weeks ago practising the Cone stuff for Module 1 of my test! The Bandit doesn't look quite so pretty now! My Insructor prefers to call it an 'unscheduled stop and dismount'!! Since then I've really lost my confidence doing the slow riding and tight turns, but luckily i'm still happy riding on the road. Going down to Bristol on it later to time the run to the Test Centre. Taking my Module 1 on Friday, not with a view to passing it, just as a practice really. Any tips on regaining confidence would be great!! Well that's a bit about me and where i'm at with the Bike thing, looking forward to chatting with you all. Jin xx

[OneeyedBandit]

Hi Jin.

In terms of the slow riding, Slow riding is a very essential skill, and can make you become a smoother rider, and allow you to make progress while car drivers are stuck in traffic jams.

Practice going up and down your road a few times.

Gently feather the clutch out whilst gently twisting the throttle.

Imagine your clutch hand has a sponge in it and you have it clentched, then gently release your hand to display your hand. Whilst gently rolling on the throttle.

Occasionally look at the speedo, and try and get a nice balance of 8-10mph. When you have established the sense of 8-10mph, forget the speedo.

Use your back brake for stability. DON'T touch the front brake, keep that hand on the throttle and gently roll it on and roll off, and control it using the clutch and back brake.

Look ahead with your eyes up.

Turn your head and look up into the direction you want to go and turn the bike.

You will soon be doing u-turns without having to stop to setup before hand. Assuming the road is wide enough.

When approaching Junctions, Roundabouts, lights and queuing traffic. Roll off the throttle and use the back brake. And change down a gear. This will give a smoother flow of your riding, and prevent you from using the front brake and having the diving front fork effect which will unsettle the bike and also unsettle you.

Only use the front brake when scrubbing off high speed, and finish off using the rear brake.

Good luck with the test....

When you have passed.

I suggest you purchase the following items.

Motorcycle Road Craft: The Police Rider's Handbook.

Mike Waite - Police Advanced Riding Techniques DVD.

And the IAM's book. So you want to be a better Rider

[Jin]

Hi and many thanks for all that good advice. Read it through a couple of times and when the Instructor and I get back from Bristol this evening i'll put it all into practice! Trying to think positive about the slow stuff, and anyway, how bad would it be if I came off again doing it? It's not life threatening and the Bandit already has some cosmetic damage from the last time!! I found out last time I did the cones that it really works, looking where you want to go, instead of just in front of the Bike (which is what i was doing). Still think it's a crazy idea doing Module 1 on Friday but what the hell, i'll do it anyway. The worst thing about doing it on the Bandit is that i can't take it out on my own to get some experience, i can only go out on it when the Instructor is able to come with me! Thanks again for all that advice, I really appreciate it. Jin xx

[Tim1200]

Welcome to the forum and good luck with the test

[taz]

hi jin welcome taz.

[Jin]

HI Tim & Taz, thanks for the welcome Quick update - managing to do u turns again and gonna be practicing all the Module 1 stuff tonight except the 32mph Hazard Avoidance, unfortunately the site's not big enough to do the speed! Looks like the test will have to be the first time I tackle that! !! Jin x

[taz]

hi again jin by christ youre up late .thats the game just take it easy and you will get there.it will be worth it in the end.once you have that licence they cant take it away from you.trust them to change the driving test again to all of these different parts eh.speak soon taz.

[Jin]

Hi Taz, only up so late cos I nodded off on the Sofa for a couple of hours when I got back from Biking last night !! Must have been all that concentration!! Had a busy w/e at the Drink Drop & Doss Rally, lots of Dancing, Drinking etc .Doing it all again next w/e at The Legionnaires! Going to take advantage of being so close to the Tunnel and take a daytrip to Belgium on the Saturday with my partner (K1200S) and a mate.The others we are going to the Rally with don't have Passports and they are well !! Jin xx

[hobbsylad]

welcome to the forum kidda good luck with the test

[taz]

hi again ;you have a busy old life eh lol.sounds like there will be no stopping you once you get the full licence .have you ever done mcn skeggie ;me and davie 1250 went down in april ;has to be one of the best weekends ever.maybe next year we can get a few of us to go.speak agian later taz.

[Jin]

Hi HOBBSYLAD, thanks for the welcome. After this evenings performance, taking my Module 1 on Friday seems a ridiculous idea !! My Instructor came to meet me on his Bike and we rode the 3 miles to his offroad site, things started well, great slalom,slow ride, u turns etc. Had to stop for a break when the Bandit overheated (again) and the Fan didn't kick in and when i got back on it i messed everything up ! Can't wait for the moment when riding the Bike feels as natural as driving the Car, probably way off that!! Jin xx

[Jin]

No Taz, never been to Skeggie. We do loads of Rallies, I'm fairly new to it though, started last year. I just love everything about them, it's a fantastic way to spend a w/e. Never want to come back to the real world! After this w/e in Kent there's one local to us, Ye Gert Bustards in October and that will probably be it for this year . We did do the Welsh Coast Rally in November last year though. Yeah, i do keep kinda busy, got two Ponies as well as the 'Pet Bandit'. Luckily i have a great friend who enjoys looking after them while i'm away . My partner and I did over 3,500 miles recently on his K1200S, France, Spain, Gibraltar, Portugal, we camped most nights (inc 2 brilliant Biker CampSites) but had the odd night in an Hotel (Air Con-Great!!) Also went to Le Mans on the Bike earlier this year-that was a wild,dirty, noisy few days-Brilliant, would love to do that again. Would be great to know if you and any other members go to Rallies and if so, which ones. Jin xx

[taz]

hi you have been busy eh.we do a couple of shows through the club ie ingliston in march then kelso in july;but some of us did isle of man also we did durham bike show in august.need to organise a few more good ones though.also skeggie as mentioned in april.would love to go over to europe ie black forrest germany.will have to get the people saving their pennies lol speak later off to work now taz.

[Jin]

Another early riser then! I get up at 5 every day inc w/e's !! Got to get the speedo on my Bike changed before Fri! It's a kph one and although it's got a converter on it, the DSA will not except it for the Test, although they constantly talk in kph themselves- on TV,in Books and CD's etc! What's that all about-Ridiculous! Makes me !! Luckily found an mph one on good old ebay! Jin xx

[chiddy]

Cant beat the good old ebay..

Chiddy

[Jin]

My Test isn't going to happen after all on Friday!! Got the wrong B***** clock !! Will be able to rebook it very soon, my partner is getting it sorted. Anyone want a Bandit kph clock- going cheap? Jin xx

[taz]

hi there aye good old e bay thats where ann got you eh chiddy.lol slightly used but not damaged beyond repair.thats a shame jin you not havin much luck .

[john boy]

hi jin welcome ta the mad hoose ive only been on a couple ofweeks thir all mad mate so you should fit rite in. just remember its not aboot passin yir test its aboot the other a**holes on the road ye need ta watch out fir . best a luck

awthebest

[Jin]

Hi Guys, probably no bad thing my Test is on hold, don't really feel ready yet. Been told that the DSA will accept my kph clock with the converter on it if the MPH sticker is UNDER the glass and not a Layover! Gonna ring them today and check that out. Don't have much faith in them though as i was given some c*** information when i spoke to them before! The Guy said i couldn't do my Direct Access on a 400, it had to be 500 or above-he had no idea it was about bhp not cc's!! When he asked me where I had got my info from, i told him it was out of a DSA book! He then checked with someone else and apologised !! Jin xx

[Jin]

Hi again, just spoken to the DSA, THEY'RE NOT HAVING IT!! I will have to get another one! My clocks are sorta joined together so gonna be expensive i expect !! Jin xx

[OneeyedBandit]

Jin.

Speak to Sarah at Banditmania in Lincoln.

She may have some suitable clocks in stock.

01522 871 600

[Jin]

Cheers mate !! Jin xx

[floppy_chopper]

welcome to the mad house dude.............ref yr test ......grip it n see...................its not life or death............but dude conquer the nerves..........................

[Jin]

Re the problem with my Bandit clock, found out from DSA today that despite what the Test Centre told me , my clock IS legal. Spoke to a guy from the Regulations dept who apologised for the wrong info i was given which meant i had to cancel my test tomorrow! He said if i have a problem when i rebook it, i can quote him! RESULT EH? jIN XX

[Jin]

Hi, could someone explain (in very simple terms) how i can put a pic of of my bike on so that it comes up at the side with my name? Sorta got half way there a couple of times, but it just doesn't happen !! Jin xx

[Homer]

From the menu at the top:

Click "Profile".




Then on the new page click "Avatar" on tabs.




Press "Browse" and point to the image on your computer.




Or, if your image is online somewhere, eg www.example.com/pic.jpg, paste the link to it here.


Then press "Save".

[Jin]

OH 'ECK HOMER-THIS JUST AIN'T HAPPENING!! I clicked on Profile and then on Avatar on the new page but when i tried to click Browse nothing happened!! Also what is URL and how do i make sure the pic doesn't exceed the required size? !! Did i mention that i'm not brilliant on the computer? Oh yeah, you'll have gathered that by now !! All my pics are stored on the computer, don't know if you need to know that? I'll keep trying! Really appreciate your help , Many thanks. Jin xx

[Jin]

AMAZING- I'VE DONE IT!! THANKYOU SO MUCH HOMER. Damn shame i chose such a rubbish pic!! That's my partners K1200S trying unsuccessfully to hide behind the Bandit!! I'll search for a better pic, be interesting to see if i manage to change it, if not i'll be asking for your help again!! Thanks again. Jin xx

[hobbsylad]

jin uve put ur picture on within a week took me over a bloody month 2 get mine on

[Homer]

Haha, you got there in the end! Glad I could help you.

[Tim1200]

re done your avatar for you and got rid of the beemer and caravan

[Jin]

Hi Guys, just got back from the Legionnaires Rally and very impressed with what you've done with my Bandit Pic- Many thanks !! PS. 'Im indoors says put the Beemer back!! Jin xx

[taz]

hi beemer wats that tell him to get a decent bike.lol taz.

[Jin]

Hi Taz, Would it be really bad of me to admit how much i love the Beemer? Done thousands of miles on the back of it, here and abroad, and it really shifts and is so comfortable . Coming across Salisbury Plain this afternoon was amazing. Will have to ring the DSA tomorrow and book my Module 1 and get in touch with my Instructor and get in some more dreaded Cone practise !! Can't wait to pass my test and ride the Bandit on my own, that will be a great day for me! (Also, can then ditch the Hi-Viz Jacket, sensible, i know, but not !!) Jin xx

[taz]

hi jin i suppose they say love is blind afterall.could be worse he could own a H****y eh lol.hope you do ok in the next module for youre test.keep us posted .taz

[Jin]

Good morning, H****y would be much worse, I absolutely HATE them. One of our mates has one, so everywhere we go, he's just behind us making an obnoxious racket Recently bought a brilliant new Helmet- Black System 5 and now i can hardly hear it-brill !! If i said the System 5 is made by BMW would i get kicked off the Forum? Jin xx

[taz]

hi were quite a good lot let you off my dear lol,taz

[Jin]

That's good!! What has happened to my Bandit pic now? Different colour background, Greeny bits and something on the seat !! Was that you Taz, is it revenge for hyping up the Beemer? Jin xx

[Tim1200]

no it was me that altered the avatar a bit more work and it will look better, easier with a bigger size picture.

[Jin]

Ahh it's looking better now you've removed the mouldy bits . Thanks Tim. Jin xx

[Jin]

Blimey, I'm not around for a few days and someones nicked me Bike!! Jin xx

[taz]

hi there .these buggers will nick anythin you know.lol.howz the drivin goin .if you need a loan of a real bike just phone me ha ha,taz

[Jin]

Which Buggers?? Still not 100% confident round the cones (must be something to do with my age that i haven't bounced back from coming off ), but loving the Road Stuff. Went out last night and had a great ride. My Bike goes a fair bit faster now, I had some work done on it and it turns out it was restricted-not any more WHEEE !! jIN XX

[Tim1200]

dont know what was going off with your avatar but i put it back on for you

[Jin]

Cheers Tim, nice to see it back . What is an avatar, is it posh Computer jargon for picture? And as for you Taz, I think my Bike is great (and decent), but i guess when i have passed my test i'll quickly be wanting something bigger and shinier, but no doubt whatever it is it will need to be sorted so that i can touch the ground, maybe it will be a big grown-up Bandit like yours!! Jin xx

[taz]

hi ;youre bike looks pretty good actualy.so i take it you are vertically challenged ;;short arse.the bandit that ive got has a height adjustable seat on it.dont know if you can get them on the model that you have.but i know a man who may know ;;;;tim come on down and assist m8.lol.speak to you later taz.

[Jin]

Yep I'm 5ft 2" and sat on loads of Bikes that I couldn't touch the ground on!! Both feet almost flat on the ground on mine. I gather you can get lowering kits for most Bikes so hopefully when i want something BIGGER, touching the ground won't be a problem!! Jin xx

[Jin]

Also, meant to ask why it says 'Scooter' under my name? !! Jin xx

[taz]

hi can you not sleep woman look at the time lol.i was see if tim would bite ;he knows a lot about these bikes .there seems to be a few bike makers who do these seats now but you have to keep the suzuki flag flyin you know ha ha.think they takin the p;;; about the scooter bit.cheers for now taz .

[Jin]

I did wonder if the Scooter thing was a p*** take- either cos my Bandit is a small one or cos i haven't passed my test!! Woke up very early today-think i'll probably regret that later . I think my Bank Balace might too- ebay . jin xx