My first pillion ride - GSXR1000 K4

[hongman]

Mate came round today after me bugging him to take me on the back...

If I had to sum up the experience in one word, it would be...nope, cant do it in one word!

Various wheelies from 50-142mph, 162mph top speed (obviously not the top speed of the bike but what the conditions allowed). Certainly the fastest I have ever been on tarmac!

The wind, at those speeds, oh my god. My neck ached so bad afterwards! I could literally feel it trying to rip my lid off my head.

I just cant get over the sheer acceleration at which that thing goes, the adrenaline buzz was intoxicating.

The noise it makes as well - sweeeeet harmony. It had an Akrapovic can, I think it was a full system? Also PC3 with some dyno time.

Just, wow.

I want one :( But I'd either kill myself or lose my license if I got one now :D

CBT on Tuesday! DAS very shortly after that hehe.

[yorkie_chris]

If I had to sum up the experience in one word, it would be...nope, cant do it in one word!

SH*********T! maybe?

[hongman]

Possibly, but that doesnt portray the "Please let this ride never end" feeling :D

I think we were out for around 45 mins, felt like 2 lol.

Not even the part where we hit a sharp bump on some roadworks and I managed to sit on my testicle spolis it, I'd do it again in a heartbeat :D

[Cymraeg_Atodeg]

I went pillion on a GSXR1000 K1 at the end of last year, never again!

Good luck on the CBT dude

[hongman]

Thanks. Although I don't think it's possible to fail cbt as such? Seeming as it's not a test.

Did my cbt once already, many moons ago, hence why I have to do it all over again. Only difference this time is I have the funds to see my full license through and the age to do direct access :)

it's all I can think about, just want to get back on it! Such a buzz.

[Cymraeg_Atodeg]

Don't say about failing CBT's on here, it has been done and can be, but, it is not a test, it is just showing to your instructor that you can ride and do it safely (as long as they aren't drunk that is, ha ha)

I "passed" my CBT, did 4 days training on the DAS course and passed on my second test, so, it can be done.

Remember your life-savers and you'll be fine

Oh, and stay off the back of GSXR 1000's, not a sane place to be!

[Ed]

Friend, just wait till you're at the controls on a big bike. It's the biggest buzz ever. My 675 is not as fast as your mate's bike (but not that far behind, either) but it's all a bit academic isn't it?

[hongman]

Did you do the old or new style tests?

Just wanted to get a comparison between mod2 and a car test.

The car test is very much (IMO) learn to pass the test, as opposed to learning how to drive innthe real world.

Is the bike one the same? Or just a stricter version of cbt?

[Cymraeg_Atodeg]

I was one of the last to do the "old" style test thankfully, but, if you are trained well, keep calm and stay level headed anything on the bike should be passable if you want it enough.

Passing a car test is too easy IMO, but, the bike test is quite tough, it can be done though, just remember all you are taught and listen to the tester intently, as, he/she holds your licence in their hands!

[hongman]

Friend, just wait till you're at the controls on a big bike. It's the biggest buzz ever. My 675 is not as fast as your mate's bike (but not that far behind, either) but it's all a bit academic isn't it?

I can't wait :D I'll be taking it nice and easy for while though, feel the bike out. All so exciting :s

Only bad thing about all of this is now my nice new BMW feels slow and boring, only got it 3 months ago haha. I drive my cAr thinking of how I wish I was on a bike :(

[Ed]

Old one. Can't comment on the current mod2, but the old one wasn't as easy as some would have you believe. I mean, I took 4 goes to pass:rolleyes: Foot down in yewwie:rolleyes:

Just get it done, it's a brilliant feeling to get on your bike and bugger off some place:cool:

[hongman]

I was always under the impression that bike test was easier than car. Then again I guess it's subjective.

[Ed]

my nice new BMW feels slow and boring :(

You said it:lol:

[hongman]

Old one. Can't comment on the current mod2, but the old one wasn't as easy as some would have you believe. I mean, I took 4 goes to pass:rolleyes: Foot down in yewwie:rolleyes:

Just get it done, it's a brilliant feeling to get on your bike and bugger off some place:cool:

Once my cbt is out of the way I have a cunning plan. A mate of mine has a DT125 which just needs a mot. I'll pay for his mot in exchange for being able to use it to bimble about and practise monuevures for a few days/week. Not like he's used it for the last few months anyway, mot money ends up spent on beer apparently lol.

[barwel1992]

mod 2 is just ride around dont co*k up remembering checks and thats it ;) i had 2 days training and was s*ting a brick as those 2 days are the only days i had been on geared bike :S and i had mod 1 and 2 on the same day, mod 1 was harder i think, more chances to fail. at least i passed first time :smt071

[Ed]

Hope all goes well for you tomorrow:D

[hongman]

Thanks :D

Although worked very late today, got home at 9:30pm and decided a good curry was in order. Now I want to sleep but my stomach is churning away. Ick.

I remember on my last CBT the instructer let some of the older lot ride his CB500, I'm hoping something similar happens heh.

I've also packed full leathers in my car but with the weather like it is, I dont think I can bring myself to wear them, esp while pootering about on a CG125. I'd look a bit of a **** as well. But safety is safety on a 50cc or 1000cc.

We'll see!

[Quiff Wichard]

i couldnt go pillion.

1 I need to be in control
2.I am too fat

[Quiff Wichard]

bit cooller weather today hongman..
all the best for the test matey ..

[hongman]

Well, it was...different!

I remember my first CBT 9 years ago was done in half a day. Very quick, not very thorough, it was done and dusted by lunchtime.

This one however!

Started on on these Chinese import 125's, which were, in a word, fecking sh!t. Throttle jumps about everywhere, clutch is pants, weigh a ton for what they are. These are the instructor's words btw, but I agree totally. Hold the throttle in one place and it starts to die, twitch it ever so slightly and it acts like you just had a good tug on it.

Did some basic circuit /mod1 style training for couple hours, then sat down for a talk about road use. Normal stuff. Positioning, etc.

After lunch was the road ride, min of 2 hrs for the CBT to be issued. Instructor was comfortable to let me and another guy straight onto the 500 (ER5), but warned that we wouldnt get a CBT cert today as we'd have to do more off road training before going onto the road. Neither of us cared as we had other 500cc sessions lined up anyway.

After some slaloms and fig8's later we were on the road. Hit loads of traffic at one point, coupled with the police closing off a road so we had to take a massive detour. Got back to find out he was happy we'd spent enough time on the 500's for a CBT to be issued afterall, lol.

Very fun, very bad lower backache! Found out my lid is very noisy >45-50mph as well.

We completed u-turns, slaloms, fig8's and emergency stops all much more strigent (less space) than the actual mod1 so he said we'd have no issues.

Even christened my new boots, got my toe(slider) down! ;)

Next DAS session is booked for Saturday 29th, 4 hours.
Mod1 is booked for Friday 4th.

Assuming I pass I'll book Mod2 after that.

Only thing I constantly forgot was to cancel my damn indicators. If we did a series of turns I'd be ok, but after riding with no turns for a bit I'd always forget the first turn, lol.

[hongman]

My back feels like someone's taken a sledge hammer to it, hope this isnt a sign of things to come :( even the instructor complaned his back hurt after though (and he wasnt an old grandad).

[Cymraeg_Atodeg]

My neck, back, arm and legs hurt after first few training rides... you get used to it

[hongman]

I really do hope so. Noone else really seemed to be in pain though lol. I can see this seriously hampering the fun factor of riding!

Mind you those ER5's suspensions arent all that great anyway, I dont know. Just felt way too bumpy. Very forgiving though, suppose thats why it makes a good learner.

[Cymraeg_Atodeg]

I learnt on a CBF600 and I pretty much drove home an lay down to rest my neck until I had my SV for about a week.

Your just using muscles you don't use much when you are trying to stay on the bike

[hongman]

How is the SV's riding position compared to an ER5?

[Cymraeg_Atodeg]

More leant forward and you have a screen that takes away most of the wind-blast at higher speeds

[hongman]

I've just decided Im going for a faired SV as opposed to a naked as I was hoping to before. :) Thanks dude.

[Cymraeg_Atodeg]

Lol, well, I had a curvey and now have a Thou', I find both comfortable, but, I am 5'9 and 10st 6lbs, so, if you are close to that you should find them OK too

[hongman]

5'3" 8 stone dead :)

[Cymraeg_Atodeg]

Wow, your a short ass... ha ha

You might want to invest in a lowering kit too

[hongman]

Yep. For me the hardest monuevure was wheeling the bike backwards LOL. Im very "petite" (in a masculine way of course...) and not very strong.

I'll be looking at a lowered seat before a lowering kit, heard all sorts about handling issues if not done right.

[Cymraeg_Atodeg]

Yeah, loss of suspention travel can lead to bad cornering...

Join a gym when you pass your test then

[hongman]

Its on my to do list...in fact its been on there for the best part of 10 years :D

[Cymraeg_Atodeg]

Wow, you must be old, short and weak then :rofl:

[hongman]

....

[BernardBikerchick]

do it !!! honestly you will love it !!!!! i love riding and being a pillion and now I can even take pillions !! woo hoooooooooo

[Ed]

Glad it went well for you today H-man.

No of course you won't have permanent backache, stupid. Nobody else on here (me included) complains about backache, it's just that you're using muscles you didn't know you had. It's all about technique, not strength.

[Roberrrrt]

I learnt to ride (DAS) a month or so ago on an ER-5, and found it REASONABLY comfy, and for me getting used to the more forward-leaning, sporty feel of the SV hurt more, but then again, I'm a bit taller, so it's different strokes for different folks i guess...

I failed the Mod 1 first time by locking up the rear and sliding, and because of nerves I didnt think to correct the skid, which I really regret because I got no minors for the rest of that test!

But if you can conquer your nerves, it's straightforward enough.

Mod 2 I found easier personally, simply because it is just going for a ride out, and you can relax knowing that all your manouvres are in the bag from passing Mod 1. Get your observations in (correct number - not too many, and at the right time, looking in the right places!) and be smooth and I'm sure you'll sail through, I did it first time.

A month later, the car is up for sale, and I've not looked back! :riding:

[hongman]

Funny you should mentioning locking the rear wheel up. when we were practising emergency stops on the chinese imports, I kept locking the back wheel. There was just no feel at all, and wearing brand new boots probably didnt help.

Was fine on the 500 though, lol.

[Roberrrrt]

Yeah I can't blame a lack of feel, just lack of concentration, i made the schoolboy error of grabbing the brakes (or stamping in the case of the rear!) as hard and violently as I could (which, as I am fully aware, is not the right thing to do AT ALL).

Meh, learnt from the mistake!

[hongman]

Aye :)

Aches and pains all pretty much gone today too.

And I keep doing life savers in the car :D