First solo ride after cbt

[DomP]

Well I've serviced my yzf r125 ready for my first ride after doing my cbt, any advice? I'm planning on just doing a few short journeys on known roads to begin with then when I'm more at ease with general riding /gear changes I will book some more lessons.

I found on my cbt I really just needed some time on my own to really get to grips with knowing what great I'm in etc.

[NTECUK]

Take it easy.
Hold your head up and look were you Want to go.

[SvNewbie]

My first ride after my CBT was on a bike I rented for a weekend. Rode it around all weekend (literally 12 hours a day!), by the Sunday I felt comfortable enough to ride around central London without too many issues.

Just take it at your own pace.

[maviczap]

Now you've passed they'll be less stress on you, so you can relax a bit, take your time and keep it smooth.

it'll all come together.

[DomP]

Thanks folks, I'm a little apprehensive but determined. Any insurance places I should try tonight?

[Nutsinatin]

Where you based?

[DomP]

Herefordshire, miles from anywhere!

[figaro]

Just get some miles under your belt, that's the only way to learn and to progress.

It's good practise to look as far ahead as you can, make a habit of it. If it goes a bit tits-up in a corner, look towards the exit, don't target fixate, you will go to where you're looking, so look to where you want to be heading.

And on quieter roads have a mess around with countersteering.

[Robbyrner]

My advice would be just don't panic, take your time and focus on doing things properly/safely. Speed isn't important.... Yet!

[DomP]

I have to be honest, I didn't go out today. I spent a while looking at insurance and couldn't decide on comprehensive etc. Then had to take our German exchange student out for the day.

Any insurance advice?

[figaro]

Any insurance advice?

Yes. Buy fully comp, but buy the cheapest.

[DomP]

That's my instinct, do you add legal and personal injury cover, it's only 35 quid extra.

[figaro]

To be honest most insurers add it as a matter of course, gratis. Or they do for me anyway. Don't pay too much for extras; helmet and leathers cover shouldn't cost more than, say, £20 extra. Likewise protected NCB. If they start asking too much, just forget them.

There's a huge amount of brokers, but not that many underwriter, and the underwriters all charge about the same, so don't think those extra pounds spent on a posh logo will carry any weight. Just get your legal cover as cheaply as you can and go ride.

[DomP]

So legal cover, helmet and clothing, personal injury and 12 months breakdown for £35 is quite good then

[figaro]

Sounds alright to me.

[aesmith]

Sounds good. Have a think about whether you really need fully comp though. Depends on how much the bike's worth, and the excess on the policy. Also, would you want a claim on your record at this stage?

[figaro]

There's next to no difference between fully comp and third party only insurance these days, so it's not really worth going for anything less. Don't forget that once you pass your test you will have to specify pillion cover - you don't get pillion insurance as standard.

[aesmith]

There's next to no difference between fully comp and third party only insurance these days, so it's not really worth going for anything less.
People make that assertion, but it's by no means always the case. My price dropped by 35% changing from comprehensive to third party only.

[figaro]

I always compare quotes when I renew insurances, and more often than not the third party quotes are as dear, and sometimes even dearer, than fully comp. In my experience it's been that way for at least the last 15 years or so. Dunno if it's an age thing, or maybe my rather shop soiled license makes a difference, but that's certainly how I find it.

[aesmith]

Just out of interest I re-ran my quote knocking 20 years off my age, and 20 years off my experience, and it only put the price up by £3 for TPO, £10 for fully comp making it a 40% saving for third party only. Knocking another 10 years off doubles the price, but with still the same difference between cover levels.

However you've got me wondering so I'm going to try some comparisons and see if the price difference is due to me or to my insurer.

[figaro]

Throw a load of convictions at it, that's probably what's making the difference with me.

[aesmith]

Let's hope Dom hasn't got a load of convictions, if he's only just done the CBT.

[figaro]

Let's hope Dom hasn't got a load of convictions, if he's only just done the CBT.

Pah! He's not even trying! My very first provisional license at 16 came with two endorsements already on it. Guess I was never cut out to behave...

[DomP]

No im a good boy! Not that young to be on a 125, I'm 35 going on 36 but decided to work my way up to an SV. Plan is to spend summer on my Yzf r125 when having lessons then once mod 1 and 2 are passed move up.

Too sensible maybe, but Im cautious and don't want to take on more than I'm capable of.

[DomP]

Any way I've been out and done 40 miles. Feels weird especially as I passed my cbt nearly a month ago and haven't ridden since. Some of it was far from perfect but I kind of expected that. Bit of 'I'm sure I cancelled that signal' and jittery moving off from junctions.

I did find I had a better idea of what gear I was in compared to when I did my Cbt.

[figaro]

35?!

You're just a pup.

[DomP]

Ha ha cheers mate, I feel it!

[Dunn-y]

My insurance more than doubles when I go Fully Comp over TPFT. And my excess is £650 regardless of what type of cover I go for so I just stick with TPFT.

[figaro]

Must be just me then.

[DomP]

Yeah excess is ridiculous, but I'm happy to pay less than £200 fully comprehensive with legal/personal injury cover and breakdown. One plus of being 35.

[figaro]

Wait til you get over 50, mine was under £70 with pillion cover, euro cover, helmet and leathers and £100 excess...

[DomP]

Wow that's loose change these days.