Another newbie!

[lukewalton]

Hi all!

Just thought I'd say hi, been looking at your site for a while now prior to making the decision to pursue biking after finishing uni. Always dreamed of doing it. Started my DAS today at Mallory Park, having never riden a bike before! Was very anxious! Started with a battered old Bandit, which, like I feared, was very heavy, and I thought I was going to drop it sooner rather than later. Thankfully, it broke down! Wouldn't start, so they put me on a curvy SV650s. Loved it from the start, it's like a new friend! So much lighter. Love the engine, after getting over my wobbles, had a go on the track, and the acceleration is immense! Probably nothing compared to a 1000cc bike, but for me it was more than enough! I think I've bored my non-biking family silly trying to put into words the feeling I got from that bike. My girlfriend is due to hear all about it tonight, I pitty her for having to listen!! I'm due to have my test on thursday afternoon, which is frightening as I can't see myself being ready in that time. I keep doing silly things like dabbing my foot, leaving indicators on etc. Did you all have the same probs on the first day? Are these habits easilly overcome? Hope I get the SV tomorrow, from what I've read I've always been interested in getting one, and today confirmed for me that this is a friendly, yet fun bike! Love it!

Luke :D

[ASM-Forever]

If you have the chance it might be a better option to learn on a 500 CB/GS/ER or what have you. Easier to ride and u-turn etc.

[kwak zzr]

welcome to the site lukewalton:)

[Wideboy]

welcome, you just made the biggest mistake of your life


haha only jocking. Thank you and good night, much love

[Dan]

Welcome to the madhouse!

Woohoo, that's twice in a week :thumbsup:

[hovis]

hello

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e175/Marv_Jones/MexWave.gif

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e175/Marv_Jones/MexWave.gif

[DoubleD]

Hello and welcome to the .org

[sarah]

hello :smt039

[Tim in Belgium]

Hello from up North, and good luck with the test.

[lukewalton]

Hi all

2nd day into this course, out onto public roads for the first time. Just before going out I dropped the bike (curvy SV650s) practising u-turns. Wasn't a bad drop, dont think it even scratched the bike but it killed my confidence. Out on the roads, no more drops but had some really terrifying moments when I paniced a couple of times coming out of junctions and let the clutch in too fast. The torque on this bike seems really hard to master at slow speeds! Found the u-turns impossible on the road too. Figured perhaps the SV650s isn't for me? What do you think? Would the riding position make these things difficult (i.e. narrower bars, higer, further back pegs), plus is it normal to find it hard to control this engine at slow speeds compared to a straight 4? Had a go on another Bandit when I got back to Mallory, the riding position seemed so much more natural and easier to do u-turns on. Really not confident about a test on thursday, and after seeing 2 other pupils go down on the road (one hit a barrier and scuffed his leathers etc) I'm feeling a bit of a wimp about the whole thing. Does it get easier quickly? Are these natural feelings for a 2nd day? Any tips or advice would be really appreciated.

Luke :-)

[Tim in Belgium]

Luke, as you've recognised the SV650s isn't the best for slow speed stuff, u turns etc with its limited lock and oodles of low down torque, however once you've done your test these will be easy to master with a little more experience, and for me more important the SV is more fun out on the open road. Since doing my test two years ago I think I've only done one U turn, the SV has been great for everything else. So don't write off the SV, but the bandit may be easier to pass the test on.

As for 2nd day blues don't worry I too had ups and downs on my DAS, just keep your chin up, and don't get too hung up on any mistakes that happen along the way. Good luck with Thursday.

[Dan]

Since doing my test two years ago I think I've only done one U turn

I beat you... None here.

[AlanB]

Hi Luke, how's it going now?
are you local to mallory? saw some 'trainee's' out on sunday having a bimble about but didn't notice what they were riding so were you one of them?

there's a good training course in hinckley that one of my friends helps to run, can't remember the name of the road but its behind the school on the road out of hinckley towards nuneaton, if you need any more assistance or don't get on very well.

the sv is lumpy at low revs and has extreme engine braking if you're not used to it, these are probably what you're having trouble with. four cylinders are smoother but wider and a touch heavier, so its a case of win some lose some. I brought the sv because of the engine and the way it runs, i'd had enough of fours and wanted something with a bit more 'soul'. End of the day it'll be up to you, plenty of bikes out there to choose from, test as many as you can before you decide what you want and don't discount the bandit.

take your time and don't get lost.

cheers
Alan

[ASM-Forever]

As i said before....for a learner a CB/GS/ER really are easier bikes to get along with...especially pootling around at low speed and for u-turning. I always found my SV a pig to u-turn compared to some of the 500's.

That said it is definitely possible and it really is a case of practise makes perfect....keep at it and listen to your instuctors tips and it will all fall into place.

[Warthog]

Luke, as you've recognised the SV650s isn't the best for slow speed stuff, u turns etc with its limited lock and oodles of low down torque, however once you've done your test these will be easy to master with a little more experience, and for me more important the SV is more fun out on the open road. Since doing my test two years ago I think I've only done one U turn, the SV has been great for everything else. So don't write off the SV, but the bandit may be easier to pass the test on.

As for 2nd day blues don't worry I too had ups and downs on my DAS, just keep your chin up, and don't get too hung up on any mistakes that happen along the way. Good luck with Thursday.

Couldn't agree more. The lock on the sv650 is crap and hits you by surprise, opt for a 500 or the bandit fo the test. Once its over, the sv650 is about 100 times more fun on the real road! I have done the odd u-turn since, but you can always put your foot down! And there is usually more space available, like choosing a junction or driveway rather than in one narrow street. So in summary, test on the 500/bandit, then buy an sv :thumbsup:

[lukewalton]

Cheers for all the encouragement and tips guys. Alan, I'm live quite a way out (Queniborough, north leics) from Mallory but thought it'd be a very good course, worth the extra money and commute. Started on monday, so you wouldn't have seen me on sunday. Thanks for the recommendation at Hinkley, I'd def take you up on it but sadly I'm back in Bristol where I start work on monday ad a radiographer! I can't believe it, I first sat on a bike on monday and my test is tomorrow morning! Had a good day today though, felt at one with the bike, think I'm pretty comfortable on the Bandit. Nailed most u-turns quite well, appart from on one narrow road with a nasty camber and loadsa parked cars. I hope to God I don't get that road tomorrow or I'll be done for. Couldn't even get a good view of what was coming due to vans, cars etc! I think if they get me to stop between two big vehicle prior to a u-turn attempt, I'll park up properly, stop the engine and tell the examiner I refuse to because it's dangerous due to lack of view and ask for an alternative road. I don't like the intercomme lark, don't get all the messages and got lost loads today. But I learnt to relax and go with the flow of the traffic, not rush to find the others. All about being rational and composed. I think I'm fairly on the ball with indicators, not leaving them on much, plus lifesavers aplenty (I like doing them as I get very worried about traffic flanking me unawares, and vibrating mirrirs are useless!!). Hopefully it's enough. If I pass this thing after 3 days practice it'll be a mirracle, if not, gutted - I've paid £825 for this course! Fingers cross, will keep you posted. Once again, cheers for all the replies :-)

Luke

[lukewalton]

P.S. got my first nod off a fellow biker today whilst I was lost, was nice, put a smile on my face and made me feel positive and not alone in a car dominated world! I think the whole nodding solidarity thing is awesome.

Luke

[ASM-Forever]

The examiner will not tell you exactly where to park...he will simply ask you to pull over. It is up to you to judge an appropriate place where you can u-turn without obstruction and also have a safe view of the road.

The radios that they use are usually more powerful(and sadly bulky) than the ones probably used by your training centre. You should have no problems hearing the examiner....but if you do pull over in a safe place and let him know!

I am sure your instructor has already told you this, but on the u-turn pick an object on the lifesaver and aim for it. The bike will turn if you face the right way...camber or not. Also keep the revs up and exercise good clutch control...its better to collect a minor for over revving than a major for not giving it enough and putting your foot down.

Good luck for the test tomorrow....relax and enjoy it :)

[sarah]

The examiner will not tell you exactly where to park...he will simply ask you to pull over. It is up to you to judge an appropriate place where you can u-turn without obstruction and also have a safe view of the road.

and if you can't see anywhere you fancy stopping, pretend that you didn't hear the examiner properly :smt077

[sarah]

and good luck.

[ASM-Forever]

and if you can't see anywhere you fancy stopping, pretend that you didn't hear the examiner properly :smt077

Bah...typical sneaky women.

She has a point though.

[sarah]

Bah...typical sneaky women.

She has a point though.

:takeabow:

i wouldn't recommend going to wrong way and getting lost whilst riding around the block just before your emergency stop though :oops:

[lukewalton]

Urgh I failed, I'm so gutted. It was a really good ride, even the u-turn was easy, don't know what all the fuss was about, but then I got complacent 20m from the test centre, thought it was over and didn't see the give way sign in the tree (damn the council!!!) and the give way lines on a speed hump/narrowing traffic calming measure. Should have given way to an oncoming car but just carried on. Fail. I'm so gutted. He also decided to give me a serious for always veering left on a mini roundabout (my instructer said my steering is spot on and the examiner being a car driver wouldn't fully understand how a bike steers), but I dont think that would have been a major if I didn't **** up at the give way lines. (Apparently if u get a major they also stick another one on if they can somewhere). £275 for a retest with the mallory lot apparently, which frankly is too much for a morning on a bike followed by a test. I'm back to Bristol permanently on Monday, so I have the seemingly impossible task of finding a school that'll take me for just a day and test for under £275! On a more positive note, got back to Mallory Park and the instructor took me and a fellow learner who'd failed round the track sooooo fast teaching us how to steer properly (contersteering, leaning etc) was amazing, as were the country road blasts on the way back! Put a huge smile on my face despite failing! Love the way the Bandit screams at high revs! The powerburst, like I said to my dad, no matter how down you are, biking can put a smile on your face, I have the bug. I will even miss the smell and heat of the things over the next God knows how many non-biking days (weeks, or months) :-( I can't afford £275 for something I may fail again, anyone know of anywhere with more reasonable prices for just bike hire, escort to centre and test? I think I could hop on a bandit anywhere and ride it confidently enough to pass provided I don't stress about u-turns and pay attention to every sign detail!

Luke