Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum
At The Back => The Dressing Room => Topic started by: gwEm on August 17, 2009, 12:57:32 PM
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My brother gave me a spin on his bike a few months ago, and its really inspired me to think about taking it up. Naturally I've looked into things as much as I could. They make you jump through quite a few hoops these days, for obvious safety reasons.
First and most important hoop is CBT, and can anyone suggest a good place in London to do it?
My brother suggested me to take Direct Access course, so I could ride larger bikes straightaway after my test- apparently the standard of tuition is a bit better, since theres only two students per instructor.
Other people have suggested taking the normal test, and stay restricted to 250cc for a couple of years, since its a bit cheaper to learn then, and easier to pass.
The other option is to just take CBT and go around in a 125 forever. My bro was pretty dismissive of that idea, since he thought it was better to get some proper lessons, and also he said bikes only really start to become fun 250cc and up.
In any case, if and when I do pass, I was already thinking of a 250 myself.. My brothers 600 would be too brutal for me, and I think a smaller bike would be a bit easier in London.
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I would do a Direct Access course and then the choice is yours completely. They can be pricey though, as I think they've got up a bit since I did mine.
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Blimey, it's "other hobbies" day on the BKP forum!
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I had a 125cc and it was mental (blew it up a few times and it was bloody expensive too) but loved it. If the rules are still the same from what I remember I think direct access was the best way to go. I think that the 250cc test (which goes up to big bikes after 2 years) was more or less the same anyway.
Once you pass, get yourselve on a Bike Safe course run by the coppers. My folks really got a lot out of theirs.
I'd get a nice bike that's not too fast to begin with and learn the trade, it sooo much different to driving. You have to think about so much extra. Then I'd get a Ducatti 916 and ride off into the sunset never to be seen again.
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Then I'd get a Ducatti 916 and ride off into the sunset never to be seen again.
Or a slightly more modern Duke ;)
(http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r267/junkacct/DSC00698Large.jpg)
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Then I'd get a Ducatti 916 and ride off into the sunset never to be seen again.
Or a slightly more modern Duke ;)
(http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r267/junkacct/DSC00698Large.jpg)
Is that yours, Dave?
Awesome! They sound like nothing on Earth!
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Yep, it's mine. Termi race exhaust to release the rumble, and a few carbon fibre bits plus rearsets.
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dave has all the best toys :( ;)
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I'm glad I can't see the pics as I'd be jealous.
Any chance of getting me a job at whatever it is you do Dave, you seem to have far too much money.
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Oh jesus! that bike :o
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I'm glad I can't see the pics as I'd be jealous.
Any chance of getting me a job at whatever it is you do Dave, you seem to have far too much money.
No kids, a house bought cheap, and loans. I live it debt, which I'm trying to fix at the moment!
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Still there myself mate. Got a statement through from the bank today, didn't make good reading :( Toast and beans for a bit longer I think :lol: Still owe student loans £16k :x
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I still have trouble getting my head round student loans. They want to discourage a debt culture, they want to send as many people as possible to university - and those people leave university with a load of debt hanging round their necks. :?
Wasn't like that in my day.
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In Belfast you can ride a 125cc with just your theory so its just buying the bike for me :P
But in your situation I would probably play it safe with the cheaper option.
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I passed my bike test in 1983. The bike was made of whale bones with stone wheels i bought from Fred Flintstone.
I wouldn't have a clue how its all structured now but do get away from 125cc once your confident and build up your skills gradually. Its bad drivers you have to look out for. Don't take for granted that someone has seen you, don't ride over white lines and man holes in the wet, especially when in corners and braking. Watch for diesel spills, it stinks so use you nose as well as your eyes as it makes rainbows on wet roads. Then get a monster an go mental for a bit, there is nothing quite like 180 odd BHP! :lol:
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I still have trouble getting my head round student loans. They want to discourage a debt culture, they want to send as many people as possible to university - and those people leave university with a load of debt hanging round their necks. :?
Wasn't like that in my day.
Too true, apparently the average debt is 23.5k :o When I went, I received a grants, it wasn't much but better than nothing (or debt).
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I'll be looking forward to the mountain of debt I'll be in, especially being in London and all. It'll be like:
Congratulations on graduating! So yeah.. about that money.. that we let you borrow.. we'd.. sort of like it back.. all of it. Now. Kthx.
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It's not too bad on the whole. They take a fair bit off me at the minute (can't find a pay slip but I think it's about £170 a month), but I wouldn't be able to do what I do without it. It's not like I've ever see the money, it's just another bill that has to be factored into the equation.
Be paying it until I'm 40 odd however :(
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student loans are nothign to worry about. as TM says it comes out your wages along with tax and NI contributions so you get used to the same bottom line each month.
It only goes up by the rate of interest so is the cheapest loan you will ever get.
They dont take anything till you earn over 15k, then the repayments start quite small. when i first hit 15k it was about £20 a month IIRC
It doesnt count towards a credit rating (although my morgage company did ask, which according to the government they shouldnt :( )
If you never earn enough it gets written off, and there are various other scenarios that get it written off.
Most importantly, nobody is going to break your legs or reposses your house over it! :)
i know the numbers are scary but student loans are not the burden some people make them out to be
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I think the earning limit is going down. I thought it was about £12k now. Also one year it work out that I was paying 5.25% apr which is still quite high. Also they do it like a mortgage where your payments go into a holding account and is taken off the balance once a year, so you still get charged interest, even on what you have paid.
They're sneeky buggers
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oh, i know its not quite the great deal they sold it to us as... but its still not worth stressing about, not for what you get from it
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ask advice about motorbikes, get a discussion on student loans
thanks guys ;)
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should have asked about swimming pools - i am sure it somehow would have found its way round to motorbike talk ;)
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In that case, I had an Aprillia RS 125, don't buy one. They're awesome fun, but my god, they're expensive when they blow up.
ha ha - back to bikes.
And remember - you're not a real man until you've fallen off a motorbike :lol:
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And remember - you're not a real man until you've fallen off a motorbike :lol:
Ah, no wonder I'm such a flop with the ladies.
Still, nothing I can do about it now - if I bought a bike at my age it would be construed as a midlife crisis. :?
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My mum and dad didn't buy bike until into their 50's. They went all the way down to Spain on them.
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midlife crisis. :?
It IS your friend Philly! You have no children, no wife, I guess your house/apartment isn't rent... So the money is just to have fun :D
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These student loans are way too much! Paying them off until your 40 would make me turn to something else to make money. Its no wonder some people turn to crime!
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I'd love to get a bike, but an old classic looking bike, rather than modern superbike style :) I'd just like to sit back and enjoy the world go by, rather than hunched forward, bombing it along ;)
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Have a search round for a bikecall Road Creature. I think it was built by Paul Scott, so stock that in google too. It's my favorite bike.
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In that case, I had an Aprillia RS 125, don't buy one. They're awesome fun, but my god, they're expensive when they blow up.
Which they allways do :p
Result of having a 125 engine setup to get to 100mph.
Never buy one second hand - You won't get long before they die.
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In that case, I had an Aprillia RS 125, don't buy one. They're awesome fun, but my god, they're expensive when they blow up.
Which they allways do :p
Result of having a 125 engine setup to get to 100mph.
Never buy one second hand - You won't get long before they die.
Not always, mine did atleast 1500 miles before it blew up first time. After spending about £1200 getting it rebuilt, it blew up again on the way home (less than 12 miles) :( Brilliant fun though, you could stoppies for miles, it's like a BMX
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I'd love to get a bike, but an old classic looking bike, rather than modern superbike style :) I'd just like to sit back and enjoy the world go by, rather than hunched forward, bombing it along ;)
Me too Oli, i've always had a soft spot for Triumph Bonnevilles!
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That is definetely NOT FAIR!!!!
A CBR1000 Firebird there is about £9.800, here is about R$59.000 :evil: Totally unpayable before 40's...
YOU GUYS HAVE GAVE ME Bike Acquisition Syndrome! CURSE YOOOOOOOOU!!!!!!!