The Motorbike Thread

[Preezy]

So I'm seriously considering doing my motorbike license, I know a few people that have bikes and it seems like a lifestyle I could get into.

My ultimate dream bike: a Harley Davidson Forty Eight

Any bikers on the forum? Would love to see what you're riding and how you find being a motorcyclist, tips on riding/learning to ride etc, all that jazz.

Share it all here

[Captain Kinopio]

Been thinking about doing my CBT for a while but motorcyclists don't half some to be a royal bunch of whingers and all I ever seem to get from there are the problems with it, whether that be the state of roads, other drivers, the cost, weather etc. etc.

It kind of put me off, but maybe when the weather gets better I'll be inspired again.

[satriales]

Only been riding about two years, but I love it!

Definitely do the CBT, it costs about £100, lasts one day, and then once you've done it you can legally ride a 125 on the road (with L plates) for as long as you want (have to do CBT again every two years if you don't pass full test before then).

125cc bikes get a lot of stick, but they are actually great fun and will easily do over 100mpg so costs nothing to run. I kept mine for a further 9 months after I passed my test and then moved on to my current bike which is a Triumph Speed Four. Had it for a year now and it's brilliant fun every time I use it.

[Errkal]

I've been concidering learning to ride, I don't have and have never had any desire to get a licence, but bikes interest me anf for ages I have considered learning but always been talked out of it becasue the view of alot of people I know is that if you ride a bike you will get killed.

[False]

I think about getting my license for one sorted, but Id kill myself. I only like the big engined ones, anything less than 600 sounds embarrassing and I wouldnt be seen dead on it.

Ironic, as if I get a 600+ then I probably will only end up seen dead on it.

Not fussed on easy rider style bikes either. Like me a nice superbike.

[Johnny Jalfrezi]

About five years ago I came into a bit of money and, with it burning a hole in my pocket, decided that getting a motorbike would be the best use of it (bear in mind I hadn't actually been on one at this point). Had always liked the look of them (Fireblades/R1's etc) so did a bit of window shopping, sat on a few, and became totally convinced that this was something I really wanted to do. Booked up my CBT about 4 weeks in advance, did a bit of homework on the basics of handling a bike, and got on a couple of forums to get a feel of what the CBT would entail and the next steps required for getting a licence. All seemed straightforward and the biking community seemed really friendly and keen to welcome another biker into their ranks - several of them saying no to worry about the CBT as it was impossible to 'fail'. After crashing the 125cc test bike into a wall and almost running over the instructor, it was suggested to me that perhaps motorbikes weren't my thing. I wholeheartedly agreed, left the bike, helmet and gloves in a heap on the floor, and walked - far slower than a motorbike would take me, but infinitely more safely - away from the test centre, promising myself that I would never set foot in such a place again.

I still love the look of them but luckily I'm able to take a hint.

[abcd]

I have this image of you looking longingly at a motorbike helmet that suddenly bursts into flames.

[PatSharpsMullet]

I've considered it but I don't trust other road users enough to go through with it. My Dad used to ride bikes as did most of the people on his side of the family so it's in the blood.

What doesn't help is the fact that one of my friends came of his bike, slid off into the oncoming traffic and was run over by a car leaving him with a very badly broken leg.

[Lotus]

I’ve wanted to get a bike and a licence for a few years now, but a) I can’t really justify the expense and b) our shitty roads and mental drivers are bad enough in a car, so it must be several times more dangerous using a bike on/alongside them.

[bigcheez2k3]

Motorbike thread <3

Had a CBR125 but wasn't getting enough use so sold it. Looking at getting another this year now I can use it to go to work on. Wish there was more choice for that style in 125.

Also have a Honda SH50 moped, well 2 kinda. (bought 2, made one roadworthy moped from it. Still have the frame in the garden) Used it for my charity run and intending to have it as long as possible. Thinking of a complete rebuild once we've built the new shed and I'll have a workshop.

[D_C]

I've yet to do my CBT, but this is my Dad's one:

He's had a few before (VFR 750, KTM 400). This one is very quick (Think it's a 1200 or 1300cc)

[Rightey]

I got my license last year but it's expired now, I went for a few lessons on my friends "stunt bike" which is not street legal

I went for about 5 metres in total we just practiced putting it into gear and getting used to the clutch and all that, it was pretty fun but incredibly sensitive, it was a 600cc bike and he told me I would kill myself if I actually tried riding it on the street and I'm pretty damn sure he is correct.

[OLIN]

Me in my 20's:









Me more recently:





...though I spend more time push biking now so I've lost a bit of the weight, though I've no hope of going back to twenty-odd years ago.

The pink chop as it was in the 90's:

I think about getting my license for one sorted, but Id kill myself. I only like the big engined ones, anything less than 600 sounds embarrassing and I wouldnt be seen dead on it.

I also have a TW125, it's fun to ride around town.

[Afrocat]

Did my CBT in July, the past 9 months I've spent on a 125 have been an absolute blast. I used to love driving my car but now it's so boring compared to riding even a slow bike.

Here's my bike up a big hill in Wales:

And here's a bit of a video compilation I made of the journey:

[Lagamorph]

A few years ago I considered lessons, but my mum has made it clear that, should I ever so much as sit on a Motorcycle, I'll be cut out of the inheritance entirely.

[Direar]

hoping to do my cbt/das this year, really fancy getting a bike

[OLIN]

but my mum has made it clear that, should I ever so much as sit on a Motorcycle, I'll be cut out of the inheritance entirely.

That's cool, bikes aren't really for conformists anyway...

[Victor Mildew]

That fence blossomed in to a lovely hedge, a true ugly duckling tale.

[Rightey]

That fence blossomed in to a lovely hedge, a true ugly duckling tale.

Why did he paint an amoeba on the gas tank

[Harry Bizzle]

When I was a kid the neighbour's son opposite had a bike and I'd apparently sit at the window for ages staring at it, occasionally running over and jumping on the thing.


So I like motorcycles quite a bit.

Didn't realise regarding the whole CBT thing. I'm now seriously considering doing the CBT and just getting something like a CBR125 or a Van Van. Just had a look on Homda and the MSX125 looks lovely.


It would literally just be for riding for fun so couldn't care less about a bigger engine. Anyone got a 125cc to recommend? The things are so cheap I'd be tempted to buy new buy I know that's probably stupid.

Also, there's a place near me that lets you have a taster on a bike for an hour for £20 which seems like a good way to find out if I'm a Jonny Jalfrezi or not.