I finally got my CBT and shortly afterwards an used baby Varadero. So far I love it even though I might have underestimated my Need for Speed - the Vara 125 is a perfect learning bike but I will probably be switching to something more powerful sooner than I thought.
Basically I just wanted to say hi to everyone and hopefully meet some of you in person whether it’s at the weekly meeting or even better for some rideouts. I’m from East London (London City Airport area), anyone else sort of close to me?
Well I got sick of waiting for good weather to commute so today I rode my bike to work for the first time. Traffic wasn’t bad but the weather kinda was. Just about half way I was filtering slowly through traffic when a van from the left lane decided to occupy the same space as me in the right. I tried to do the avoidance maneuver just as they do in practical test (or so I think, I’m still only a CBTer) but on the wet road I decked it.
Lessons to be learned - braking is always better than avoiding And second - always wear full armour and high boots. The bike fell on my foot and it hurts like hell! And keep in mind it’s only a small Vara (125kg), had it been something bigger my problems would be as well.
But everyone was very nice about it, no angry drivers, guys jumped out of their cars to help me move the bike to the kerb at which point I couldn’t start it, which made me worried (don’t wanna be waiting two hours for recovery in the cold and rain) but then it started ok and the bike seems to be fine. Honda FTW
Hey Monkimark, thanks - yeah I’m already used to using the horn from my car experience, although there it’s a bit easier because everyone can see a big 5 series BMW I will have to get used to it on the bike as well, some people move out of the way but some really don’t see you which is scary.
Yeah Tom that would be great, I know Essex roads can be fun What bike do you have?
I’m a brand new rider like you. I’m currently in the Falklands but I’ll be back in 4 weeks and my priority is to get a bike (After a well deserved weekend out and a catch up with family and friends)
I’m looking at the Daytona 675. It’s really taking my fancy. It’s sex on wheels
One thing I learnt early is “Deviate in time, not space”.
What this means is use your brakes, and not making wild manoeuvres, a lot of cage drivers could learn from this, for example, car sees a push bike rider coming up on his inside, makes a sharp pull out to the right, takes out motorcyclist he hadn’t seen overtaking.
Don’t get me wrong I am a dispatch rider and deviate all over the place, but I have probably checked out all the possibilities before I do it, but that comes with experience.
BTW, I’m also local to East London and often ride Essex directions. Just returned from a trip to Sheppey island. Riding East always sounds like a good idea to me!
Cool, well if you guys can bear slow 125 rider I would gladly get out of town for a ride!
Right now my ankle is still a bit swollen so I won’t be going anywhere tomorrow but maybe next week I might be able to make it to the weekly meeting and we can figure something out.
By the way, I have a couple of scratches on the fairing from the crash is there any way to repair it without having to repaint the whole bit?
You might get a colour matched touch up kit for the fairing…
Please be careful on the road. Don’t rush anything, stay away from potentially risky situations and try and think about what other drivers have in mind.
Contrary to popular belief not everyone is trying to kill you, they just don’t see you or don’t understand bike behaviour…
And second - always wear full armour and high boots. The bike fell on my foot and it hurts like hell! And keep in mind it’s only a small Vara (125kg), had it been something bigger my problems would be as well.
I will have to get used to it on the bike as well, some people move out of the way but some really don’t see you which is scary.
