Firstly, Hello there to everyone! Like most new members I've been hanging around for a while reading through posts, great forum full of good information and none of the posts seem to descend into opinionated arguments, which is refreshing! So, I'm currently on holiday, quite restless, and thought I'd post my story possibly more for my own entertainment. (I think this may turn out to be the long version!) I'm 36, until a year ago I had never ridden a motorcycle not even a scooter. The thought had crossed my mind, but I'd always dismissed it as another toy that I just wouldn't have time to use. A group of us, long term friends, had always had a plan to get cub 90's and circumnavigate the med on them. This idea never really got passed the idea stage. Then, a year and a half ago, we suddenly lost one of us. To get the big "C" at 34 is not what anyone expects. The "idea" moved to the planning stage, having a tomorrow isn't guaranteed! The idea changed to getting "real" motorbikes! We book our CBT, a couple of us have done them before but not progressed to full licence, and turn up at some place in east London. We sit down and talk with the instructor for half an hour. Then I'm given a battered scooter and told to ride round some cones whilst a couple of my friends are told "I've filled out your CBT, if anyone asks you're doing your das" and off they go on 600s (I have no idea what bikes they were). An hour later they return laughing there heads off having completed their CBT "training" at 3 figure speeds! I'm handed a 125, "can I go round the cones clockwise first? I've only turned left so far!" and given a quick lesson as to where the clutch, gears and brakes are. It's all new to me. We all were handed our CBT certificates, unsurprisingly. I rode a Suzuki vanvan for a year, then we all booked to do our das. We've now all passed, got "real" bikes and (personally) getting out as often as time and weather allows to build up confidence. I'm under no illusions, I have no idea how to actually "ride" a bike yet. My bike of choice, I had decided long ago, a triumph Thunderbird sport. It had to be. Nothing else interested me. It may be a bit much for a first big bike but, at 6'3" , a lot of bikes are uncomfortable. I sat there looking at it, a bit intimidated, but wow is it easy to ride! The plan now is a bit less adventurous, next summer we are to ride to lake garda, Italy. Our friend was a windsurf instructor there and we we've all spent time down there messing around. A bit of him will be coming along for the ride and scattered in the waters where a lot of memories were created. So that's the long version. I look forward to participating in the forum, although I fear my offerings to such an experienced group of riders is quite limited. One thing I've learnt is that pictures are good......... (Excuse the "other" bike)
Well done and that's some story! Hope the adventures continue as most of us feel that way about biking. Welcome in!
Fantastic !!! Hello DBH and welcome to the forum. That is without doubt the very best introduction I have ever read on this forum. You are absolutely right mate, nothing should be taken for granted, suck the marrow of life out of every day and cherish your friends and family. Good choice of Triumph btw - good lucking and great riding. Lake Garda is beautiful and an excellent start to the rest of your biking life
Just remember 'experience' is as much quality as quantity. Just like life where those who have left us early can live on in memory and all the more vividly for being shared. Make a fool of yourself! I still do!
Hi Mate, You have already gave info on one of the threads to help someone out.Your participating already. As for the Thunderbird sport...Lucky you . It will look well beside Lake garda in the sun. Anyway, Welcome to the forum and safe riding
Thanks all. I can't wait to rock up in Italy and show them what a proper bike looks like! Need to find some louder pipes though, which is proving difficult.
Just two bits of advice if you don't mind. Don't ever try to keep up with another bike, just let it go. Who are you again ?
My mother is pleased that I now have a real motorbike. "Doesn't sound like a motorbike" she said of the vanvan. She's helmet shopping, wants a pillion ride.
