Hi All, newbie from Aberdeen here. Have been wanting to get into bikes for a while but due to other things going on in life, I never really managed. It didn't help that whenever i mentioned getting my license i also got earache from the other half about it too. Decided I would finally do something about it this year, imagine my surprise to find out she organised my DA for my birthday without me knowing Have always loved triumphs, so settled on a 2012 Speedmaster. Here is in next to the money pit Loving it so far, now on the lookout for another pair of standard exhausts so I can butcher my own ones.
Welcome, is that some sort of go faster attachment tween pipes and wheel :biggrin: I'll be passin' through Scotland next week, love it, heading for Johnny o' Groats. Nice bike :upyeah:
So you have a bike for real men And a car for boys with small parts :wink: Welcome, the car has to go to make room for more Triumphs. The next time you are stuck in a queue and a guy rides pass on his bike you will wish???????? Enjoy Col
Haha its a strange mix the subaru and the speedmaster! I did wonder if once I got the bike if I'd want rid of the scooby. To be honest I had it out the other night and loved every minute
Hi and welcome to the forum, great looking machine you have there.......... the two wheeled one of course :upyeah:
Hi again As you can now gather you are going to get more stick about the Soobie As you are new to biking can I offer some advice, get some training. Driving a fast car is one thing a bike is another matter, it is far more skilled and requires greater observational skills. The IAM, Rospa, even the Police do training. Buy the Police Roadcraft book for motorcycles, read it twice and put its principles into practice. What You will find it that your driving standards will improve dramatically. In your car go into a corner to fast and its electronics will help keep you out of trouble, same thing on a bike and you crash, or run wide if you brake. You apply more power and counter steer more, if you do not know what I mean about counter steer without Googling it you need training. I am off my soapbox Take care and do your own thing Col
Cheers for that. Yeah I've learnt that lesson about the bike so far. There is a lot more to riding then driving which I never expected. There's been a couple of occasions on back roads where I've come out of a corner and thought.... don't do that again. All part of the learning process though, even with the car I'm not a fast driver, but I certainly do look out for a lot more now when driving. I plan to do an advanced course once I've gotten 1500 miles or so under my belt :biggrin:
That is wise, may I suggest the IAM route, you get six on the road sessions with an advanced rider (observor) and there is a practical exam usually with an ex Police class one rider then you are a member of the IAM and as most insurance companies give you an extra discount in some cases this can exceed the membership fee. I do the observing with my local group and the sessions are at least two hours riding plus discussions. An advantage is that you get to meet like minded bikers. We meet every two weeks and there are many group rides to various locations organised throughout the season. The IAM system is based on the Police system so the book I mentioned previously is a great starting point.
Ok thanks for that, I'll have a look at the IAM route and a trip onto amazon for that book. Up this way, it's the sheer amount of muppets on the road is frightening even if I'm out in the car then I'm nervous. Have had a couple of close ones on roundabouts with people who don't like the lane theyre in. Last week was out on the bike and had some young lassie following me in her new audi a1 down a b road. I was maybe doing 50 or so and she felt the need to sit about a bikes length behind me the entire time.
Also look at Bikesafe. A one day course. A lot cheaper than IAM and for a new rider an excellent introduction to real road riding. It's run by the Police and is well worth the money. Nothing wrong with IAM but I've done 4 Bikesafe courses and reckon for the money they are better than anything else out there. Safe riding.
Hi, roundabouts on two wheels can be dangerous. Me, If the road markings allow, I approach to the right or if its two lanes I am in the right lane, that is if I am exiting ahead or right. Once on the roundabout you then only have traffic on your left to take notice of Tailgaters or other bikes inducing a race are best either ignored or stop when safe and legal and let them go, no gesticulations, no nothing just let them go, they are numpties and you demonstrating to them will have no effect. Mind you I was filtering through some stopped cars one day on my RT with my flourescent gear on and some numpty was on his mobile, I stopped next to him and looked in his window. He nearly had a coronary, dropped the phone and mouthed sorry. i felt better all day
I would sort of concur, Bikesafe courses are good, they do help, alas not all forces run them. IAM is more thorough and lasting in inducing good techniques. IAM groups offer on road riding with proven advanced riders when ever you want, need a refresher after a lay off, just call up your observer.