Dear All, I last rode a bike nearly 30 years ago (Meriden 1978 750cc Bonni') and have just bought a 2001 TT600. The Bike is clearly wonderful with brakes and suspension I never though possible on a bike, but my riding is quite shocking - rubbish. Low speed control awful, and on corners and roundabouts under/over steering etc. I live in Milton Keynes: Can anyone suggest an Instructor / 'born again' course? Lots out there to choose from, but which one? If anyone has any personal experience, it would be really well received! Meanwhile, the bike stays in the garage before I write it off... Many thanks, Des.
Hi Des, welcome to the forum. I posted a thred entitled "Safe and skilled Riding". Col came up with some good suggestions. Check the thread out.
Hi Des I would try and get a copy of 'Twist of the Wrist 2' ..... Scrap that, I've just found someone has downloaded a full copy on to YouTube .... its a little 'cheesy' in places but I find it helps Twistof.the.Wrist.II - YouTube Plus I know someone who has returned back to riding after a 20 year break. He booked some lessons with a riding school just to get some confidence back
lol I know just what you mean. I came back after about 26 yrs with a cb500, thought I was gonna just ride like i used to. I was fine till the first island, about 200 yards up the road. i threepenny bitted it round and it was quite a scary experience. I just went out early mornings at weekend and had a few runs till i felt better. I have a sprint 900 now and love it but have to admit it can scare me sometimes,lol. I would suggest training,most bike schools seem to do back to ride schemes for peole like you.... and maybe me. dont worry your confidence will soon come back. by the way I had a 78 bonnie too,us export in bronze
Welcome back, you have made the first big step.......acknowledged that you need help. Go to your local WS Smith and buy Motorcycle Roadcraft, it is the Police Riders hanbook, read it twice and then practice its techniques carefully and safely while you wait for your Associate membership of the IAM to come through. They will send you a list of local groups Milton Keynes Advanced Motorists Is your local group, ignore that it says motorists, it takes you to the motorcycling group I have been with the IAM for years, your riding and observation skills will improve dramatically and you will meet some awesome riders A couple of tips, low speed - look where you want to go, not in front of the front wheel and lightly trail the back brake as you turn around. Practice in a large empty car park. The second tip is on cornering, as Dave points out with threepennybitting, that is you are sawing at the bars. It often starts with an overstreer, which is over corrected, then oversteered again etc, try turning in a bit later, and with less countersteer. If you understeering, add more power and more countersteer. Be safe out there
Hi and welcome to the forum. Best suggestion is take your time and get yourself used to riding again. your confidence will come back and once you get to know your bike better you will be away again :upyeah: The TT600 is a fantastic handling bike but a bit of a difference from the Bonnie but saying that for a 600 sports bike they are a really comfortable ride. Cheers Steve
Bikesafe Run by the Police. Pretty cheap for what you get. I've done 3 courses with them and was very impressed. Plus, you get a copy of Roadcraft thrown in.
Thank you all! "Twist of the wrist 11" is indeed a Chesse-fest, but actually it hits the spot, and hits the spot exactly. Very many thanks for that indeed. I've also found an Instructor thanks to ColLamb. The TT is a world apart from my old Bonnie, but a really well made thing, and I just love it. I've just really been shocked at how bad I am coming back to riding a bike once more. Again - thank you all, and very best wishes. Des
Bikesafe is a great system, unfortunately not all Police forces run them Glad you are sorted Des, do keep us advised on how you are doing
I can support what ColLamb says. I joined the Milton Keynes Advance Motorcycle Group (affiliated to IAM) about 7 years ago, and they really transformed my riding. I enjoyed the 1-2-1 sessions, the ride-outs, and even the advanced test in 2008 turned out to be fun. Any advanced training is good, I think, and can help you get way more enjoyment out of riding a bike. So, glad you have made steps in that direction. I'm sure you will find it beneficial, as I did. Cheers.
You've bought the wrong bike! You need either a Bonnie or something similar. Simple. Little do folk realise that even tho these sports are old they are still a handful. Bikes this old may even need a suspension overhaul? Might not be your riding? Worth checking.
Bit harsh Mr K. Some folks find that after just a winter off their bikes they need a good few outings to get their riding heads on again but Des has been out of it 30 years. I had a break of a year or so 30 years ago when I bought my first house and needed to sell the bike. On my first ride back I nearly rode off the road at the first roundabout. I simply didn't remember how to ride round a corner. You may be right that an old bike needs sorting but it would have to be pretty bad to make a bloke think he couldn't ride. No, I think it's muscle and mental memory taking its time to kick in.
Hi and welcome to the forum - some good advice being given here. I am going to book on a BikeSafe course next year to improve my riding skills. Coming at it from a slightly different perspective as I only started riding 17 months ago at the age of 55, so it has all been new. Had the benefit of CBT and a 4 day DAS course to pass the test and now certainly feel a lot more confident but a long way to go! As ColLamb says re low speed - look where you want to go not down at the wheel, especially in a U turn - I still practice them and find it really helps your confidence when it goes well! By the way - this is a three penny bit....