snowie wrote:
I'm lucky enough to go through the system that is in place as I passed my test back in '77' but wise enough to understand the power that it has, maybe there should be something in place for riders that hasn't ridden for some time,
the last bike I rode was about 12 yr ago and was a honda cb 500 having had a previous break of 3 yrs, I realised after two months that it was under powered with two on and wished I had gone bigger after having an old honda super dream 250 and I thought I would need get some practice so didn't go straight for the bigger bike, I have ridden the bike for 10 mins on my street and have got used to the throttle and biting of the clutch so feel confident to bring her on to the main streets now,
I was working in tadcaster and had to go on site up glasgow to work in a brewery, I was asked if I had drove a cargo 7.5 ton before, having never driven one I ended up doing half the journey both ways, I now end up being volunteered to drive one as my license says I can and young drivers have to take a test
something not quite right there
so I am licensed tax and insured and confident to go back to two wheels
I would never have ridden a bike but when I first came over here 10 years ago I had to learn as the transport provided was a motorbike.
Learning to ride has made me a much better, more observant and more considerate car driver. I think all car drivers should be made to do at least the CBT on a bike.
Must admit it scared me to death learning in Leeds in January in the ice and snow and traffic. I was under pressure as I only had a month to pass the test from never being on a bike before going abroad. (failed anyway
)
It took maybe 6 months after that before I felt confident enough with my ability, but now I love it.
Never really enjoyed driving cars, probably because I've always had rubbish cars, but even a rubbish bike is really great fun. The freedom and level of control just doesn't compare to a four-wheeled armchair.
I only have an old Honda 125 (the roads are not good enough for anything heavier/more powerful) but it's still fun just to go for a ride for the sake of it. (The weather also helps
)
I would recommend motorbikes to anyone, but make sure you get some good training! You can ride safely, it's mainly about looking after yourself. Motorbikes, like guns, are not dangerous on their own.
P.S. I also have driven 7.5 tonners despite no experience because it came with my car license in '84
