If I may be Direct?

[sunnybrook]

Woohoo!

This week I've been doing my five-day Direct Access training, having started out on a Yamaha SR125 (tiny, loud, buzzy), then a Yamaha YBR125 (little and buzzy) then a scary at first Suzuki GS500 (ooh, power!). I was expecting to spend the remainder of the week on the GS, but I was upgraded to a much beefier Yamaha FZ6 because they felt that I had the greater potential to use that bike than my fellow trainee. I was actually the guinea pig for students using the FZ as the big bike, and apparently I acquitted myself very well.

Today, despite my nerves and the fact I was beginning to cook in my Goretex jacket - the overcast gloom of this morning turning into afternoon sun - I passed!

And truth be told, I've had a fantastic week. As soon as I've sorted out the insurance and VED for my AT, I'll be out and about and building some riding experience. I know all the roads around the test centre like the back of my hand now, it's just all the other roads to practice!

[nomad]

congratulations on passing

[xr_rob]

congrats matey great feeling aint it XD ride safe

[Raven]

Congratulations

[Robster]

Well done Rebecca, thats fantastic news And what a first bike to have...an AT! Respect

Where in Edinburgh are you? I'm from there originally...some lovely riding to be had to the South side down Peebles and Biggar way....no shortage of confidence building lanes.

Now you've passed your test young Jedi, you can start to learn to ride a bike!

[Whealie]

Tip top. Congrats
Wee Jack will be along shortly (everything he does is shortly) to point out that passing your test is only the like the first lesson in riding a bike. Take it easy and get a bit of confidence up and then join your local AIM group/do a Bikesafe day if the police there do one, and even think about Rospa training.
You'll be safer but actually know how to get much more out of the your bike and feel much more confident as a result.
I'd also recommend some off-roading as learning to stay upright and control the bike while sliding about can sometimes prove useful on the road too.

[sunnybrook]

Tip top. Congrats
...passing your test is only the first lesson in riding a bike. Take it easy and get a bit of confidence up and then join your local AIM group/do a Bikesafe day if the police there do one, and even think about Rospa training.

Oh absolutely, I've no plans to go straight out and test the limits of my new learning, much of which didn't exist last week! The training school I was at does advanced training towards the RoSPA award, and I've already been reading Motorcycle Roadcraft. I'm slightly annoyed that I have a three-day conference to go to down south, first thing next week, because I would really rather be on my own bike without too big a break. Fortunately, my bike isn't black, so I shan't be breaking any records in the process.

The offroading tip is one I hadn't really thought about until now. I have a bike that's up to the job, and I think it would be good to become comfortable putting my feet on the floor and controlling the bike when it's sliding around. I lost my nerve on my bicycle many years ago when the front wheel slid straight out on a corner, and it took me a long time to rebuild my earlier confidence (and my knee). Of course, if it's dry it's generally easy; when it's wet or muddy or gravelly it's a completely different game.

First things first though, I have to get my bike on the road!

[Dr Green]

Fortunately, my bike isn't black, so I shan't be breaking any records in the process.

Has nobody told you yet - the fastest colours are the RWB ones!!

Congratulations on passing your test and enjoy your riding.

[DaveS]

Well done on passing your test, as everyone has said now the learning begins....

[Palmer]

Nice 1!!

now have fun and take it easy