Keep me alive!!

[greenhorn]

Hi all. Am a very new rider with a full license but stuck with a Varadero 125 to keep learning as prior to my test last september I had 20 hours on a bike.

I am trying to improve my riding and have a couple of questions....

1. I am on a restricted license so aim to change to a bigger bike in sept 11, I am considering some form of advance tuition. Would it be better to do it on my 125 or as soon as I have the new bike?

2. Turbulence.... I didn't hit much speed on my test/course. I am trying to get my Vara up to 70 with some shortish motorway runs and there is a fair bit of turbulence at 70 which i find disconcerting. Is it something I will just get used to or would a bigger screen help. Is this something a bigger bike would improve?

Thanks in advance.

[alpslapper]

Hiya greenhorn - congrats on passing your test and getting out on the road

My thoughts would be:

Bigger screen might help - might be worth posting in the Vara forum as I know some people here have a 125 Varadero.

Do a bikesafe day while you're waiting for september. They're cheap and you get tons of advice on your riding and hints for improvements. Find a place local to you and go for it.

Definately do some form of advanced training - it will transform your riding, make you safer and you'll enjoy every day on the bike so much more.


Finally, do a bit of gentle off roading to start with. It's dirty sweaty and the most fun you'll have on a bike with your clothes on . It's a great confidence builder for riding on the road.

Keep an eye out in the rideouts section for xrv organised offroad rides. There's always someone organising something offroad related here

Track days - worth considering when you have a bigger bike. Again, great for learning how your bike handles at speed and cornering all in a relatively safe environment.

Some links

http://www.bikesafe.co.uk/

http://www.iam.org.uk/

http://www.roadar.org/riders/index.htm

http://ww1.honda.co.uk/offRoadExperience/index.html

http://www.motorcyclefolly.co.uk/information.htm


And finally, there's no substitute for simply getting out there and riding

[pale rider]

Hya Greenhorn
I think it shows a commendable attitude you taking things gradually before you take to a bigger bike....it demonstrates a responsible outlook and serious approach to improving your riding skills and your own level of safety....that very approaoch hopefully should keep you safe mate... you hear so many stories of young people fatally injuring themselves only miles from the shop where they bought the bike because they were seduced into something they lacked the skill to properly control...it doesn't really do the rest of us bikers any favours in terms of good press...it's good to see someone showing self-control from the off.. well done that man

[James691]

Hello Greenhorn,

I have the Vara XL1000, in reply to your questions.

Advanced training : A bike safe day is always good and you will improve your lines and riding as well as road craft awarness. I would suggest getting in a local club. Join in on ride outs and you will see how others take a bend or treat a junction. You can speak to people about things that bother you. One thing all bikers love is talking about bikes.

If you have a Honda then look up your local HOC (Honda Owner Group), join in on the ride outs that are on this site for you. Do not think you need to be an ace before you go on a ride out, there is safety in a pack and no one will have an issue with your abilty level. We all started at the same place.

Ask questions and let people know your abilty or concerns and the pack will look out for you.

Turbulance - Yeah, you get that as a biker, a larger screen will help but depends on your height a great deal. Learning to deal with choppy winds is all part of riding and how much you and the bike will take. Going past large trucks and so on may take your breath away at first but once you get the feel of riding in the wind you will be more confident about it. Right now you may feel like you are going to be blown right off the bike or road.

Again riding in a group will help you as the lead riders will know the speed and pitch to take and you can copy and FEEL what it is you are looking for in the conditions.

Welcome to the world of biking

James691

[sadpsych]

Hi greenhorn

Started out on a baby v last year, also had the turbulence problem with the standard screen so splashed out on the taller version. (Had to have a Givi one as honda didn't supply for the 07 at the time,don't know if thats changed) with the original screen got the wind blast to the chest, but with the taller one it was right into my face, anything over 50 and my head was jiggling about like a jiggly thing, unbelievebly bad and unbearable. (by the way i'm 6ft in my stocking feet).

Went back to the standard screen and whilst the wind blast in the chest was noticible the old girl could still throw me down the local dual carriage way at 70 on the way to work. Ok on the way back (Up the hill) i could manage 55, just!

So suppose the moral of this story is big screen might be better or it might be worse, you wont know until you try. By the by got the touring screen on my TA, initially a bit buffety round the old head but fitted an aerotrim, available from your local branch of fleabay, and that seems to have sorted things, might work on the baby V too. good luck and happy riding.

[BobA]

Hello Greenhorn


You're starting out with the right attitude, and that goes a long way to keeping you safe.

I completely agree with doing a Bikesafe day, or joining riders in your area, but one thing I would say is, whilst following anyone and improving your technique, ride within your limits NOT theirs. Any responsible biker that you ride with should completely understand if you start to disappear in their mirrors, and should adjust their speed accordingly.

Take your time, enjoy it, and get used to a bit of buffeting (a bigger screen will help a bit with this)


Bob

[Whealie]

Any responsible biker that you ride with should completely understand if you start to disappear in their mirrors, and should adjust their speed accordingly.

Or at least stop very now and then wand wait for you.

Agree with everyone else though, especially on the Bikesafe day.

[donkster]

I'd recommend Rospa - been riding 16 years, but did the Rospa thing this last 12 months - completely changed my riding, and I can get places quicker by going slower and safer. Wish I had done that when i first started rather than getting faster and faster bikes and getting knocked off all the time!

[greenhorn]

Thanks all, some good advice. Am in Lancashire and there is no ROSPA But not worry, I will maybe try Cumbria and enjoy a bit of scenery!