nematode

I am fairly sure that the main problem is just that I've got on a bike having passed a one day very basic test and developed a riding style which is not what it should be. Fortunately, it should be relatively easy for me to make changes when my book arrives as it's not too deeply programmed. Thanks again guys.

Sorry about the slow reply! I've ordered Twist and it should be on it's way shortly!

I've been riding a bike nearly daily for over a year now, it's not powerful or anything but it's still great fun. I have a slight problem, I'm pretty easy on the leaning which I think stems from my bike once slipping out from under me on an icy day. I only mention this because I got thinking about when I went to a bike show recently and got on some mini-moto style bikes. As it seemed like a whole new ball game, I was leaning the thing on it's side, dragging the knee/shin guards along the floor. I think I felt so confident to really get it down because it was so low to the ground, not very quick, the surface was smooth and there was no traffic. When I got back on my bike the next day, I noticed I was barely leaning whilst making turns, often having to drop massive amounts of speed to even negotiate a turn. I know it's possible, I just can't make myself lean! As I have only taken a one day CBT course, I have never had chance to be in a proper environment learning about how a motorcycle behaves so I have adapted to this upright style and I fear it may impact upon my riding if I can't somehow teach myself to relax a little. So folks, where should I start? Thanks for your help, Rufio

I've got to admit, once in the snow was enough! I ride a Yamaha YB100, it's nothing powerful but it was free and a great project to get myself into bike mechanics. Also I'm getting about 100 miles from £7-8 of fuel (about $10 I think) and paying £20 a year road tax, it's the ultimate in low-cost riding. With 125s, most people in Britain go for the commuter style ones but I've seen kids younger than me nearly wipe themselves out on some pretty quick 125 supermotos.

I'm a bit of a lurker so I'm gonna say hi too. My name is Steve, I'm 19 years old, I'm from the UK and I've been riding for about a year. Of course, at my age I'm limited to 125cc but am looking into lessons to get me onto a full license sometime after christmas. I've racked up 5,000 miles since September '07 just riding to work and odd journies elsewhere as my bike is my only form of transport. I also tend to ride in any weather for that reason, including snow (very scary, never again). But at least when I go to my bike shop I can feel a bit better when fair weather bikers say "Wouldn't want to ride in that!".

I assumed that when coming out of a slide it would be better to either ease off gently or not to ease off to allow the rear wheel to slow down to normal gradually where snatching the throttle off would cause sudden grip and a high side. Having never experienced it I cannot say for sure.

http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y100/Oper...nt=DSC00892.jpg Soft suspension, 8.6hp, who could ask for more? (posted a link so as not to kill slow connections)

That's brilliant Andy, cleared up the murky rules that are on the DVLA site about what you can ride and when!

I thought so long as the bike was kept off public highways, you could race anything. Also, Cal Crutchlow (BSB rider) was riding a GSX-R 600 at 16 in Junior Superstock I think.

Cobie: Thank you for the advice. I'll have a look at getting the books first! Andy: Thank you, I'll be sure to book in once I've done the test and got my bike restricted. Thanks again, Rufio

Hi everyone, I'm here to ask a question and having browsed the forum and seen the helpful and friendly advice being administered, I'm sure you'll be able to help! I'm currently 19 years old and riding an old Yamaha YB100 (with an astonishing 8.6hp) daily but I am looking to pass my full test and progress. Unfortunately (and please correct me if I'm wrong!), the law states that even if I pass my full test, I'm limited to 33hp until my 21st birthday. If I were to pass my full test before my 21st birthday, would there be any point in me attending the school? I understand that it is not a track day and speed is not everything but I could understand there being some insurance issues or something like that. The reason I ask is that I have a little bit of the common "cornering phobia". And I can put it down to one of three spills (and the only one that could be seen as my fault, promise!). It was an icy morning and I was going down the same road I commute down every morning. It is never gritted and I had a few slips and slides which I had corrected by pure luck before. As I approached the corner, indicate, shoulder check, turn in, slam. It was only at around 10mph, as I was turning a right hand 90 degree turn but it damaged my jacket and my footpegs on my lovingly restored bike. I have never really recovered from that and fear leaning the bike as I always feel like it's going to slip out from under me again. It seems to take some of the fun out of riding for me. The reason I come to tell my life story (sorry about the waffle) is that I saw a Cagiva Mito (125) on a roundabout I routinely use last Sunday. He had his knee down which though silly on a public 30mph road, really showed how much grip and lean angle could be obtained on the roads. Sorry to waffle on, and thanks in advance! Rufio