Virgin Biker

My names Dan, a young 21year old who has always had the craving for a motorbike. But as us youngters well know our mothers dont share our passion, nor my Dad in fact.

This was partly due to his recklessness on motocross bikes(still have the 175cc Ktm in the garage). He broke most bones in his body but theres a story of breaking his collar bone the day before my uncles wedding! (he never did go to hospital). But i can understand my mum and dads disagreement with the idea as my uncle died 23 years ago on a motorbike as well as my cousin last year.

But although i contemplated the selfishness of owning one it was a must so i booked my DAS. With the DAS booked my Dad knew it was inevetable. He could see himself in me and knew what he was like 30 years ago on his 250s with my uncle- shorts, t-shirt, no helmet (but there’s less cars on the road then he said).

Straight down to LAMBA, we bought the whole gear- arai, gloves leathers etc, better to be safe then sorry. I also put a deposit on a SV650s K8 2008 (beautiful). So with everything bought it was just the theory and my test to get passed but with biking in my blood i hoped i would pick it up easily.

Day 1- My CBT I was bricking it. I was early but with 8 people waiting i felt like i was late. We had the 2hour talk 8am in the morning on a sat -1c i was frozen. After this and all the idiot proof talk i was on to my suzuki gn125.

I pulled up to the line in front (bloody hell motorbikes are responsive). After this i was onto figures of eight. I felt like the Daddy, i never had a problem with them, laughing as i saw the guy next to me put his feet down who was telling us all how hes ridden for years and has a fireblade (Bu****it).

Changing gear i was a bit ropey but smoothed the changes out pretty soon. Then after we mastered the emergency stop we were onto lunch to come back to a 2hour road ride. I couldnt feel my fingers nor my toes and i was thinking what the hell am i doing here but i perseveered.

1hour ride around the roads and we came back to change my partner for another rider. We went back out, it was all going well but then… I pulled up to a huge roundabout the trainer and other learner went across and my bike stalled. I hadn’t stalled it once so far and it happened then. Again it stalled and with my annoyance and embarassment i pulled into a garage pulling my front brake not thinking about the number 1 rule and almost dropped it in the corner. Over the radio i heard wheres DAN we got to go back i hope hes ok.

After all this i got through and with Fiona the other trainer telling me it was a good CBT (maybe to boost my confidence). I had experienced the first step and i loved it, sv650s here i come. Since then i passed my theory and just have to wait to take my practical next week after i overcome the gs500.