To bike or not to bike?

Satur9 said:
Yeah, those are nice. Or I’ve been told. My boy has the sport, and I believe it’s an 850, and it rides freakin like a dream. His is in the spoiler.
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Yeah its called the 800, it's probably a better bet than the 900, it's a more modern design with better economy and more power than the 900.....
 
William Huggins said:
Yeah its called the 800, it's probably a better bet than the 900, it's a more modern design with better economy and more power than the 900.....
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Gotcha. Not a gearhead or anything, and can’t even remember all the specs on my own damn bikes. Just remember it felt great and was comfortable even after a few hours.
 
I had to do this ridefree course online today.

I was looking at the confirmation e-mail for my CBT tomorrow, so that I could get the address, and the information at the bottom that I had to do this mandatory dumbfuck course before going in.

Six modules, not too difficult, if it wasn't for the fact that my phone didn't display the submit button and my Chromebooks trackpad is the very definition of AIDS. It took me a hour of frantic searching to find a way forward to drag four answers into four boxes, including trying to find two mouse that I know exist somewhere in my flat, but we were unable to find. The missus helped, as I shouted and ranged in rage, but I was only able to proceed by doing some random shit that only worked a quarter of the time. Oh and slamming my fist into the trackpad every time I wanted to submit an answer and move on.

Honestly, I don't feel up to it anymore. I don't want to see anyone right now, I don't want to be a learner anything, I feel like shit physically, I hate being incased in my new helmet and I don't want to pay £80 a month for the only piece of shit garage that is nearest to me by a twelve minute walk, and for a vehicle that is high maintenance and completely optional, nor the insurance, which will probably surpass my car in terms of price.

I want to better my finances so that I can go back abroad this year, I'd like to have financial options when the hike in percentage in my mortgage payments go up, even to move somewhere potentially bigger and better, and I just want to are more money in my bank account in general. I also worry about injury, as I don't have any form of life or health insurance.

I'd love to go on a ride with Dad into Europe at least once, but this all feels like a financial distraction and a drain. I may just no-show the CBT, cancel the garage, forget about the wasted £450 on the CBT and protective clothing and just move on.
 
I used to ride went through a safety school which I reccomend. That being said through work I've delt with people who were killed by idiot drivers. Also years ago I had to for work reasons go to a local hospital where a group of riders were in the hospital due to a driver taking them out when she realized she was going g to miss her exit. Cut across 3 lanes to make the exit. 5 years after the Incident I was at a party for someone's retirement and I see this guy who's disabled. I didn't know the guy then to my surprise he was one of the injured from the group ride. In a walker barely had use of his legs. Right there I decided to never go near those things.
 
I'm not getting a motorcycle.

I attempted my CBT this morning in Walton-on-Thames and I was unprepared for how difficult I was going to find it.

I have Attention Deficit Disorder so I was finding it difficult to hold attention with my instructor, and as I am terrible when answering something on the spot in a conversation, I was giving really stupid answers. He was nice overall, but there was an underlying hint of sarcasm in his voice. Fair enough.

I found listening to simple processes quite difficult, even from getting on and off the bike, and it became an issue when I was actually starting to ride, as I kept stalling with the clutch. I got over this when setting off, but I kept stalling when stopping. What didn't help that we were using a sectioned off area in a leisure centre parking lot which was rather tiny, so I had to do and anticipate things quickly.

I also had issues with balance and the fact that I am a large man with very long legs and immobile ankles. The top of my right leg was killing me, around the waist. Add into this mental fatigue and frustration, and I lost all passion for riding.

I zoned out completely when my instructor was explaining engine braking and did a circuit through guesswork. I knew then that I was too pained, too unsure, too frustrated and too exhausted to go out on the road.

He went to the bathroom, I took my ill-fitting helmet and gloves off, made small-talk with the young Sikh fellow who was getting his moped licence, then when he came back, shook his hand, thanked him for his time, said that I was quitting and that motorcycling wasn't for me, then drove off.

Truth be told, I may be able to ride, but one morning in a tiny part of a car park isn't going to cut it. I need days of pressure-free piss-around time to get to grips with things and I just couldn't get it.

Oh well, £450 down the toilet, and I guess I can just save money for my future holidays from here on in.

Thank you all for your responses and support.
 
Always wanted to ride a motorbike but I simply have no time or energy for anything new in my life, between kids, work, sport…I am in the process of doing the opposite, i.e. cutting stuff and focusing on fewer things.

A motorbike is definitely something that would be high on my list if I could be fucked with lessons, paperwork, headaches, space, etc
 
Stoic1 said:
I rode for 5 years as my only transportation. No fucking way would I do that now - everyone staring at their phones.
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It‘s horrible I don‘t even trust sidewalks anymore with all the low lives texting while driving
 
Wrath of Foamy said:
I've bought the armour, the CBT and will be renting a garage next week. CBT will be done on the 18th.

£530 by the time I get it all.

I'm still torn on it, but I'm going to push through, at least until I get my full licence.

I'm kind of excited but it still feels like a waste of money. I have a car. I don't need a motorcycle at all, aside from a mild dream of going riding with my Dad and hiring a motorcycle on overseas trips.
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Do not say "armor" around most English Speakers in the world to describe soccer pads or motocross gear.
People will think you are a sheltered midwit and try to rip you off plus you sound like a try hard trying to sound tough.

I understand this is not the same (hopefully)
Where you live. Don't do it. Leathers, pads whatever do not say armor. When soccer fans call shin pads ...... Armor, they are near universally mocked. It's a piece of plastic meant to protect your shins from being kicked hard. It isn't stopping a bullet or sword
 
Stoic1 said:
I rode for 5 years as my only transportation. No fucking way would I do that now - everyone staring at their phones.
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They're not the problem, it's the stupid kids in BMW's doing balloons in traffic.......
 
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