Cornelius

iTrader: (2)

Have been toying with the idea of doing something new, and came up with the idea of going in for a motorbike licence.

A friend has offered me his bike, a Yamaha FZR 600 Genisis, exactly like this one:



Basically, this is the original R6.

Have spoke to several people about this, half say don't do it because you'll kill yourself, and the other half say go for it.

My OH says she don't like bikes, but it's her polite way of saying "Don't funking do it"

I was going to do a 5 day course including the CBT, but have also been told that it's a VERY bad idea to do so then get on this bike straight off, which is capable of 150MPH.

It's going to cost £600 for the course, I've been offered the bike for £800 and it's £700 for insurance, then there's the leathers, boots, gloves, helmet and so on.
While I like the idea of a bike (Probably just a midlife crisis!!) the money could be spent on finally finishing the roadster and track prepping it.

The things that really put me off getting a bike is that I've seen and heard of a lot of accidents and fatalities, and will never forget as a kid seeing the aftermath of a car/bike accident where a car pulled out in front of a biker and the bike front wheel/forks were wedged in between the front wheel and wing of the car.
Not to mention the same friend with the bike falling off and writing off his brand new Hornet on a diesel spill on the Manorway, Corringham coming away from the refineries.

hummm, gues I've answered my own question there!! think I best stick with 4 wheeled transport!!

Sorry, had to get that off my chest

spally

iTrader: (1)

mate, at the end of the day do what you want. Yes in the wrong hads bikes are VERY dangerous.

My younger brother did similar to you, the week course then went and brought a brand new ZX636R. As long as you are sensible then there should be no worries, am thinking about getting myself a bike. Not sure though this year or next.

Cornelius

iTrader: (2)

To be honest, I really like the bike and thought about having it for a year then getting a brand new R6, but the thought scares me, so really, I haven't got the right frame of mind for bikes, it don't matter if it's a 125 or what ever, I still feel the same way

spally

iTrader: (1)

fair enough, if you feel uneasy before even getting on a bike...that is just asking for trouble.

yellowvanman

You must ride calm and relaxed, to be fully in control of a bike.

The moment you start getting nervous, you tense up, if only a little and that leads to poor bike control, and potentially big problems.

One of the main reasons i gave up riding, was that i started to become nervous, and I therefore a big part of the fun disappeared.
That after having done the Institute of Advanced Motorcyclist (IAM) training.

That said I did have years of huge fun riding bikes, both on and off road, and indeed many of my friends still do. The involvemnet and sensation of speed is something you just cannot get close to in a car. Flip flopping through Craner curves at Donnington, chasing Leon Haslam is an amazing feeeling.
(No i was never as quick as Leon Haslam, he was my instructor for the day, and most laps he was looking over his shoulder at me as we went down the curvers ).

Andy-C

I gave up riding after being take off twice, and ending up the wrong side of a storm drain the third time. On the third time, I was hospitalised for 10 days and in a wheelchair for 3 months, and -C`chelle had broken her foot (she was on the bike as well) and we both made the consious decision to refrain from riding, as we didn't want to orphan the kids.
As I like you Cornelius, I guess I'm saying stick to 4 wheels

scoobynewbie72

iTrader: (1)

Can I ask just how old you are and if you have rode bikes in the past,
If you havent and this really is the 1st time id be tempted to tell you to stick to 4 wheels sorry but there just moving organ donations to those that know what they are doing and have been doing it for a good few years,
Being really honest its the ***** on the road not the bikers 95% of the time, Car drivers who havent rode bikes just dont get it or see you most of the time,
Im not trying to pour salt on ur new hobby/toy but it has to be said your a lot safer with that metal shell around you.
hth
Brett
Ps Ive been riding bikes(offroad at 1st obviously) from the age of 9 and have lost a LOT of mates on bikes but still love that feeling but I do tend to greenlane now more then owt.

Cornelius

iTrader: (2)

I'm 32, and never rode a bike before, which is why it scares me a little, never been interested in bikes either, just fancied doing something new!

Thanks for the advice people, I won't be going the bike route, now heard too many horror stories!

Oh well time for a coffee and the Marlin Roadster is coming out of the garage

Diesel_DC

iTrader: (7)

Paul,

Use the money to get the kit car up and running, loads of potential fun there I'm guessing

Cornelius

iTrader: (2)

oh yes, 150BHP in a car weighing 1/2 ton AND rear wheel drive

Nate

iTrader: (2)

I think this is a piece of you Paul

VTEC to Turbo

I love the idea of bike but would never get one myself - A guy at work (very experienced/sensible rider) was taken out by a car pulling out in front of him and turning without indication!

Shattered his hip - broke loads of bones. Luckily he's fine - albeit with metal plates in his body and lots of operating scares! If he wasn't wearing his leathers he'd of died - they litterally held him together - this was a hot summers day.

He's one of the lucky ones - don't want to put a downer on things but you should weigh up all the issues with owning a bike.

Having said all that it didn't put him off - he got on his new bike as soon as he was fit to do so 3/4months later.

Cornelius

iTrader: (2)

You're right mate, have changed my mind, was stuck in traffic on the A127 earlier and a Ninja and a couple CBR's cut through the traffic, even got a wave from one of the CBR riders as I pulled over to let him through.
Scared isn't the right word really, it's only natural to be nervous at doing something new.

Also got a good quote of £300 fully comp on the FZR600R Genesis (to give it's correct name) which also helped.

Mrs spec'c'57

It's not necessarily the biker (although they can be fools at times) but most of the time it's the car drivers that don't see them and then pull out infront of them.
Below are pic's of a friend's bike and the Escort involved - The escort done a U-turn from a layby with out seeing the bike....Luckily he is still around to tell the tale .....only just .....

yellowvanman

Ouch, unfortunately that is an all too common story, hence all the TV ad's trying to get car drivers to be more aware. But the reallity is that this will continue to happen, cars are comfy, warm, quiet places, with the cd playing (well unless u own a scoob ), and people feel very safe in them, therefore concentration levels will be low.

From your pics I guess the Escort driver walked away, probably cursing that the bike 'came out of nowhere' and your friend left the scene in an ambulance?

Mrs spec'c'57

The car driver had no insurance and was driving on a provisional licence (he wasn't a youngster either) he got away with £250 Fine....

The bike rider was taken to hospital by ambulance and is still having operations now (3 years on) his right arm is paralised and is still in lots of pain.
His girlfriend who was on the back was taken by air ambulance and was unconcious and in Intensive Care for a month - she has also had to have lots of reconstructive Op's aswell as skin grafts.

spally

iTrader: (1)

OMG by the looks of that your friends are lucky to still be around.

£250 fine for f**king up 2 peoples lifes is an absolute farce!!!!

yellowvanman

£250 fine! I know whatever the punishment it does not make up for the pain / suffering incured, but that really is ridiculous.

No insurance as well . One of my closest pals son has only just been paid out following a near fatal bike accident, lost one arm and one leg at 23yrs old, driver was texting and came accross the road and hit him.
£1.5 million, but as he says, hardly makes up for and arm and leg!
The car driver, careless driving 6 points, not even a ban, can't remeber the fine but my pal was seething.

This whole thread started with Cornelious wondering about starting to ride a bike, well I think the answer is they are HUGE fun, bun there are equally HUGE risks.

For anyone thinking of starting biking, remember spend well on the very best protective clothing, doesn't make u invincible but does help. (Having seen a good friends hand without fingers due to 'cheap' gloves, I know. It still makes my stomach turn seeing people on bikes and scotters without gloves)
Get some advanced training, this definately does help, see link below. The EAMG are a good crowd, serious about safe biking and having fun. All the training is done by volunteers, and is brilliant.

Essex Advanced Motorcyclists' Group

Cornelius

iTrader: (2)

I do seriously take on everyones comments and I do appreciate all the advice given.

I really fancy having a bike now, and am fully aware of the risks involved, but there is a certain amount of risks everytime you go out on the road whether it's on a bike or car. Admittedly there is more of a risk with bikes because of people not paying the required attension to other road users and indeed the biker themselves. And there is more risk of serious injury as numerous people have said.
I don't intend on riding the bike everywhere, it'll be used as a "treat" after all, you can't really put a toolbox full of spanners on the back of it!

I'm not going out with the attitude of "it'll never happen to me" as that's just asking for trouble, and I will be buying decent riding gear as recommended

Thanks YVM, I will check the link out

yellowvanman

Paul,

without being personal what size waist, chest, hand, feet are you?

I have a whole host of top quality kit, all with CE marked armour, that I have been meaning to put up on ebay. pm me if interested.

Her at the back

you worried me with the title

Cornelius

iTrader: (2)

PM sent

Cornelius

iTrader: (2)

Bet I can guess what you thought

Nate

iTrader: (2)

Did that happen on the 'Avenue of remembrance' that goes to Canvey ?

If not, looks like a dead ringer for the road.

Milamber

iTrader: (2)

Paul, you really need to be riding it to build up the riding experience. If you only ever ride it twice a month in the summer then you'll be rusty every time you go out - not good.

I echo YVM's comments about equipment. With good equipment you walk away from this with no equipment you don't.

I don't want to put you off, if I could still ride I would.

Cornelius

iTrader: (2)

You have a very good point there, I won't be able to do the course for at least 2 months as I've used up my holiday entitlement, so that would be early November at the earliest. Also, where I work by the refineries at Coryton, the road is dangerous, ie diesel spills and very treacherous in the wet, just don't want to take uneccesary risks.

YVM has some good quality gear I'm considering at the mo, his 2 piece is very practical, but I would prefer a 1 piece, but as yet haven't made my mind up. Also YVM is selling back proctection, which I definately want after hearing about a biker stopped at traffic lights and a car hit him, and landed on the bonnet damaging his back

Mrs spec'c'57

Yeah it did, Canvey way was shut all day on a Saturday - you can imagine the chaos!!

About time they just put a crash barrier down the middle of the road - it would stop people overtaking and doing U turns!!!

SirFozzalot

Here is my mates bike:

DUCATI 749

spally

iTrader: (1)

no car or bike cannot beat the sound of a ducati IMO :

yellowvanman

That's unless your nextdoor neighbour has a 851 with race pipes and leaves for work at 5.00am every morning!