 |
23 Oct 2013
|
 |
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Newcastle, Staffordshire
Posts: 7
|
|
Hi from the UK - and help..!
Hello everyone,
At the age of 56 I decided it was time to get on the road again. Thought a motorbike would be good. Bought an old CG125. Many things fell off. Replaced things, including kick-start lever... Learned to drain a carburetor, etc. Practiced slow control in local car-park. Many times. Set off one sunny morning, let go of the clutch too quickly. Hit neighbour's pick up truck. Fell off. Lots of blood on leg. Scary neighbour shouting at me. Insurance claim. Got on again next day. Drove round car-park. Bike stalled. Pushed it home (limping..). Went to Manchester to look at nice new scooters. Wondering about whether I can get there (on the road) from here (terrified of combination of UK traffic and co-ordinating bike controls at same time). Getting sad looks from bikers when I mention scooters. Feel like a failure.. Anyone else been here...?
|
23 Oct 2013
|
 |
Contributing Member
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: portugal
Posts: 75
|
|
hang in there! practice is all.keep using the cg while you fall off - and you will fall off while you are getting the hang off it but it will all be worth it eventually 
as for rufty tufty biker looking down on scooters - f**k 'em! I've been riding bikes for 40 years, a bike mechanic for as long ,had hundreds of bikes and now, I ride a scooter!
|
23 Oct 2013
|
|
Contributing Member
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Sunny Long Eaton
Posts: 23
|
|
Hi longtallsally, welcome to the HUBB 
I am new here too and new to motorbiking - I do my CBT next week and have my heart set on CG125 (hopefully with less falling off bits than yours!).
Not sure if you have previous motorbike experience or not from your post, but have you done your CBT? That should give you the basics to be able to control the bike plus you go out on the road with an instructor for at least 2 hours. Or if previously done a CBT or have a bike licence etc then you could see about either a few hourly or maybe a days lesson to get you up to speed and get your confidence back?
Personally I don't think it matters what you decide to ride - do whatever feels more comfortable/safe to you. I know there are quite a few scooter riders on the forum ( Scootergal is one that springs to mind).
Good on you for getting back up and getting back on, I look forward to hearing about your progress 
|
23 Oct 2013
|
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 4,343
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by longtallsally
Hello everyone,
At the age of 56
|
You're only 56!! A mere youngster!
Just do it as the advertisement says.
__________________
Dave
|
23 Oct 2013
|
|
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Newcastle, Staffordshire
Posts: 7
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by bikerz
as for rufty tufty biker looking down on scooters - f**k 'em! I've been riding bikes for 40 years, a bike mechanic for as long ,had hundreds of bikes and now, I ride a scooter!
|
Thank you bikerz. Your words were just what I needed to hear. My current hero is Ed March, the bloke who's ridden his C90 to the Arctic Circle among other places. I love the simplicity of it. Wahey!
|
23 Oct 2013
|
|
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Newcastle, Staffordshire
Posts: 7
|
|
|
Thanks for your post optimisery (love the name..). I did my CBT in the summer and my instructor (an astute man) decided that it might be a good idea if I did my road test on a scooter, having watched me struggle with a bike for half an hour. So I went out on the scooter and I loved it. Perfectly happy and it was only a 50cc. I think that's a moped - but I loved it! I felt like I could have ridden it for hours, numb bum or not. I wish you the best of luck with your riding and if you don't mind a tip from a complete greenhorn, make sure your CG is a bit newer than mine (20 years old)!
|
23 Oct 2013
|
|
Contributing Member
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Sunny Long Eaton
Posts: 23
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by longtallsally
I wish you the best of luck with your riding and if you don't mind a tip from a complete greenhorn, make sure your CG is a bit newer than mine (20 years old)!
|
Thanks longtallsally Though I've been eyeing up the older ones cause they look so much better
Sounds like an automatic scooter may be the way to go for you, for the time being anyways..
If you like the Ed March stories then here are a few links for you that maybe of interest, if you haven't already seen them:
Scooters Ride The World
UK To Mongolia on cheap Chinese C90 copies by the Gobi Girls ( Also HUBB members)
Postie Notes
The Gobi Girls & Scootergal ride Australia soon on Honda Ct110's
RTW on Underbones
Day by day account of a Round The World Trip again on cheap Chinese C90 copies - its quite a read ( I'm still only on page 10!)
Our paths may cross at some point as I am often down Manchester way - I'm from Rochdale & mum still lives there.
Best of Luck!
|
23 Oct 2013
|
|
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Bermuda
Posts: 163
|
|
|
An automatic 'twist-and-go' 50cc scooter is a good way to start out. My daughter wanted a bike but was very timid, so we got her an under-powered 50cc scooter and I taught her how to ride that so that she could get a basic bike licence. She has been riding that bike daily for about a year now, and has decided that she's ready to step up. She wants a bike with gears (non-scooter) so we are working on upgrading her skills and getting her another bike.
With a low-powered automatic scooter, you can concentrate more on the basic riding skills until you build up confidence. Once you've got a grip on the basics of motorcycling, you can take on the additional skills that come with more powerful engines and manual gear changes.
Good luck and enjoy!
__________________
2014 overland adventure to Russia and Central Asia in Land Rover Defender www.bermudarover.com
|
24 Oct 2013
|
|
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Newcastle, Staffordshire
Posts: 7
|
|
|
Thanks for the links Optimisery. I've started reading RTW on Underbones (what is an underbones...?). I'm assuming he means a scooter. I'm already hooked on the story so I'll continue reading. Also the other links. For those of us who can't yet do, we can read about other people doing, and it's keeping me going. I agree with you about old CG's - that's why I bought one - and also because they're cheap.. I'm sure I'll feel better about it once the Spring rolls around and I can start interfering with it again. I don't want to give up just yet, but I'm thinking of perhaps getting a scooter while I go on learning to ride the bike. That way at least I can get off the car-park. If you're ever heading South, let me know and I can introduce you to my CG. Who knows, by then you may have your own!
|
24 Oct 2013
|
|
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Newcastle, Staffordshire
Posts: 7
|
|
|
Thanks Bermuda Rover. My thoughts exactly. At least on a scooter I can get used to the traffic (Fear no. 1) and slowly get to grips with the gears/clutch (Fear no. 2). Either way, I'm determined to get out on two wheels and if it ends up being a scooter, I feel much better about it now I've had such a nice response from the HU crowd.
|
25 Oct 2013
|
|
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
|
|
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 11
|
|
|
Hello LTS .. Just being on two wheels is one of the most liberating things anyone can do.. what every you ride how every you ride it ..
|
25 Oct 2013
|
|
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
|
|
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 11
|
|
|
That should be "ever" !! typo !!
|
27 Oct 2013
|
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Emerald Queensland Australia
Posts: 251
|
|
I have noticed a bit here in Australia ,that a lot of older folk are buying scooters,the lower centre of gravity is a big help for those who lack upper body strength.Any how that aside they are very comfortable bikes to do distance on.
saying that i'm referring to the larger scooters 400cc and up.Iv'e been riding for 35 years ,so give your self time to build your skills they do not happen over night
best of luck ,Noel
|
28 Oct 2013
|
 |
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Dunedin, NZ
Posts: 308
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by longtallsally
At the age of 56 I decided it was time to get on the road again. Thought a motorbike would be good. Bought an old CG125.
|
Hi LTS
The CG is a great bike and I would stick with it if that's what you imagine travelling on (or bigger). If you haven't been riding since you did the CBT, it may be worth contacting the training centre to have a refresher day. Some trainers also offer private training & will gladly take you out.
I've been riding for 3 decades (a CG125 was my 1st bike) - you never stop learning & we all make mistakes, no matter how long we've been riding 
Make sure you've got the protective gear on & hopefully the only thing you'll injure is your pride. Get back on and laugh it off 
__________________
 Elaine
Striving to live the ordinary life in a non ordinary way
|
29 Oct 2013
|
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Perth West Australia
Posts: 152
|
|
56, just a wee bit older than me. I'm off on Alaska to Argentina next year, just back this year from another one elsewhere You're never too old until your dead Scooter, why not, they have some pretty quick ones as well. bike is better though
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...
2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.
"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)
Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.
Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.
Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!
What others say about HU...
"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia
"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK
"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia
"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA
"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada
"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa
"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia
"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany
Lots more comments here!
Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook
"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.
Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!
New to Horizons Unlimited?
New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!
Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.
Read more about Grant & Susan's story
Membership - help keep us going!
Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.
You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.
|
|
|
helps answer the question - Why Go? Inspirational stories by veteran travellers Greg Frazier (5 times RTW), Peter and Kay Forwood (193 countries), Tiffany Coates (Mongolia Mayhem) and Rene Cormier (University of Gravel Roads).
Get Ready! covers planning, paperwork, medical and many other topics! "Inspirational and Awesome!" See the trailer here!
What stuff do I need - riding gear, clothing, camping gear, first aid kit, tires, maps and GPS? What don't I need? How do I pack it all in? Lots of opinions from over 150 travellers!
break down language barriers, overcome culture shock, ship the bike and deal with breakdowns and emergencies."Just makes me want to pack up and go!" See the trailer here!
Grant demystifies the black art of Tire Changing and Repair to help you STAY on the road! "Very informative and practical." See the trailer here!
Ladies on the Loose! For the first time ever, a motorcycle travel DVD made for women, by women! These intrepid women share their tips to help you plan your own motorcycle adventure. They also answer the women-only questions, and entertain you with amazing tales from the road! Presented by Lois Pryce, veteran solo traveller through South America and Africa and author of 'Lois on the Loose', and 'Red Tape and White Knuckles.'
Cotton or synth sweat-wicking t-shirts with the cool Horizons Unlimited graphic on the front and a snappy slogan (changing every year) on the back.
Show your route on your panniers. Great conversation starter when you meet people on the road!
Motorcycle and travel books to inspire and inform you!
The definitive guide to planning your motorcycle adventure! This insanely ambitious 2-year project has produced an informative and entertaining 5-part, 18 hour video series. "The ultimate round the world rider's how-to!" MCN UK.
Hi from the UK - and help..!
Linear Mode
