Bought my first bike:D

DonkeyRhubarb

So I finally got my bike!!! Dead chuffed. Got a nice 07 Yahama YBR 125. Shes a real beauty.

I have two questions...

How the hell do I turn off the lights??? There is a switch to change from dipped to full, but I cant find an off switch!

Also, how do the gears work on this bike. Bear in mind Im a complete beginner. My neighbour had an old Honda and his gears were 1 down and 4 up. How do I know what it is on this bike?

Thanks all for any insight!:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D(NEW BIKE):D:D:D:D:D:D

The Doktor

You cant turn off lights on new bikes. EU directive or somthin.
I would imagine its 1 down 3 or 4 up...
Have a read of your manual, it will tell ye all there.
Best of luck with it.

MargeS

DonkeyRhubarb wrote: »

Also, how do the gears work on this bike. Bear in mind Im a complete beginner. My neighbour had an old Honda and his gears were 1 down and 4 up. How do I know what it is on this bike?

I'm not being smart.....but lessons might be a good start. They'll teach ya all that stuff.

DonkeyRhubarb

Oh don't worry, Ill be getting lessons really really soon, it's just for me to know really. I wanna take it around the block just to get a feel for it.

Anyway, Id say its 1 down 4 up. Heres a question...

Why couldnt they just make it 5 up and 5 down to keep things simpler??? Im sure theres a good reason, but what is it?

Pigeon Reaper

If neutral is on the bottom people go into it when looking for first and end up coasting. This is why it's one down four/five up. In the current position you actually have to look for neutral avoiding this problem. Get some lessons before going around the block. It's too easy to drop a bike on the first go all it takes it touching the front brake while turning. It would be a shame to damage a brand new bike in that way.

DonkeyRhubarb

Thanks for the advice Pigeon.

Can anyone recommend a good bike school in the Raheny area? Previous experience with them would be great.

Niall06

Good choice of bike as first bike, best of luck with it.
Give David Lyons a call for lessons, 087-2242868.
Did my pretest with him and he is very good.

Take your time and be very careful and enjoy:D

DonkeyRhubarb

I rang that david lyons guy on that number. Got through to a guy called dave alright, but he didnt know anything about lessons???

mikemac

Niall06 wrote: »

Good choice of bike as first bike, best of luck with it.
Give David Lyons a call for lessons, 087-2242868.
Did my pretest with him and he is very good.

Take your time and be very careful and enjoy:D

DonkeyRhubarb wrote: »

I rang that david lyons guy on that number. Got through to a guy called dave alright, but he didnt know anything about lessons???

I think Niall searched his mobile for Dave and gave you the wrong Dave.
It's on this website and I've lessons with him and the number matches.
http://www.motorbiketraining.net/

Niall, hang your head in shame!

Niall06

Opps sorry about that, correct number is 087-2988499.

DonkeyRhubarb

Im waiting for a call back from david lyons, left a message.

I also rang MSA Ireland. My GOD its expensive. I know lots of people will say you cant put a price on safety, but I simply dont have 560 euro for a two day course

MargeS

DonkeyRhubarb wrote: »

Heres a question...

Why couldnt they just make it 5 up and 5 down to keep things simpler??? Im sure theres a good reason, but what is it?

you should read up on sequential gear boxes. Might give you a more of an idea.

DonkeyRhubarb

Was talking to David Lyons ther ethis evening. Does a 6 hour beginners course that costs 340 euro. I was initially suprised at how much everyone was charging but then it KINDA made sense.

When getting lessons for my car, I paid ~40 ph. If you get 6 hours of motorbike lessons, it works out a bit more, but theres less competition on the market.

he seems like a nice guy and comes highly recommended so if Im to give my money to anyone, its gonna be him. Its just a lot of money though. 340 for anything when your in college and working part time is hard, not to mention if your paying off a bike AND a car.

Ah well, I wouldnt get rid of either for anything. Thanks again for all your help. Its got me from thinking of getting a bike, to what sort of bike, to getting lessong on that bike.

THANK YOU ALL:D

Steffano2002

Niall06 wrote: »

Good choice of bike as first bike, best of luck with it.
Give David Lyons a call for lessons, 087-2242868.
Did my pretest with him and he is very good.

Take your time and be very careful and enjoy:D

QFT

Also did a pre-test course with David. He's awesome! Give him a bell on 087 2988 499 (number on website) or visit his website.

DonkeyRhubarb

OK, so Ive rang a few places and Im gonna be spending 300 minimum. Thats just how it is.

But again, if Im giving my money to anyone to anyone, its him.

So here's my next Q.

(Try to ignore the 'you cant put a price on safety' q)

I have a full car licence, am well used to the road in all sorts of traffic. I can drive my bike. Im very conscious of how dangerous a bike can be if your not ALERT.

Will I get €340 benefit out of lessons?

L-M

I bought my first bike in August. When i came home from work i just hopped on it and drove. Three days later i drove a 45 mile journey, including country roads and dual carrage ways... In the first two months i did 2300 kms. Just be careful. be very careful

Idleater

DonkeyRhubarb wrote: »

(Try to ignore the 'you cant put a price on safety' q)

Will I get €340 benefit out of lessons?

In short yes.
that €340 will be the best 340 you spend this side of christmas.

It is crucial, because bikers are so vulnerable on the roads, to get a good grounding. if you start off wrong, you will end up in trouble.

I spent money on lessons for the test, but I then having passed the test spent the 560 with the MSA for the 2 day course, and did the RoSPA advanced test. I also have done the bikesafe course with the Gardai, and I will be doing a refresher day course next spring because I will have to sit the RoSPA test again during the summer.

Safety is not something you can put a price on, and you will gain so much understanding from it, you will enjoy the bike all the more. Even on a miserable rainy day like today.

Good luck with the training, and hope you get along nicely.

Hotblack Desiato

nereid wrote: »

It is crucial, because bikers are so vulnerable on the roads, to get a good grounding. if you start off wrong, you will end up in trouble.

Exactly. When I think of some of the things I got into without even knowing... e.g. clutch on my first bike was dragging like hell when I got it, first time on the road approaching a stop sign I pulled in the clutch, hit the brakes but forgot to release the throttle - there was still enough drive to bring me out of control through the crossroads and up onto the kerb on the other side :eek: - no harm done but I could have been killed, because of inexperience and a fault with the bike I didn't even know was there.

You just cannot put a price on getting a good grounding that strongly increases your chances of staying alive in one piece.

I would get a few quotes of www.irishridertraining.com instructors too. They are very highly qualified and generally a bit cheaper.

Safety is not something you can put a price on, and you will gain so much understanding from it, you will enjoy the bike all the more. Even on a miserable rainy day like today.

QFT.

Limerick-man wrote:

I bought my first bike in August. When i came home from work i just hopped on it and drove.

That is just crazy. It's no wonder the bike fatality rate is as high as it is. Nobody should do that for ANY vehicle, but especially a bike.

OP - not being smart here but you should have got a handbook with your bike, read it cover to cover a few times before you even think about riding it.

Tellox

DonkeyRhubarb wrote: »

I have a full car licence, am well used to the road in all sorts of traffic. I can drive my bike. Im very conscious of how dangerous a bike can be if your not ALERT.

Will I get €340 benefit out of lessons?

Dont go out on the road with that attitude - I drove for months just enforcing bad habits before I got lessons. Theres a lot of new things youre going to have to learn (such as the lifesaver) as far as observation is concerned - you've got a lot more blind spots on a bike.

Oh yeah, and dont cheap out on your gear

Hotblack Desiato

Tellox wrote: »

as far as observation is concerned - you've got a lot more blind spots on a bike.

Actually you have a better view on the bike, you just have to take advantage of it. When I'm in the car I'm very bothered by the A-pillars and have to move my head to see around them - of course car drivers with no bike experience probably wouldn't bother, or bother to do a shoulder check when changing lane.

Bike mirrors generally don't give the same coverage as car ones, but cars do have a lot of blind spots, and car drivers relying on mirrors alone cause a lot of accidents.

Pigeon Reaper

You'll get more than €340 worth of benefit out of it. Also just check out medical costs there days. Seriously you'll be able to ride faster, smoother, and safer with the training.