40yrs since last on a bike, training needed

Craggrat

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Doncaster, Yorkshire, u.k.
Hi
I'm getting the urge to buy a f800gs and do some touring. I have a full license but I haven't been on a bike for 40yrs.
I don't want lessons as I've passed my test. I just need to get the feel of a modern bike and appreciate the power. Bikes have come a long way since I had my last Honda.
Is there any where in south Yorkshire that do experience days, or can you go on refresher courses. Ideally with the option to ride the bmwf650gs or bmwf800gs. As these are my ideal choice of bike.
Craggrat
 
A friend of mine - a senior observer for the IAM was given an "experienced rider" who, the same as you, came back into bikes after a very long time. He was on a Burgman 650. He was lethal, didn't have a clue about modern bikes in these modern conditions. So you are right to seek training. If you can't find any help on here (I would have thought a couple of guys could get together and help out maybe), contact your local bike IAM group - who should be able to come to your aid.

Good luck and welcome to modern bikes - you will be amazed at what they can do compared with early 70's stuff you were last on.
 
Craggrat said:
Hi
I'm getting the urge to buy a f800gs and do some touring. I have a full license but I haven't been on a bike for 40yrs.
I don't want lessons as I've passed my test. I just need to get the feel of a modern bike and appreciate the power. Bikes have come a long way since I had my last Honda.
Is there any where in south Yorkshire that do experience days, or can you go on refresher courses. Ideally with the option to ride the bmwf650gs or bmwf800gs. As these are my ideal choice of bike.
Craggrat
Click to expand...

PM Micky here

He has a load of contacts in Doncaster/Rotherham to sort you out on the training front
 
Cheers JB :thumb

Good morning Craggrat and welcome to UKGSer land ;)

I'm in Doncaster and ride an F800GS ... we'll not talk about Doncaster but the F800GS is a great 'bike. Over 70,000 miles on mine now and can't fault it.

We have a very good and active IAM group here in South Yorkshire, SAM meet every first Monday of the month at Treeton Miners Welfare, Rotherham. A great venue and a great team of lads'n lasses doing a superb job. I know ... I'm the Examiner :eek:

If the first Monday is a Bank Holiday then the meet goes back a week. Next meeting should be this next Monday 14th ... unfortunately I can't make it.

They also meet every Saturday morning at McDonalds, Meadowhall Retail, Sheffield, for rides out and training. Just turn up at one of the meets and introduce yourself. If you don't get a warm welcome then let me know ....

If the IAM is not your style, and I know a lot of folk who aren't too keen for various reasons, then you could do a lot worse than go to Andy Marper at Advanced Riding Techniques :thumb

I started the company in 1995 when I retired from the police and handed it over to the only guy I could trust when I wanted to concentrate more on trips and tours. Andy will take you from whatever level you are at now up to a possible police class one level. Training at its best :thumb

Hope this helps, don't hesitate to get back to me if I can help any further.

:beerjug:

PS ... if you subscribe £12.00 to UKGSer it enables you to send PM's (personal messages) buy and sell and opens up this excellent site no end ;)
 
You could always do a Bike Safe Course (usually 2 consecutive Sundays) 1 day in the classroom explaining the rules of the road/riding, then the next Sunday take you out on an observed run. I did one last year and found it really good. They are run by off duty Police riders and very informative (and entertaining with the Gloucester/Cheltenham lads)
This year i'm hoping to move up a level with IAM :thumb
 
In my opinion.:augie

You don't require Advanced training in any form after a 40 year lay off, you're virtually starting from scratch so need easing into basic bike handling skills off the main road before you even think of venturing out.

Then as you say, continue with a refresher course:thumb

Try to get a couple of thousand miles under your belt then think about Bikesafe etc.

IAM = :tosser
:D
 
Timolgra said:
In my opinion.:augie

You don't require Advanced training in any form after a 40 year lay off, you're virtually starting from scratch so need easing into basic bike handling skills off the main road before you even think of venturing out.

Then as you say, continue with a refresher course:thumb
Click to expand...
I think this sums it up.

I had a colleague in exactly the same situation. He swallowed his pride & went to a local trainer for a CBT, then out on the road as if he was a complete beginner - because, despite what his licence said, that's what he was.

He soon picked it up again, & came on a BikeSafe course at a later date
 
Timolgra said:
Sorry for your loss of sense of humour:P

So, you disagree with the main point of my post?:confused:
Click to expand...

No loss of humour Tim ... note the ;) and the :beerjug: :pullface

To a certain point I totally agree but the Sheffield IAM will get Craggrat on the road safely and before any bad habits emerge .... they're not all hi viz, Sam browns and sea boot socks over their boots ;)

Regarding your view if the IAM .... as a long standing member of the IAM, and as an Examiner .... I am firmly of the opinion that your view is, for the most, totally correct :thumb

There are a few exceptions though ...

:beerjug:
 
I was in a similar situation two years ago, I did a one hour training with a local training outfit then did an on road skills day at BMW in Wales. The advantage of this is that as well as getting great training, you will ride the bike you are hoping to buy. You can see whether you like it as well as learning how to ride it.

I then went on to buy a new 2010 R1200GSA as my first bike. I have just come back from riding it around Morocco with 7 other members of this forum. Why did I wait so long?
 
Micky said:
To a certain point I totally agree but the Sheffield IAM will get Craggrat on the road safely and before any bad habits emerge ....
Click to expand...

In all seriousness and with respect, if Micky says the Sheffield I AM is a good way forward for Craggrat then I agree:thumb:beerjug:it

Edit: Craggart should check his license to see if he still has full motorcycle entitlement!

If not then he'll need a CBT first, perhaps tailored to his needs :thumb
 
Timolgra said:
In all seriousness and with respect, if Micky says the Sheffield I AM is a good way forward for Craggrat then I agree:thumb:beerjug:it

Edit: Craggart should check his license to see if he still has full motorcycle entitlement!

If not then he'll need a CBT first, perhaps tailored to his needs :thumb
Click to expand...

Thanks for the vote of confidence there Tim :thumb

Good point re the licence ... one I'd not thought of :eek:

:beerjug:

Edit .... hope we aint scared Craggrat off
 
Timolgra said:
In my opinion.:augie

You don't require Advanced training in any form after a 40 year lay off, you're virtually starting from scratch so need easing into basic bike handling skills off the main road before you even think of venturing out.

Then as you say, continue with a refresher course:thumb

Try to get a couple of thousand miles under your belt then think about Bikesafe etc.
Click to expand...

Very sound advice. Whether you call it 'lessons' or 'training' , you need it ! Never be afraid to admit you might need assistance. Even if it meant doing your CBT again just for your own peace of mind.

I know three guys like yourself, all wanting to get back into biking after layoffs of decades. All bought big bikes and went for a ride - after all, they already had licences - NONE of them rode more than a few miles and all sold their bikes. Faster bikes, more traffic, less time to think at speed etc. Shame really.

Slowly, slowly catchee monkey. There are old bikers and bold bikers but ......

Take your time, do it right and welcome back to biking :thumb2

Dave
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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