Monday 21st of October 2024

A couple of months ago I finally got round to doing something I’d wanted for a long time: to start the process of learning how to ride a motorbike. The first step was getting doing my Compulsory Basic Training, or CBT; this is a one-day course where they aim take you from absolute beginner to road-legal rider. There are a few limitations to that road-legal status, of course: you’re limited to a bike of 125cc and 14 horsepower, and you’re not allowed to carry a pillion passenger. You must also display L plates front and back, and you’re not allowed on motorways (not really an issue for me, as the nearest motorway is over 100 miles away).

me astride my motor steed

So, three weeks ago I did my CBT, and it only affirmed what I suspected: I absolutely love motorbike riding! As soon as I could, I got myself a little Yamaha YS125, and have done nearly 600 miles on it since then. It’s certainly no speed monster – I’m lucky to crack 60mph, and that’s going downhill; its claimed 70mph top speed appears to be wishful thinking. Most of the time the best I can do is 55, but that’s only really an issue on dual carriageways or larger, straighter A roads. The rest of the time I’m pottering around on country lanes where even 45mph is plenty, and that’s where the bike is perfectly happy.

my bike parked at the side of the road opposite a field of sheep

sunset clouds over a field, taken from the side of the road

late evening potato farming, another shot taken from the side of the road

I’ve loved almost every minute of it – the sense of freedom, and just the joy of the physical act of riding: going up and down the gears, leaning into bends, feeling the wind on my chest, even the smells, it’s a much more visceral experience compared to driving an equivalent car. You’ll note I said almost every minute – there have been the occasional less-than-fun times, primarily involving rain. I’ll be blunt, riding in the rain sucks: it’s hard to see properly, water gets in despite ‘waterproof’ clothing, and worst of all, the road is slippery. Slipping a bit in the rain in a car is not really a big deal; slipping on a bike can be fatal.

the bike parked outside the church in Walberswick

Last week I did my Motorcycle Theory Test in Norwich, about which I was very nervous, but nevertheless passed quite comfortably. On the way back it was raining, and due to the time it was also starting to get dark, practically the worst possible combination of conditions. I’d almost made it home when I hit the ‘jackpot’: a small patch of oil half way round a roundabout. The next thing I knew I was sliding along the road wondering what had happened, having ripped a hole in the knee of my waterproof trousers and bent the handlebars of my bike. I also somehow had a sore shoulder, but even now I’m still not sure how that happened.

So, in a sense I got lucky: my first crash was fairly minor, in the grand scheme of things, but it’s certainly knocked my confidence down a couple of notches. Since replacing the handlebars, a job that was actually easier than I’d expected based on some YouTube videos, I’ve been out on two rides, one a short ‘is everything working’ test, and the other a much longer 70 mile round trip up to a place called Bromholm Priory. In both cases I was extremely cautious, both because of nerves, and because the roads were still wet in places (and muddy in others).

the entrance to Bromholm Priory, which unfortunately is not open to the public

I yearn for dry weather, which is a little funny as only a month ago I was wishing it would rain more so I could give my new waterproof jacket a proper trial. I guess I win regardless of the weather?

Anyway. While doing my CBT, the fastest I ever got up to was about 45mph, and that felt fast, but, human nature being what it is, it didn’t take long after getting my own bike that I got somewhat used to the speed. It can still feel fast on narrow, twisty lanes, but in a straight line I’m very much craving more power, which leads into the next step in my motorbike journey: getting my full licence, which will, among other things, allow me to ride a bike of any engine power.

By the time I get my licence, I’ll be 44, so I’m not going to be riding like a lunatic no matter what bike I get. Something with enough power to cruise at 70mph without struggling is all I really need, which means a bike with around 40-50hp; a ‘middleweight’, in other words. I have a number of bikes in mind, foremost of which is currently a Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650; I had a sit on one at the dealership in Norwich and it was so comfortable – compared to the cramped leg position on my Yamaha, the feet-forward position on the Super Meteor felt much more relaxed. I’ve seen on a few video reviews that the bike’s rear suspension can be a little firm, so maybe that’s something that’ll need to be upgraded, but everything else about the bike seems like exactly what I want. And, it just looks cool, in a way that sports bikes never have to me.

Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650, in Astral Blue

So, getting training for the full A licence in the next big step, but in the meantime I’m of course going to keep riding my 125, at least when the weather is sufficiently clement. I love going places on it, being able to just pull over pretty much anywhere to take photos or have a snack. I also need to practice slow-speed manouvres and finer clutch and throttle control, something which makes up a significant part of the licence test. Of course, when I do the test it’ll be on a much bigger bike, but the balance skills and so forth will still be useful, and not just for the test.

This is still the beginning, but I’m so incredibly excited for what’s to come. My only regret is not doing this sooner!