My missus says "ditch the bitch" and do what you want to do!

Mines never slapped a ban on me for any thing except spending all the cash and "wandering"

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Nostradamus Ate My Hamster

Toby

Its been a year since your original post, and you're still getting advice. Did you do your CBT and test? How did they go?

For what its worth, I had a wife who hated me having a bike - we negotiated and she ended up getting her own licence.

She hated me going off alone - we negotiated and she started travelling with me (a different experience).

She hated many other things I did/do - I asked what she had ever seen in me. I think she was one of those people who see a person as a blank canvas - "I could turn him into something I really like". As I was/am happy with what I am this grew tiring. Our marriage didn't last.

The present Mrs MarkE accepts me for what I am. I know there are things she doesn't like, but she is willing to accept them, and I am in the same position with her. I try to be diplomatic, but the only restrictions I accept or impose are (1) monogamy, (2) honesty and (3) no surprises. It works for us.

do it, mate, get your licence and go somewhere.
if you love it, if motorcycling's in your blood and heart then you'll know, and you'll want to do it forever.
if it's not in you, you'll know that too after a few rides, and guess what the answer is then?

others' opinions have no bearing on this. it's you, yours. if they want to share it, great. if they want to can it without knowing what it's about, different story.

one more thing: if it is in you, if you're a motorcyclist, then ride every time like you want to ride when you're seventy.

keep it upright! (except when cornering...)

andy.

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www.outforaspin.blogspot.com

I am now a happy and proud holder of a full motorcycle license. I did a three day DAS course and this morning I passed my practical at Pinner Test Centre with 2 minor faults.

Time to start looking through those motorcycle ads!!

Don't know if this thread is still running or being viewed, but just wanted to put in my two cents worth, (or 0.08 pence if you're a brit)

Sounds like the bikings in your blood, but I don't think anyone knows until after their first accident. Some stay on (if possible) and learn from it. Others give it up. Not for everyone I guess. Lot of good advice here for first time bikers, I just had advice for the Mrs.....

My experience,

Age 16.5 start biking (after 1st lesson - bought a bike, rode around on my learners permit, 2nd lesson - licence) of course my Mum hated it and said I should quit.

Age 18 started rock-climbing. Mum hated it said I should stick with the bike.

Age 20 started skydiving. Mum and girlfriend hated it and said I should stay with biking and rock-climbing.

Age 23 started B.A.S.E. jumping. Girlfriend left me, (well actually told me to choose, HA! bye bye) Mum, begged me to give it up and asked me when it would be enough.

I've now been travelling Europe, Russia and Asia for 4 years (working along the way). My Mum loves my bike and is proud of me, (although I miss B.A.S.E a lot) and has even seen me skydive a couple of times.

De-sensitize...... that's the key!

Keep the rubber side down bro, and join the the world of travel only truly experienced on 2 wheels.

Hi Camtracey,

Yep, I reckon they all get read by someone!

Nice post BTW - it all makes perfect sense to me.

Cheers,

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Dave

Now Kelly, she was dead set against riding motorcycles. Her first ride was, I'll say, quite an experience for her! After some thrilling straightaways and a few good hairpin turns, we finally got back to the house. I got off the bike and asked her how she enjoyed the ride? Before she could answer, of course, I had to uncuff her and pull the sock out of her mouth.

Congrats Toby - nice going!

From that badge thingie that you are showing with your name, it looks like you will be getting a Honda of some sort!

Keep trucking,

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Dave

Yes, I got a Honda CBF500 in the end, and I'm very happy with it. I have proudly put a Horizons Unlimited sticker on the top box but have yet to make it out of this country . Hoping to cross the channel for the first time come spring

so then, what ya gonna do?
if my girlfriend tried pulling something like that i'd quit my job, give up the lease on the flat and blow all my savings on a 12 month RTW trip..........

that was 2 years ago and i spent most of it in Oz. honestly was just the best move i could have made, definetly the best year of my life and i have not looked back since.

i'm 29 have been riding bikes for about 7 years and i will give you the same advice i gave a friend of mine. treat everything on the road as if its trying to kill you, look for clues (when filtering observe the direction of cars front wheels as it gives you an indication to their direction), never assume you have been seen until you make eye contact with the driver (until then keep a finger or foot hovering over the brake), make yourself seen, be 360 degree aware, being hit from behind is not your fault but thats no good if your hurt.

ask yourself questions constantly i.e. why are these cars slowing?
a shadowed section of road in winter could well equal ice (as the sun does not get to it), a drain mid corner in the wet could surprise you as could something as innocent as a crisp packet in the dry.
if you cant see the face in the wing mirror of the driver in front then he/she cant see you!
i nearly knocked a kid off his scooter a while back cos the idiot hid behind a car that was turning left, i couldn't see him and so pulled out - my fault, but he would get hurt.
most of what i've read here rings true, good kit costs! buy a brightly coloured helmet as that is the 1st thing people look at and a decent back protecter.
i like to think if the worst happens then at least i can say i could not have done more to protect myself.

read 'bike' magazine as there is many tips about staying upright, but from my experience the best teacher is yourself and riding bikes is a learning curve(you will become a better car driver).
as long as you learn you will make mistakes, its part of life.

i cannot recommend a track day enough. whatever bike you ride you will learn more about riding it in 1 day than ever before. it was only when i started doing these that i realised the importance of being smooth, theres more grip than i realised and its a whole lotta fun!

whatever we do has an element of risk to it, this is offset by the rewards that it offers. biking is all about freedom and for me this went hand in hand with finishing both my job and with my girlfriend. im not saying you should do the same but it sounds to me like you have an itch that need to be scratched?

Hey Mardathuna, welcome to the forum.

Some good advice in your post. I share your attitude that when riding, I treat everyone as oblivious / an idiot / dangerous threat, and I try to foresee any potential danger.

Yep, it's true. Still trying to reach a conclusion on that one.

You know why there is no website dedicated to Round The World Volvo drivers????

Cos this dude's missus is right! Come on guys, let's admit it and getit all off our shoulders.

Bikes are dangerous... that;s why I love em.

Add: a third world country where some people are battling to feed their kids + some political dissent + corruption + flexible road rules + "life is cheap" = Moto travel is a bit more dangerous than motorbikes.

That's why I love it.

But she's still right!!!!!

Now there's a thought! Grant should start that one.

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Dave

It not that dangerous get a paper from LA USA look at all that crime, killings, rape, kidnaping, people shot, run over. Thats LA some are in Hollywood and Disneyland.

Get all the crime reports for a week tell her about it, not where it is but just what happened and tell her you want to go there. She will freak then tell her you want to take her there she will think you have gone mad. Then tell her it gust LA and Hollywood but she is right Disneyland just dangerous for her.

Then there is the Brits.
Look at all the crime and killings in the UK and Ireland in the last 20 years. Bombings political unrest killings sounds like a vary dangerous place to me.

Yore not safe anyplace its all in your head.