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#1
7th February 2010, 09:30 PM
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Another One
Greetings All
Have been snooping around this site for a while keeping a low profile. Have always had a big interest in bikes - but never hands on. Anyway about to change that - had a significant birthday late last year and with the encouragement of the missus going to take the plunge - probably a mid life crisis but hopefully not  Doing the theory test next weekend in Naas then going to get the bit of paper and do some training before I'm happy that I can and want to ride a bike. Living in west dublin so any recommendations for training would be welcomed - have been recommended a chap in Trim - has trained a few people I know 
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#2
7th February 2010, 09:56 PM
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Re: Another One
Originally Posted by josh1959
Welcome to  plenty of lads on here can help you. search the threads lots of info on it
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#3
7th February 2010, 09:57 PM
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Re: Another One
Hi and welcome to
Don't forget to vote for Kev, it's for a very good cause! http://www.gumtree-winsomewheels.com...try.php?id=988
__________________
This isn't flying, this is falling.....with style!
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#4
7th February 2010, 10:00 PM
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Re: Another One
Welcome & good luck with the quest
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#6
7th February 2010, 10:26 PM
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Re: Another One
Welcome to
__________________
The customer is always WRONG!!
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#8
8th February 2010, 12:39 AM
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Re: Another One
Welcome to
, didnt take lessons so cant recomend any, but best of luck w/the testwhat bike you after?
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#10
8th February 2010, 09:13 AM
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Re: Another One
[QUOTE=josh1959;1677645]
Hi, Came late to biking myself. Started when I was 50. Did some rider training on 125 and 250 cc bikes, focused on safety - to keep the missus happy. Used a 50cc around Dublin for 7 years to and from work (Castleknock to Baggot St),but eventually got a provisional bike licence when I thought about getting something bigger. The theory test should be ok. Get a CD and keep doing the test until you are getting it mostly right. They give you about 40 questions in the real thing and you can get up to 5 wrong and still pass. There is lots of time given, so do the easy ones first and then come back to any you are not sure about. Bought a Burgman 125cc scooter 3 years ago. Cheap on insurance (at my age), good weather protection, lots of storage, keeps your clothes clean, better than a motorbike if you are mainly commuting and around town with the occasional longer trip. Besides, I spend a lot of time in France and 90% are scooters here, only 10% motorbikes. Not so macho as home, as women make up at least 30% of users here. Before my test I took one afternoon with a guy called Aidan. Lives around Clonee. Cant find his contact details now, but he is on the Fingal list of instructors. He put me right on the format of the test and the things I was doing wrong. So I just practised and practised. Did the test in Finglas and got it first time. I have had the Burgman to Belfast a few times, various trips around Northern Ireland, Wicklow and Mourne mountains and down to Wexford. Happy cruising at 100km per hour on the motorways, but close to its limit at that. For Belfast or Wexford I do half on motorway and the rest on A roads - more pleasant and places to stop for a coffee. I spend most of the winter in France and hire 50cc or 125cc scooters for the day or the week as I need them. People rave about some of the great bike rides around the Esterel and other places like that in France, but I find the Mournes and parts of Wicklow are as good, but are not written up in biker websites like www.BestBikingRoads.com In fact there are no Irish biking routes rate in these sites - anyone interested in doing something about it!! I will get back to Ireland on 26 March and will be happy to meet for a chat and show you the test routes around Finglas, if you are interested. Might even give you spin on my Burgman! 
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#11
8th February 2010, 09:46 AM
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Re: Another One
Originally Posted by CB_Phil
Doing a lot of head scratching on that point at the moment - I do know it's a buyers market out there at the moment. I dont want to spend a whole heap of money whatever I do and will be using the bike for weekend spins and so on rather than commuting.
Maybe a Varadero 125 or similar or somthing 250 ish to kick off with or maybe a restricted bandit - really have'nt made up my mind yet.
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#13
8th February 2010, 01:57 PM
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Re: Another One
Originally Posted by josh1959
Welcome to the group!
For me the catch-22 was that I need to be comfortable on the bike and I don't get that response with just one ride. Gotta have it for a while. Wonder will anyone ever come up with a Rent-To-Buy scheme for bikes!  Mind you, my heart was set on a Deauville from the start so I probably should have stuck with that. Fantastic feeling being out on the open road on a bike! Nothing to match it! Best of luck with your search!
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#14
8th February 2010, 09:01 PM
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Re: Another One
Originally Posted by josh1959
If you want to use the bike for weekend spins, then a restricted bandit or similar would be better than a Varadera 125.
I am assuming by your earlier post that you are over 25 - something about a mid life crisis gave me a clue. This means that insurance will be more affordable - but the first year will still be expensive.
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#15
9th February 2010, 01:13 AM
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Re: Another One
Originally Posted by josh1959
wouldnt bother with a 125, they are really only for gettin use to the road & for people who cant get insured on bigger bikes. if your already drivin on the roads youll be fine. 250 would be ok & youll be happy enuf on it. Bandits good for anyone startin out, they are so plentiful theres always 2hand parts in breakers & a good reliable bike too.
you could get away w/an unrestricted one (only goes as fast as your right hand )maybe, but if your @all nervous it might be a good idea theres still some go in them.one thing to remember movin form 4 to 2 wheels is look, look & look again. treat every fooker like their out to get you & dont expect that the wanker on his phone & messin w/his radio has seen you, even if he has seen you. best of luck gettin on the road
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#16
9th February 2010, 02:11 PM
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Re: Another One
hi there best of luck with ur test, for a pretest or course call david lyons, he's the man.
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#18
9th February 2010, 02:22 PM
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Re: Another One
Originally Posted by DMG
Thanks for that yeah - has name came up in conversation with someone here in the office to-day good reports all around about him by all accounts.
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#19
9th February 2010, 09:55 PM
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Re: Another One
The varadero 125's arent meant to be the fastest things around. If you can get something bigger do. Although 3 months into owning my NSR125 I still get a great buzz driving it.
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#20
13th February 2010, 11:51 AM
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Re: Another One
Originally Posted by PC Beer
Yes thinking about a bigger big and yes I'm the other side of 40 !!
Anyway hurdle one over - passed the theory test this morning - learner permit next - have to do a sight test for the c*ge licence that's just expired so will get the forrs for the bike learner permit completed at the same time (due to a clerical error someone kindly gave me a truck licence the last time I renewed - so want to keep that up )- although I've never driven a truck but in these strange times handy to have ...... Thanks to everyone for the great advice
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