29-12-13, 09:30 PM
Whilst I understand that being restricted to a 2-3 bhp 50cc moped and 30mph is actually a more harmful law than good, I don't really understand your complaint about 33bhp restriction and why it would stop you getting training? Or how it affected your riding to contribute to the accident if that is what you were getting at? If not then sorry I got confused.
I think I am the same age as you and the 33 bhp time I did was absolutely no issue for me. I just took it for what it was, I accepted that I was on a bike that was only slightly powerful and had fun with that and made sure it didn't affect me soon getting onto a proper bike. I hate commenting on threads like this, because I feel like I'm tempting fate, but touch wood in my 5 years I am yet to have any sort of accident (knocked old bike over on the drive once or twice) and plan and pray to keep it that way. One of the greatest things I did last year with my Dad was a bike-safe course with the police. I can't rate it highly enough, the whole thing was about £40 I think and the amount I have gained from it is priceless. It's pretty much a taster of what advanced training courses are like. The police riders are excellent, they really come across nicely and have lots of helpful knowledge to pass on. It changed my opinion of them to be honest. They also watch you ride and highlight and rate things that you are doing well and more importantly need to improve. I also agree with others that riding off road can help with throttle control and not panicking too much if you lose the rear. Messing about with my mates DT125 in a field has probably saved me 3 or 4 times now on my own bikes on the road in some sketchy moments.
As for maintenance and money, I only work part time currently and fund the bike myself so understand that it is expensive. But you surely have a decent enough job to put aside £100-150 a month towards the bike? That is what I have been doing and over my year and a half ownership I have slowly been building it up to the standard that I want. Next on my list is a stainless exhaust FINALLY as the original may as well be papier mache. A few of my mates have been hard up and needed tyres and been recommended Maxxis tyres. They're a lot cheaper than the top brand ones and they seem to all like them, two of them reckon they're the best tyres they've ever had. Maybe it would be worth getting some of those for now?
I think I am the same age as you and the 33 bhp time I did was absolutely no issue for me. I just took it for what it was, I accepted that I was on a bike that was only slightly powerful and had fun with that and made sure it didn't affect me soon getting onto a proper bike. I hate commenting on threads like this, because I feel like I'm tempting fate, but touch wood in my 5 years I am yet to have any sort of accident (knocked old bike over on the drive once or twice) and plan and pray to keep it that way. One of the greatest things I did last year with my Dad was a bike-safe course with the police. I can't rate it highly enough, the whole thing was about £40 I think and the amount I have gained from it is priceless. It's pretty much a taster of what advanced training courses are like. The police riders are excellent, they really come across nicely and have lots of helpful knowledge to pass on. It changed my opinion of them to be honest. They also watch you ride and highlight and rate things that you are doing well and more importantly need to improve. I also agree with others that riding off road can help with throttle control and not panicking too much if you lose the rear. Messing about with my mates DT125 in a field has probably saved me 3 or 4 times now on my own bikes on the road in some sketchy moments.
As for maintenance and money, I only work part time currently and fund the bike myself so understand that it is expensive. But you surely have a decent enough job to put aside £100-150 a month towards the bike? That is what I have been doing and over my year and a half ownership I have slowly been building it up to the standard that I want. Next on my list is a stainless exhaust FINALLY as the original may as well be papier mache. A few of my mates have been hard up and needed tyres and been recommended Maxxis tyres. They're a lot cheaper than the top brand ones and they seem to all like them, two of them reckon they're the best tyres they've ever had. Maybe it would be worth getting some of those for now?