bornard

Thanks uzi, appreciate the advice, I've been bold and just pulled the toolkit out. Got it back in ok, but I don't think the rubber holder will last long. I suppose I could just use string.

Had my ybr 125 3 months now, really enjoying it, but I'm mechanically useless, to the extent that I can't even work out how to remove the toolkit from its little box. I could probably yank it out but then might not be able to get it back in, without damaging the rubber holder thing. Also any tips on cleaning and basic maintenance welcome.

Let me start by declaring myself a boring old fart. Thank you. I realise its unusual to do cbt at age 46 and to have never owned a petrol powered machine before, but I have cycled all my life and can drive a car (just never needed to buy one), so I believe I have a modicum of road sense. I think that's what got me through the cbt really, once out on the road I started to settle down. Previously in the cbt I'd proven myself expert at riding into cones and almost into the instructor. Also very good at stalling and almost dropping the bike (almost breaking my leg). My fellow trainees were all half my age or so and much more competent, they'd all ridden geared bikes before. My only previous biking experience was of a rented scooter in Corfu (which I was lucky to survive). The instructor was patient and kind, kept telling me I was doing well, considering age, inexperience ... Although I managed on the road I stalled about four times and rarely remembered to switch off the indicator light. I was surprised to get a pass. Utterly possessed by my inner child I went out the very next day and put a deposit on a 2008 ybr 125, for no other reason than it was there and it looked nice and I could just about afford it. A week later I went to collect it and rode it home, a five mile run through the outskirts of Newcastle. Two wheelies, several stalls, rubbish clutch and throttle control. A month later I feel much safer on the bike, love riding it even, but I can't help thinking I shouldn't really have been allowed to go out and buy this machine without more extensive training. Don't get me wrong, I'm not in favour of yet more health and safety madness, in fact I want less. I just worry slightly about the scenario of a slightly younger dafter me passing cbt and killing myself/others. Most bike accidents happen within the first two months of riding. I'm not surprised. Don't know what the answer is, but I would suggest an extended cbt, perhaps three four hour sessions, riding at least three different bikes.

Welcome to the club! I also have a blue ybr 125, 58 reg, just bought last month, getting more confident on it now. Personally I'm in no hurry to get a bigger bike being rahter old and slow.

Thanks for the post, still stalling, and always when there's someone watching. Enjoying it though, and amazed at how nippy this 125 is. One of the kids I did cbt with planned to do the direct access and get an R6, as a first bike - !?!?

I'm very slow, takes me ages to get around to things, I wouldn't be surprised if I have to cbt again in two years, having failed to book a test. Good luck with yours anyway, are you planning to get a bigger bike? One of the kids I did cbt with planned to do the direct access then buy an R6 - as a first bike! I think that's insane. I'm still very good at stalling, and there's always someone watching. When I'm riding smoothly there's no-one about. Apparently the A697 Morpeth to Coldstream is one of the best bike routes in Britain, according to Ride magazine, I'll try it in the Summer. Thanks for posting.

Hi all, just joined here, and just bought a 2008 ybr 125, having done cbt at age 46 (fellow trainees aged 17-24, and all much more competent). Scary ride home from the shop, several stalls, two involuntary wheelies. Since then (last thu) have just practised throttle and clutch control round local streets. I'm probably a bit unusual having never owned a petrol vehicle before, but have cycled since age five. Plan to get out into the countryside around Newcastle soon, and swotting up for theory test.