captf

Which will be delightful with cagers unable to cope with the sudden chain in brightness - or actually gawking at it while driving... I'm contemplating public transport that day

Especially these days. Paying more attention to the satnav than the road signs and traffic in front. Chatting on their phone, or texting someone... Watching a DVD on a laptop beside them. [seriously]

The concept of the CBT is good - and was an improvement over the nothing that existed before it. But road conditions have also changed; drivers are paying less attention, speeding more [at least it seems like it], and getting more impatient. Kids [anything under 25 is a kid (: ] aren't able to afford a car [insurance is ridiculous now, and fuel prices ain't what they used to be] as easily to get any road experience that way, so their first real taste of traffic is on their CBT. And they have no knowledge of the highway code. 2 hours on the road just isn't enough to prepare them for riding solo. In discussions elsewhere, I'm seeing people say that the CBT should be abolished, and you have to sit the full test to get on the road, much like it is in the rest of europe. Or that you have to pass your theory test before you can take the CBT. But, at least we're not Denmark... you need 29 lessons on theory, and 22 lessons of driving, with a mimimum of 5 of those for the mod 1 moves... [a lesson is 45 minutes]

when is the joyful day?

From what I could gather, they want to introduce it voluntary first, while pushing for the important parts to become legislation at a later date. Staggering it allows for a smoother transition. Ultimately though, yeah; there'll be unscrupulous schools that will abuse or ignore the stuff, just to get more money, while showing no regard for who they put on the roads.

The main parts of this pretty much seem to recognise that riders on CBT are more likely to be in an accident than those who have passed any of the tests, especially the younger riders [19% of casualties are of those 19 and under]. And that the testing rate for young riders is abysmal - 6% With that, I think they see there is a definite link. There is a point that young riders tend to know nothing about the highway code. Unlike a car, it can't be easily taught as it happens. They are proposing that a trainee must have reasonable knowledge before the practical section of the course. But they are not requiring a theory test to have been completed prior. They are instead thinking about making it a known point that you are expected to have at least an understanding of the Code, as well as improve training facilities for instructors to assist where needed. It seems they want it to be clear to the trainees on the level they need to reach to complete the CBT, and to understand that not everyone learns at the same pace, and that the on-road riding is allowed to go on for longer than 2 hours. With that, they understand they need to push away from the CBT being seen as a one day course, and that it may require multiple. There's no "may" about it. It's a bi-product of the 3rd Directive and the CBT. Most other EU countries don't have it, so the A1 was the entry level "on the bike on the road". But, oh... this is interesting: So, they're saying they now have the capabilities to get rid of the multiple tests to improve licence?

A consolutation paper regarding modernisation of the CBT I'll post highlights once I get a chance to read it

How the almighty feckery did the driver not see him?! And then there were the 2 behind that were oblivious too!

I didn't manage to get the registration - it was too blurred

I believe the members' gallery is a paying member's perk. If you're wanting to show off pictures - or similar - get an account on imgur, and link from there. It's what I do.

I could usually see those, but had trouble with it for some reason. [edit: of course, it would have helped if I had my glasses on, it seems...] Did find this, which lets you 'see' what's hidden: http://magiceye.ecksdee.co.uk/ This is the image that Drewpy posted: http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HvrcvGVlEP4/UUiX2NcgSDI/AAAAAAAAB9M/r94VeeCEXaY/s1600/magic29.jpg

I think it's the first I've seen that in Manchester, which made it unexpected. In London, it's par for the course, so people are looking out for it more? I do find that moped riders seem to be the most suicidal though - they do the craziest filtering and so on. As if they only have 2 speeds: Stopped and Flat-Out [had one this morning come flying up behind me while I was filtering down Regent Road]. I've seen the chavs on them jumping red lights, as well as the pillion passengers on L-plates and not wearing helmets...

I'd just be worried about the trauma he'd cause if he does get himself killed.

So, while rambling to myself on Friday after work, a delivery moped rider undertook traffic, alongside the kerb. I'm not talking about regular filtering, because traffic wasn't queued back. I'm also reasonably sure that he was going over the limit - at the point in the video, I think I was doing ~20mph based on the flashes of my speedo. I've been swaying between contacting Papa John's [who he was delivering for] to - not lodge a complaint but - get them to inform their delivery guy he is likely to get himself injured doing that alongside busy junctions. If the taxt or biker in front of the taxi were turning left, he'd have hit them. What would you men and women do? Go ~12 seconds in https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=XJCiS6QbwF8#t=13

Na, it's an extra slot in the whole flap thing. An alcove, of sorts. It's in the centre of that bit. I'd post pictures, but I'm lazy (:

They wouldn't fit around the shoulders [like a normal rucksack. They're just a reasonably small loop. The length of the entire strap is adjustable to about 4 foot... which is what confuses the hell out of me. Realising though, the other strap, that I thought was for around yourself, would be for going round the tank

Tank bag. Initial impression. I'd estimate it's got about a 10l capacity. Has a transparent window, as well as an additional waterproof cover that you can put over it, if needed. Magnets seem quite secure, but I've not been able to test it on the road: the bag is a bit big for the YBR, so doesn't fit snuggly. Comes with an assortment of removable straps, with loops at the end - the noob in me doesn't have a clue what you'd loop them to. There's a further one at the bottom, which I assume is for strapping around yourself: in case the magnets come loose. And, there's a carry handle on top. The transparent window is on the coverflap, and it has a slot(?) that you can place your phone/satnav into and be able to see it. Finger presses do work through the screen, but they're not incredibly responsive. Overall, for £13, it seems decent.

I don't think I'll be one for doing 100 (: I ride like an old granny [so The Housemate says]. I'm just going to be happy to have ~7x the power of the YBR I will have to vlog my first run on it, for the reactions. And numerous times I'll drop the thing (:

Nope. That was sold to me...

Oops... Yes, that says "sold".

I may actually see if the tank bag is any good

I have! I have! I have! And Serenity.

The test laws are actually from the EU, rather than our government. And our government didn't even implement all of them. For instance, I believe there's an option of being able to mandate instructors can give you top up training on a new bike. Sure, many places will gladly do it, but this was to have it as part of law. [i can't remember specifics] However, before you go "And this is why we need out of Europe!" what it allows is for us to go on to the continent and ride motorbikes without needing to apply for an international licence, as our licence is the same. There is no doubt about what we can legally ride. Likewise for EU types coming across here. http://www.begin-motorcycling.co.uk/facts.htm: In the three years before CBT was introduced, (1990), an average of 692 motorcyclists were killed every year. By 1992, when every rider with less than two years experience had taken CBT, the figure was less than 500. And between then and 1998, the average was 462. Prior to 1990, more than 40,000 riders were hurt on our roads every year. By the mid-90s that was down to 23,000.

It may not be dangerous for you, but for many late teens - hormones are still racing, and impulses are harder to control [it's not intended as a "pfft, youth!" comment, just a "way it is"] How many guys [it's mainly guys] around your age do you know of that passed their driving test, got a car, and crashed it because they were going too fast for their situation? Now imagine what would have happened if they had a bike that responds to a twitch of the wrist. I do definitely agree that 125cc is too small though, and doesn't show much insight into biking by those that implemented it. I refuse to go on a 70mph motorway on my 125 because I know it'd be foolish. I know it'd be foolish from almost 20 years of driving experience. I would have cars driving up my arse, or I'd be stuck going 56mph behind some lorry at an unsafe distance because I haven't got the torque to overtake safely. Bump that up to a 250cc, and 70 would be far more manageable, and there would still be a bit of give to get up to that speed when needed. But other than that, I do enjoy the 125 - they're light bikes, and very forgiving in handling. If I could afford 2 bikes, I'd keep it and get a bigger bike too. I'd not say you're a hypocrite - you're speaking from experience. The Housemate would agree with you totally. She had no road experience, sat her CBT and was out on the road. This saw her smack into the back of her boyfriend's car within a week, because she didn't know how far back safe was - it wasn't properly covered in the CBT, so she was aping other road users. With the growing number of vehicles on the road, expecting brand new riders to be safe on the road after just 2 hours is lunacy. Sure, some people will just get it; others take a lot more. But how do you tackle it without it pushing costs too high, so that entry to biking becomes unaffordable for young

I used to work in a petrol station, and I had a woman come in all happy... She slapped the P plates on the counter, "These please! My daughter's just passed!" Told her that she really shouldn't. Explaining that no, other drivers will not give her more courtesy because she's showing she's just passed... and that they'll treat her worse, and about the people who deliberately try and force these drivers into dangerous situations [i've heard neds brag about it] especially if the driver is alone. White faced, she changed her mind on buying them. As for cars... the reliance people are getting on extra tech for them is silly. I know people who refuse to go anywhere without satnav directing them. Even when I, as a passenger, have told them I can give them exact directions. Or shortcuts. "But satnav says go this way!" I prefer to just memorise the route, and resort to satnav as a last resort. And it terrifies me how often I see people on the phone while driving still.