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At least it'd not be the hell of one way streets that it's become in the past decade. I remember a point not that long ago where it was a regular occurance to be able to go one route one week, and the next find it'd been turned into a one way street [in the opposite direction] or a buslane.

Potential 3 points for each missing L-plate. Insurance is null and void, because you're not adhering to its conditions. Therefore, even if you're not at fault in the accident, you will not get a pay out. And therefore driving without insurance; 6-8 points. Driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence; 3-6 points So, you could pretty much end up banned from driving/riding before you've even sat a test. There is zero shame in L-plates. And if you want to see people treat you even worse, once you pass, put on the Green L-Plates... Red Rag. To. A. Bull. There are chavs who will deliberately antagonise those drivers.

There's definitely a bit of sense to them. The vast majority of younger drivers and riders are over-represented in accidents for a reason. Is it unfair on those who are sensible? A wee bit, yeah. But most haven't got control of the "is this really a sensible thing to do?" impulses yet. [saying that, I know people in their 40s that still haven't...] So, should there still be the different classes of bike licence? Definitely. But do they need examination? Yeah... at least the A1 category. 125cc is pitiful to imply that they're allowed on the motorway - when their top speed is often around 60mph. As for sticking with L plates though - honestly, don't worry about it. Just see those that are arseholes as jealous. They wish they had the bottle to stick a tank of flammable liquid between their legs. The only other road users whose opinion matters is other bikers. And even then, not always (: But how do they treat you because you have L plates on? Is it any different? As a biker, you need to ride as if everyone is trying to kill you. Be aware of your surroundings. Some douche tries to merge into your lane? Smack the horn and roll off or on the throttle as needed. Shake your head, and then shake it out of your head. Getting pent up will only make you ride worse. And hell, I don't even think I know what a CDI is! Finally, some history! 1960: Learner riders restricted to motorcycles under 250cc and must display L-plates 1971: Motorcycle minimum age raised to 17. Moped age left at 16 1983: Learner riders restricted to 125cc motorcycles (1981 act) 1990: CBT introduced, certificate lasts for 3 years, part 2 still on road with examiner watching. 1996: UK implements EU licence directive in July. 2 year 33 bhp restriction for newly qualified riders. Direct access test & Theory Test. 2001: All CBT certificates issued for motorcycles and scooters from the 1st February, will now only last for 2 years. 2013: Introduction of 3DLD which see's 3 new catgories of motorcycle for testing, A1, A2 and A. all are age limited and subject to further training or test to move up to the next level.

Cheers for the input. For the most part, it's just what comes to mind at the time - mainly just putting out the random nonsense that spawns in my head. Sometimes I'll have a few minute brain dump of stuff, other times just little burps. At the moment, not sure if that'll change. Largely because they're typically my daily commute - when I've just woken up, or just finished a mentally taxing day [i'm a programmer] But I think something I need to do is not try and force a video out of something. I *may* be able to make more cohesive videos from a bunch of days, rather than just a single [perhaps I should review the videos after, and take notes on what I said/did, then pool common themes together...] Definitely agreed on the cuts with gaps of silence. Part of that's because I'm just using Windows Movie Maker for it, and I'm still trying to get the hang of tightening them up. All a learning process. The crude editing will probably remain for a while, and may not get much more complex

Depends on its age. If it's a 12 plate on, should be possible. 11 plate will be a bit lower, and so on.

Assholes. Assholes everywhere. Some people just like antagonising learners. And given that these types often dislike bikers [because we're better than them (: ], they do it worse. The Housemate has had someone try and literally push her bike [with their car] into oncoming traffic... How old are you right now? If you're 17-19, it's the A1 This allows that massive 125cc... If you're 19-21, it's the A2 Which allows up to 47bhp, which can be on a larger bike that you can restrict to no less than half its power. Therefore, you can get a whole bunch of bigger bikes - like a Suzuki SV650, or an ER-6N and then get a restrictor put in. This pretty much just kills the top end of the bike's rev range, but still easily manages motorway speeds. 24+ [or 21, having had a A2 for 2 years] and it's the full A licence. AKA: any damn bike you want. Oh, and you need to pay for each successive test. Even a lot of instructors believe there's zero point in the A1 - as long as you get yourself a few lessons to improve your riding if needed. [Only real benefits: No L-plates, and allowed on the motorway... but at crap speed. Good luck with a pillion on a 125]

Of course it's not useless - I'm still using it As for price, it's actually a fair price - cheaper than the same bike at a dealership - given that age will also factor into what it will command. There are differences as well between years - for instance, the change from carbs to fuel injection on the YBR after '09 Basically, I'll try it at that price, see how it goes.

Use a site like Imgur, upload to there, and then you link the pictures in a post

So, who from here is all planning to go, and what day(s)?

Oh yeah, forgot about that! Walking would be about 30-45 mins, I think... We should see how many from the local area are going. And get T-shirts.

The Housemate would murder me if I got an MT-07 before her Oddly though, I don't like the seating position of it - for some reason I can get my feet more planted on an XJ6 compared to the MT-07, even though the seat is lower on the MT. Triumphs don't quite do it for me - granted, I've only really looked at striples. Quick check shows the tiger being more bike than I want right now, and the striple is over budget... I do need to have a proper gander round a good dealership soon. Hopefully that new CMC gets opened in Manchester sharpish, and I can go for a more leisurely look see. The Kawa Z600 [naked ninja!] also looks interesting to me...

I do see the wisdom in a test ride, and I definitely agree that slow speed handling tells a lot - and can be the most crucial, since that's the most likely time to drop the thing. I'll have an ask when I go to check one out. [And I'm now worried that I'm going to have to find more bikes I like the look of! The ER-6N was comfortable seating, but the handlebars were definitely not - too in-turned]

It's highly unlikely I'll be able to get a test ride - too new a rider. So, any new bike is a bit of a risk for me. For the XJ6 [from about 2009 onwards], it's the look of it that initially spoke to me, and having done a bit of research on it - reviews, etc. - it seems to be a reliable and smooth bike to ride. I find the seating position quite comfortable too [friend has one, and has allowed me at least that (: ] I know that I'm putting in a lot of trust to other people here, but in these cases I feel I have to.

Welcome! Most of us UK types have been L-plated at one point in time [no idea about the crustiest of crusties], nothing to worry about. And definitely nothing wrong with a 125 - I'm off my L-plates and still ride mine: fantastic little bugger for commuting through town, with its lightness and great fuel economy

Exactly. I wouldn't want it against the bike. If the loan is outstanding, and I decide I want a new bike, I'd not be preventing from selling the current bike, unlike if I had it on finance.

Went for a wee run to Bolton Motorcycles with The Housemate and another friend. Audio warning: I swear a bit. As usual Yeah, still a bit of annoying sniffing going on. This is just a short video - oddly got less interesting footage in an hour and a half, compared to my usual 20 min commute Quality of the upload seems a bit shit for this one too. Still experimenting as I go.

I'm hoping to get ~£1600 for it [12 plate, I think I overpaid for it myself, at £1900]

Like a leaf on the wind... watch you *splat*

I actually paid off the finance for the YBR on Friday. Now just waiting on it going HPI clear, then putting it up on Autotrader. [should be tomorrow] Plan with the next bike is buy it on the credit card, then get a loan of comparible - or cheaper - APR to finance, and pay off the credit card with that. This means the bike is mine from the get go, and I can sell it on without the HPI issues. For the XJ6, I want one very largely due to the aesthetic of it. I honestly don't like the look of supermotos.

I think I'm lucky in that I don't get rage. In the car, I'd get angry and shout abuse at the person, but I'd never do something against them. On the bike, the most I'll typically do is a "What the fuck are you doing?!", shake my head and let them go do their thing. I'll grumble a bit, but not dwell on it - there are more important things to concern myself with on the road. And Bippo: yeah, I love when other drivers actually make room for me while flitering and the like. And actually do have a "what a nice driver" thought, and if possible give a thumbs up/thanks wave. The housemate's boyfriend is intending to get a bike, and I admit I'm slightly worried by it - he gets major road rage - he went nuts when an innattentive driver almost smashed in to him, and he wanted to chase her. It made me worry that anger would get the better of him on a bike

howdy!

That's a tempting option, especially since my own credit card is zero'd at the moment, with a high enough allowance for an XJ6. Who was the loan with?

Looking at sold listings for a similar year/mileage YBR, I'd be fleeced... they're going for ~£700-900. A dealership offered more than that O_o I don't actually have friends that are learning right now to need to sell to them (: Autotrader is looking the better option right now... possibly the better known for new people.

Which facebook page(s) in particular? Obviously, I've put out word to friends I'll be selling it, but not sure of where else. PO - whenever I've looked there, it's always been just scooters they have. I should really pop in again though, since it's literally a 5-10 min walk from my home. Online stock looks quite bare.. Never tried them for servicing [and I should get the bike serviced before I sell it, I think] Loan vs Finance seems about even, but I did have that thought too - especially in regards to it being "mine" and being able to sell it off if needed. I wonder if I'd be able to broker a better deal on the bike too if I can effectively pay it outright: check it out, slap a deposit down, sort out the loan and then pay the remainer... One to ask, I guess.

2nd hand for this one. I just know I'll drop the bugger within the first few weeks [hours?], and scratching brand new bodywork would make me cry. And going for the XJ6N. I know fairings are great for faster travel, but I really don't like the look of them. I prefer naked all the way! Getting second hand will also have lower insurance, and lower finance costs [at about £300 per month, I can clear it off in the 16-18 months] Now, where is the best place to sell a second hand bike? Autotrader/eBay/gumtree? Tempted to go for Autotrader first