South West Bikers | Motorcycle Forum

Ok so advice needed. I am just sorting finances for training, testing and buying of bike. No experience of riding a motorbike but I am an old git so can do a Direct Access. So a few questions…

I am located in Holsworthy, any recommendations for a training school?

As for 1st bike, do I look at a 125, a 300ish or straight to a 600cc bike. I am not looking at a sports bike I will be looking at something like a Honda CB600F.

Can’t wait to get started and any advice gratefully received.
TIA

Hi Chris & Welcome.

Which bike - I would see how you get on with your training. If riding comes naturally then I'd say go straight for 600.
No idea about training though.

Hi and welcome.
Training wise, you may have to travel to the bright lights of barnstaple or even exeter for a school.

Bike wise, go to as many Bike shops as you can and sit on as many bikes as take your fancy. How tall are you? You may find some bikes are too high if you have hobbit legs, likewise if you are a giant, some bikes will be too uncomfortable.
Then you have dealers choice for engine style - twin, single, inline 4 or even triple? All have distinctive engine tones and performance characteristics, Torque, mid range power, top end etc etc.
Is to be a play toy, Sunday cruising or commuter? Sooooo many options.

Are you handy with the spanners, if not then I'd go one of the big 4 (honda, yam, kwak and Suzuki) spares are easy to get hold of and there are plenty of alternatives to help you keep on the road. Start going down the route of ktm, ducati, triumph and they can be trickier to work on with more pocket burning running fees.

Don't forget to buy good riding gear and ear plugs.


Dress for the slide, not the ride.

Hello Chris,
There's good 'biker newbie' information right there from Simon. I'd just add to it by saying that, nowadays, there's no bad new bikes, it's down to affordability and suitability. If buying used then everything Simon said comes into play. Whatever you do, your watchword is research.

As for m/c training schools, the closest I can find to you are these three: Paul Adams M/C Training, Bideford 01237 520054; JC Motorcycle Training, Launceston 01566 774603; MTS Rider Training, Okehampton 08432 898102. There's a few more in Devon, Google will inform.
Good luck.

Thank you all for taking the time to give me some great advice

I know a couple of people who've used MTS with success.

For a more mature (sensible?) new rider, I think that the physical size of yourself vs the bike is probably more of an issue than the capacity. A lot of the new 400's look nice, and seem to perform pretty well, but look to be relatively diminutive in size ....... Best bet is to trawl a few bike shops and see what suits.

Welcome to SWB and Good luck with your training.

Welcome! I also started riding when I was older, and it has been one of the greatest things I’ve ever done for myself.

Toucan Motorcycle Training in Glastonbury is outstanding, but a bit too far from you.

I found the book Twist of the Wrist II to be really helpful, in spite of the not great writing and Scientology references.

Good luck with the training! Hope you get your licence soon and hope to see you on the road soon : )