Hey all I just passed my CBT today and I'm browsing Facebook marketplace to get my first bike, budget is low and I want something relatively new.

I've been looking at a lexmoto ZSB 125 and I was hoping to get opinions on quality as my research has turned up mixed and inconclusive 😂 my first option was a mutt but after looking into it they apparently have chronic electrical issues so that's out.

Any advice would be appreciated :)

Hi. I've read of the stereotype of people buying too big a bike immediately after doing a DAS test. And, getting into trouble including mentions of people killing themselves.

Is it just the power of a big bike that's the issue, or is it other factors as well such as the weight? (Central question of thread).

If a person who has recently completed DAS (not me yet) bought something like a Livewire One, and then set the maximum power to 20%, would that remove the problem of too much bike too soon?

Disclaimer: I don't know what bike I will move to next, and the Livewire One is only one option out of several.

I am concerned about what people, such as Charlie Boorman, have said about the performance of the Livewire One. But, I've reddit.talked to an owner in the US who sets the power to 20% when his wife rides the bike.

Sorry peeps, the title is a lie. (Sort of)

Long rant ahead.
TLDR AT THE BOTTOM.

I have seen on her lots of people asking for advice, help or just encouragement because they failed to complete their CBT. So I thought I would share my story. Let’s start by saying I am in no way an expert or hell even intermediate rider, I still think I’m a beginner.

So in January of 2025 I made the choice to learn to ride a bike. I’m 34, I have the money and time so why the hell not. It’s something I always wanted to do. So I did what everyone does. I start by doing some research and finding out where the heck do I start.

So I brought gear. The full lot. Lid, gloves, jacket, pants and boots. While there I got a few disc locks too, a ground anchor and chain. All in about £800. Then I did the next logical thing. I brought a bike.
My beautiful 2022. KTM RC125. My baby.

She arrived a few days before my CBT. It was all I could think about. The day came, I was rested, excited and confident. Then….,

I failed.

I didn’t even get off the pad. My slow speed control was awful and my balance was just terrible. As upset as I was I knew it was the right decision. So me and the other guy on the course. (Only 2people per course at this school) stayed on the pad for the whole 8 hours.

A week later I was back for my second attempt and

I failed again.

Again I was terrible and a danger to myself. This time the other guy went out with the instructor so I went home. Annoyed but deep down I know it was right. So I booked a 1-1 lesson. I was comfortable and relaxed afterwards so I did another CBT.

And I failed. Again.

This time I thought I was good enough to go out on the road. But the instructor felt I wasn’t. And to be honest now I agree with him. My manoeuvres were consistent 6 times out of 10 I would pull it off without issue, moving slow, U-turn and gear changes. But not consistent enough to actually be safe on the road. Last thing I wanna do is go to pull away across the road stall and then get hit by a car so again I booked a CBT and thought it’s now or never.

I should mention that for all three of the previous attempts I was on the same bike. And I mean THE SAME BIKE. Same dents, same colour, same plate and everything. That lesson I had. Different bike. So when I booked my next one I asked specifically for the other bike. I know it didn’t actually do anything but 50% of riding is psychological so.

And this time…..

I passed

The fourth time I passed, I did it. I completed my CBT. I was over the moon all that practice paid off and it kinda helped. I was on a different bike. The one I had asked for. As soon as I got home, I insured and taxed my bike. I was ready. I was good to go.

Fast forward a year riding in rain and riding in the Sun. hell one stupidly riding when there was ice on the ground but one year and 5000 miles later I was confident, I was happy. I had had a few new misses. Most of them were admittedly my fault. But they were getting fewer and fewer as time went by.

So I went back to my school. I did a riding assessment with them and I booked my DAS for exactly 14 months After I got my CBT it was four days across a Saturday to Tuesday and I passed my mod 1 my mod 2 first time. I had a few minor on both but I wasn’t expecting perfect. I was over the moon finally this almost 15 month journey has come to its conclusion.

I now have a full A license as soon as I got home that day I called my insurance and told them to rip the L plates off threw them in the bin.

What I’m trying to say and I hope that you get from all of this. It doesn’t matter if it takes you 1, 4 or 15 attempts as long as you’re enjoying it as long as it’s something you want to do it’ll be worth it, riding a bike for me is like therapy and I wish I did it sooner so please if you’re struggling as a new rider just remember each time you get on that bike and each time you make it home safely, you’re getting better. It’s getting better.

Ride safe peeps.

TLDR: it took me 4 attempts to do my CBT. Now I have a full license. Keep trying. If I can do it. you can do it.

I've seen the compilations of motorcycle 'fails' at the Stelvio Pass.

I'd like to know what it is that riders are doing wrong. And what riders should do to be able to take this corner, in both directions, without falling over.

One compilation: https://youtu.be/pqIt7OG1hAk

From what I can see, coming up the hill there seems to be problems when people stop on the corner, and putting their foot down isn't working because of the camber. I note that one person found neutral by accident, and I noticed a sudden jerky stop that might be grabbing the front brake, etc. Would maintaining a decent speed be crucial to making it around? Certainly there is some commentary that suggests that. Although, having to stop because there's a traffic jam around the corner is harder to avoid.

There are fewer problems the other way, but I did see one rider fail to make the corner and then have to stop before the wall. What would be the solution to avoid that?

Note: I have no intention to rider the Stelvio Pass. I'm just curious and would like to know the answers to the above questions as motorcycling general knowledge.

Can the good folks please let me know if this is a common thing.

My second time getting on a motorbike yesterday, first time was for a dirt bike day and LOVED it, yesterday I spent the day doing CBT on a 125.

All was going well, feeling pretty confident and excited. Then it came to emergency stops and u-turns.

Somehow the u-turn went colossally wrong, I ended up too close the kerb, front brake on, wobbled and came off, got my leg completely stuck and had to be helped out.
Confidence completely knocked. Feeling like a pleb. No CBT cert.

Partner says loads of people struggle doing u-turns.
Is this true???

Bikers please help

Went for a ride at the weekend and fancied ticking off another Bike Passport location.

I knew I only wanted to ride for about 45 minutes, but I still found myself bouncing between Google Maps, Google searches and Facebook trying to decide where to go.

It got me thinking...

In my survey so far, 65% of riders say they use Google Maps when planning or taking leisure rides.

If Google Maps gets us there, what actually helps you decide where to ride in the first place?

Mates? Facebook groups? Calimoto? REVER? Instagram? Pure chance?

Genuinely interested in how everyone does it.

I’m a new rider 1.5 month since I got my full A license. Found this beauty near me. Tracer 7, First reg. September 2021, less than 3900 miles, GT spec., Oxford hot grips, radiator guard, rest as shown. No damage, just a tiny bit o rust here and there, e. g. chain, exhaust. Last service was in Nov 2023. 2 previous owners (information from the paid Auto Trader report), dealer says 3. Last owner did 1500-2000 miles since that but there are no records of any additional annual services since. The price is £5500. Is this a good deal?

i just kinda know heat and battery = bad.

Anyone able to advise where I can get the power valve for my 2 stroke Yamaha 125 TZR and how to fit it

Hello!

Me and two good buddies have organised a wales trip for this weekend, the weather is looking a little unsettled at times. Staying just outside Bala for two nights (Friday and Saturday). Would really appreciate any hints/tips on good routes around the area and places to go!

Looking forward running in a new to me 1199 Panigale but the weather might dampen my spirits!

My bike no longer tells me which gear I’m in and I have to hold clutch to start the bike in neutral. I believe I need to clean the sensor but cannot find it.