The ACTUAL cost of a car

[Saluki]

I did that old test too... and frankly it was barely worth the paper.

A bloke walking around watching as I did a left-handed block and a right-handed block.

I was so cocky by the time he stepped out for the emergency stop that I went far too fast and locked the read, stalling the motor.

He passed me anyway, as he appreciated me kicking it back to live without dabbing... but I was convinced I'd failed after the stall.

The thought that in those days I could have sauntered off and bought a Laverda Jota or a Suzuki GS1000 is simply terrifying... Much safer this way!

Oh I am not disputing that the new test is safer, because it is.
I had a chap walking around who told me go round the right handed block. He should have said second right somewhere on that block I reckon as he sent me up a cul-de-sac.
I didn't stay with the X7 as it scared the daylights out of me and got a nice old GT250 instead and then a Kawasaki Z400 which was much saner.

I did get involved with being a guinea pig when they brought in the pursuit test so took my test 5 times a day for a week or so. I failed it more than I passed it, which was a bit worrying as I was a bike courier in those days.

 

[sabian92]

I know, I know, anything can happen, I could get eaten by a gang of renegade guinea pigs before I make it safely to bed tonight.

Your "advice" was to a man contemplating a commuting machine not a high capacity motorbike.

A bike that can still do 70mph (easily considering OP is rather slight from what I can gather) still requires protective gear. A scooter limited to 30.... fair enough. A decent pair of gloves and a helmet would be enough but doing 70, you'll cause yourself a lot of damage without.

It's not to increase visibility to close off as much of the road as possible.

Yet another misconception by the inexperienced.

How is it a misconception? Partially it is to close off the road, partially it's to increase the visibility of a parked car in the middle of the road. A car is what, 6ft wide, and about 14 feet long. Would you rather see 6ft of car or 14ft of car at an angle?

 

[cd365]

A bike that can still do 70mph (easily considering OP is rather slight from what I can gather) still requires protective gear. A scooter limited to 30.... fair enough. A decent pair of gloves and a helmet would be enough but doing 70, you'll cause yourself a lot of damage without.

I have come off at speed twice, once in bad weather at about 60mph and slid a long way. I was wearing waterproofs with kevalr protection, cost about £100 (20 years ago), no injuries. Come off about 75-80mph into a ditch wearing jeans and leather jacket again no injuries.

 

[Archie_tect]

Wouldn't try the ditch again mind cd... you've been lucky once already.

 

[cd365]

I was very lucky, could have ended up in the swamp a bit further in with the bike on top of me.
My own fault though, took a bad line through a bend trying to avoid something in the middle of the road, learnt a good lesson that day!

 

[sabian92]

I have come off at speed twice, once in bad weather at about 60mph and slid a long way. I was wearing waterproofs with kevalr protection, cost about £100 (20 years ago), no injuries. Come off about 75-80mph into a ditch wearing jeans and leather jacket again no injuries.

You were bloody lucky. Most people aren't going to get off that likely.

I've seen photos of a member of a motorbike forum I'm on of a rider who went for a slide because there was diesel on the road, went straight into a metal barrier at 30mph in leathers and they basically had to rearrange his organs before they glued his chest back together.

Makes for some grim reading.

 

[vernon]

How is it a misconception? Partially it is to close off the road, partially it's to increase the visibility of a parked car in the middle of the road. A car is what, 6ft wide, and about 14 feet long. Would you rather see 6ft of car or 14ft of car at an angle?

If you are trying to block a road would you use a six foot barrier or a fourteen foot barrier? The issue isn't about visibility but of indication that vehicles should not be passing the stationary police car. A police car parked axially does not indicate that the road is blocked. A police car parked obliquely is an indication that the road is blocked.

By the way when the car is parked obliquely you see both the six feet and the fourteen feet long sides. Seeing one side only is not optional unless the car is parked axially or laterally.

 

[vernon]

You were bloody lucky. Most people aren't going to get off that likely.

I've seen photos of a member of a motorbike forum I'm on of a rider who went for a slide because there was diesel on the road, went straight into a metal barrier at 30mph in leathers and they basically had to rearrange his organs before they glued his chest back together.

Makes for some grim reading.

It's such an everyday occurence isn't it?

 

[cd365]

You were bloody lucky. Most people aren't going to get off that likely.

I've seen photos of a member of a motorbike forum I'm on of a rider who went for a slide because there was diesel on the road, went straight into a metal barrier at 30mph in leathers and they basically had to rearrange his organs before they glued his chest back together.

Makes for some grim reading.

Most people that have crashes/slides end up relatively unhurt, if you hit a barrier (or are hit by a car) what you are wearing will make little difference.

 

[MarkF]

Most people that have crashes/slides end up relatively unhurt, if you hit a barrier (or are hit by a car) what you are wearing will make little difference.

That is how I view it ,and, the risks to me really are negligible, not worth worrying about, so I don't. However, should I be riding a high capacity machine, in middle age, without years of experience, on a Sunday afternoon, in summer months, then the risk rises dramatically. It's these guys that skew the risk stats.

 

[Archie_tect]

Having lost 2 good friends before I wrote my motorbike off I can confirm that being hit at speed does the damage... sliding without adequate protection just wears bits off until you eventually stop...

 

[Matthew_T]

I have now bought a motorbike. Hopefully getting delivery sorted for next week.

 

[fossyant]

Spill. What have you got ?

 

[Matthew_T]

Spill. What have you got ?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/200957777685?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
Its a Honda look-a-like.
Dont worry about the lack of information in the description, I asked the seller about it first. All it needs is VED to make it road legal (that and insurance).
Doing my CBT in October when I get paid from college but I can sort the tax in the meantime.

 

[Matthew_T]

What, already?

I wouldnt be surprised if I did. Shouldnt be too different from a bicycle anyway.