True. You learn more in the wet, the dark, the cold. I did. Passed last Halloween. Bought a Rocket 3GT January. Out everyday since, except for two when I had a puncture. Learn way more in the wet than the dry. But,,,,you are always learning, no matter the season
Yes, this video is truth! I live in Sevenoaks and get a lot of ice during winter and will be getting ice next month, dec and jan. A lot of drifting happens it's great, winter's bite makes you feel alive like nothing else.
I got my license and bought my first bike in November last year, so my whole intro to riding was in fall and winter. Best time to prep you for wearing your gear, and paying more attention to road hazards. After that, summer was a breeze. Great video!
Suspension, I comment on this while I still had my old username (Tyresong) I replaced my rear tyre with a taller one with better off road abilities, and the extra height it gave the rear tilted the bike forward and improved the steering geometry... that is the main benefit to adjusting the preload as well, it alters how the bike sits and steers while loaded and going down the road, dropping the back and or lifting the front makes it more stable and harder to turn, while lifting the rear and dropping the front increases agility and makes the steering much lighter (assuming you don't go too far and make the bike unstable). the purpose of adjusting the preload for the weight on the bike is to have it at the correct heigh while riding for optimal stability and handling. But If the shock is stuffed, then that is a problem and replacing it (or rebuilding a rebuildable one) is the only answer. but tyre pressure makes a difference to ride comfort, wear, and grip. (add "luggage" add air... but if you Ride light, drop the pressure to suit, your butt will thank you for it. I may not have a huge amount of time on a bike, but my brain loves Physics, and I love experimenting with them to understand them more. My background may be with Rallying and cars in general, but motorcycles are not the dark art many claim they are, if the physics can be understood. New shocks are never a waste of money unless you try to spend too little and have to spend it again! while you are at it replacing the rear, get the front rebuilt with fresh new seals and oil as well. there are different thicknesses of oil that can affect the firmness of the shock as well, but your suspension expert should be able to choose the right oil for you without having to spend more than a second thinking about it!
This is so true. Riding in winter teaches so much about how to handle a bike in sub optimal-conditions. It also helps to build the skill of being able to read road conditions and look well ahead. If folks can ride safe and well when the road conditions are bad, riding on warm dry roads is easy
I recently did my first ride to work on my little 125. It was so scary, I had to go on twisty country roads in the pitch black with heavy fog and it was freezing. It was a trial by fire, but I got to work in one piece. I didn't stall once and I managed to get through every junction without having any issues with which lane I was supposed to be in. I felt very proud that I got through it safely and without having to pull over somewhere. Quite the learning experience.
@@mkh1996mkh best way to stave off the cold is to wear gear that blocks the wind - so you don't need to wear silly amounts of layers. And pitch-black and fog is a 'mare, defo a good experience for you! :D
As a 16 years old first year apprentice, I rode my Triumph Tiger Cub all year round. I am now 70 years young and ride a Suzuki GSX650F for all but the worst weather months. I think you are right about learning to ride and pass your test in the winter months leaving you better prepared for the rest of the year.
true! I passed around the same time as you, this time last year. There was no way I was gonna wait until the spring to ride.. actually, on the day I passed I took a 4 hour solo ride to wales to visit a friend! I really feel like I benefitted from learning in more difficult conditions. And like you say, once it started getting warmer it felt like an absolute dream!! sadly my bike is out of commission atm but trying to get back on the road asap. I'd like to say your riding has come on so much!!!
@@TipToeBikers it was a nice day up in South Yorks, but the evening was horrendously wet and cold, still loved it though, even if I did have to jump into a nice hot bath.
Did my DAS course in the winter, it definitely is a better experience, because you REALLY get to learn the limits of motorcycles a lot quicker, and on a bike that isn't yours. You learn the great things about riding, such as the thrill of speed, the freedom, and community, while also learning all the hazards that otherwise would never become apparent to you in summer, such as how various road conditions can affect traction, the dangers of tram tracks, manhole covers, etc, and issues with visibility; and the cold, miserable rain, you definitely learn about the cold and rain and can sooner buy the gear that will be suitable for it sooner.
Got my bike last July, but for personal reasons, it was late October before I got my CBT done. I rode my bike all through the winter, only missing a few days due to absolute pelting rain. I've ridden in rain, storms, frosty dry days, arrived at work with frost on my gloves, (i now have heated ones), and here we are with winter fast approaching again. I'm a firm believer that riding in more adverse weather does make you a better rider, you know the roads, you know the bike, you trust your ability, you ride within your limits and don't take unnecessary risks. Over five and a half thousand miles on the clock in my first year riding around 120 miles a week, and I've enjoyed every second, even the days when the weather's been horrible.
I remember years ago when I was on a cruiser, we had a really bad winter. Not long after snow, he had a huge downpour. Came off an island and into what I thought was a puddle. Ended up being flood water. The fenders on the cruiser were so big that it glided across like a boat! Which is also a good tip. After going through big puddles or driving in heavy rain, I like to scrub my brakes if there's a gap behind
butt clenching times is on the motorway/dual when it rains in the dark - especially when there are no lights and even the reflective studs are absent - and the added bonus of a flooded lane on a bend.
I actually have my very last exam in 2 days(november 5th) and other than a motorcycle all i have is a bicycle😂 i was really sad that i was gonna get my license in the winter because i’m terrified of the wet ground (i’m in the Netherlands so its really just rainy season whenever it’s not summer) but after having a few classes in the rain, other than the fact i nearly freeze to death it’s manageable with the right clothing heheh now i’m grateful to think by next summer i’ll be chillin’ on that thing. Also i’m brainwashing myself by just saying i’m getting my license when deep down i’m terrified of failing, but the fear makes the ride worse they say 🙃
I learnt to ride in winter. It was summer when I decided to try it (on a Moped) and got my motorcycle license in the middle of winter... my reasoning, It's the peak of Summer here at Christmas time and I want to spend it on a Bike, so had to get in practice and be good enough for that before summer hits (It's just starting now) but since I have stayed upright during winter, my new challenge is gravel roads. oh the options I'm giving myself for safe summer riding after learning in winter...
come o it's green it's green lets go... I saw this yesterday (two lanes) there was a car with a guy who saw not paying attention, every car in front went, every car in the lane next to him went, so I beeped as I went past in the other lane... oh the dirty look he gave me as I went by, it was hilarious!
@@TipToeBikers I fitted one on my GSXR1100 nearly ten years ago, it’s been absolutely fine and looks / works almost exactly as it did the day I fitted it. You can spend two or three times the price on a Nitron or similar but for road riding I can’t see the point. I bet you’ll find she rides a whole lot better with a functional shock 🤣
For heated grips, I LOVE (and recommend) the Yamaa aftermarket grips with the switch built into the left grip, with no bulky box!!! I bought these and they have been FAB!! :) Is your rear shock seized per chance? My mate "Rachels Rideouts" started out on a ZX250 and that happened to her brand new bike in less than one year, sadly!!! :( She DID get it replaced under warranty, but had to argue about it with the shop she bought it from... I was surprised how "well" the bike still rode, considering the shock wasn't working, which was a bit of a surprise TBH! Good luck for both fixes!! :)
Seized / collapsed, just doesn't work 😂 obviously still rides well enough, but then again I don't know how a working suspension would feel for this bike so looking forward to the replacement
@@TipToeBikers I suspect it's seized, as collapsed usually means rear sag to the point you couldn't ride it (Rach's was seized (not many months from new, sadly :( ). Like you, when I rode it, because I didn't know what *that* bike and it's suspention *should* feel like, I wasn't sure, thought it mostly just felt "cheap", but on closer inspection, you could see it wasn't really moving, but the light weight mean you could still ride it and get away with it.... I suspect you'll REALLY notice a difference when it's fixed :D :D :D
Found no matter what i did, winter or summer tests and lessons were hard to come by (i didn't do a DAS course) bookings were 9-12 weeks apart and sometimes my lessons were 6 weeks apart due to only being able to do weekends. Was horrific and the lessons weren't great. I didn't go for a 125 to continue learning on either as i just wanted to go straight to a 600 after passing, which i did but the whole process left me saltier than the roads :)
I started in May and used the coming summer to learn. Then winter came and I learned more and more. So I would disagree that STARTING in winter is better.
I've had "I didn't mean to come this way" moments... aren't they fun? I have had to stop and take photo's of things/scenery I have accidentally found. things that, well If they were shared too often everyone would use those roads and make it less peaceful and tranquil. but damn it I do want to share the things I see!
Yeah, definitely. I don't like wearing many layers underneath my jacket, and the hoodie blocks a surprising amount of wind hitting the bit of my neck that isn't covered by jacket or balaclava
True. You learn more in the wet, the dark, the cold. I did. Passed last Halloween. Bought a Rocket 3GT January. Out everyday since, except for two when I had a puncture. Learn way more in the wet than the dry. But,,,,you are always learning, no matter the season
Yes, this video is truth!
I live in Sevenoaks and get a lot of ice during winter and will be getting ice next month, dec and jan.
A lot of drifting happens it's great, winter's bite makes you feel alive like nothing else.
Be careful, especially with black ice that can't be seen. Sometimes it's better to wait it out a few weeks and go when the weather allows.
I got my license and bought my first bike in November last year, so my whole intro to riding was in fall and winter. Best time to prep you for wearing your gear, and paying more attention to road hazards. After that, summer was a breeze. Great video!
Suspension, I comment on this while I still had my old username (Tyresong) I replaced my rear tyre with a taller one with better off road abilities, and the extra height it gave the rear tilted the bike forward and improved the steering geometry... that is the main benefit to adjusting the preload as well, it alters how the bike sits and steers while loaded and going down the road, dropping the back and or lifting the front makes it more stable and harder to turn, while lifting the rear and dropping the front increases agility and makes the steering much lighter (assuming you don't go too far and make the bike unstable). the purpose of adjusting the preload for the weight on the bike is to have it at the correct heigh while riding for optimal stability and handling.
But If the shock is stuffed, then that is a problem and replacing it (or rebuilding a rebuildable one) is the only answer. but tyre pressure makes a difference to ride comfort, wear, and grip. (add "luggage" add air... but if you Ride light, drop the pressure to suit, your butt will thank you for it.
I may not have a huge amount of time on a bike, but my brain loves Physics, and I love experimenting with them to understand them more. My background may be with Rallying and cars in general, but motorcycles are not the dark art many claim they are, if the physics can be understood.
New shocks are never a waste of money unless you try to spend too little and have to spend it again! while you are at it replacing the rear, get the front rebuilt with fresh new seals and oil as well. there are different thicknesses of oil that can affect the firmness of the shock as well, but your suspension expert should be able to choose the right oil for you without having to spend more than a second thinking about it!
This is so true. Riding in winter teaches so much about how to handle a bike in sub optimal-conditions. It also helps to build the skill of being able to read road conditions and look well ahead. If folks can ride safe and well when the road conditions are bad, riding on warm dry roads is easy
I recently did my first ride to work on my little 125. It was so scary, I had to go on twisty country roads in the pitch black with heavy fog and it was freezing. It was a trial by fire, but I got to work in one piece. I didn't stall once and I managed to get through every junction without having any issues with which lane I was supposed to be in. I felt very proud that I got through it safely and without having to pull over somewhere. Quite the learning experience.
Definitely something to be proud of, if you can ride through that you've pretty much covered all conditions 😂
@@TipToeBikers thanks, hopefully next year I can do my DAS it will make those cold morning rides to work a bit faster 🏍️
@@mkh1996mkh best way to stave off the cold is to wear gear that blocks the wind - so you don't need to wear silly amounts of layers. And pitch-black and fog is a 'mare, defo a good experience for you! :D
@@doghous3yeah I'm hoping to buy some warmer gear and heated gloves soon. Its just all so expensive though 😅
@mkh1996mkh a tip I was told was to wear disposable latex gloves inside my riding gloves, helps keeps your hands warmer.
As a 16 years old first year apprentice, I rode my Triumph Tiger Cub all year round. I am now 70 years young and ride a Suzuki GSX650F for all but the worst weather months. I think you are right about learning to ride and pass your test in the winter months leaving you better prepared for the rest of the year.
true! I passed around the same time as you, this time last year. There was no way I was gonna wait until the spring to ride.. actually, on the day I passed I took a 4 hour solo ride to wales to visit a friend! I really feel like I benefitted from learning in more difficult conditions. And like you say, once it started getting warmer it felt like an absolute dream!! sadly my bike is out of commission atm but trying to get back on the road asap. I'd like to say your riding has come on so much!!!
Haha thank you! I'm thinking of going back and re-watching / reacting to my first videos when it comes up to a year of uploading :)
I ride all year in the Uk 🇬🇧 you still get great days for riding in the winter!
Definitely! Wish I could have been out today
@@TipToeBikersit was warm and beautiful today!
@@TipToeBikers it was a nice day up in South Yorks, but the evening was horrendously wet and cold, still loved it though, even if I did have to jump into a nice hot bath.
Did my cbt on the 16th of September got myself a yamaha mt 125 and done 1600 miles already I absolutely love it
Did my DAS course in the winter, it definitely is a better experience, because you REALLY get to learn the limits of motorcycles a lot quicker, and on a bike that isn't yours. You learn the great things about riding, such as the thrill of speed, the freedom, and community, while also learning all the hazards that otherwise would never become apparent to you in summer, such as how various road conditions can affect traction, the dangers of tram tracks, manhole covers, etc, and issues with visibility; and the cold, miserable rain, you definitely learn about the cold and rain and can sooner buy the gear that will be suitable for it sooner.
Got my bike last July, but for personal reasons, it was late October before I got my CBT done. I rode my bike all through the winter, only missing a few days due to absolute pelting rain. I've ridden in rain, storms, frosty dry days, arrived at work with frost on my gloves, (i now have heated ones), and here we are with winter fast approaching again. I'm a firm believer that riding in more adverse weather does make you a better rider, you know the roads, you know the bike, you trust your ability, you ride within your limits and don't take unnecessary risks. Over five and a half thousand miles on the clock in my first year riding around 120 miles a week, and I've enjoyed every second, even the days when the weather's been horrible.
I remember years ago when I was on a cruiser, we had a really bad winter. Not long after snow, he had a huge downpour. Came off an island and into what I thought was a puddle. Ended up being flood water. The fenders on the cruiser were so big that it glided across like a boat! Which is also a good tip. After going through big puddles or driving in heavy rain, I like to scrub my brakes if there's a gap behind
butt clenching times is on the motorway/dual when it rains in the dark - especially when there are no lights and even the reflective studs are absent - and the added bonus of a flooded lane on a bend.
U did good 👍 on journey 👏 ❤😊
I actually have my very last exam in 2 days(november 5th) and other than a motorcycle all i have is a bicycle😂 i was really sad that i was gonna get my license in the winter because i’m terrified of the wet ground (i’m in the Netherlands so its really just rainy season whenever it’s not summer) but after having a few classes in the rain, other than the fact i nearly freeze to death it’s manageable with the right clothing heheh now i’m grateful to think by next summer i’ll be chillin’ on that thing.
Also i’m brainwashing myself by just saying i’m getting my license when deep down i’m terrified of failing, but the fear makes the ride worse they say 🙃
Exactly! Its like training with weights, the harder it is the better you will get without the weights.
I learnt to ride in winter. It was summer when I decided to try it (on a Moped) and got my motorcycle license in the middle of winter... my reasoning, It's the peak of Summer here at Christmas time and I want to spend it on a Bike, so had to get in practice and be good enough for that before summer hits (It's just starting now) but since I have stayed upright during winter, my new challenge is gravel roads. oh the options I'm giving myself for safe summer riding after learning in winter...
come o it's green it's green lets go... I saw this yesterday (two lanes) there was a car with a guy who saw not paying attention, every car in front went, every car in the lane next to him went, so I beeped as I went past in the other lane... oh the dirty look he gave me as I went by, it was hilarious!
Have you ever done a Bike safe or Fire bike observed ride,they are great fun and you learn alot.Fire bike courses are free.
Another entertaining ride 😊
Obviously your pink sweatshirt is up to ce requirements for riding a motorcycle 😂😂 subbed 👍
Haha it is an ordinary hoodie, but the jacket underneath is AAA with CE level 2 armour 😊
YSS shocks are good value for general road riding if they do a fit for Noxie.
They do, that's what I'll be going for
@@TipToeBikers I fitted one on my GSXR1100 nearly ten years ago, it’s been absolutely fine and looks / works almost exactly as it did the day I fitted it. You can spend two or three times the price on a Nitron or similar but for road riding I can’t see the point. I bet you’ll find she rides a whole lot better with a functional shock 🤣
Can't wait to film the functional shock video 😂
For heated grips, I LOVE (and recommend) the Yamaa aftermarket grips with the switch built into the left grip, with no bulky box!!! I bought these and they have been FAB!! :) Is your rear shock seized per chance? My mate "Rachels Rideouts" started out on a ZX250 and that happened to her brand new bike in less than one year, sadly!!! :( She DID get it replaced under warranty, but had to argue about it with the shop she bought it from... I was surprised how "well" the bike still rode, considering the shock wasn't working, which was a bit of a surprise TBH! Good luck for both fixes!! :)
Seized / collapsed, just doesn't work 😂 obviously still rides well enough, but then again I don't know how a working suspension would feel for this bike so looking forward to the replacement
@@TipToeBikers I suspect it's seized, as collapsed usually means rear sag to the point you couldn't ride it (Rach's was seized (not many months from new, sadly :( ). Like you, when I rode it, because I didn't know what *that* bike and it's suspention *should* feel like, I wasn't sure, thought it mostly just felt "cheap", but on closer inspection, you could see it wasn't really moving, but the light weight mean you could still ride it and get away with it.... I suspect you'll REALLY notice a difference when it's fixed :D :D :D
Found no matter what i did, winter or summer tests and lessons were hard to come by (i didn't do a DAS course) bookings were 9-12 weeks apart and sometimes my lessons were 6 weeks apart due to only being able to do weekends. Was horrific and the lessons weren't great. I didn't go for a 125 to continue learning on either as i just wanted to go straight to a 600 after passing, which i did but the whole process left me saltier than the roads
:)
That sounds like a nightmare... at least it's over now 😂
the problem for me to riding in the winter, we have snow over here in Canada :p
Haha yeah that's a bit of an obstacle 😂
I started in May and used the coming summer to learn. Then winter came and I learned more and more. So I would disagree that STARTING in winter is better.
How did you afford your bike, might I ask? Or do you pay through financing? I'm considering getting a motorbike such as that myself.
Saved up and bought off marketplace
@@TipToeBikers Ah! Thank you! 👍
New biker here, or new to be, CBT in a couple weeks. Love the channel.
Best of luck with the CBT!
@@TipToeBikers Thnx
I've had "I didn't mean to come this way" moments... aren't they fun? I have had to stop and take photo's of things/scenery I have accidentally found. things that, well If they were shared too often everyone would use those roads and make it less peaceful and tranquil. but damn it I do want to share the things I see!
Does wearing a hoodie make a lot of difference, are you much warmer, just curious. Cheers 👍
Yeah, definitely. I don't like wearing many layers underneath my jacket, and the hoodie blocks a surprising amount of wind hitting the bit of my neck that isn't covered by jacket or balaclava
Definitely, always put your gloves on before wiping off the snow.
😂
All of this means I'd end up spending a fortune on cleaning products to keep all the grime and dirt and salt off the bike
1:31 did you see that big weird spiral cloud??
Haha no I didn't, nice spot
"i know where i am" compilation when? :'D
😂
Done ice and snow no thanks.
I'm definitely getting old cause watching you ride with one hand resting on the tank gives me the fear. 😬
Sorry 😂