I Passed...WOOHOO

[kazza_nz_05]

Well I am official Biker Chick now.

I sat my Basic Handling Skills test yesterday (20th July) with RoadSafe in Petone. I had so much fun, it was great learning how to ride and handle a bike safely and correctly. I thought it was going to be a challenge to change gears. The whole idea of flicking your boot upwards for the next gear baffled me a bit, but it was easy as. I must admit I did stall a couple of times - Only cause I was so excited that I could do a exercise and then I let go of the clutch lever...LOL...Typical blonde moment. I must say that Andrew Templeton is a great guy to learn from and overall it was well worth the money spent and a great day.

I sat my Learners Licence today in Wellington becuase the Lower Hutt AA is not open on Saturdays (which is stupid). Passed that as well, took me back 12 years when I sat my drivers licence to begin with. But I must say the questions were a lot easier this time round....LOL...Only downfall is that my licence that I get will be the colour of the Motorcycle Learners even though I have a full Car Licence - I can live with that. I was so excited that I am now legal....

More news - Went to Maidstone Yamaha and brought my bike from Big Mac (Great guy to deal with) - 2007 Yamaha Scorpio SX4 $3750 (ORC included). I am eagerly waiting for Monday to roll round cause thats when my bike is delivered. Unfortunately might not be able to get out on it and practice this week cause I am working 6 days straight...Might get as far as the driveway and thats it.

A question for you guys/girls - Is it necessary to have a tool kit with your bike? If yes, what simple tools do I need?

[Mystery]

Congratulations Kazza the Scorpio is an awesome learners bike

[tri boy]

Yay Kazza
Bit your buzzing like a buzzy thing.
Enjoy. Re toolkit: The boys at the bike shop could see you right with a basic kit.

[Usarka]

i'd expect a brand new bike to have a tool kit. check under the seat before you go buying anything. i recommend a puncture kit, they are bloody useless wastes of space and money until u need it.

[kazza_nz_05]

Usarka - We did check under the seat. Not sold with one, Big Mac said that we didn't really need one. And I am not too fussed much when just learning - Bike is under warrenty and if I break down - The AA Roadside people can come to my rescue..LOL

[janno]

Hey congrats!!

You are going to have so much fun on your new steed! A tool kit is a must - as long as you know how to use the damn stuff. Otherwise you might as well have a spare lippy under there for all the good it will do you. (Just speaking from personal experience here.)

Get someone to show you fixes for the basic stuff that is most likely to have you stuck on the side of the road. It's good to know about your own bike and will save you having to wait hours for the AA to turn up.

[ZeroIndex]

Well done, have fun on the roads...

[gijoe1313]

Glad to hear you are riding two wheels of freedom soon! Congrats on passing your test and getting into it!

Have you geared yourself up as well? I bet you have! Anyway, the Welly crew will see you right and get you riding better in no time!

[merv]

Hi and glad to hear you are about to get riding. I find it hard to believe a Japanese bike doesn't have a toolkit. If its not under the seat if it lifts, is there a sidecover you can pop off or is it in a tube with a rubber end on coz usually there is one somewhere. Also you should get an owners manual with it and that will tell you where the toolkit is.

I see this one advertised in Aus http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Yamaha-Scorpi...QQcmdZViewItem and it says toolkit included so Big Mac didn't hold out on ya with the toolkit did he?

Geez look at the price they're asking over there!!

[babyblade250rr]

congrats on passing both the bh and licencing!! well done be safe and enjoy riding your new two wheeler

[EnzoYug]

Always good to have another on board!
Enjoy your riding and remember to keep the shiny side up.

As for tools, it depends on how 'into it' you're going to get and also how much tail space you have. I reckon you should always carry your papers (ie. field manual, service book etc...) in a sealed plastic bag along with a separate bag/pouch for tools.

I carry: 3 hex /Allen keys (my bike only has 3 different sized bolts)
Gerber-tool / multi-tool (a decent swiss army knife might do)
Phillips / Cross-head screwdriver (should come standard)
Hex socket tube(?) with holes in the end so you can turn it with a screwdriver (should come standard)
15mm Electrical / plumbing tape (will hold a busted wing mirror on or help secure a flapping numberplate)
A double ended spanner or two (should come standard)
...and maybe a bungee cord or three (if spare permits it can be very useful)


There's not much you can't fix (it don't think) with that. And if you can't fix it with that kit then it's probably beyond fixing on the side of the road* anyway.


*Unless of course you want to buy an old '58 Norton TT Manx - which, according to my father, will never ever die. If needs be it will simply throw you underneath itself to cushion the crash. Sadly they don't make 'em like that any more.

[Trudes]

Well done Chick!!

[Scorpygirl]

Awesome to hear Kazza. I hope you enjoy getting out and practising!!!

[Little Miss Trouble]

Yay thats awsome Kazza, great that even more girls are getting into it
Take it slow and make sure you've got the basics down while your running your new baby in, then once you confidence is up you should be past the point of having to be extra precious with the engine.
My only extra to add on top of whats already been said as far as tools goes would be a torch with battries in a ziplock bag since i managed to run out of gas in an area with no streetlights and had a few minutes of freaking out before it dawned on me :slap:

[Dodger]

Congrats!

Re toolkit. Things I carry under the rear seat (The Hyosung has quite a good storage compartment)

Duct Tape
Cable Ties
Torch
First Aid kit
Tool Kit
Rag

But the best tool you can have is a Cellphone