Take It Easy

What a buzz. I passed my test, with only two minor mistakes, and I feel like exploding with glee for it. I'm actually picking the Versys up after work today and I'm going to ride it into Robertsbridge tomorrow morning because I feel so confident after passing that I know I'll have no problems on the road.

Wow. I also took the CBF500 to 80MPH today once before and once after the test (overtaking on a dual carriageway) and the speed... the speed! The best thing about it was that I only twisted the throttle about halfway to accelerate and I could feel the bike had so much more power in it.

Riding 70MPH for the rest of the dual carriageway confirmed what I had suspected though: I need a new helmet. My current Caberg helmet has been fine for the CG125 but it lacks a double-D-ring fastener and it doesn't sit too well on my bonce; I could feel it slipping upwards as Trevor and I hit the high speeds on the A-roads out of Eastbourne. I've already got a new jacket and gloves (by Sparda), I should get new footwear thanks to the titanium ankle plate pinging off one of my current boots, and my trousers have aged poorly so I should replace those too. Brand new kit for a brand new bike eh?

The insurance for the Versys was roughly £1,300 (comprehensive). I got it through ebike insurance, they have some nice optional things you can add to your policy and I took the opportunity to add a key replacement policy to the list.

It's such a shame I have to come into work tomorrow. There are precious hours during which I could ride my bike... they'll be wasted.

Ah well. It's a very long weekend this weekend, thanks to Good Friday and Easter Monday, so I'll get lots of road experience on the Versys later on this week. Awesome.

I promised Matt (the other Matt) that I'd take him for a ride on the Versys as soon as possible once I've gotten in. And I'll hold to that. He should be in Hastings this weekend so I'll let him ride pillion out to Winchelsea or Eastbourne or somewhere like that. The Long Man of Wilmington might be a good place to visit. Awesome.

I think I may be a little too excited or something... I keep needing to go to the toilet.

And remember kids: If you're in the south-east of England and need a motorbike, J S Gedge is the place to go. They really are fantastic!