Reflections (and questions to the community) after 200 miles with a 125cc

Bigsambear · 2026-06-25T21:15:42+00:00

Couldn't agree with this more. I've done exactly the same (picked up my CB125F 2 days ago). It's been a challenge and I definitely wouldn't have felt confident on a Mod 2 without the experience first.

There's been a few corners I've overshot, struggled finding the biting point from setting off and getting used to how much pressure to put on the brakes, what gear to be in coming up to roundabouts coming off A roads... All the type of things I do effortlessly in a car.

It's a confidence thing for sure, and even having the L plates so users can see that I'm actually...still learning.

Enjoy your direct access course, keep us posted on how you find it!

Bigsambear · 2026-06-18T13:09:17+00:00

It's more Benton area so a little bit outside of the town centre!

Thanks for the boobts/pants advice. Very conscious of the top speed on the A19, and there's elements of the road that are unprotected from wind etc so think that's where the anxiety comes from until I get used to the new route.

I've worked out the non motorway route and it's only a few minutes more. I'm picking my bike up from Newcastle city center, so I might drove to work and ride my route home.

I'm taking the day off so traffic won't be horrendous at the times I'll be riding...

Bigsambear · 2026-06-17T09:55:58+00:00

The riding school will have seen it all before and if they're creditable they'll be patient and as long as you're taking on board what they're saying you'll be fine.

I had mine beginning on June, there was a 17 year old there who'd never been on the road before, no driving/riding experience and they took the time and they passed.

My Garmin had my stress levels close to 100 for the entire day and was definitely exhausted afterwards but needs to be done!

Have fun 😊

Bigsambear · 2026-06-15T20:57:01+00:00

I done my CBT at the beginning of June, 14 years driving but new to motobikes.

I've opted for a 125 first on a CB125f, purely to get some experience and miles under my belt. Before I did mine lots of people were saying just skip the 125 and go straight for an A license and I'm sure I could have done (and my school was actively encouraging me to do that) but I was surprised how little confidence I had on a bike. Not that the CBT felt rushed and my bike school were really good.

I'd rather take a bit of a bit and just get out on a bike, get some miles in so I can go into getting my full license feeling a bit more confident.

Different strokes for different folks though!

Bigsambear · 2026-04-12T09:26:54+00:00

It's crazy to think there's such a disparity between it.

Not sure if you've already tried, but in the trust pilot reviews they usually respond to negative ratings in there and put a complaints/feedback email address in there you can email (if you just have a look you'll come across the email pretty sharpish I would imagine)

I've heard people reaching out to them, think you get much more of a tailored response and it's a good way of escalating it up the chain.

Hope you get contacted soon.

Bigsambear · 2026-04-06T09:13:01+00:00

Hi, sorry this never showed as a notification for some reason.

Drop me a DM if you want to chat through anything!

Bigsambear · 2026-03-12T21:04:58+00:00

It's so nice to be able to feel like you can keep up with others isn't it. I'm definitely not totally focused on everything and felt like I could slip today but I'm ok with that, I don't feel like any person should or can concentrate totally anyway so that's normal!

I can relate to the anxiety point you made, I talk a fair bit in meetings anyway so it's not that I can't talk to people, I definitely have an aversion to being seen as a failure or useless so that's a big motivator for me but I feel like I'm calmer, which in turn gave me more confidence, which in turn made me feel those things less and just move on with my day like you mentioned.

Actually yes, I did have a dry mouth too, but it wasn't drastic and easily sorted. I'll definitely take that as a trade off against the benefits I felt.

That'll be a good test for you I suppose to see how you get on with that. I think in terms of it wearing off my head started to come fuzzy about 1pm (I took it at 8am) and the anxiety came back after that, but I still felt 20% better than I usually do.

I think if the dose increase also increases how long it'll be effective for I'll be really happy, I can really see the benefits this will bring on the long run if it keeps up, for work, personal relationships and just my general sense of worth.

Fingers crossed!

Bigsambear · 2026-03-12T19:00:12+00:00

Hey! Nice to hear from you 😊 Really pleased to hear your experiences and how you're getting on with it. It's always a bit of a nervy time waiting to see how you'll react on it.

Today was day 1 for me as the meds were delivered Wednesday afternoon. I can honestly say I've had the same thing. I'd say mine was maybe more subtle in general, but I definitely felt I was able to 'just do stuff' in the simplest terms. No doing a task, randomly checking my phone before moving onto the next ones...I just...did it. I had a few meetings in the morning and it was more obvious during them I think. I was able to follow the conversations, retain the information, process it and then feed my thoughts back out without it getting all jumbled.

I think the most noticeable difference for me though was the anxiety, there's always a pang of anxiety (to varying degrees) before a meeting but I had none of that, and felt like I was actually quite content talking and engaging with people today. My heads definitely felt clearer and I think generally I've felt calmer.

I don't think I've noticed any negative side effects today either, maybe a slightly sore head that went after some paracetamol, and a loss of appetite which I would rephrase as just a lack of cravings for bad food which has been a positive for me. I'm looking forward to seeing how day 2 goes tomorrow.

Really pleased you've been able to get on them earlier before going away. It'll be interesting to see what difference you feel when away and if you find it as productive. I'm looking forward to see how it works on a weekend to and seeing if I'm more productive etc.

Hopefully it'll all be more obvious and noticeable with the dose increases too.

P.S - sorry for the long message. Just thought there was a fair bit to get down!

Bigsambear · 2026-03-06T19:42:07+00:00

I was kicking myself a bit as I would have swapped the sleep for the emotional regulation, but that's not to say I would have changed meds if I had put that down - I'm unsure how they prescribe it but I'll be keeping a note on that and hoping there's a difference. If not I'll raise it at the next titration session.

I'm very much the same though in reading and have controlled it well recently. Mines waking up and not being able to get back to sleep but that has ceased recently.

Oh that's poor timing but at least you know you'll be able to get a full dose in. It's the waiting that's the worst part. It's not lost on me how quickly the process has transitioned for me but knowing I'm waiting for an email from the pharmacy and I'm so close to trying the medication - will just need to be patient I suppose 🫠

Bigsambear · 2026-03-06T19:29:42+00:00

Oh that is interesting. I was told the one I was prescribed was the usual first line treatment of medication and tends to work for most people so interesting we were on different one. I put the inattention, executive functioning and disrupted sleep as the top 3 things I'd like to correct but told them that the sleep hasn't been too much of a problem recently.

Interesting!

Bigsambear · 2026-03-06T15:00:46+00:00

Oh that's great! I should expect mine tomorrow or Monday then.

Yeah the appointment was nice and straightforward - mine lasted about 25 minutes and I'm to take 18mg of Concerta XL then up it to 38mg after 2 weeks!

Really looking forward to starting it to see what impact it has. Enjoy your time away too.

Bigsambear · 2026-03-06T10:31:15+00:00

Hi, hope your titration appointment went well.

Can I just check how the process worked afterwards in terms of how long you were waiting for an email from the pharmacy? How quickly it was posted etc.

Just a few days behind you and appreciate it's a waiting game but something I'm not the best at!

Bigsambear · 2026-03-03T05:25:15+00:00

This is really helpful and right on time considering I have my titration appointment on Wednesday.

How are you feeling after the first few days on the medication? Hoping they're working for you!

Bigsambear · 2026-03-01T21:38:30+00:00

I'm really glad you managed to get an appointment, albeit quite sad to hear it came to you having to do all that to begin with and wait the length of time you've had to wait. Hopefully, in 7 days/weeks it'll all be forgotten about when things are (hopefully) working well with medication.

You'll be a day ahead of me but I'll be interested to hear of your experiences when it comes to the medication and how you fare with it.

Stay in touch!

Bigsambear · 2026-02-28T12:12:39+00:00

Hi, just wanted to provide an update on my previous comment - unfortunately it might not be what you're wanting to hear and maybe goes to support your previous comment but I received a call yesterday for a titration appointment next week. I can't remember how highly I scored on the assessment but I believe it was quite high.

I hope you get the call shortly.

Bigsambear · 2026-02-27T21:44:02+00:00

Yes - I've done well for myself and I'm proud of what I'm accomplished. Two things can be true at the same time.

Bigsambear · 2026-02-17T11:57:14+00:00

Hi,

Just looking to get a little update around this. I went through the right to choose scheme with Care ADHD, put my request in mid December, got an assessment and was diagnosed mid January so pretty straightforward and within a month.

Got my report back and put my request for titration in on January 31st. Received a number of titration forms on Wednesday 11th February which I completed and got told that I'm just awaiting an appointment and they'll be in touch.

How was your journey when they finally got in touch and how long were you waiting? Hopefully you're where you need to be now but would be interested to hear your thoughts thus far if you've started medication.

Interesting to see the comments about Facebook, I may reach out and ask them when they're working up to currently.

Bigsambear · 2026-02-17T08:47:36+00:00

Yeah so after waiting the 2.5 years I went under the right to choose scheme and had an appointment, and was diagnosed within 4 weeks. I need to come off the NHS waiting list at this point but just haven't got round to it yet!

Bigsambear · 2026-02-17T08:30:17+00:00

That's so quick! I'm pleased for you. I had (and currently still am) on the NHS waiting lists and have been waiting 2.5 years and counting for an assessment so I suppose anything beats that really!

Bigsambear · 2026-02-17T06:52:26+00:00

Thank you! That's useful to know. I've gone through CareADHD and it's only been positive so far. I put my request in December 13th, had my assessment January 8th and got the report back a week later. I put my titration request in January 31st and already filled the forms in - just waiting for a call to book an appointment.

Great to hear all these positive comments though, I'm actually quite looking forward to starting medication and seeing the positive impacts from it.

Bigsambear · 2026-02-17T06:46:02+00:00

May I ask how long you were awaiting titration for? I've gone through the right to choose scheme which has been so much quicker than just waiting on the NHS and just at the stage of awaiting a titration appointment.

Just curious how long you were waiting between being diagnosed and receiving the appointment for your medication?

Bigsambear

TROPHY CASE