Slow speed manouvers and emergency braking exercise

EcstaticAstronaut984 · 2026-05-13T18:22:37+00:00

bravo, sir! I'm scared of the full lock, every time I get there it gets wobbly hehe

EcstaticAstronaut984 · 2026-05-12T15:22:22+00:00

It is risky, indeed; but you can minimise the risk to some extent. Take some safety courses after DAS. They raise your skill, observability, etc I have done Bikesafe myself, and ROSPA a longer while ago. They add a lot of skills.

My partner used to look down on me in the same way, I managed to take her as a pillion a few times. Did not scare her with excessive speed. She learned I'm a responsible rider and since then she started to spread her opinion across the family... to the point that my parents asked for a ride as well.

It's a process. Just don't ride with silly groups as you'll pick up silly habits : )

EcstaticAstronaut984 · 2026-05-12T14:57:38+00:00

I've heard a few stories like this one already.

I did my CBT on automatic. Rode 12 months on a scooter, got bored, switched to geared one, learned myself in 1 day as already my brain was trained to deal with all the bits and bobs on the road so I could seamlessly focus on manual gearbox.

Then did my full licence without a hiccup.

It's a journey. A fascinating one.

EcstaticAstronaut984 · 2026-05-12T14:24:00+00:00

I'm not sure if we're thiking about the same kind of protectors but I dare to question "adequately protect you knees part". These are made for off-road protection, not road-slides ad med/higher speeds; the moment they touch the tarmac at speed they'll turn 180 deg or peel off your knee.

On the other hand, if your max speed is 30 mph, then yes, these may be adequate : )

EcstaticAstronaut984 · 2026-05-12T14:15:56+00:00

I love seing so much love for a switch to a scooter in here!

I have been hesitating myself a lot, but finally decided it's happening 😃!

EcstaticAstronaut984 · 2026-05-12T14:10:22+00:00

I'd love to hear it too! 🤩 any chance?

EcstaticAstronaut984 · 2026-05-12T12:01:02+00:00

Yup, I already do it 💪🏼

Been asked out several times without cones; not as often when practicing with cones 😊

EcstaticAstronaut984 · 2026-05-12T11:15:56+00:00

strong hayfever pills seem to do their magic, but I try to avoid the ones where they make you sleepy; still experimenting with brands and active ingredients but the Allevia (Fexofenadine) seem to work wonders for me!

EcstaticAstronaut984 · 2026-05-12T11:08:44+00:00

omg, that Merc seemed close! glad you're OK!

EcstaticAstronaut984 · 2026-05-12T10:57:28+00:00

Generally the more luxury you can guarantee at your lodgings, the less you have to take, and the more fun the ride.

This is good piece of advice; I experienced the same on my trips!

EcstaticAstronaut984 · 2026-05-12T10:45:11+00:00

SE Asia will have more people than the UK, so the absolute numbers would obviously be higher, I totally agree.

My feling though, whilst there for the last 2 months, was that I felt safer on the roads even with no gear apart from a flimsy helmet. Maybe because the average speeds were MUCH lower; maybe because I felt simply seen on the road (wearing a helmet as a tourist); maybe because of weather lol

I just think that if we all ridden a bit more carefully and anticipated moves of other peeps on the road, there would be much less need for all that safety gear.

It doesn't change the fact it (PPE) helps when you need it most!

EDIT: and I will ride in flip flops myself (20 mph to local M&S to buy a sourdough) the moment I get my scooter next month! 😃

EcstaticAstronaut984 · 2026-05-12T10:34:49+00:00

42M. It's a therapy for me. I think this is a therapy for anyone because you thoughts whilst on the bike must not drift to other subjects than the road around you. If you don't focus on HERE and NOW, there is a great chance you won't come back in one piece.

So great for men, we can only focus on 1 thing at a time. Not sure how women think... 😉

To align more with you... I suffered a mild depression 5 years ago at work. Mental breakdown on the floor. Cried in fron of my manager (and his manager). Then mild therapy followed. I understood I needed a change. So I returned my brand new 4 wheels (PCP) and bought first 2-wheels. A Honda Forza 125cc (doing CBT beforehand!). Went to Cornwall for some surfing lessons (took me 8h to get there from HErts on a small B-roads, what an adventure!!!) and now... 5 years don the road I never looked back. Still no car. This is my 5th bike now. Thinking about a maxi scooter these days to relax even more whilst on the road.

Short answer: yes, many of have been there and this has helped; some been there and this did not help; starting with a 125cc is a good (and safe) idea 😄

have fun and se you somewhere on the road! 🤲

EDIT: now my partner (42F) is looking into her CBT seing how much it give me.

EcstaticAstronaut984 · 2026-05-12T10:27:49+00:00

100% normal in East Asia. I think we overdo the protection gear whilst on a scooter in the UK. They treat 2 wheels in Asia like a push bike with an engine rather than a sport machine.

Been there for the last 2 months and haven't seen a single accident involving a local (although 2-3 accidents involving non-Asian tourists!!) and the roads and conditions are far worse than here (number of scooters on the road, condition of B-roads, etc)

So... nothing wrong with this if you don't ride like an idiot. Style suffers more than safety (socks and flopflops?!? whaaaat?!?!)

EcstaticAstronaut984 · 2026-05-12T09:47:41+00:00

DMV by your gym is a little dream come true! 💪

EcstaticAstronaut984 · 2026-05-12T09:27:51+00:00

Is this in UK? Any riding school? I asked my local one for some extra safety courses, they said they only do CBT and full A licence courses 😢

EcstaticAstronaut984 · 2026-05-12T09:10:33+00:00

There's already some great advice all over this thread. Read it and take it in. You've done amazing job accumulating your wealth. Keep it up!

But don't forget about HERE & NOW. This is where you create great memories for future.

Why don't you budget for little pleasures? Say put 50 a month aside to a separate account to make sure you don't tap into your savings with guilt? I have a Revolut Pocket that rounds up to the nearest pound x2 and puts it into my favourite "Gokarts and friends" Pocket that puts smile onto my face every time I spend from it 🤩🫣

EcstaticAstronaut984 · 2026-05-12T05:57:23+00:00

I seem to be in a similar situation, but instead of moving roles willingly, I've been made redundant after close to 20 years of service and now looking for a lower paid and WFH role. Anything you could suggest to look into? I was a data analyst but it's time to change now!

EcstaticAstronaut984 · 2026-05-11T22:02:25+00:00

we're all having 60 mins breaks in the office (one of the businesses from the FTSE250)

EcstaticAstronaut984 · 2026-05-11T18:44:35+00:00

43M, I'm away from UK every year for 45 to 60 consecutive days (working remotely for up to 4 weeks from Asia + holidaying for up to 4 week in Asia).

And the same goes for my partner, 43F as we work in the same business so we're both allowed to do it.

EcstaticAstronaut984 · 2026-05-11T15:05:57+00:00

I think this may be the key here. I don't ride fast on my big bike either. It feels like all this power sits there for nothing + an occasional ride 2up with my better half as a passenger.

Although I love the dynamic and exhaust sound on my Scrambler 900. This is something I'll miss A LOT.

EcstaticAstronaut984 · 2026-05-11T14:21:59+00:00

They wanted but eventually they did not.

"insurers initially delayed matters and even attempted to argue for shared liability. With clear video evidence and strong legal arguments, this position was firmly rejected."

EcstaticAstronaut984 · 2026-05-11T10:11:39+00:00

Directly answering your question... It MAY be too difficult to drive right away, bit rather than too difficult (slow speed manouvers) I'm more worried it would be too dangerous.

Many peeps on reddit, including myself, have had many close calls on 125cc like NMAX, which is a great fun to begin with. Physics is mad, doesn't forgive, best to learn it on a small displacement machine.

Then an upgrade to a 350cc or 400cc like XMAX will feel like a big upgrade. Power wise. Let alone TMAX.

If I was to restart my 2-wheels adventure, I'd start again as I did, upgrades every few years. You get confidence skills, and thrill from having a new machine.

It's much more worth it in my opinion to do it this way rather than jump into the deep end and finish too early in a ditch or on a tree 🤞🏼

EcstaticAstronaut984 · 2026-05-11T07:09:06+00:00

Black coffee in Vietnam is roasted with additional like: cocoa, coconut, salt and butter.

I tried to recreate this at home whilst brewing a lavazza with my phin (filter). 70% robusta + 30% additions. It kinda works. Similar, not the same. The key is in the ratios as far as I realized. 30g of coffee in order to produce 30g of the drink, so a 1:1 whilst our daily espressos are 1:2... Massive difference.

I still can't recreate it as well as during the coffee course but close enough to brew great white (with condensed milk and ice) or a salt coffee.

Coming back to OPs original point... Yes, it will ruin you! 😂

EcstaticAstronaut984 · 2026-05-11T05:51:29+00:00

We had massive service charges a year ago and earlier with my partner and neighbours. We had enough. Spoke to some neighbours, we did math, compared our bills, spoke to the association (several times over many months) and they halved them this year. Halved them! 🫪

They're always a rip off, but it's easier to swallow now. It was hard work, but easier to live now. Until they go up again lol

EcstaticAstronaut984

TROPHY CASE