Learner Motorcyclist: More rookie mistakes on my Honda CB125R

In this episode I bite the bullet and return to doing some town work. I nailed a nice u turn, and only slightly fell off... again. As a learner biker, learning to ride a motorcycle in the UK, all this is part of my journey on my Honda CB125R (which I love).
These are not intended to be instructional videos. I'm a complete novice and @MrElfSquirrel is not a motorcycle instructor - he's just a bloke teaching his wife to ride a bike. However, I couldn't find content like this when I was looking for it - so thought I'd share my learner journey in the hope it helps others like me.
Hope you enjoy my content - and if you do, please think about liking, commenting or even subscribing. Hope to see you back here.

[@morbid1.]

this is why installing motorcycle crash bar is good and cheap way to save bike and legs

[@BikerElfSquirrel]

It's surprising how many times I've dropped it and how little damage there is - almost like it's designed to be dropped!

[@olid6601]

Keep at it Ruth!! Doing a great job. I recognise so much of what I see in your videos. The panicking! Such a strange phenomenon, you know what you need to do but go blank. That will pass :) Wouldn't have got through my Mod1 and Mod2 without your videos.

[@BikerElfSquirrel]

Thank you so much. Will do.

[@youngeroldie5089]

Good video, enjoyed it. As a volunteer motorbike instructor I noticed you knew the reason you dropped the bike which is a sign of a good trainee. You mentioned you were not looking down the road and that is a spot on diagnosis. The body wants to follow where you are looking and you must have been looking at the opposite kerb area then panicked as you got close to it. Like you said look down the road and focus where you want to be. Also on junctions get into the habit of positioning your bike at an angle pointing it to where you want to go, meaning you are already looking up the road and have less of a turn to make. So on a left turn should you need to put your left foot down your foot would be about a foot from the kerb this will make it easier and ensure no other vehicle / pushbike can get up the inside of you. Keep practicing you are doing well. liked and subbed

[@BikerElfSquirrel]

Thank you for the advice. I’m trying to do left u turns every time I’m out.

[@somatyk]

This made me smile so much. 1 1/2 years on my cb125r now. Still have my plates. DAS booked for May. Been to Cornwall, the Lake District and all in between. Your fella sounds stern on cam, but having that experience for safety and that knowledge is something most of us never get. Props to him. But you're smashing it. Don't question yourself so much. My 1st gear still refuses at times. Banging off the limiter at a zebra crossing🤣 Subbed. Look forward to more journeys with you guys.

[@BikerElfSquirrel]

Thank you. Maybe this year I’ll get the test sorted!

[@NRSG10]

Well done for getting straight up and back on to the bike. Keep up the learning. I’m currently the opposite …. Happy around town but shit myself on open roads and countryside.

[@BikerElfSquirrel]

I love the town bits but once those curves on open road start falling into place…it’s the best!

[@daddystu7046]

Down.. straight back up. Good to see. Too many vids focus on people doing everything perfectly! I fell on ice last week. didn't record it though. Would've been a funny one.

[@BikerElfSquirrel]

Hope you were not too bruised. I’ve almost stopped getting the ones on my calf’s after every ride!

[@crovo61]

Keep it up your doing fantastic👍👍

[@danreeves1602]

I'm looking at doing my cbt soon and getting the same bike, it's nice to see a video of a beginner/novice biker in the learning process so I know what sortof stuff to expect

[@BikerElfSquirrel]

Thanks. 2 years down the line for me and it’s really clicked. I’m totally hooked now!

[@dreamcrusher112]

Something I actively practice now is 'blading' all junctions, no matter the width of the road. Instead of making a sharp turn which made you come off, it's essentially a straight line merge. They do teach it on CBT and look for it on the test but many stick to the car style of junction entry. Point left to go left, point right to go right.

[@BikerElfSquirrel]

Thanks. I might have to give that a go.

[@dreamcrusher112]

@@BikerElfSquirrel I do it because I took a nice trip into a hedge by not blading!

[@gary9069]

Really cool to see you still making videos. Since I've been here last, I've earned my full bike license and changed the CB125R up to a Triumph Trident 660. I've totally fallen in love with riding. Shame winter is well on the way. 🤣

[@BikerElfSquirrel]

Well done. I’m just not ready mentally!!!

[@team-badseeds]

'Kin 'ell!!! You ought to ditch the old man, or at the very least, switch off that bleedin' intercom and ride your own ride. Yes, you're making some daft errors, but this is absolutely as to be expected. If you want to get good and confident on a motorbike, just go and ride. The old adage that 'practice makes perfect'. Everything will slip into place with practice and miles in the saddle and you'll eventually be much more polished than you are now. The old fella's rabbiting in your ear is off-putting. Money down, I'm more experienced and have ridden more miles than him 👍 Good luck; bikes represent the most fun you can have with your clothes on 🏍❤

[@mrelfsquirrel]

I don't disagree Lee. I'm at the point where I'm doing nothing more than providing a 'safety net' and @BikerElfSquirrel would really benefit from more time in the saddle on her own. She's essentially test ready - save for requiring regular and consistent practice. And I agree that she'll benefit more from doing that on her own.

[@BikerElfSquirrel]

Noted……..old man you are fired!!!!!

[@233kosta]

If I'm not mistaken, the U-turn spacing at mod 1 is 7.5 metres. That's between the two white lines at the site. Your tyres can't go on the line, but your left foot can when you stop.

[@ozzyprogdomino8815]

I find winter gloves horible never found a pair I like and give me the feel I want. just get heated grips and wear summer gloves. 😄

[@mrelfsquirrel]

I'm with you on that one. Winter gloves just don't do it for me either - but then I have heated grips and guards and a heated seat - unlike the elf - might have to look into that for her before "proper" winter.

[@ozzyprogdomino8815]

@@mrelfsquirrel I only saw this recommended channel today, and have gone back and watch the previous videos to see the journey. Ruth is very courageous. I passed my test nearly 30 years ago in my early 20s but I had to stop riding when I found out I was pregnant with my daughter. When she went of to uni a couple of years ago and my husband got another bike I thought I would give it another go. It had been so long and my confidence was shot, so I bought a 125 and started again. It came back quickly but the first few rides were like Ruth’s because I was having to think about it again everything felt rushed. It been a couple of years since then, the cb125f has turned in to a Kawasaki z400 and a monkey bike. I have done about 4000 miles and have got back to the level of adequate 😀 I hope Ruth is not too hard on herself as we all have offs but if you keep practicing it will suddenly just click. she is one of a tiny percentage of women brave enough to ride motorcycle so should be incredibly proud.

[@mrelfsquirrel]

@@ozzyprogdomino8815 She's awesome, but is really hard on herself. And I can tell from her analytics on youtube that the vast majority of her viewers on youtube are male, so you're in the minority here too. She really is incredibly courageous. She used to be disabled and have a blue badge, but about 9 years ago she had really life changing hip surgery and has been a completely different woman since. I think she just needs to be out more regularly and it'll start to click, but as you'll know, sometimes life just gets in the way. I need to get her some heated grips for winter though. And I am incredibly proud. Thank you.

[@BikerElfSquirrel]

Thank you for this. I decided to document learning as almost all videos out their are of confident riders on big bikes. That’s not me! I know I’ll get there, it’s finding the time to get out when you run your own business and work over 50 hours a week with children!!

[@BikerElfSquirrel]

Gloves……grrrrr

[@gentlemanrider1482]

😎☕👍

[@thomaswhittaker9785]

I cant stand riding with thick gloves, i wear rst stunt leather gloves that arent long or thick, i love them, if it gets to cold i have a pair of rst wind block under gloves

[@BikerElfSquirrel]

Thank you. I’ll look at them.

[@mrelfsquirrel]

14:32 Nervous laughter I suspect.

[@BikerElfSquirrel]

You know me too well!