Review - Bikes (what I have been trained on)

Suzuki Gladius (with CJ Ball)
Hot - Strong acceleration, smooth steering, makes a nice noise, understanding (but not too much) clutch.
Not - I don't own one, rear brake comes on if you think too hard at the foot peg.

Honda CBF600 (with Craft Motorcycle Training)
Hot - Stable, good smooth engine (no excitement: as we like it), smooth clutch.
Not - Gearshifter was maddeningly sensitive and almost unable to find neutral (I think it was nackered but the instructor swore blind that I just needed to be 'more delicate'), lower gears easily slipped between each-other indicating the gearbox / clutch were probably nackered.

Yamaha XJ6 (with Camrider)
Hot - Very powerful, impressive presence, looks very nice.
Not - Crazy-sensitive clutch, engine a bit strong for a learner, HEAVY.

Kawasaki ER5 (with Camrider)
Hot - Just keeps on truckin', allows all manner of mistakes, very forgiving clutch.
Not - Stodgy everything, heavy steering, gears could be shifted without the clutch being properly depressed.

Sinnis Trackstar 125 (with Camrider)
Hot - Looks like the kinda bike Indiana Jones would ride (big plus), comfortable seat (good for shorties), comfortable riding position
Not - Clutch a bit weedy, not very strong engine (might be because its a 125, but maybe not)

Review - CJ Ball Motorcycle Dealership and Training School

Name: CJ Ball
Instructor: Richard
Admin person: Steph
Website:  http://www.cjballtraining.com/

Hot: Brand new suzuki Gladius 600s to practice on (much nicer than the traditional nackered ER-5/6), on-time, tidy, don't stop to roll cigarettes during my practice time (happens pretty often with other instructors) and give good straight instruction.

Not: They have the worst bike-to-bike radios ever (like being stabbed in the ears), their admin team are a bit shocking at accidentally double-booking or needing to last-minute rescheduling (but they are willing to compensate you well for it), on the pricier end of the market.

Review - Bullson Sheltex boots

With the motorcycle test quickly approaching and my current (and highly inappropriate) motorcycle footwear (UK army boots or soft-soled low-rise leather casual boots), I've bitten the bullet and bought some motorcycle boots that might keep me from earning the name 'pegfoot Jack'.

 Went to the disinterested people at the Harley dealership, then to the casually indifferent people at the BMW Motorrad dealership then to the delightful people at Hein-Gericke before I found a pair of boots that didn't have three figures. Coming in at a comfortable £79.99 (thank you Granny Lorna and Grandpa John for the funds), they feature a Sheltex I-can't-believe-it's-not-goretex lining, a reinforced gearshift pad and a outside zip with velcro tab cover. No steel toebox, fancy snap-closure or toesliders here!

With luck, these will hack it for my bike test and in Iceland, when informed of the destination of my trip, Hein Gericke mentioned their 2 year warranty does not cover lava and/or magma.



Update: At some point between my bike test and day 2 of Iceland, the toe of the sole peeled away from the body of the boot enough to render the Sheltex lining not waterproof. Found out on day 2 of Iceland and swapped to my army surplus british army Goretex-lined Assault boots which were comfier, had better tread and were waterproof.