Motorbike license

[Davyy]

Before I start saving for a mortgage deposit etc etc, I want to have done what I want.

That includes a bit of travelling and mainly getting a motorbike license. I wasn't 100% sure on this but after going on a Triumph Speed Triple the other day, i need a license!

As there are a few people on here who are into their bikes.. I have a few questions.

I've read up on the basic laws blah blah.

What 'starter' bike would you recommend and how long did it take you to past your test, and how much money did it cost to pass your test?

Just out of interest - thanks!

[holdawayt]

How old are you?

[LVC]

Big field and a dirt bike so you can learn how to fall off without getting run over.

Passed my test 25 years ago, cost peanuts and had no lessons (been riding since I was 8) - learnt on dirt bikes on fields - excellent way of learning as you slide all over the place and quickly learn balance, rear wheel braking (and lock up), counter steering and weight bias (front to back).

Given today's over congested bad condition UK roads not sure if I'd bother again.

Good luck if you do but remember "always ride within your capabilites" and be aware of everything going on around you as you've no airbag and bones don't bounce very well. Once you've got your license try and do an Advanced course - over here the Police run them for free as it'll open your eyes up to the dangers and you'll probably live longer thanks to it.

1st bike - something light, easy to fix and not overly powerful - plenty to chose from depending upon what style you like ;)

[Davyy]

I can ride gears, ride etc..

Always had pit bikes and had a moped for a year at 16.

I'm 19.

[LVC]

Riding is no longer the hard bit - it's reading the road and the potential dangers and developing the 6th sense for "what could happen".

I've ridden in many countries but central London was still one of the most challenging - a daily commute from Surrey to central London in all weathers and you learn very quickly how to ride. Oil spills, idiot car drivers, slippery painted lines, beer cans, pedestrians that don't look, cyclists, etc. etc. etc. these are all the things that bike riding in the UK is about. Over here it's long open roads with naff all on them - just be careful of the occasional tractor. Riding is great fun but learn properly and a good rider is always ready to learn and never thinks he knows it all. Most of my UK bike pals have either stopped riding, do circuits only or are dead.

[holdawayt]

At 19 you're very much restricted.

I havent looked into it too much for a 19 year old, but I'm 22. and have to pass two tests to ride a 46bhp bike then pass another two tests after two years so that I can ride an unrestricted bike.

I'd advise you to ride a 125 until you're 21, then go for your A1 and A2 on a 46bhp bike, then after two years you can get your speed triple.

I'd never recommend a bike like that for your first bike though. Maybe the street tripple but I'd look at a bandit 600 / honda hornet etc for your first big bike.

For now though, it's boring old YBR 125 time!

[SaxoVTR2008]

I'm in my 4th year of riding.. Passed when I was 17 now 21, first bike was zxr400, then when i was 18 I had a Yamaha R6, now at 21 ive got a Yamaha R1..

Do you want an R1? As mine has error code 19 and 33 on it and won't start after yesterday, £10 an its yours!

[holdawayt]

I'm in my 4th year of riding.. Passed when I was 17 now 21, first bike was zxr400, then when i was 18 I had a Yamaha R6, now at 21 ive got a Yamaha R1..

Do you want an R1? As mine has error code 19 and 33 on it and won't start after yesterday, £10 an its yours!

If that's a genuine offer then I will take you up on that!

[SaxoVTR2008]

Here you go it's yours...

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/08/ute2u4ah.jpg

Not really, but if you can get it to run again ill pay you £10?

[Davyy]

At 19 you're very much restricted.

I havent looked into it too much for a 19 year old, but I'm 22. and have to pass two tests to ride a 46bhp bike then pass another two tests after two years so that I can ride an unrestricted bike.

I'd advise you to ride a 125 until you're 21, then go for your A1 and A2 on a 46bhp bike, then after two years you can get your speed triple.

I'd never recommend a bike like that for your first bike though. Maybe the street tripple but I'd look at a bandit 600 / honda hornet etc for your first big bike.

For now though, it's boring old YBR 125 time!



Do you actually have to ride it.. or just hold the license for two years?

[holdawayt]

What?? No of course you don't. But you might as well get yourself on a bike and get your practice up during your four years of restriction.

You'll become another statistic if you climb straight onto a Speed Triple.

You can still have a nice day out on a slow bike. Either way you won't be able to ride anything quick for 4 years.

[Davyy]

I know, but more money on tax, insurance etc.. and running a car and a bike would be a lot. I wouldn't jump straight on to a big bike, just want a license for when I want a bike and want to get a license whilst I have no real financial commitments.

[Carl-h]

It's a piss take now. Just glad I passed when I was 17, had my licence 5 years next week and when I was your age Davy I was completely unrestricted to what bike I could have. At 17 I had a 50bhp Husaberg and at 18 a 110 bhp zx6r and never got caught out by anyone lol.

Selling the Husaberg in my display picture at the moment (it's my second one and I really don't wanna get rid :( ) then ill change cars then perhaps another bike. I'm fancying a 1000 now tbh. Completely wasted on me especially on the road, way more bike than I need but it's an itch that needs scratching.

Good luck if you do go for it. It's stupid now and is much easier to wait till your 24 and do it all in one go. It's a shame it's that way though as it doesn't make you a safe rider at all.

[Hazmanscoop]

I had an NSR 125.

Look them up, brilliant bikes.

Easy and cheap to fix, two stroke so quite quick and big bike looks and presence

[Davyy]

It's a piss take now. Just glad I passed when I was 17, had my licence 5 years next week and when I was your age Davy I was completely unrestricted to what bike I could have. At 17 I had a 50bhp Husaberg and at 18 a 110 bhp zx6r and never got caught out by anyone lol.

Selling the Husaberg in my display picture at the moment (it's my second one and I really don't wanna get rid :( ) then ill change cars then perhaps another bike. I'm fancying a 1000 now tbh. Completely wasted on me especially on the road, way more bike than I need but it's an itch that needs scratching.

Good luck if you do go for it. It's stupid now and is much easier to wait till your 24 and do it all in one go. It's a shame it's that way though as it doesn't make you a safe rider at all.

So what's the difference at 24??

[holdawayt]

At 24 you can do a direct access meaning that you can go straight onto a big a bike as you like.

[Davyy]

Nicee.

Whoever has passed their test etc, how much did it cost you?

[CraigLovelock]

Did mine just before the law changes thank fuck lol.

Rode a cbr125 for a year and now have a k1 Gixxer 600.

[VexxedVTS]

I'm in my 4th year of riding.. Passed when I was 17 now 21, first bike was zxr400, then when i was 18 I had a Yamaha R6, now at 21 ive got a Yamaha R1..

Do you want an R1? As mine has error code 19 and 33 on it and won't start after yesterday, £10 an its yours!

I think:
19 - Sidestand Switch (Open Circuit)
33 - Ignition Coil #1

[holdawayt]

Nicee.

Whoever has passed their test etc, how much did it cost you?

My brother did a 600 quid course. But you may as well treble that if you're doing it in stages.

[L33h]

took me 5 weeks to pass my test. cost about £500 all in but ive rode bikes since i was 8 lol

My first propper bike is my current gsxr 600 but im 24 lol.

Unless you want to get the experience on a restricted bike I suggest just waiting till you're older so you dont have to do more then one test

[CraigLovelock]

took me 5 weeks to pass my test. cost about £500 all in but ive rode bikes since i was 8 lol

My first propper bike is my current gsxr 600 but im 24 lol.

Unless you want to get the experience on a restricted bike I suggest just waiting till you're older so you dont have to do more then one test

5 weeks? or 5 days?

[Carl-h]

I passed my test 8 days after my 17th. Was a piece of piss although I don't know how the new test compares to the one I took.

[VexxedVTS]

I trained myself using youtube. only cost me the price of the tests.

[stigsdump]

I took my test over 30 years ago. Didnt have any lessons but had been riding a few years previous off roading etc. Once you have the basic skills as others have said its more about hazard perception now days in the current tests...basically using common sense and not trusting anyone on 4 wheels. Cut your teeth on something manageable like a 125 or 250..doesnt have to be the latest coz theres a good chance it'll get dropped at some point (we've all been there and those that say they've not are only lying).

I then went to the 350LC which I kept for many years before getting fed up chasing the lads at ton plus...hoping it wouldnt go bang in the process. Had my thou since 1999. Its fast enough for what I need and will break the national speed limit in first gear but last few years its been just a toy and not been out as much as it should. Its OK having the power on a bike but with all the cameras about its been spoilt. Its just as easy to lose your licence on a 250 as a 1000

ghet some experiance under your belt would be the best advice I could give...then get something a bit more adventurous

[Hazmanscoop]

Also remember the motorcycle test is now split into 2 part practical and the theory.

Practical A is on, what can only be described as an old school playyard.

Doing manouveres and emergency stops, u turns and cornering at speed etc.

Part B is on the road.

[Jam3s]

If you want to ride properly start the whole procedure off as soon as you can. I don't have a clue how it works now though with this whole multi stage testing..

I've had my license 4 years now and I still have my DT125 - it's a cracker of a bike will do about 80 tops and gets there pretty quickly. I guess I don't need to use it as a daily commute, but for having a laugh on it's great.

Don't get caught up this 'I need a big bike now' thought. Get a two stroke 125, (DT, RS, Mito) to name a few. Then when your restrictions end get a bigger bike if you want. But to be honest the majority of people who having mega bhp bikes never even use them for what they are capable for.

[haz_pro]

5 weeks? or 5 days?

Must mean days I should think.

I am basing this off of the fact that I went from never having been on a motorbike to having completed my mod1 and mod2 in a week.