learning to ride a bike

[idimmu]

well, ive decided that i want to learn to ride a motorbike! the new test is coming in october, and i dont really want to rush my learning process, so i will be doing the new style one. has anyone recently learnt to ride? im thinking that seeing as i am 22 and have a full car licence and my own car, passing the test is just mearly for my own fun, not a matter of " life and death" (like my car test!), that i will just do my CBT, and buy myself a learner legal 125. the idea is then i can spend as long as i like learning how to ride safely on that, and just do my actual test whenever i feel im ready. the cbt lasts 2 years, so thats plently of time i think.

does this sound like a good idea? or is it going to be worth it more to do a DAS 5 day intensive course, and get my full licence? its quite expensive to do, and i will have to take time of work somehow. also theres the matter of getting a test booked, with the big rush and all.

also, if i do decide to stay a learner for a while, can anyone reccomend a bike for me to learn on? ideally id want to use it to commute (15 minute country/town drive) and a bit of light playing at the weekends.

thanks for any input!

[Tumble]

There is nothing in the world that's as good at teaching you how to use the road than being on an underpowered 125. Learning how to make the bike work is the easy bit - it's the road craft that's the toughie. You will realise for a start just how much you miss or don't even look for in a car. Plus, on a 125, any overtaking manouvre has to be planned meticulously, which is good, because when you finally get a big bike that can overtake things easily, the 125 experience will be in the back of your mind and you'll be thinking about it a bit more.

So what I'm basically saying is, ride around on the 125 until you don't feel scared of it any more and then get a bigger one (once you've passed the relevant tests etc)

[mmh]

i was thinking the same thing to be honest, i want to get the license just to have the license.

[idimmu]

yeah i figured that was the best idea. it suits me too as i said im already mobile. the next problem is finding a cheap 125 that doesnt look that bad!

[dave87]

I was in a similar position to yourself 3 years ago.

I wanted to take it at my own pace, but also wanted to get the license sooner rather than later. I did my CBT, went out and bought a bike, and then did my test when I felt ready. CBT I passed August, Test October.

I wanted a 125 on that basis, and ended up picking a Honda Varadero, which doesn't look anything like a 125, but is really easy to ride. I kept for 3 years as it did everything I wanted, only selling it because I want a car. If you do things at your own pace you'll become a far more skilled, confident rider, than simply picking the biggest bike you can afford/insure, and then taking it into the nearest ditch.

Hope this helps a bit

[countzerouk]

What's all this about a new test?

[dave87]

http://www.thebikerplace.com/the-new...ing-test-2008/

Countzerouk - that link will explain it far better than I can.

[countzerouk]

ta dave87, I would have thanked you but can't find the button

[dave87]

I think the thanks is unlocked after a certain number of posts

[countzerouk]

just sussed that out, i'll come back when I get the post count up. Please ignore any inane replies in the meantime (+1)

[idimmu]

I was in a similar position to yourself 3 years ago.

I wanted to take it at my own pace, but also wanted to get the license sooner rather than later. I did my CBT, went out and bought a bike, and then did my test when I felt ready. CBT I passed August, Test October.

I wanted a 125 on that basis, and ended up picking a Honda Varadero, which doesn't look anything like a 125, but is really easy to ride. I kept for 3 years as it did everything I wanted, only selling it because I want a car. If you do things at your own pace you'll become a far more skilled, confident rider, than simply picking the biggest bike you can afford/insure, and then taking it into the nearest ditch.

Hope this helps a bit

thanks for the advice. this is pretty much what im going to do.

[JPreston]

I'm halfway through a DAS course right now...if I should fail the practical test at the end of it, i'd definitely consider getting a cheap honda CG125, suzuki GN125, or yamaha YBR125 to ride round on and practice in my own time before resitting what would probably be the new test (by then).

I did my CBT on an SR125 and was surprised at how much fun it was to ride, even for a 16st gorilla like me. But the reason I opted for a DAS course first is that, ironically, it's probably cheaper...by the time I factor in the cost of sourcing a 125, then a big bike for my test and any retests, I figured it's probably better to just take a punt on an intensive course straight off the bat. Also, if I do fail first time round having had a few days intensive tuition and being essentially at licence standard will stand me in better stead for my time on a 125 and eventual resit, compared to just CBT and a book or two.

Depends whether you want to spend the time and money on an intensive course really. As others have said, 125s are an excellent way to learn and plenty fun enough in every sense except top end speed (that you won't want to be doing anyway!).

[idimmu]

digging up threads but hey, it was mine in the first place!

i did my CBT today, really enjoyed it. i did feel quite vunerable on the small 125 i was riding, and i will definatly be investing in good clothing for when i buy my own bike. i want to take this at my own pace, so i'm going to be buying a honda varadero 125. my commute to work is only 5 miles so i'll be doing that over the winter (unless its too wet or cold, or a combination of both!) and for a little fun. all in all good day