FAO : Motorbikers

[Russ]

Basicly...

I WANT!

theres a place by me that does unlimited use of bikes/equipment for your CBT for £90. is that a fair price? Where do i go from there? Any help appreciated.

[oyster]

That's a typical price. You should get a full day for that, including classroom lectures, demonstration of basic maintenance / safety, first ride around cones in a car park, and finally a hour at least on the road in radio contact with the instructor.

Then you have to pass your theory test (even if you drive a car already, you need to do a motorbike theory test as well). Get a CD-ROM with example tests (PC World sell 'em), and practice until you pass every time.

After that, you need to take as many further lessons as you need to pass the test - could be a couple of days, more likely to be four or five.

If you're under 21 (or if for some reason you just want to), you then take your bike test on a 125, and you're restricted to a bike of less than 33hp for two years. That means a 250cc bike, or a restricted bigger bike. Pretty much any bike can be restricted, so you could ride an R1, but you'd look like a nonce struggling to reach 80mph on a supersports! Something like a VFR400 or CBR400 would be ideal (but bargains are hard to find as they aren't officially imported from Japan).

If you're over 21, you can take the test on a bike of over 46hp (500cc bike), and ride anything you like.

[kaillum]

yup.. as Oyster has said.. apart from the slight thing that your CBT 'On-Road' ride should last at least 2 hours.. taking in all type of roads and traffic, from 20mph school areas to 70mph dual carriage ways...

Notice from your profile you've just turned 21! (happy belated Birthday!!) So, your best way into biking is to get yourself on the Direct Access test (DAS). DAS's are normally taken on a training school bike, (either Honda CB500, Suzuki GS500, Kawasaki ER500 etc) and will be over a period of 3 or 4 days (depending on how the instructor feels your taking to the riding)

Prices...

CBT's (with loan of the 125 and kit) normally around the £80 to £100 mark.. If you've got your own bike, some schools will do it for £50ish...

DAS.. My wife has just passed her DAS with a school in Blackpool, and the total for 3 days training, hire of the bike and test fee was £360.. again, if you shop around you can get it for a bit less, but there normally in that sort of region..

After you've passed you test, you really should look at some form of advanced training.. by a recognised association.. (IAM, RoSPA etc).. this will not only help by reducing your insurance.. but also allow you to improve your skills and bike control to a level that you'd be proud of! I'm taking my IAM test in 3 weeks, and have been on their training course for the last 6 weeks (2 hour ride every sunday morning) and for a total cost of £85 the change to my riding is amaizing!.. Well worth considering when you've got your full licence...

If you want to know anything else.. just shout.

And you could soon be riding one of these
/edit.. and any reason to post a piccy of my baby!!

[Rave]

Then you have to pass your theory test (even if you drive a car already, you need to do a motorbike theory test as well). Get a CD-ROM with example tests (PC World sell 'em), and practice until you pass every time.

Are you sure? My bike theory test was enough for me to take both my bike test and car test....although the examiner for my first car test had to confirm that with a phone call to the DSA. I suppose things might have changed since 1997.

[kaillum]

Are you sure? My bike theory test was enough for me to take both my bike test and car test....although the examiner for my first car test had to confirm that with a phone call to the DSA. I suppose things might have changed since 1997.

yep.. afraid so.. the theory tests have subtle differences in the questions.. but the hazzard perception is the same..

Its just the DSA's way of making some more money out of learners, and putting more stumbling blocks in front of learner motorcyclists

[Moby-Dick]

nice bike !

I've always fancied an Afrika Twin or somethign a bit smaller as my "runabout" - but someone went and sold me a mondeo

[Zak33]

nice bike !

I've always fancied an Afrika Twin or somethign a bit smaller as my "runabout" - but someone went and sold me a mondeo

pahh.....its for thebest.

Russ...mate...you're grown up enough to understand how frikkin dangerous they are...I say GO FOR IT

Nowt like a bike license for the adhrenal glands

[kaillum]

Russ...mate...you're grown up enough to understand how frikkin dangerous they are...I say GO FOR IT

Nowt like a bike license for the adhrenal glands

their only dangerous because of all the other dumb @ss road users!!

and there is nothing like blowing off a 360 Modena in a traffic light GP to get the adrenalin pumping (and making you giggle like a school girl )!! makes you realise how much fun can legally be had for £3.5k!

[Zak33]

their only dangerous because of all the other dumb @ss road users!!

not sure that's entirely true...lots of bikes go off into the trees with no assistance from anyone except "captain wide open throttle, big balls rider" him/herself.
I totally agree that most car drivers are totally bleeding oblivious to bikes, which is another nightmare altogether. But in Russ's case, knowing him a bit, I'd say he'll still scare himself, but live!!!

[kaillum]

not sure that's entirely true...lots of bikes go off into the trees with no assistance from anyone except "captain wide open throttle, big balls rider" him/herself.

fair point Zak.. and I know a few of those!! any bike over the 60bhp mark is quite capable of scaring even the most experienced riders (0-60's in the low 4's are easily achiveable - even for the 500cc Training School Bikes!) thats why i'm a firm believer in advanced training.. it gives you the ability and knowledge to have the 'balls out throttle pinned' moments and yet leave you able control the bike in a manor that will keep yourself and other (sometimes numpty) road users safe...

The Direct Access test, is very similar to the Car Test, in as much as it gives you a licence to Learn to Drive properly.. the main problem is that 'bhp for buck' bikes are so much cheaper than an equivalent car.. You can have a Porsche/Ferrari beating bike, for less money than mum's 2nd hand fiesta.. This, i believe, leads to (normally young) inexperienced riders making a simple, what would in a car be easily corrected, mistake that could and often does lead to horrible accident...

My instructor offered me the best advice i've ever heard the day I passed my test... "Ride like everyone on the road is trying to kill you.. If they dont, its a bonus"

[Russ]

so do you HAVE to take your CBT if you have a full driving liscence already?

i know pap all about driving motorbikes, where gears and breaks are etc. so im guessing CBT teaches you the basic stuff right?

Zak's right btw, i wud scare myself, sh**less infact, im clumsy as they come, but i wanna play anyway

[oyster]

You have to do the lot, CBT, Theory, Bike Test - even if you're already driving a car.
CBT is not only required, but a damn good idea too. A chance to learn a bit of riding theory, practice in a safe environment, and some criticism when you start doing it for real.


And for no good reason, this is a picture of my bike (sorry for the poor photo, but I can't be good at everything ).