Am I too old at 51 to take my full bike test!
Discussion
Younger than you at 46, 8 years ago - never sat on a bike before and passed first time. Something about the older mind set helped, as I queried, questioned and made sure of everything I was asked to do. Don't faff around on a 125cc for a few months, go do your DAS a few lessons is all you'll need, I had four or five on a 650cc before MOD1 , had a break then two before MOD2.
If you are unsure I recommend doing your CBT on a scooter then asking for a geared motorcycle lesson, then DAS, its the route I took.
If you are unsure I recommend doing your CBT on a scooter then asking for a geared motorcycle lesson, then DAS, its the route I took.
Factualist said:
Younger than you at 46, 8 years ago - never sat on a bike before and passed first time. Something about the older mind set helped, as I queried, questioned and made sure of everything I was asked to do. Don't faff around on a 125cc for a few months, go do your DAS a few lessons is all you'll need, I had four or five on a 650cc before MOD1 , had a break then two before MOD2.
If you are unsure I recommend doing your CBT on a scooter then asking for a geared motorcycle lesson, then DAS, its the route I took.
Blimey, MOD1 this MOD2 that, CBT, DAS ride a 125 or a scooter. If you are unsure I recommend doing your CBT on a scooter then asking for a geared motorcycle lesson, then DAS, its the route I took.
So glad i took my test 50 years ago, which involved riding around the block a couple of times and here is your ticket.
littlebasher said:
Approaching a similar age, this is an itch i cannot scratch as well
But I'm still sulking about the DVLA 'losing' my bike entitlement in the 00's, the thought of sitting a test I've already passed burns.
Shelve that and just get it done, mate. Life's too short for fuming!But I'm still sulking about the DVLA 'losing' my bike entitlement in the 00's, the thought of sitting a test I've already passed burns.
Definitely not too old, as others have said decades experience on the road is such a good thing when it comes to riding. Otherwise I think its just being realistic with yourself when your older and accept that your reactions etc may not be what they were as a youngster and ride/choose your bike accordingly.
markymarkthree said:
Factualist said:
Younger than you at 46, 8 years ago - never sat on a bike before and passed first time. Something about the older mind set helped, as I queried, questioned and made sure of everything I was asked to do. Don't faff around on a 125cc for a few months, go do your DAS a few lessons is all you'll need, I had four or five on a 650cc before MOD1 , had a break then two before MOD2.
If you are unsure I recommend doing your CBT on a scooter then asking for a geared motorcycle lesson, then DAS, its the route I took.
Blimey, MOD1 this MOD2 that, CBT, DAS ride a 125 or a scooter. If you are unsure I recommend doing your CBT on a scooter then asking for a geared motorcycle lesson, then DAS, its the route I took.
So glad i took my test 50 years ago, which involved riding around the block a couple of times and here is your ticket.
I still yearn for another bike! Ideal for the hills and back lanes here. I have to lie down till the desire passes!
carinaman said:
Riding a Motorcycle Affects Cognitive Functions of Healthy Adults: - A preliminary controlled study
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/339576910...
blimey Its not often my ramblings are proven correct with an actual scientific study https://www.researchgate.net/publication/339576910...
thank you for that!
Just hurry up and get it done - you'll get longer to use your new licence.
Although when one of his mate's wrote off his own Fizzy he then thought it was a great idea!
Pit Pony said:
I have a question. Have you ever come across anyone who passed a moped test?
I took mine at 16, in order to give my girlfriend lifts on the back legally, but have never met anyone else that bothered.
A class-mate of mine at school did, but the rest of us all thought it was a waste of money.I took mine at 16, in order to give my girlfriend lifts on the back legally, but have never met anyone else that bothered.
Although when one of his mate's wrote off his own Fizzy he then thought it was a great idea!
I am 62, new to biking and have my mod 2 coming up in a week. I was unsure at first but not anymore! The best thing I did was take the advice of my local training school and buy a 125cc to practice on. Any excuse I am out on it and I have spent hours practising all the slow speed manoeuvres, clutch control etc, which has boosted my confidence no end. I still get butterflies when I put my helmet on, but when I have got going I always take the longest possible route home!
Powerkiter said:
Am I too old at 51 to take my full bike test?
I did take my CBT in my late 20's with a plan to take my full bike test but never continued for one reason and another.
Then 2 years ago my girlfriends Mum asked me to sell her Vespa ET2, following a stoke which meant she couldn't get it off the stand. I'd done a few jobs (i.e.changed the battery) on the bike over the years for her. She bought it off a family friend in 2004 when it was 3 month old and kept it all that time. She had every MOT certificate, service receipt, etc. and it was in very good condition with only 4k miles. So I bought it and use it to pop around town time all the time, rarely using my car in the summer.
Then after visiting Annecy and Chamonix in the summer and seeing all the touring bikes, it sort of piqued my interest in perhaps taking my full test and getting a bigger bike.
Anyone else taken their full test in their 50's? No..... it's not a mid-life crisis!
Yes, get yourself a nice leased EV, a leaf maybe some werthers original, and see out your days meandering about like an electric bellend! I did take my CBT in my late 20's with a plan to take my full bike test but never continued for one reason and another.
Then 2 years ago my girlfriends Mum asked me to sell her Vespa ET2, following a stoke which meant she couldn't get it off the stand. I'd done a few jobs (i.e.changed the battery) on the bike over the years for her. She bought it off a family friend in 2004 when it was 3 month old and kept it all that time. She had every MOT certificate, service receipt, etc. and it was in very good condition with only 4k miles. So I bought it and use it to pop around town time all the time, rarely using my car in the summer.
Then after visiting Annecy and Chamonix in the summer and seeing all the touring bikes, it sort of piqued my interest in perhaps taking my full test and getting a bigger bike.
Anyone else taken their full test in their 50's? No..... it's not a mid-life crisis!
Took mine at 38 after a run-in with cancer so a fair bit younger but old enough to be sensible, ditched the car soon after and never looked back (well I do use my mirrors….). I’m nearly 60 now and in all that time I’ve only come off once, and that was when I got caught in a snowstorm in Blackpool - not a frequent occurrence- and lost the front on a raised manhole that I couldn’t see. (I don’t count the time I forgot to put the sidestand down before I got off the bike).
Yes I’ve had people pull out on me a few times, but every time it’s been predictable and easily managed. If you’re a safe driver who’s rarely surprised by what goes on around you then you’ll be fine.
Don’t buy a brand new bike though - not because you’ll drop or crash it, because you probably won’t - but because as you learn more about the sheer variety of bikes and engine configurations out there you’ll be forever trading in for something different to scratch a different itch. And don’t think you’ll need a big engine - in fact the new Triumph 400s and similar will be cracking fun and at 5 grand then maybe buying new isn’t such a risk.
Mind you I’ve been running a Goldwing for a couple of years now so I’m maybe I’m not the best person to give advice!
Yes I’ve had people pull out on me a few times, but every time it’s been predictable and easily managed. If you’re a safe driver who’s rarely surprised by what goes on around you then you’ll be fine.
Don’t buy a brand new bike though - not because you’ll drop or crash it, because you probably won’t - but because as you learn more about the sheer variety of bikes and engine configurations out there you’ll be forever trading in for something different to scratch a different itch. And don’t think you’ll need a big engine - in fact the new Triumph 400s and similar will be cracking fun and at 5 grand then maybe buying new isn’t such a risk.
Mind you I’ve been running a Goldwing for a couple of years now so I’m maybe I’m not the best person to give advice!
Took mine at 38 after a run-in with cancer so a fair bit younger but old enough to be sensible, ditched the car soon after and never looked back (well I do use my mirrors….). I’m nearly 60 now and in all that time I’ve only come off once, and that was when I got caught in a snowstorm in Blackpool - not a frequent occurrence- and lost the front on a raised manhole that I couldn’t see. (I don’t count the time I forgot to put the sidestand down before I got off the bike).
Yes I’ve had people pull out on me a few times, but every time it’s been predictable and easily managed. If you’re a safe driver who’s rarely surprised by what goes on around you then you’ll be fine.
Don’t buy a brand new bike though - not because you’ll drop or crash it, because you probably won’t - but because as you learn more about the sheer variety of bikes and engine configurations out there you’ll be forever trading in for something different to scratch a different itch. And don’t think you’ll need a big engine - in fact the new Triumph 400s and similar will be cracking fun and at 5 grand then maybe buying new isn’t such a risk.
Mind you I’ve been running a Goldwing for a couple of years now so I’m maybe I’m not the best person to give advice!
Yes I’ve had people pull out on me a few times, but every time it’s been predictable and easily managed. If you’re a safe driver who’s rarely surprised by what goes on around you then you’ll be fine.
Don’t buy a brand new bike though - not because you’ll drop or crash it, because you probably won’t - but because as you learn more about the sheer variety of bikes and engine configurations out there you’ll be forever trading in for something different to scratch a different itch. And don’t think you’ll need a big engine - in fact the new Triumph 400s and similar will be cracking fun and at 5 grand then maybe buying new isn’t such a risk.
Mind you I’ve been running a Goldwing for a couple of years now so I’m maybe I’m not the best person to give advice!
Do it, don't even hesitate.
At 49 years old, I tried a CBT just to get a taster (having never ridden before), went straight out and bought an old YBR to practise, lined up my theory, mod 1 and mod 2, and a month later had a big bike licence.
The next day I sold my YBR, bought a Monster, and never looked back.
Two years on, I have toured the NC500 and the Brecons, and currently planning a trip to the Pyrenees in a couple of weeks.
Some people might sneer and call it a mid-life crisis but I tell them:
- I'm lucky to have my health so take advantage of it
- the kids have grown up so I've shouldn't feel guilty rewarding myself
- learning a complex skill keeps one young
- riding with a buddy (especially with some comms) is therapy for blokes who don't do "touchy-feely". I can't recommend it enough from a therapeutic point of view.
I had fallen out of love with cars and driving, but motorcycles have brought the joy of motoring back. Remember when you were 17 and you would happily borrow the family car just to pop out for a pint of milk? That's what this feels like.
At 49 years old, I tried a CBT just to get a taster (having never ridden before), went straight out and bought an old YBR to practise, lined up my theory, mod 1 and mod 2, and a month later had a big bike licence.
The next day I sold my YBR, bought a Monster, and never looked back.
Two years on, I have toured the NC500 and the Brecons, and currently planning a trip to the Pyrenees in a couple of weeks.
Some people might sneer and call it a mid-life crisis but I tell them:
- I'm lucky to have my health so take advantage of it
- the kids have grown up so I've shouldn't feel guilty rewarding myself
- learning a complex skill keeps one young
- riding with a buddy (especially with some comms) is therapy for blokes who don't do "touchy-feely". I can't recommend it enough from a therapeutic point of view.
I had fallen out of love with cars and driving, but motorcycles have brought the joy of motoring back. Remember when you were 17 and you would happily borrow the family car just to pop out for a pint of milk? That's what this feels like.
Passed my test 10 months ago at age 56. Having not ridden anything but dirt bikes as a teenager.. now starting my IAM advanced rider training to improve my riding to a better standard. Also got a week of riding in France coming up in June Can't believe it took me this long. So much fun
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