Is it easier to pass the test on a 125cc?

[Dave D]

As per the title, do we reckon its actually easier to pass the motorcycle test on a 125cc rather than the DAS route on a 500cc? And for that matter has anyone attempted the 'A1 Light Motorcycle' licence by entering a 75cc and do you reckon that was easier than on a 125cc?

First off I'm not looking for advisement as I've just passed the DAS (thank you ). More that the recent threads on coercing people into biking, plus a number of potential recruits I know, got me thinking it would be much better if there was an easier route into biking for the reluctant. The stop-gap CBT ticket is hardly an inducement but maybe a soft option already exists in the form of the restricted licences, so does it?

[untruth]

I don't think so. I found a 500 way more confidence inspiring than a 125. Don't forget that on some test rides you get sent on a 70MPH dual carriageway, which is very, very, scary and unnerving to do on a 125 at 63mph!

Also, the motorcycle market is not at all designed for the Restricted license and you are severely limited in choices of bikes which are 'designed' for 33BHP. Restricting a bigger bike is OK, but after 2 years I think some people really tire of it.

Edited by untruth on Sunday 8th February 20:09

[RemaL]

agree with above

never been on a bike then did my CBT on a 125CC on the Sunday and passed my DAS on a thurs

[Monochrome]

DAS if you can, I did my test on a 125 as i was only 19 and their st for going on the dual carriageways, especially joing them from the sliproad, I had my chin on the bars spanking the thing to death to get up to 65. The U-turn has to be done in a smaller space also.

[SMKurt]

untruth said:

Don't forget that on some test rides you get sent on a 70MPH dual carriageway, which is very, very, scary and unnerving to do on a 125 at 63mph!

You think? I used to have a scooter that did 45mph and used to go on dual carriageways and wasnt hugely fussed. Even now with my 50cc supermoto that only does 55mph i still ride on them. Its just getting used to it thats the problem. Entry slip roads are ones to watch out for when cars are joining with more speed than you. Also trucks can 'suck you in' as they pass. All good fun though!

[untruth]

SMKurt said:

untruth said:

Don't forget that on some test rides you get sent on a 70MPH dual carriageway, which is very, very, scary and unnerving to do on a 125 at 63mph!

You think? I used to have a scooter that did 45mph and used to go on dual carriageways and wasnt hugely fussed. Even now with my 50cc supermoto that only does 55mph i still ride on them. Its just getting used to it thats the problem. Entry slip roads are ones to watch out for when cars are joining with more speed than you. Also trucks can 'suck you in' as they pass. All good fun though!

Yes! You've quoted exactly what a learner might not be comfortable with, especially on a test! It was nice to be able to just floor it onto the road on a 500.

[StevRS]

Agreed - 125's are WAY more frightening and more difficult to ride than the 500's.

[lawrence567]

Had a 125 for a couple of years whilst saving for bike & DAS.
Hated dual carriageways on it.
Felt really vulnerable!
Plus brakes are ste on a 125 compared to the DAS bikes!

[Dave D]

untruth said:

I don't think so. I found a 500 way more confidence inspiring than a 125. Don't forget that on some test rides you get sent on a 70MPH dual carriageway, which is very, very, scary and unnerving to do on a 125 at 63mph!

Also, the motorcycle market is not at all designed for the Restricted license and you are severely limited in choices of bikes which are 'designed' for 33BHP. Restricting a bigger bike is OK, but after 2 years I think some people really tire of it.

Hmmm interesting and pretty much what I'd suspected. I did only the CBT on a 125cc and found it quite brisk round town but missed out on the fun of any derestricted sections. But having ridden a bicycle on dual carriageways I know its not entirely amusing with trucks bearing down at 60mph and considering 125's top at 65mph it must be like a Bonneville speed run trying to get there!

Monochrome said:

The U-turn has to be done in a smaller space also.

That pretty much seals it if the manoeuvres are just as tricky, how do they determine a smaller space then?

Now the thing is, the fact they offer the restricted licence and the light one suggests they think its easier because otherwise why pursue something with less return?? Think we need a lobby group forming to get this mess sorted out and have a 'soft' 125 test that limits you to that size until you're confident enough to move on. So has anybody on planet earth actually tried the 'A1' licence on a 75cc, surely the test doesn't max those on the dual carriageway at circa 45mph!!

[Dave D]

SMKurt said:

I used to have a scooter that did 45mph and used to go on dual carriageways and wasnt hugely fussed. Even now with my 50cc supermoto that only does 55mph i still ride on them. Its just getting used to it thats the problem. Entry slip roads are ones to watch out for when cars are joining with more speed than you. Also trucks can 'suck you in' as they pass. All good fun though!

Can just picture a pissed off trucker looking in his mirrors at a 50cc valiantly slipstreaming, top effort.

[untruth]

Dave D said:

Now the thing is, the fact they offer the restricted licence and the light one suggests they think its easier because otherwise why pursue something with less return??

The restricted is there mainly for the under 21s, though it is also there for people who want to just carry on riding a 125 'and a bit'. Of which there are plenty.

Dave D said:

have a 'soft' 125 test that limits you to that size until you're confident enough to move on.

But that makes no sense. It is somewhat mad to have a 125 test and then let someone jump on a thou 4 weeks later! With the 125, after 2 years, you are automatically allowed on any bike.... or you can take another test on a 500 and get full access earlier. It's quite a fair system IMHO. In 10 years there will be a lot, lot more stages of testing.

[Dave D]

untruth said:

Dave D said:

have a 'soft' 125 test that limits you to that size until you're confident enough to move on.

But that makes no sense. It is somewhat mad to have a 125 test and then let someone jump on a thou 4 weeks later! With the 125, after 2 years, you are automatically allowed on any bike.... or you can take another test on a 500 and get full access earlier. It's quite a fair system IMHO. In 10 years there will be a lot, lot more stages of testing.

Perhaps I should have said "until you're confident enough to move on and take another test on a bigger bike" - I'm not advocating a free-for-all after an easy test! But yeah as I understand it they are changing the system in 2011 so young 'uns are limited to 125cc indefinitely until a bigger test is taken, its just that it'll still be under the same regime where the limited test is apparently no easier and therefore no 'lightweight' route for the uncertain recruits.