Bike license, do i/don't I
Discussion
This is probably somewhat of the wrong area to ask.
Should I go for a full bike license, having _never_ riden a motorbike before?
Stats: Age 29, 11 years driving with no proper crashes, do a lot of road riding and like to think I have reasonable knowledge of road positioning. I feel i have a lot more respect for the roads than I used to.
I am marginally concerned my road bike and large amount of mountain biking experience may go against me, with respect to the back brake and clutch ect.
Due to covid I have a metric s
t tonne of leave to use, and keep thinking if I move into the sticks a crf 250 will be a handy commuting tool. Clearly I will also have to do a geared 125 cbt.
What are peoples thoughts, should I do A1 or A2 license? It does seem a little daunting. Any advice would be appreciated.
Should I go for a full bike license, having _never_ riden a motorbike before?
Stats: Age 29, 11 years driving with no proper crashes, do a lot of road riding and like to think I have reasonable knowledge of road positioning. I feel i have a lot more respect for the roads than I used to.
I am marginally concerned my road bike and large amount of mountain biking experience may go against me, with respect to the back brake and clutch ect.
Due to covid I have a metric s
t tonne of leave to use, and keep thinking if I move into the sticks a crf 250 will be a handy commuting tool. Clearly I will also have to do a geared 125 cbt. What are peoples thoughts, should I do A1 or A2 license? It does seem a little daunting. Any advice would be appreciated.
Donbot said:
Do a CBT, and if you get on with is do DAS. At your age there is no point in not getting an unrestricted licnece.
A big bike is no more difficult to ride than a small one.
This x100A big bike is no more difficult to ride than a small one.
I did my full DAS at 29 and surprisingly (to me) found it easier to ride a big bike than a small one. Also, you're going to want to upgrade at some point in the future, it would be advantageous to have that as an option.
Go for it. I was similar age/experience as you, I'd waited till I was a little older and had the calm nature on the roads, no road rage, getting angry with others etc. You're old enough to go for the full licence so just get the CBT and theory done then get some saddle time on a big bike.
I was similar age as OP getting full bike licence in the days we could take a test then go mad on any sized machine.
It's great for commuting, no or little hold ups, cheaper on fuel, quicker to and from work
You need decent kit, that's expensive, drop your lid....and you need to replace it....even a "gentle" drop
In the summer your sweating your nuts off, in the winter your freezing them off
If you come off..it hurts..a lot
Have you somewhere to store bike when not using it? best under cover, and out of sight of scrotes, a young lad i know recently had his bike nicked in a matter of a couple of mins, van drew up, 4 blokes jumped out short scaffolding poles in the spokes, lifted into van, drove off....his neighbour saw whole thing, but didn't get a reg, or description of scrotes he is gutted
I have been watching some bikers going along the M27 recently, and they are having some great fun, so miss that buzz you get on a bike.
I agree with "Do your cbt first and see if it is for you"
It's great for commuting, no or little hold ups, cheaper on fuel, quicker to and from work
You need decent kit, that's expensive, drop your lid....and you need to replace it....even a "gentle" drop
In the summer your sweating your nuts off, in the winter your freezing them off
If you come off..it hurts..a lot
Have you somewhere to store bike when not using it? best under cover, and out of sight of scrotes, a young lad i know recently had his bike nicked in a matter of a couple of mins, van drew up, 4 blokes jumped out short scaffolding poles in the spokes, lifted into van, drove off....his neighbour saw whole thing, but didn't get a reg, or description of scrotes he is gutted
I have been watching some bikers going along the M27 recently, and they are having some great fun, so miss that buzz you get on a bike.
I agree with "Do your cbt first and see if it is for you"
Pizzaeatingking said:
Go for it. I was similar age/experience as you, I'd waited till I was a little older and had the calm nature on the roads, no road rage, getting angry with others etc. You're old enough to go for the full licence so just get the CBT and theory done then get some saddle time on a big bike.
Sh*t I am 63 and am anything but calm on my bikeThanks all,
So I currently live pretty close to work and cycle in daily. We are looking at moving in the next 18 months to an area which will mean a 10 mile commute. When I have the time i can cycle it, but a motorbike would make the commute only 20/25 mins rather than 45mins at peak times.
From riding mountain bikes for years I appreciate good quality gear is required, I have paid upwards of £300 for mtb lid. I have also picked a 650cc ktm off someone who slide out when they 'just' cut a mini roundabout, so respect how easy it is to come off in greasy conditions and not to stray onto the paint.
I think I will look into booking a cbt and see how I feel once that is completed!!
So I currently live pretty close to work and cycle in daily. We are looking at moving in the next 18 months to an area which will mean a 10 mile commute. When I have the time i can cycle it, but a motorbike would make the commute only 20/25 mins rather than 45mins at peak times.
From riding mountain bikes for years I appreciate good quality gear is required, I have paid upwards of £300 for mtb lid. I have also picked a 650cc ktm off someone who slide out when they 'just' cut a mini roundabout, so respect how easy it is to come off in greasy conditions and not to stray onto the paint.
I think I will look into booking a cbt and see how I feel once that is completed!!
I came to biking relatively late; early thirties. My motivation was to make a lengthy commute bearable. I didn't want to ditch an enjoyable and very well paying contract so gave it a go.
I really didn't enjoy riding a 125 and didn't think biking would be for me. I stuck at it and got my license. Getting on a very ratty 500 for my DAS (as it was at the time) was a game changer. Finally just about enough power to not worry about having enough. I did say ratty...
Passed second time and bought a VFR800. So much easier to ride and they only go as fast as you make them. Easiest to ride bike I've tried was a new at the time 'Blade RR7. Scary fast mind.
I did nearly a year of all weather commute down the M40, through town and out to Canary Wharf. Loved it. Compared to car/train/whatever anyway.
Go for it. If it turns out to not be for you then at least you tried.
I really didn't enjoy riding a 125 and didn't think biking would be for me. I stuck at it and got my license. Getting on a very ratty 500 for my DAS (as it was at the time) was a game changer. Finally just about enough power to not worry about having enough. I did say ratty...
Passed second time and bought a VFR800. So much easier to ride and they only go as fast as you make them. Easiest to ride bike I've tried was a new at the time 'Blade RR7. Scary fast mind.
I did nearly a year of all weather commute down the M40, through town and out to Canary Wharf. Loved it. Compared to car/train/whatever anyway.
Go for it. If it turns out to not be for you then at least you tried.
Do it!
Don't give up if you don't enjoy the CBT. I didn't enjoy my CBT, it was pissing with rain and the little 125 didn't feel good to ride. Most of the road riding I just wanted to give up and go home.
Pretty much gave up the idea of riding but a year after doing my CBT and not sitting on a bike since, I did my DAS and loved it.
It's brilliant fun, at the moment I still even love it when it's raining! It feels like an escape from the world.
Do your CBT and DAS, if after that you still don't like it then at least you have gained a skill and added to your licence ability.
Don't give up if you don't enjoy the CBT. I didn't enjoy my CBT, it was pissing with rain and the little 125 didn't feel good to ride. Most of the road riding I just wanted to give up and go home.
Pretty much gave up the idea of riding but a year after doing my CBT and not sitting on a bike since, I did my DAS and loved it.
It's brilliant fun, at the moment I still even love it when it's raining! It feels like an escape from the world.
Do your CBT and DAS, if after that you still don't like it then at least you have gained a skill and added to your licence ability.
orangesrule said:
Thanks all,
So I currently live pretty close to work and cycle in daily. We are looking at moving in the next 18 months to an area which will mean a 10 mile commute. When I have the time i can cycle it, but a motorbike would make the commute only 20/25 mins rather than 45mins at peak times.
From riding mountain bikes for years I appreciate good quality gear is required, I have paid upwards of £300 for mtb lid. I have also picked a 650cc ktm off someone who slide out when they 'just' cut a mini roundabout, so respect how easy it is to come off in greasy conditions and not to stray onto the paint.
I think I will look into booking a cbt and see how I feel once that is completed!!
Good approach. Go for it.So I currently live pretty close to work and cycle in daily. We are looking at moving in the next 18 months to an area which will mean a 10 mile commute. When I have the time i can cycle it, but a motorbike would make the commute only 20/25 mins rather than 45mins at peak times.
From riding mountain bikes for years I appreciate good quality gear is required, I have paid upwards of £300 for mtb lid. I have also picked a 650cc ktm off someone who slide out when they 'just' cut a mini roundabout, so respect how easy it is to come off in greasy conditions and not to stray onto the paint.
I think I will look into booking a cbt and see how I feel once that is completed!!
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