Discussion
Whats the best way to get started with a bike? I've wanted one all my life and have finaly decided to take the plunge and do it.
I'm 26. Whats the process for getting a license? Is it hard to do? I have heard that their are several different options for different powered bikes. Some people have advised me to go for a small bike to get used to the speed and others have said a big bike is better as it is more stable. Also how much will it cost me to get started including license helmet and protection etc.
Any information would be greatly appriciated.
I'm 26. Whats the process for getting a license? Is it hard to do? I have heard that their are several different options for different powered bikes. Some people have advised me to go for a small bike to get used to the speed and others have said a big bike is better as it is more stable. Also how much will it cost me to get started including license helmet and protection etc.
Any information would be greatly appriciated.
Mark,
I started last year and did the following....
CBT - One day course, where 99.9% of people pass. This is basically just to get you familiar with sitting on the bike, learning the controls etc...
Direct Access - This was a 4 day course. Day 1 and 2 were on a 50cc (or 80?!) bike and we were out on the roads. Th other 2 days were on a 500cc machine, which at the time was the fastest thing on the planet!
Then there's the classroom stuff. The Theory test involves a driving type questions bit, followed by a hazard perception piece. This can be tricky, but a moderate amount of revision should see you thropugh. After all this is the test. Ride normally, safely and make steady progress and you should be opk.Practise thouse u turns, cause you only get one shot at it!
Hope this helps.
Cheers.
I started last year and did the following....
CBT - One day course, where 99.9% of people pass. This is basically just to get you familiar with sitting on the bike, learning the controls etc...
Direct Access - This was a 4 day course. Day 1 and 2 were on a 50cc (or 80?!) bike and we were out on the roads. Th other 2 days were on a 500cc machine, which at the time was the fastest thing on the planet!
Then there's the classroom stuff. The Theory test involves a driving type questions bit, followed by a hazard perception piece. This can be tricky, but a moderate amount of revision should see you thropugh. After all this is the test. Ride normally, safely and make steady progress and you should be opk.Practise thouse u turns, cause you only get one shot at it!
Hope this helps.
Cheers.
I did the same as Chilli a couple of years back. Took the theory test then did my CBT (1 Day) and the 2 days for the Direct Access course all on 500cc. 1.5 days training then test in the afternoon.
If you have a basic knowledge of the roads ie: driving then you are half way there.
Good Luck
D
If you have a basic knowledge of the roads ie: driving then you are half way there.
Good Luck
D
i did something similar as well, a 6 day combined course which was 1 day CBT, 4 days training, 1 day test (including theory too).
the difference between what bikes you can get only boils down to the hp restriction, if you take the test on a 125 you can get any bike up to 33hp (note many bikes can have restrictors to reduce their power) and if you take the test on a 500 (well, over 47hp technically i think) then you can jump on any power bike.
On my course you could choose right up to the day of the test which bike you wanted, so i would say wait and choose then, because regarding the licence i'd only get a restricted licence if i actually wanted a bike that was "naturally" under 33hp for a couple of years. And you'll find out on the training if that's what you want...
(p.s. the restricted licence lasts for 2 years then you can get any power bike, hence the couple of years mentioned above)
p.p.s i'm 25 and did my test in april, so quite close to your situation i guess.
the difference between what bikes you can get only boils down to the hp restriction, if you take the test on a 125 you can get any bike up to 33hp (note many bikes can have restrictors to reduce their power) and if you take the test on a 500 (well, over 47hp technically i think) then you can jump on any power bike.
On my course you could choose right up to the day of the test which bike you wanted, so i would say wait and choose then, because regarding the licence i'd only get a restricted licence if i actually wanted a bike that was "naturally" under 33hp for a couple of years. And you'll find out on the training if that's what you want...
(p.s. the restricted licence lasts for 2 years then you can get any power bike, hence the couple of years mentioned above)
p.p.s i'm 25 and did my test in april, so quite close to your situation i guess.
oh, prices:
- 2 piece alpinestars leathers, oxtar boots, shoei xr-1000 helmet (i.e. decent enough stuff) 700 quid from a show (oh and some winter gloves but i forget the make - currently borrowing my summer gloves
). i bought this prior to the training.
- training - 640 quid for the above mentioned, which included everything plus 2 nights i got to take home the 125 and ride around, which is pretty good (plus it did something stupid like 80 miles on 3 litres of fuel!)
- bike - this is obviously different for everyone, but i got an 03' sv650s for 2350 quid (p.s. no pound sign on this american keyboard
) with 3k miles
so it did cost quite a bit, but you can do it all a lot cheaper, training aside probs.
- 2 piece alpinestars leathers, oxtar boots, shoei xr-1000 helmet (i.e. decent enough stuff) 700 quid from a show (oh and some winter gloves but i forget the make - currently borrowing my summer gloves
). i bought this prior to the training. - training - 640 quid for the above mentioned, which included everything plus 2 nights i got to take home the 125 and ride around, which is pretty good (plus it did something stupid like 80 miles on 3 litres of fuel!)
- bike - this is obviously different for everyone, but i got an 03' sv650s for 2350 quid (p.s. no pound sign on this american keyboard
) with 3k miles so it did cost quite a bit, but you can do it all a lot cheaper, training aside probs.
Oh yeah, costs.....
CBT was thrown in with the direct access @ £450, I think.
Test was £80 odd
Boots were £130
Gloves were £40
1st bike - £2600 GSXR600, T plate. Immaculate. Bought it as I thought I'd be crashing every other day...No incidents at all, so moved on.......
2nd bike £7500 R6....Dropped within 20 minutes, and smashed up twice since!!! Still, I'm ok though....!!!
CBT was thrown in with the direct access @ £450, I think.
Test was £80 odd
Boots were £130
Gloves were £40
1st bike - £2600 GSXR600, T plate. Immaculate. Bought it as I thought I'd be crashing every other day...No incidents at all, so moved on.......
2nd bike £7500 R6....Dropped within 20 minutes, and smashed up twice since!!! Still, I'm ok though....!!!
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