Learning to ride
Discussion
Hi Chaps 
This weekend i decided i wanted to get my bike license for weekend fun and also possibly commuting into london from home. I have bought a Haynes booked called 'Learn to ride' which appears pretty good so far and will guide me through from start to finish but i was wondering if you guys knew of any useful resources for learners online ? I prefer to learn from a number of sources to ensure i get the best advice/information.
I am thinking about reading this book, and taking the theory before i even get on a bike, but after that i'm a bit stumped as to what i need to shell out for immediately in terms of riding gear etc etc.. Am i right in thinking that to do the CBT i don't need anything straight away ? I have my own crash helmet, but apart from that i have no riding gear whatsoever.
I am thinking of doing the Direct Access course as i'm 25, and have a full driving license. Whats your views on this route ?
Any help will be greatly appreciated !!
Cheers
Steve
This weekend i decided i wanted to get my bike license for weekend fun and also possibly commuting into london from home. I have bought a Haynes booked called 'Learn to ride' which appears pretty good so far and will guide me through from start to finish but i was wondering if you guys knew of any useful resources for learners online ? I prefer to learn from a number of sources to ensure i get the best advice/information.
I am thinking about reading this book, and taking the theory before i even get on a bike, but after that i'm a bit stumped as to what i need to shell out for immediately in terms of riding gear etc etc.. Am i right in thinking that to do the CBT i don't need anything straight away ? I have my own crash helmet, but apart from that i have no riding gear whatsoever.
I am thinking of doing the Direct Access course as i'm 25, and have a full driving license. Whats your views on this route ?
Any help will be greatly appreciated !!
Cheers
Steve
Go for it.
Riding a bike is a practical skill, do all the theory that you feel is necessary but you there's no substitute for time on a bike.
Having your own helmet is advisable for CBT as the ones provided are usually the cheapest available and might of had a grotty 16 year old's lice riddled bonce in it all day yesterday.
The remainder of your kit - buy it after CBT, you may find that 2 wheels isn't for you. Also, during element A of your course you will receive a lecturette on what to look for when buying motorcycle clothing.
Riding a bike is a practical skill, do all the theory that you feel is necessary but you there's no substitute for time on a bike.
Having your own helmet is advisable for CBT as the ones provided are usually the cheapest available and might of had a grotty 16 year old's lice riddled bonce in it all day yesterday.
The remainder of your kit - buy it after CBT, you may find that 2 wheels isn't for you. Also, during element A of your course you will receive a lecturette on what to look for when buying motorcycle clothing.
Steve,
I think any online learning would be good only for the theory test really. As you are a full licence holder you should already know about the highway code and have road-user experience. I'd say contact a motorcycle school in your area and let them help you through the test. One thing, I think I'm right in saying you will need to take the motorcycle theory test if you have a full car licence, but interestingly if you have a full bike licence, you don't have to take a theory test to get a car licence
- not that this is any help to you.
As for gear - good protective gloves,boots,jacket,trousers - I recommend leather, although I do have a specialist kevlar race jacket I use for short rides on my Duke that don't warrant the full 1-piece leathers which are a b*****d to get on/off
. Basically, go to a bike dealer and kit yourself head-to-toe. Don't be fooled into thinking slow speed won't injure - it will - tarmac will dismiss denim/cotton/polyester etc. with alarming ease. Finally, make sure your lid is a decent one and in good condition - if you got it secondhand, or it's old, or you have any doubts, then bin it and get a new one. Your lid is ultimately the most important part of you kit.
Finally - enjoy it - you really won't regret it. Once bikes are in your blood they're almost impossible to get out
>> Edited by yellowvette on Tuesday 22 November 15:12
I think any online learning would be good only for the theory test really. As you are a full licence holder you should already know about the highway code and have road-user experience. I'd say contact a motorcycle school in your area and let them help you through the test. One thing, I think I'm right in saying you will need to take the motorcycle theory test if you have a full car licence, but interestingly if you have a full bike licence, you don't have to take a theory test to get a car licence
- not that this is any help to you. As for gear - good protective gloves,boots,jacket,trousers - I recommend leather, although I do have a specialist kevlar race jacket I use for short rides on my Duke that don't warrant the full 1-piece leathers which are a b*****d to get on/off
. Basically, go to a bike dealer and kit yourself head-to-toe. Don't be fooled into thinking slow speed won't injure - it will - tarmac will dismiss denim/cotton/polyester etc. with alarming ease. Finally, make sure your lid is a decent one and in good condition - if you got it secondhand, or it's old, or you have any doubts, then bin it and get a new one. Your lid is ultimately the most important part of you kit. Finally - enjoy it - you really won't regret it. Once bikes are in your blood they're almost impossible to get out
>> Edited by yellowvette on Tuesday 22 November 15:12
Cheers for the advice lads
I know it sounds silly but what started all this is when i had a blast on a little mini moto scrambler effort with 4 manual gears. It was my first time on a manual bike but i enjoyed that and gear changing came easily, and knew i'd enjoy the real thing.
My helmet is only 5 months old or so and was purchased for trackdays and cost £70 so i think that will be ok - at least for starters anyway.
I think i'll look into getting some practical lessons as soon as i have dispensed with the theory. I'm half way though my book and already i find myself looking at bikers and watching their behavior and eye movement as they come along the road and up to junctions etc. When i'm driving i'm also running through what i would do if i was on the bike, so its all sinking in already which is good.
Done a online test and got 28 out of 35 (30 required) not too sure how accurate it is to the real theory but its a promising start !
Let you know how i get on !!
Steve
I know it sounds silly but what started all this is when i had a blast on a little mini moto scrambler effort with 4 manual gears. It was my first time on a manual bike but i enjoyed that and gear changing came easily, and knew i'd enjoy the real thing.
My helmet is only 5 months old or so and was purchased for trackdays and cost £70 so i think that will be ok - at least for starters anyway.
I think i'll look into getting some practical lessons as soon as i have dispensed with the theory. I'm half way though my book and already i find myself looking at bikers and watching their behavior and eye movement as they come along the road and up to junctions etc. When i'm driving i'm also running through what i would do if i was on the bike, so its all sinking in already which is good.
Done a online test and got 28 out of 35 (30 required) not too sure how accurate it is to the real theory but its a promising start !
Let you know how i get on !!
Steve
Just completed my DAS yesteday. Now a fully licensed 'biker'.
With regards to theory test, yes, the online version is the same as the real one. My advice would be to buy the CD which is available as it also goes BOTH parts of the test, i.e the observation as well.
As for the CBT, well to be honest, I did mine in a pair of jeans, trainers & a jacket I borrowed from the training school (along with their gloves & helmet).
However, for the DAS I went out & bought some decent trousers, jacket & gloves (and glad I did on reflection, weather was a bit shitty most days). If your serious about getting a bike, well, your going to have to buy them anyway. If monies a problems, they most centres will lend you jackets, gloves & helmets free of charge, so just buy some decent trousers.
I didn't buy a helmet for my DAS. No real reason, just never got around to doing so. Will get one when I buy a bike.
Overall, just do it. Sooooo much fun.
Just don't get worried about the amount of times you find the instructors b@llocking you. There's a reason for it.
With regards to theory test, yes, the online version is the same as the real one. My advice would be to buy the CD which is available as it also goes BOTH parts of the test, i.e the observation as well.
As for the CBT, well to be honest, I did mine in a pair of jeans, trainers & a jacket I borrowed from the training school (along with their gloves & helmet).
However, for the DAS I went out & bought some decent trousers, jacket & gloves (and glad I did on reflection, weather was a bit shitty most days). If your serious about getting a bike, well, your going to have to buy them anyway. If monies a problems, they most centres will lend you jackets, gloves & helmets free of charge, so just buy some decent trousers.
I didn't buy a helmet for my DAS. No real reason, just never got around to doing so. Will get one when I buy a bike.
Overall, just do it. Sooooo much fun.
Just don't get worried about the amount of times you find the instructors b@llocking you. There's a reason for it.
Lol - well i'm going to use the same instructors that my friend is using ATM. For the most part i've heard they are ok. Firm but fair
Looking forward to getting cracking though. Get my license and bike in tim efor a summer jaunt to brighton or somewhere !
You dont happen to have a amazon link or something to this CD you mention ?
Cheers
Steve
Looking forward to getting cracking though. Get my license and bike in tim efor a summer jaunt to brighton or somewhere !
You dont happen to have a amazon link or something to this CD you mention ?
Cheers
Steve
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