Getting into Bikes - aged 20 - what to do?
Discussion
When I suggested getting a cheap summer fun car many people said why not get a motorbike licence instead, it’ll be much more fun! That twigged the left side of my brain into overdrive and that age old desire to learn to ride a motorbike came back to me. It has always been in there with all my family having been involved in UK circuit race marshalling in the 1960s and 70s. My uncle rides trials and my dad has a 61 Norton in the garage so now it is my turn to get on a bike!
The main question for me is what route to take into getting a bike. Obviously the first stop is the CBT to get my certificate of completion; however do I need my own bike to do this? I know of local companies who offer on road training after the CBT to get new riders ready for their tests and who hire their bikes out, but can you hire bikes to do the CBT? The only bikes I can access through family and friends are 600cc and above so not much good for learning
The next query is regarding the test itself. I am 20 so if I was to pass tomorrow, I would have to wait two years before being able to ride any bike without restriction. However when I turn 21 I can take a further test to allow me to ride any bike as soon as I pass the test rather than waiting 2 years. Is it worth waiting till I am 21 and taking the test which allows me onto any bike instead of taking the two tests? I thought that by taking the restricted test now, I could get experience riding then take the open test next year when I am 21 and be more confident in my abilities to ride any bike. On the other hand, the cost of two separate tests and CBT within a year may outweigh the benefits of doing all the tests. Do others have experience of this and what would you do?
Thanks
Ben
The main question for me is what route to take into getting a bike. Obviously the first stop is the CBT to get my certificate of completion; however do I need my own bike to do this? I know of local companies who offer on road training after the CBT to get new riders ready for their tests and who hire their bikes out, but can you hire bikes to do the CBT? The only bikes I can access through family and friends are 600cc and above so not much good for learning
The next query is regarding the test itself. I am 20 so if I was to pass tomorrow, I would have to wait two years before being able to ride any bike without restriction. However when I turn 21 I can take a further test to allow me to ride any bike as soon as I pass the test rather than waiting 2 years. Is it worth waiting till I am 21 and taking the test which allows me onto any bike instead of taking the two tests? I thought that by taking the restricted test now, I could get experience riding then take the open test next year when I am 21 and be more confident in my abilities to ride any bike. On the other hand, the cost of two separate tests and CBT within a year may outweigh the benefits of doing all the tests. Do others have experience of this and what would you do?
Thanks
Ben
Nice decision - it is great to be taking on a new challenge
If you aren't too hung up about riding a 'big' bike then don't put it off til your 21.
You need to complete the CBT @ £100 (on a proper geared bike!) and Theory / Hazard perception tests.
Then book some lessons - the trainer will provide the bike and basic safety gear of helmet / gloves. Most learners seemed happy in jeans but looking back I'd get myself some leather 'jeans' or similar of fleabay...
If you don't want to go through formal lessons then get yourself a CG125 and some L plates - but I think it easy to learn too many bad habits by yourself.
I love sportsbikes and you could get yourself a 33bhp restricted RS125:
>> Edited by momentofmadness on Sunday 9th April 13:23
If you aren't too hung up about riding a 'big' bike then don't put it off til your 21.
You need to complete the CBT @ £100 (on a proper geared bike!) and Theory / Hazard perception tests.
Then book some lessons - the trainer will provide the bike and basic safety gear of helmet / gloves. Most learners seemed happy in jeans but looking back I'd get myself some leather 'jeans' or similar of fleabay...
If you don't want to go through formal lessons then get yourself a CG125 and some L plates - but I think it easy to learn too many bad habits by yourself.
I love sportsbikes and you could get yourself a 33bhp restricted RS125:
>> Edited by momentofmadness on Sunday 9th April 13:23
Hi Ben, yes some places hire bikes out for the CBT. I did mine through the Sires at Leicester on a Peugeot scooter as it saved £30 rather than hiring one. I visit Chalfont drive a lot and there is a training place near there (near the Beechdale pub?) that does CBT training etc and hies out bikes.
Over 16, the CBT lets you ride a 125 <11 kW/14. bhp power with L plates. After that you need to complete the theory test and then go for a practical. For that there are 2 types of licence, Sub cat A1 and Cat A. Sub Cat A1 is taken on a machine from 75-125 cc but only lets you ride a 125.
Cat A gives full entitlment. This is taken on a machine from 121-125 cc capable of 62.5mph. However, there is a 2 year qualifying period where you are restricted to 33bhp but after that you can ride anything.
The better option IMHO for those over 21, is the Direct Access (DAS) course, taken on a machine of 46.6 bhp which gives immediate access to anything upon completion.
If under 21, there is the Accelerated Accss that you can practice on a 33bhp machine, take the test on a 46.6 bhp and completion gives immediate access to anything.
Sorry, it all seems a bit silly to me! Dave
Over 16, the CBT lets you ride a 125 <11 kW/14. bhp power with L plates. After that you need to complete the theory test and then go for a practical. For that there are 2 types of licence, Sub cat A1 and Cat A. Sub Cat A1 is taken on a machine from 75-125 cc but only lets you ride a 125.
Cat A gives full entitlment. This is taken on a machine from 121-125 cc capable of 62.5mph. However, there is a 2 year qualifying period where you are restricted to 33bhp but after that you can ride anything.
The better option IMHO for those over 21, is the Direct Access (DAS) course, taken on a machine of 46.6 bhp which gives immediate access to anything upon completion.
If under 21, there is the Accelerated Accss that you can practice on a 33bhp machine, take the test on a 46.6 bhp and completion gives immediate access to anything.
Sorry, it all seems a bit silly to me! Dave
Yep it all seemed a bit random to me. I have actually found a local company that sounds much like the ones you mentioned. I can spend around £70-80 to do the CBT with their equipment including the bikes, hi vis jackets and helmets though I have my own from trackdays.
I am tempted by the route of doing a restricted test then the unrestricted one when I turn 21 simply so I have some experience. However I will get experience when learning so maybe doing the one unrestricted test may be the best way to go???
I am tempted by the route of doing a restricted test then the unrestricted one when I turn 21 simply so I have some experience. However I will get experience when learning so maybe doing the one unrestricted test may be the best way to go???
petclub has got it covered but this thread has some further links and advice:
www.visordown.com/forums/showthread.php?t=186303
All the best,
Paul
www.visordown.com/forums/showthread.php?t=186303
All the best,
Paul
momentofmadness said:
petclub has got it covered but this thread has some further links and advice:
www.visordown.com/forums/showthread.php?t=186303
All the best,
Paul
Fantastic page... everything I need to know is on there. Going to be a good afternoon getting stuck into that
v15ben said:
petclub has got it covered but this thread has some further links and advice:
www.visordown.com/forums/showthread.php?t=186303
All the best,
Paul
Fantastic page... everything I need to know is on there. Going to be a good afternoon getting stuck into that
You're welcome Ben!
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