total newbie!

[red_zed]

Hi all

First off, apologies as this is going to be a complete newbie thread as im totally new to the world of bikes!

Ive been into cars now since I was able to drive and have been lucky enough to own some decent cars in the last few years. But ever since I was younger ive loved bikes and, after watching the moto gp at the weekend, it got me thinking again about how I should get my test taken and take the plunge...

Only problem is..I know absoultely nothing about bikes, or even whats required to get myself a licence. Ive never rode a bike either so would be starting completely from scratch. So, really im after some pretty basic advice, or links to websites/threads etc, about where to start..

- Do I need to do a theory test first?
- what test do i need to do- is it a CBT?
- where/how do i book this
- whats next after that- am I likely to be able to take a full test?
- Where should I start with regards my first bike? what size engine etc?

As you can see, very basic questions but I really dont have a clue- its embarrasing really!!
Also, what sort of costs are we looking at to learn to ride? Im 25 and been driving for 8 years and whilst i dont claim to be a potential rossi on a bike, id hope that my years on the road would help in some way to aid my bike learning- is this likely to be the case, assuming that is, that i can grasp the basics!

I suppose what im getting at is that im a little nervous about the whole thing as im a total bike novice so any advice anyone has would be great, basically about the whole learning experience and "where to start".

Thanks in advance guys

Matt

• edit thread...Matt, read the sticky at the top of the page before posting you numpty!!!!*

Edited by red_zed on Monday 11th June 11:23

[black-k1]

red_zed said:

* edit thread...Matt, read the sticky at the top of the page before posting you numpty!!!!*

Doh!

Welcome to the world of biking. Have a read through the post at the top of the page then post whatever questions you have, we’re only to happy to help where we can.

[red_zed]

first daft question..how do i book my CBT?

Im assuming, like the driving test, there are local test centres?

[Chilli]

red_zed said:

first daft question..how do i book my CBT?

Im assuming, like the driving test, there are local test centres?

Hello mate, and welcome!

Yell.com is your friend http://www.yell.com/ucs/UcsSearchAction.do?scrambl...

Do it man, you'll love it. And don't worry about not having a clue...I still don't and I'm loving it.

Good luck.

[black-k1]

red_zed said:

first daft question..how do i book my CBT?

Im assuming, like the driving test, there are local test centres?

It's a long time since I've had anything to do with CBT but I would expect a quick review of yellow pages local training centres would give a list of numbers. If you want to do your CBT and DAS as a short term ‘crash course’ then you may have slightly different requirements. May be worth having a chat at your local bike dealers as they will know what training organisations are in the area and may be able to suggest which is better.

[RemaL]

As black-k1, have a look around and see whats local. get some info from them but book your theory first, then book CBT or do what I did and book a 4-5 day DAS which included CBT, 3 days training and final test to pass and ride any size bike. its not that difficult, you just need to time and money to do it


And welcome

[Mad Dave]

Chilli said:

Do it man, you'll love it. And don't worry about not having a clue...I still don't and I've gone nearly a month now without crashing.

Good luck.

[Chilli]

Mad Dave said:

Chilli said:

Do it man, you'll love it. And don't worry about not having a clue...I still don't and I've gone nearly a month now without crashing.

Good luck.

[Mad Dave]

Chilli said:

Mad Dave said:

Chilli said:

Do it man, you'll love it. And don't worry about not having a clue...I still don't and I've gone nearly a month now without crashing.

Good luck.

[sjtscott]

Can we make the sticky thread title a bit clearer?
i.e. NEW TO BIKING WANT SOME ADVICE - READ HERE FIRST!!!!!!

Edited by sjtscott on Monday 11th June 16:22

[red_zed]

Mistake spotted already

black-k1 said:

red_zed said:

* edit thread...Matt, read the sticky at the top of the page before posting you numpty!!!!*

Doh!

Welcome to the world of biking. Have a read through the post at the top of the page then post whatever questions you have, we’re only to happy to help where we can.

[Chilli]

Don't think that was aimed at you Matt!

[rsv gone!]

Run down to your nearest newsagent and buy a copy of BIKE magazine. It has a feature on getting on two wheels.

[ironictwist]

I cant wait to take the plunge next year when it comes to bikes..One thing thats got me thinking though. Where to start in terms of Bikes? I mean i know i can get myself to a point where i can be owning a gorgeous R1 in a year or so after passing as bikes will be more of a priority for me then. But the problem i have is, what would i use to fill the void till then?

For all those that drive a car, heres an example...Currently driving an Vauxhall Astra 1.6 SXI. Moving onto a BMW 320 or higher in the next month or two and if all goes well next year, a lovely TVR Chimaera. But basically what i need is something like the BMW to offer that stepping stone from novice to intermediate before i go for an R1.

Edited by ironictwist on Monday 11th June 21:18

[randlemarcus]

ironictwist said:

I cant wait to take the plunge next year when it comes to bikes..One thing thats got me thinking though. Where to start in terms of Bikes? I mean i know i can get myself to a point where i can be owning a gorgeous R1 in a year or so after passing as bikes will be more of a priority for me then. But the problem i have is, what would i use to fill the void till then?

For all those that drive a car, heres an example...Currently driving an Vauxhall Astra 1.6 SXI. Moving onto a BMW 320 or higher in the next month or two and if all goes well next year, a lovely TVR Chimaera. But basically what i need is something like the BMW to offer that stepping stone from novice to intermediate before i go for an R1.

Edited by ironictwist on Monday 11th June 21:18

umm, R6?
Seriously, maybe something a little less, dedicated might help. I had a CBR600F for a year or so, and that was seriously fun, without any of the worry about sliding it down the motorway. Just got it back from the bike shop after last December, and now need to ponder whether to do it up as a road bike, or trackday speshul....

[ironictwist]

randlemarcus said:

ironictwist said:

I cant wait to take the plunge next year when it comes to bikes..One thing thats got me thinking though. Where to start in terms of Bikes? I mean i know i can get myself to a point where i can be owning a gorgeous R1 in a year or so after passing as bikes will be more of a priority for me then. But the problem i have is, what would i use to fill the void till then?

For all those that drive a car, heres an example...Currently driving an Vauxhall Astra 1.6 SXI. Moving onto a BMW 320 or higher in the next month or two and if all goes well next year, a lovely TVR Chimaera. But basically what i need is something like the BMW to offer that stepping stone from novice to intermediate before i go for an R1.

Edited by ironictwist on Monday 11th June 21:18

umm, R6?
Seriously, maybe something a little less, dedicated might help. I had a CBR600F for a year or so, and that was seriously fun, without any of the worry about sliding it down the motorway. Just got it back from the bike shop after last December, and now need to ponder whether to do it up as a road bike, or trackday speshul....

hehe yeh, i was thinking it maybe a bit more than i can chew after a year of passing my test. I just cant wait to get myself on one of those..Just lately been absolutley seduced by them to the extent where i went trawling through the classifieds picking out the ones i'd wanna buy lol. The CBR600F looks pretty sexy though, if it can somehow match the looks of the R1 or come close, and still have a bit of kick, i could live with that

[hiccy]

I remember when taking DAS a guy learning with me drove an STi Scooby and was blown away by the speed of the 600 Diversions we used. On the other hand, I had a tweaked 200SX and found them a bit tame in comparison. Something like the CBR would probably be right up your street, and would be a hell of a jump from where you are right now.

[ironictwist]

Sounds pretty good, cheers gents. I'll mark that down

[Mad Dave]

ironictwist said:

randlemarcus said:

ironictwist said:

I cant wait to take the plunge next year when it comes to bikes..One thing thats got me thinking though. Where to start in terms of Bikes? I mean i know i can get myself to a point where i can be owning a gorgeous R1 in a year or so after passing as bikes will be more of a priority for me then. But the problem i have is, what would i use to fill the void till then?

For all those that drive a car, heres an example...Currently driving an Vauxhall Astra 1.6 SXI. Moving onto a BMW 320 or higher in the next month or two and if all goes well next year, a lovely TVR Chimaera. But basically what i need is something like the BMW to offer that stepping stone from novice to intermediate before i go for an R1.

Edited by ironictwist on Monday 11th June 21:18

umm, R6?
Seriously, maybe something a little less, dedicated might help. I had a CBR600F for a year or so, and that was seriously fun, without any of the worry about sliding it down the motorway. Just got it back from the bike shop after last December, and now need to ponder whether to do it up as a road bike, or trackday speshul....

hehe yeh, i was thinking it maybe a bit more than i can chew after a year of passing my test. I just cant wait to get myself on one of those..Just lately been absolutley seduced by them to the extent where i went trawling through the classifieds picking out the ones i'd wanna buy lol. The CBR600F looks pretty sexy though, if it can somehow match the looks of the R1 or come close, and still have a bit of kick, i could live with that

Ditto, I was bewitched by the R1 the moment they released it in '98 - I was still in college then, and didn't even have a car license, but I've always wanted one since that point. I took a few stepping stones on the way but finally got one a few months ago - I can think of nothing else i'd rather own. Don't get one straight away though, it's an AWFUL lot of bike.