Have you gone for a bike licence and regretted it?
Discussion
As the kind of person who obsesses over anything with a set of wheels and moves I'm still not sure why I've never gotten round to getting my bike licence, especially since I love both driving and cycling, it would seem a natural extension that I get myself a motorbike.
But for some reason, and I have tried, I just can't seem to develop a passion for bikes.
If I were to get a bike I'm fairly certain it would be a BMW GS or similar, one that would let me tour the Highlands or Europe with ease, that appeals far more than throwing myself down the local B-road at three figure speeds.
So, are there any of you out there who have gone for your licence and have ended up never actually using it or not liking it at all?
ps Don't turn this into a 'biker bashing' thread, there are plenty of those out there.
But for some reason, and I have tried, I just can't seem to develop a passion for bikes.
If I were to get a bike I'm fairly certain it would be a BMW GS or similar, one that would let me tour the Highlands or Europe with ease, that appeals far more than throwing myself down the local B-road at three figure speeds.
So, are there any of you out there who have gone for your licence and have ended up never actually using it or not liking it at all?
ps Don't turn this into a 'biker bashing' thread, there are plenty of those out there.
I did my bike test out of interest more than anything else, some years after my car test. To be honest I quickly realised that I was much better at driving cars than riding bikes. I gave up after a couple of years when I realised I would never be as good as I wanted to be and that any muppet car driver could take me out at any moment anyway.
However, I have never regretted learning and it made me a better driver in many ways.
However, I have never regretted learning and it made me a better driver in many ways.
head rider. I got my license in April and have been on a Triumph Bonneville since. It's great fun, but I've come to realise on not the hardcore biker kind of person and probably never will be. So I pop out when the weathers good and enjoy the whole experience. I like the ideas of huge trips but I feel the circumstances will never be right for me to actually do it, and may end up just taking a car. Maybe I just have the wrong bike? 
I'm still glad I did it
I'm still glad I did it
I always wanted a bike, did my test when I was in my late 20's.
Had several bikes from 60bhp 600's to 1000cc twins.
Had a few spills, but lots of fun, though once my son was born I decided that it was a selfish thing to have. I sold it and to be honest, feel I may have got bikes out of my system.
If youre asking bikers if they regret getting a licence then I think you wont find any. Other than those that ride bikes as they are cheaper than cars, most bikers ride for fun. If you dont think you will enjoy it then chances are you will be bored once accustomed to the speed and acceleration.
Had several bikes from 60bhp 600's to 1000cc twins.
Had a few spills, but lots of fun, though once my son was born I decided that it was a selfish thing to have. I sold it and to be honest, feel I may have got bikes out of my system.
If youre asking bikers if they regret getting a licence then I think you wont find any. Other than those that ride bikes as they are cheaper than cars, most bikers ride for fun. If you dont think you will enjoy it then chances are you will be bored once accustomed to the speed and acceleration.
I passed in March 2009 and haven't regretted it at all. Ride this now (whatever the weather) and really enjoy it. It's been across to Austria/Italy/Germany/France/Monaco too. If you get good gear then there's no reason not to ride year-round! There can be some beautiful winter days for riding around the countryside, and any damp roads just make you appreciate the dry summer roads even more. Just don't get a BMW GS with metal panniers and do your best long way round impression on the North Circular.
ETA: I've still not got around to doing my car test because of this…
ETA: I've still not got around to doing my car test because of this…
Edited by TimmyWimmyWoo on Tuesday 14th September 22:43
Ridden for years including a London commute for 10y followed by playing in the Peak district "just for fun"
Dont get sports bikes, prefer my machines to be a little more raw
In fact once jumped on a CBR600 (not even a litre class bike) and thought the whole experience to be just a bit tame and sanitised and then looked at the clocks to see I was doing 110mph
Have also ridden a GS around London which felt like a sofa
For running over Charlie Boorman though it would be ideal
Father in law is a biker so never had any marital grief, even after having kids, however decided a few years ago Id rather ride push bikes mainly for fitness reasons and now commute on push bike and do km's pedalling around the countryside to work out mental health and sanity issues which were the main roles for motorbikes in my life
I'll certainly buy another bike again, just not yet
Plus I never did get round to treating myself to a Fogarty replica original 916SPS........
Cheers
Adam_W said:
I only regret that since riding a bike there arent many cars that are going to feel that fast now.
So true. Did my test last year in June and it's the best thing I ever did. Had been driving for 4 years before that but since then cars have become a bit dull. Complete convert here, I love 2 wheels
Edited by obscene on Tuesday 14th September 22:52
In August I did my Theory test, CBT and then Module 1 over the space of 5 days. Passed them all, I have module 2 this Thursday. Assuming I pass I don't think I'll be getting a bike as basically everyone I know who has ever had a bike has had a nasty accident at some point. Also the Mrs, family are all very anti bike so I'd be nagged loads as well.
I just wanted to learn to ride one as felt a bit pathetic that I couldn't - before the CBT I had never riden a motorbike at all, I had no idea what so ever. I did the CBT on a Honda 125cc and module 1 on a 4 cylinder 400cc Honda. I thought the 125cc was crap I'd never ride one, I'd prefer to do without. The 400cc was a lot better, much nicer to ride and did feel quite quick but I honestly enjoyed the drive home from lessons in my car more.
People I know with bikes have said that once the ear piece has gone and your not having instructions barked at you and you go out and buy a 600 then you'll enjoy it a load more. Thing is even those guys only ride on dry summer weekends a few times a year, the bikes probably travel under 2000 miles a year. One thing one chap said to me that I think made a lot of sense was that most bikers get a bike young because its the cheapest way to go fast, they often never move to fast cars, they read that bikes are faster than cars so the bike is the be all and end all. If your older and found yourself driving fast cars for years the bike won't be such an amazing experience - unless you get something silly like a R1 or Bandit.
I just wanted to learn to ride one as felt a bit pathetic that I couldn't - before the CBT I had never riden a motorbike at all, I had no idea what so ever. I did the CBT on a Honda 125cc and module 1 on a 4 cylinder 400cc Honda. I thought the 125cc was crap I'd never ride one, I'd prefer to do without. The 400cc was a lot better, much nicer to ride and did feel quite quick but I honestly enjoyed the drive home from lessons in my car more.
People I know with bikes have said that once the ear piece has gone and your not having instructions barked at you and you go out and buy a 600 then you'll enjoy it a load more. Thing is even those guys only ride on dry summer weekends a few times a year, the bikes probably travel under 2000 miles a year. One thing one chap said to me that I think made a lot of sense was that most bikers get a bike young because its the cheapest way to go fast, they often never move to fast cars, they read that bikes are faster than cars so the bike is the be all and end all. If your older and found yourself driving fast cars for years the bike won't be such an amazing experience - unless you get something silly like a R1 or Bandit.
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