I've had a car licence for a few years now and it's starting to get a bit boring. I've always thought about learning to ride a motorbike but until now I couldn't be bothered being a learner again.
Does anyone on here ride one? and if so how did they go about learning as theres different ways of going about it.
Cheers
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Anyone ride a motorbike?
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jabcrosshook
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I'm thinking of learning to ride a bike.
Firstly how old are you? That'll effect what you can ride, but we will come to that later.
Firstly you'll have to do a CBT (Compulsory Basic Training).
More about that here : http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/Le ... DG_4022430
Once you've done that you can ride anything upto 125cc
If you want to ride anything more then your going to have to do your theory, which to my understanding is different from the car one.
There's a bit more on the license types here: http://www.themotorbikeforum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=2916
It's a good thread that, if you have any questions just ask them, they're a good bunch.
Firstly how old are you? That'll effect what you can ride, but we will come to that later.
Firstly you'll have to do a CBT (Compulsory Basic Training).
More about that here : http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/Le ... DG_4022430
Once you've done that you can ride anything upto 125cc
If you want to ride anything more then your going to have to do your theory, which to my understanding is different from the car one.
There's a bit more on the license types here: http://www.themotorbikeforum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=2916
It's a good thread that, if you have any questions just ask them, they're a good bunch.
I'm 20 so I know I could wait until i'm 21 and do DAS. At the minute I'm not bothered if my licence was restricted for 2 years so I think I'll just get a cheap bike, ride it for a couple of months then do the test to get rid of the L's.
My local riding school does a free half hour lesson if you want it before doing CBT, so I've got that tomorrow - and I'll take it from there.
What about you? What way are you going about it?
My local riding school does a free half hour lesson if you want it before doing CBT, so I've got that tomorrow - and I'll take it from there.
What about you? What way are you going about it?
Yes mate I ride a bike zx6r g2 is mine, been riding since I was 17 and passed my test last year so that's 4 years now.
Firstly I booked myself in for a CBT which is a 1 day course the morning part tells you the laws of the road, tells you where to position yourself, clothing that should be worn, and safety.
The second half of the day is spent getting you acquainted with the bike that you'll be using out on the road, most likely you will have to demonstrate putting the bike on its side and centre stands before you use it, then they'll show you the basics pulling off riding in a straight line then stopping, going around corners, using the correct gears. Next I had to practice riding around bends and doing the figure of eight, then you had to show that you can control the bike a slow speed probably the most difficult thing I think, now you show that you can perform U-turns and emergency brakes.
After all this if the instructor thinks you're competent he'll take you out on the road (if you're lucky there will be just 2 of you on the course) you'll be given a radio so that he can tell you where to go and you'll just ride around with him following you.
When you come in from the ride out he'll tell you what he thinks needs to be worked on or to just take note of, after which you'll be given your certificate that says you've passed and are allowed on the road on a bike of no more than 125cc engine. You now have 2 years before having to take the tests or redo your CBT.
The CBT certificate then allows you to take your Theory test (Just read the Highway code) and Hazard Perception test (Common sense if it looks like a possible hazard press the button) again after passing this you get 2 years before having to take the practical.
Practical test is simple you have to answer 5 questions about the bike (example I got asked was "Can you demonstrate how to use the horn" just press the thing) after this you go out on a bike to show the examiner that you are safe riding on the road and have a good all round awareness of whats happening. You need to demonstrate, Emergency stop, U-turn and a manual U-turn to pass.
After doing the tests and passing you can then ride any size engine that you like
PS if you're under 21 you'll be using a 125cc engine, if you're over 21 you'll be using a 500cc engine to learn and take the test on
PSS. Also it's a good idea to take lessons in between passing CBT and taking your practical. I did this because I got knocked off my bike (poor thing got written off) 6 months before and couldn't ride in that time and could barely walk, it's also useful for just brushing up on things that you might of got sloppy at.
Hope this little essay helps
Firstly I booked myself in for a CBT which is a 1 day course the morning part tells you the laws of the road, tells you where to position yourself, clothing that should be worn, and safety.
The second half of the day is spent getting you acquainted with the bike that you'll be using out on the road, most likely you will have to demonstrate putting the bike on its side and centre stands before you use it, then they'll show you the basics pulling off riding in a straight line then stopping, going around corners, using the correct gears. Next I had to practice riding around bends and doing the figure of eight, then you had to show that you can control the bike a slow speed probably the most difficult thing I think, now you show that you can perform U-turns and emergency brakes.
After all this if the instructor thinks you're competent he'll take you out on the road (if you're lucky there will be just 2 of you on the course) you'll be given a radio so that he can tell you where to go and you'll just ride around with him following you.
When you come in from the ride out he'll tell you what he thinks needs to be worked on or to just take note of, after which you'll be given your certificate that says you've passed and are allowed on the road on a bike of no more than 125cc engine. You now have 2 years before having to take the tests or redo your CBT.
The CBT certificate then allows you to take your Theory test (Just read the Highway code) and Hazard Perception test (Common sense if it looks like a possible hazard press the button) again after passing this you get 2 years before having to take the practical.
Practical test is simple you have to answer 5 questions about the bike (example I got asked was "Can you demonstrate how to use the horn" just press the thing) after this you go out on a bike to show the examiner that you are safe riding on the road and have a good all round awareness of whats happening. You need to demonstrate, Emergency stop, U-turn and a manual U-turn to pass.
After doing the tests and passing you can then ride any size engine that you like
PS if you're under 21 you'll be using a 125cc engine, if you're over 21 you'll be using a 500cc engine to learn and take the test on
PSS. Also it's a good idea to take lessons in between passing CBT and taking your practical. I did this because I got knocked off my bike (poor thing got written off) 6 months before and couldn't ride in that time and could barely walk, it's also useful for just brushing up on things that you might of got sloppy at.
Hope this little essay helps
I've been riding nearly six years now, also passed my test at 17. Currently on a modified R6 which I hope to keep as a track bike when I spunk my £10k bonus next year on something bigger...trying convince the missus that I CAN spend it all and get a spanking 1098, but it's falling on deaf ears 
Just in addition to what Starwon said.
The full bike test (be it on a 125 or 500) is exactly the same as a car test (except you're on a bike with the instructor following in radio contact); it's marked exactly the same etc. The only difference is the maneuvres; obviously you won't parallel/reverse park a bike, or reverse round corners, but you will do a U-turn, emergency stop etc. The U-turn catches a lot of people out, if you're balance isn't great at slow speed practice them, in my experience they pick the narrowest road they can find to do them on
If you drive a car already you should have all the road sense etc, and as you're still young can remember the 'proper' rules of the road as apply to a test. The best way to do a bike course is consecutive full days with your test at the end. If you've already got some experience of a bike (ie. you're at least half-confident with the basics) two days with your test on the third should be enough; I passed mine with three days and test on the fourth having never ridden on road except my CBT, nor driven a car, though I did know how to ride a bike. If you've never ridden before, 3 days to make sure. A day's tuition including bike hire is around £100 - £120, and the test used to be £46.50 (probably gone up by now). So get your CBT and theory out the way then book it up.
As for bike restrictions (the 33bhp for two years rule), assuming your bike is carbed rather than injected, the vast majority are restricted simply by washers in the carbs. The kits (again, used to) cost £106 fitted, and come with a certificate that the garage has to fill in to say the work's been done. Any idiot can then strip a bike far enough to remove the offending items. Mine stayed restricted for about 3 months before I got bored, and took them out, despite a few producers they never even asked for the certificate, which I obviously still had just in case. Not sure if they would check the bike itself if you were involved in an accident though - to be honest at that age I didn't give a sh*t
Finally, word of advice - don't spend anything more than a coupla grand on your first 'proper' bike - chances are you'll drop it. Better still avoid fairings for your first year, especially if you intend riding in winter/wet - they're bloody expensive to replace. I've never dropped a bike after my first year (other than on track - that's different ), simply because you gain so much experience in that time.
And my final 2p - if you're a speed freak, but a 400 sports bike rather than a 600 first - a 400 will teach you to go round corners as you haven't got the acceleration. Once you've learned that you can up the power without losing your cornering ability. Loads of lads in the Corps spunk their op bonuses on bike tests and go out and buy brand new 600s. None of them ever learn to ride them properly. One lad bought a spankers ZX6-R last April, binned it next day. I almost cried
Just in addition to what Starwon said.
The full bike test (be it on a 125 or 500) is exactly the same as a car test (except you're on a bike with the instructor following in radio contact); it's marked exactly the same etc. The only difference is the maneuvres; obviously you won't parallel/reverse park a bike, or reverse round corners, but you will do a U-turn, emergency stop etc. The U-turn catches a lot of people out, if you're balance isn't great at slow speed practice them, in my experience they pick the narrowest road they can find to do them on
If you drive a car already you should have all the road sense etc, and as you're still young can remember the 'proper' rules of the road as apply to a test. The best way to do a bike course is consecutive full days with your test at the end. If you've already got some experience of a bike (ie. you're at least half-confident with the basics) two days with your test on the third should be enough; I passed mine with three days and test on the fourth having never ridden on road except my CBT, nor driven a car, though I did know how to ride a bike. If you've never ridden before, 3 days to make sure. A day's tuition including bike hire is around £100 - £120, and the test used to be £46.50 (probably gone up by now). So get your CBT and theory out the way then book it up.
As for bike restrictions (the 33bhp for two years rule), assuming your bike is carbed rather than injected, the vast majority are restricted simply by washers in the carbs. The kits (again, used to) cost £106 fitted, and come with a certificate that the garage has to fill in to say the work's been done. Any idiot can then strip a bike far enough to remove the offending items. Mine stayed restricted for about 3 months before I got bored, and took them out, despite a few producers they never even asked for the certificate, which I obviously still had just in case. Not sure if they would check the bike itself if you were involved in an accident though - to be honest at that age I didn't give a sh*t
Finally, word of advice - don't spend anything more than a coupla grand on your first 'proper' bike - chances are you'll drop it. Better still avoid fairings for your first year, especially if you intend riding in winter/wet - they're bloody expensive to replace. I've never dropped a bike after my first year (other than on track - that's different
), simply because you gain so much experience in that time.And my final 2p - if you're a speed freak, but a 400 sports bike rather than a 600 first - a 400 will teach you to go round corners as you haven't got the acceleration. Once you've learned that you can up the power without losing your cornering ability. Loads of lads in the Corps spunk their op bonuses on bike tests and go out and buy brand new 600s. None of them ever learn to ride them properly. One lad bought a spankers ZX6-R last April, binned it next day. I almost cried
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Wholley
- Guest
I guess I can enter this discussion.
'When I were a lad' you could ride anything at sixteen.
I had a G6 Matchless,then a Norton Dominator.
Later in life a Norton Commando,which for a time could challenge the rice burners.
For pure speed I purchased a Susuki GS 1000s and had the motor tweaked a little by Yoshimura.
An indicated 160mph was fast enough for me,as for chucking that nasty frame into a corner,forget it(and your life)
I have had a couple of Harley's over the last few years(until my divorce)and they suited me well as I'm an old.....er person.
'When I were a lad'
you could ride anything at sixteen.I had a G6 Matchless,then a Norton Dominator.
Later in life a Norton Commando,which for a time could challenge the rice burners.
For pure speed I purchased a Susuki GS 1000s and had the motor tweaked a little by Yoshimura.
An indicated 160mph was fast enough for me,as for chucking that nasty frame into a corner,forget it(and your life)
I have had a couple of Harley's over the last few years(until my divorce)and they suited me well as I'm an old.....er person.
Some good advice, cheers. As i said i've got a free 30-60 min introduction/basic lesson tomorrow so i'll see how it goes. With access to a car, I don't need a bike to get around so it'll just be for a bit of fun in the summer etc, maybe a bit of cummuting if I fancied it.
What sort of gear do you all wear when out and about? Obviously its winter, so it'll be bloody cold if you don't get some layers on. There seems to be never ending options in terms of armoured jackets, armoured trousers, gloves, boots, under jacket body armour etc etc.
What sort of gear do you all wear when out and about? Obviously its winter, so it'll be bloody cold if you don't get some layers on. There seems to be never ending options in terms of armoured jackets, armoured trousers, gloves, boots, under jacket body armour etc etc.
When I only had a bike I had a Hein Gericke textile suit, can't remember the name now but it was their top of the range one, about £250 jacket and £150 trousers. Fully waterproof, zip in thermal linings, loads of armour, and the jacket wasn't even marked after a couple of (albeit low speed) spills. When I upgraded to sports bikes I kept those for commuting in wet weather and bought a set of Dainese leathers, which I've had about 4 and a half years and they're still going strong, rather grubby but still top notch despite a couple of slides down the track Even in super cold I find the leathers with a lifa top underneath and a warm jacket over the top is plenty, get some heated grips as well for winter - I far prefer them to using thick winter gloves.
Comes down to what you're doing, if it's just a toy for summer days go get yourself some leathers, Hein Gericke own brand are highly rated and not over-priced, if you look at other manufacturers you're looking at paying £500 upwards for the same standard as you get in their £350-odd suits. Having said that I still prefer to pay twice that just for a cool brand name
Best bet is jump on the MCN website (www.motorcyclenews.com) and read through their tests and reviews. If you're commuting in all weathers you'll want textiles. Helmet, make sure you get the assistant to help find a brand or two that fit you properly - everyone has different shape heads and each brand make their's slightly differently - then spend as much as you can afford.
Even in super cold I find the leathers with a lifa top underneath and a warm jacket over the top is plenty, get some heated grips as well for winter - I far prefer them to using thick winter gloves.Comes down to what you're doing, if it's just a toy for summer days go get yourself some leathers, Hein Gericke own brand are highly rated and not over-priced, if you look at other manufacturers you're looking at paying £500 upwards for the same standard as you get in their £350-odd suits. Having said that I still prefer to pay twice that just for a cool brand name
Best bet is jump on the MCN website (www.motorcyclenews.com) and read through their tests and reviews. If you're commuting in all weathers you'll want textiles. Helmet, make sure you get the assistant to help find a brand or two that fit you properly - everyone has different shape heads and each brand make their's slightly differently - then spend as much as you can afford.Well I survived my first ever shot on a bike. Started off obviously with starting and stopping in a straight line. At first I couldn't get the thing to stop going left but after being told that "the worst thats gonna happen to you is you'll go straight into that fence" I seemed to get the hang of it sharpish.
Within 20 minutes I was going round in circles in 2nd gear but its completely about confidence which will take longer than 20 minutes. The natural thing to do is put the foot down but I was reminded that i'd "fcuk myself up" if I did that.
There was a big grin on my face when i rev'd it for the first time, although it's only a 125cc it still feels strange to have this thing rumbling between your legs.
Within 20 minutes I was going round in circles in 2nd gear but its completely about confidence which will take longer than 20 minutes. The natural thing to do is put the foot down but I was reminded that i'd "fcuk myself up" if I did that.
There was a big grin on my face when i rev'd it for the first time, although it's only a 125cc it still feels strange to have this thing rumbling between your legs.
Nah not booked a CBT yet, I'll wait until after New Year when I can see how much money I've got to play with. I don't have a run about bike yet so will play it by ear a bit.
I'm not from a biking family and none of my mates ride a bike so i'm getting all the comments about how theyre death traps etc, "so and so's brothers dads got a licence and he's crashed 6 times... very lucky to be alive". I usually reply that they might be dangerous but you can't live your life wrapped in cotton wool.
I've had a taste though, and I can now imagine what it's like to be free on the road. Hopefully one day I'll have myself a sports bike and maybe even a cheeky "easy rider"
I'm not from a biking family and none of my mates ride a bike so i'm getting all the comments about how theyre death traps etc, "so and so's brothers dads got a licence and he's crashed 6 times... very lucky to be alive". I usually reply that they might be dangerous but you can't live your life wrapped in cotton wool.
I've had a taste though, and I can now imagine what it's like to be free on the road. Hopefully one day I'll have myself a sports bike and maybe even a cheeky "easy rider"
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jabcrosshook
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I went into a bike dealer today and sat on the honda cbr 125r and wow it's amazing, people say it's small but it's actually a nice size, I just wanted to run away with it, well slowly push it out the door and have it for myself.
Yes I know a 125 isn't anything brilliant or amazing speed wise, but I think it'll be ample for me until I can ride something larger.
Yes I know a 125 isn't anything brilliant or amazing speed wise, but I think it'll be ample for me until I can ride something larger.
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jabcrosshook
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