Anyone here ride motorbikes?

Skyline On Fire

Skyline On Fire

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Im going to be moving soon further south, and now i have a bit of disposable money, one thing Ive always wanted to do is own a motorbike. Im 20, 21 in a couple of months, no driving license, no experience on a motorbike.

What should my first step be? I was thinking get my theory and CBT done, then a 125cc bike? Any advice etc... Would be welcome, thanks guys.
 
If you have never ever ridden a bike before then a 125 will be fine BUT you will soon get used to it and it will be no good at all you will want something bigger.

My suggestion would be to go for a honda hornet 600 or fazor 600 etc etc, very easy to ride not full on power in your face and easy to learn on too.
My first big bike after 20 years off was an R6 but that was me.

Spike
 
SpikeK6 said:
If you have never ever ridden a bike before then a 125 will be fine BUT you will soon get used to it and it will be no good at all you will want something bigger.

My suggestion would be to go for a honda hornet 600 or fazor 600 etc etc, very easy to ride not full on power in your face and easy to learn on too.
My first big bike after 20 years off was an R6 but that was me.

Spike
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Well its 2 months til im 21, then i can get the full test done and get any bike i like i believe. Would you recommend getting a 125 for a few months after finishing my CBT, just to get used to the whole concept of riding a motorbike, then trading up for something bigger when im ready?
 
CBT then test first, then decide if you want full power or the less power (cant remember) but if you fancy looking flash go for a decent YZ400RR very nice and doesnt look out of place sat at the side of R1s
 
Good advice, thanks.

How hard is the CBT compared to the main test? They both easily doable or a struggle? Very vague question actually, my bad.
 
When you say no driving licence, can I assume that you mean no car licence either.
You'll be able to do your lessons and test on a bigger bike with the instructor, but you'll not be able to go out alone until you pass.
The 125 is a good option to try to cram in some road experience in between lessons. I'll seem strange swapping between the 2 but the extra hours and getting used to other road users is invaluable.

There are some good 125's out there (and they are a hoot)
 
Skyline On Fire said:
Good advice, thanks.

How hard is the CBT compared to the main test? They both easily doable or a struggle? Very vague question actually, my bad.
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CBT is a piece of piddle, ride round a few cones and ride in a straight line, its there so you can show you can use a bike not ride one perfect...its the basic skills you need to let instructors know you are safe and can do basic manouvers safely
 
Just seen Loopy,s reply and I agree, If you havent held a licence before go for the 125 option and get something like a Honda CG125 not the coolest of bikes and certainly not the fastest but it will teach you some roadcraft before you decide on whether biking is for you
 
Thats great, thanks.

So go for the theory, the cbt, then get a 125, practice for 6 months or so, until im very comfortable and competent, then go for my full license? Sound okay?
 
Skyline On Fire said:
Thats great, thanks.

So go for the theory, the cbt, then get a 125, practice for 6 months or so, until im very comfortable and competent, then go for my full license? Sound okay?
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Sounds good to me, so long as you dont go for something that needs years of experience to ride once you have your full licence, do as others have said, gain experience and go for a Fazer then once you are a fully competent rider go for a CBR600 if sportsbikes rock ya boat then after you are comfortable and safe riding one go for a superbike or a tourer (my choice now if I could):thumbs:
 
Thanks for the advice. Il start choosing a bigger bike once i've actually passed my CBT, Theory and got myself a 125!

Any advice on what a good 125 would be? Cheap but reliability is something i value more than anything.
 
If you can't pass the CBT, don't even think of riding on the road - you'll die! As Dangermouse said above, CBT is really just to make sure you know which bits make you go faster and which bits slow you down (OK, it's a little more than that but only a little!).

IMO, for pootling round town on your own (no passenger), a 125 should be OK for a while - even a 50cc scooter will get you to the shops and back (wear a full face lid though, just in case a mate spots you...) and a modern 400 will be fast enough to get you banned PDQ.

I would think that most modern Japanese 125 4 strokes will be reliable (not very exciting but that means less laundry) and there are plenty about. Ideally, take a mate who knows a bit about bikes (and has a full license) so he can take them for a test ride to see if there's anything drastically wrong. You'll need that mate to take the bike (and you) to the CBT centre to do the course.
 
Or buck the trend and get something really cool like a lambretta.........
 
With the roads in their current state, avoid anything with tiny wheels - they can drop too deep into potholes and really wreck your day!
 
A Harley is the only way to go!!! :D
 
And as for scooters..... I just... I just cant bear to sit on one.

Even if it is a 125, even if it is slow as ####, its at least not a damn scooter. I loathe loathe so much every single thing about scooters. No idea why. I always have always will. Ever since seeing all the chav's at my high school getting them for their 16th birthday. Yuck.
 
The most important thing is once you have past the cbt theory ,lessons, test etc etc is learn to ride before thinking your Rossie.

I know i said about a 600 straight off but its not impossible depending on your confidence level. i know many people who have bikes but are not a confident rider and will not dream of getting a sports bike or anything else that will do anything except pootling around, on the other hand I got an R6 as my first bike like said and learned to ride on that, the bike will only go as fast as you twist the throttle.(sports bikes are my passion)

I then bought a brand new cbr 600 rr and all my mates where saying get the thou get the thou but I was still happy to learn to ride well on my 600 first.
Did 5 track days and then decided the 600 was not quick enough so bought a 2006 gsxr1000, now that is more than any mear mortle will ever need, but saying that i also own an unrestricted kawasaki zx12R which is mind blowingly quick but like said will only go as fast as i twist the throttle, and it gets used for me and the mrs for weekends away.

I also own a KTM duke 2, now this is my fun bike, its not fast its not slow but boy is it fun, light, managable and so easy to ride, donot discount these when looking at bikes if trails bikes float your boat. wheelies for toffee but also very calm when needed to be.

Do not get me wrong,I only mentioned the 600's because it would just save you getting the 125 then after 6 months, and more confidence thinking I need to sell this, as it sdoes not do what i wanted anymore, and having the hassle of then having to sell trade in again to het the bigger bike. but its all down to YOUR confidence

You start with what ever you feel comfortable on, as in biking confidence is the key, no point getting a bike you donot feel comfortable riding and scared of, another good tip, get the best saftey gear you can afford, i.e lid gloves boots jacket etc etc, you never know one day it might just save your life, theer are alot of idiots out there riding with none to little gear and alot more idiots in cars.

spike
 
To save a few ££££'s you could get something like a Fazer 600 or a Hornet 600 and have it restricted, (has to be about 33bhp I think) you can then ride that on L plates till you pass your test. Saves you buying a 125 then selling it to buy something bigger after you pass.

If you are absolutly sure you want a big bike you could go the Direct access route when you are 21, It's a 5 day intensive course with your test at the end of it, pass that and you can ride what you want straight away.

Good luck.
 
I'm over 50 and have some motorcycle experience ;) If you have NO road knowledge then you need provisional licence and then your CBT if you want to live at least as old as I get some proper training from a reputable school.

If you pass your test on a 125 then you will need some experience before you can ride anything more powerful than about 400cc or 500 with a restrictor fitted. I think it is two years before you can ride something bigger. this is the route my daughter took starting at 17 on a 125cc; at 22 she now rides a nice lil Kawasaki 500 similar to my last bike.

Most young men who ride motorbikes have accidents due to their own inexperience.
 
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wisemen said:
Or buck the trend and get something really cool like a lambretta.........
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I had the Lambretta LI 150 but had real trouble on sharp bends so decided to get rid before it killed me.. ended up with a Suzuki GT 250 :) This was when you could go up to 250 on a provisional... absoloute madness haha :)
 
Im a pretty sensible guy. I know my limits and i would never push them if it meant risking my life. Ive done enough of that on my downhill and freeride bikes (pushbikes) in my teens.

I think the 125 for a year is the best option for me. I really want to get a good feel for riding on something a lot slower, before i progress. I have my whole life ahead of me, no rush!
 
Skyline On Fire said:
Im a pretty sensible guy. I know my limits and i would never push them if it meant risking my life. Ive done enough of that on my downhill and freeride bikes (pushbikes) in my teens.

I think the 125 for a year is the best option for me. I really want to get a good feel for riding on something a lot slower, before i progress. I have my whole life ahead of me, no rush!
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Good luck with you tests cbt etc etc, and good luck with the bike. 125 will be alot cheaper on insurance till you get a little more experience under your belt.

have a good look at all the 125 bikes offered to you, sit on them and get a feel for it, if you are tall then some of the 125 might not be comfortable for you.
There are plenty options available to you so take your time and get one that feels right.

spike.
 
good luck with the test and stay safe,

the 125 or restricted 600 for a while for sure. I had an aprillia rs125 for 3 years ( luved that little 2 stroke) then a gsxr600. But i'm calling it a day with bikes for a bit.

and maybe an advanced rider course, that'll help with insurance to
 
Nod said:
With the roads in their current state, avoid anything with tiny wheels - they can drop too deep into potholes and really wreck your day!
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Tiny Wheels. Pah!

How about this for a back wheel on a 125.

I loved mine.

37bcfcc4.jpg


2ccb9ee5.jpg


And I can vouch for the Fazer as a first bike. How tall are you?
 
Dangermouse1964 said:
CBT is a piece of piddle, ride round a few cones and ride in a straight line, its there so you can show you can use a bike not ride one perfect...its the basic skills you need to let instructors know you are safe and can do basic manouvers safely
Click to expand...

you say that but people still fail :lol::lol:

and i aint joking

it is very easy all they want to see is that you are competant to ride safely

listen to what they have to say and you will be fine

i have been riding bikes since i was 5 years old ( off road obvisouly lol )

knowing the instructors made it easier but they were saying on average they fail 2 people a week becaue there dangeous
 
You've already had enough advice here so I'll just wish you good luck. The more bikers the better! :thumbs:
 
Elastoman said:
But you need to go round corners on your test! :razz:
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When I was training to be a CBT instructor, I was looking after a Harley lowrider for a friend who was working abroad. Despite the thing having a clutch more like a switch than an easy way to gradually get drive to the rear wheel and less ground clearance than a hoody's jeans, it was possible to get it round the cone course.

One of the scary things about the course was standing in front of a complete novice with my hands just in front of the levers; the idea being that if they came too close, my hands would press on both the clutch and front brake lever so disengage drive and apply the brake. Thank a god (should such an entity exist) it works!
 
i'm 5 10 and a fair bit more than 150lbs.
i ride a yamaha 900 diversion.
my mrs rodse a 125 for a year before taking direct acces, and buying a 535 virago.
she now rides a 60 hornet.
i would definitley get some experience on a 125 first.
particularly as you have to develpop the "road sense" that you wouldmnt have gained as a car driver.
and dont buy cheap gear.
helmets arent as expensive as a new head.
leathers jeans are easier to replace than arse skin.
as for bikes.
if you'r gonna get rid in a year or less, think about some of the chinese 125,s on the market.
often copies of Japanese bikes, and improving in build quality all the time.
less than £1000 new.
perasonally , i'd go for a geared 125 rather than a scoot.
then the change to proper bike is easier
 
The way I did mine was to start out on a 50cc moped on which I completed my CBT and rode for a while to gain road experience.

After a few months I decided that a 125cc would have to follow so I got the bike I always wanted to own for the road, a DT125R. I owned this for around 2 years and in that time took lessons and passed my test using the 'Restricted Access' course which would allow me to ride any bike I could insure provided that it was fitted with a restrictor kit to govern the engine power down to 33bhp or less.

Obviously once you've passed your test you want to see the world a bit more and a bigger bike becomes a necessity and the DT went on sale. I was shopping around for either a CBR600F or a GSX-R600SRAD. I couldn't find any of those within my price range that were close enough to view. I eventually opened up my search criteria a bit and started looking at the YZF600R. I sifted through adverts and looked on eBay until I spotted one which wasn't too far away and looked fairly tidy. Went to view it and it was immaculate so a price was agreed and off I went. Still got it and don't intend to sell it :)
 
My 2c's worth.

Dont run before you can walk.
Have eyes in back of your head always.
Ride defensively at ALL times.

Have fun but dont be silly as motorcyclist always come off worst. !
 
Hi, I thought I would help a little here, I used to teach CBT & train to test standard for the MOD.
I cannot remember the rules so, I copied and pasted from the direct gov site

Full motorcycle licence
There are two types of full motorcycle licence:
a light motorcycle licence (A1), which restricts riders to any bike up to 125 cc and a power output of 11 kW. The practical test must be taken on a bike of between 75 cc and 125 cc
a standard motorcycle licence (A), is obtained if the practical test is taken on a bike of over 120 cc but not more than 125 cc and capable of at least 100 km/h per hour. After passing the standard motorcycle practical test, you will be restricted for two years to riding a bike of up to 25 kW and a power/weight ratio not exceeding 0.16 kW/kg. After this you may ride any size of bike
Note:
The BMW C1 motorcycle is not a suitable machine for a practical test.
Direct and accelerated access
Riders age 21 or over, or those who reach 21 before their two year restriction ends, have other options.
Direct access
After taking CBT and the theory test, the practical test may be taken on a motorcycle with a power output of at least 35kW. A pass allows you to ride any size of bike. All or part of the CBT course may be taken on either a learner bike or a large bike. You may practice for the practical test on bikes larger than the learner bike specification provided:
you are accompanied at all times by an approved instructor on another bike and in radio contact
you wear fluorescent or reflective clothing and follow all other provisional licence restrictions
Accelerated access
Riders who reach the age of 21, while still within the two year period where they are restricted to maximum 25 kW machines, but who wish to ride larger bikes need to pass a further test on a motorcycle of at least 35 kW. They may practice on bikes over 25 kW under the same practice conditions for direct access riders. You will revert to learner status while practicing (on a motorcycle greater than 25 kW) although test failure will not affect your existing licence.

I hope this helps a little, but heres some advice i gave every student. (it was given to me years ago)

NEVER LET YOUR CONFIDENCE OUTWEIGH YOUR ABILITY- and yes, I meant to shout it.
a good friend of mine didnt listen, and spent 3 wks in ICU, and now has a messed up head (I didnt teach him, just gave him the advice)
 
and i have had a couple of friends killed in bike accidents.
neither of them were the direct cause of their accidents, but in at least one case, better kit may have saved him.
why i emphasise the importance of good quality kit.
some very good advice given already.
particularly by SK.
 
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