Motorbike license

Matt Sayle

Matt Sayle

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Matt Sayle
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How is best to go about getting one?

Is it 125s until I am 21 then the big stuff?


Basically I am complely confused by the system :lol:
 
i'm in the same boat matt..... Fed up of cars, got a race spec road legal yamaha banshee but fancy 2 wheels perminately rather than 2 wheels just off the lights!
 
Go to your local funeral director and ask him to write one out for you, its as good as a licence nowadays :D
 
Things changed awhile ago, I'm not 100% sure anymore.. I know when I passed my test it was 21 before you can do your direct access (test on a 500cc bike - can ride anything after) and someone may correct me but I believe that if you did a test on a 125 up to the age of 21 you had to have a 33bhp or less bike for 2 years no matter if you turned 21 within that time.

although you shouldn't be put off with the 125's I had them from the age of 17 with a bit of tinkering and a bit of cash they could fly! had a 2001 Cagiva Mito upto 107MPH scary vibrating stuff :)

The new test is a bit of a b****r or so I hear?
 
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it is a nightmare now as i currently work in a bike shop i understand there is 3 parts to your test from what i was told but according to the dsa (driving standards agency ) please read below

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.
Sidecars

Learners who wish to ride with a sidecar can practice on a combination with a power/weight ratio not exceeding 0.16 kW/kg. On obtaining a standard licence, you will be restricted to a combination with the same power/weight ratio for two years. At age 21 learners may, only within direct or accelerated access, practice on a larger combination, but the test must be taken on a solo bike (although physically disabled riders can use a combination).
 
it gets very complicated of late.
your best bet really is contact a rider training school.
most bike shops will be happy to recomend one.
and when thinking about what bike you fancy, dont forget to factor in the bike gear you need to ride it.
it can get REALY expensive.
and if you tweek your 125 to make more than its 13bhp, or whatever it is, you could actualy make yourself illegal.
 
I'm not too sure how it works under 21. I did my direct access when I was 21 and jumped straight on a Ninja 636, which I still own and love.

I think you would be restricted to 33bhp until you're 21, but don't let that put you off. A 33bhp bike will still be fairly quick, and you can learn all about corner speed without worrying about a big slug of power to bite you on the way out.
 
i was lucky too do my bike test when i was 20 before the stupid rules came in when people didnt know what bikes they could and couldnt ride.

btw matt you decided too upgrade from the corsa too a scooter already ??
 
Matt, a bike is great, stick with the car for now though fella, a friend recently asked my advice on kit, her budget was £200 - I told her to forget it. Not sure if its a cost angle you are coming at it from but a car makes a whole load more sense. By all means go for it but keep the car. Yes, I lost another friend this week, on a bike.
 
It's just because you're having a grim time with the Corsa - if that car had performed flawlessly you'd not be thinking the way you are right now...
 
from what iseen. bikes in bad weather arent a place you want to be. stick to the car for a bit. you can keep warm and dry. and take a gf with you:thumbs:
 
mikeward said:
£200 budget was that for a helmet ??
Click to expand...

I went on to explain that my RX7 Corsair was £500+ Dainese Leathers circa £1500-1800, Boots £200 ish, Gloves £100, Back Protector £80, Undersuit £40ish, chest pad £20, Waterproofs / Johnny Suit another £100 ?

Add to that a throwover pannier for camera kit ( I don't like wearing a backpack on a bike for Spine Snappage reasons ) and a Corsa is a much better prospect for a young lad !

Honestly, I wouldn't ride in any less, I raced with the chest pad in and then when it came to ride back on the road I didn't feel safe without it - biking ain't cheap !
 
did anyone see the discomfort hammond was in riding the bike against the jag + train!

Didn't look much fun when you can have heaters etc in a car! if i were to get a bike it'd be a weekend toy not a daily run about!
 
Dseered makes a couple of good points. My clothing is by no means top grade stuff, but it's all decent and cost me over £1000. You need to budget for that.

And they are dangerous, but then that's part of the huge adrenalin rush that comes with riding one
 
Heater/aircon/stereo/DRY - girlfriend in the backseat...Bikes are toys - fun - but toys...

And if it all goes wrong you can sleep in your car, try sleeping on a bike...
 
you CAN be warm, dry and comfy on a bike in sh.. foul weather, but it aint cheap to do so.
my waterproof kit alone cost me over £400. thats before boots, helmet, gloves,scarf etc.
decent helmet £150 upwards. decent boots £100 upwards. decent gloves £60-£70.
skill to ride in bad weather without spreading yourself over a wide area, priceless.
having said all that. have a go. you'll love it.:D
and Hammond was wearing leathers. they arent waterproof, or particularly warm.
 
better to spend £2000 on a better car than £2000 on a bike, training and protective gear, plus it'll only take a light spill and your camera will be history.

+ your mum will kill you :D
 
Good point about my mum :lol:

I have longed after a bike for ages now. I would only use at the weekend/summer evenings. A fair weather biker shall we say! It wouldnt be my daily mode of transport. I am not totally mental :lol:

Thanks for all your replys!
 
Matt Sayle said:
Good point about my mum :lol:

I have longed after a bike for ages now. I would only use at the weekend/summer evenings. A fair weather biker shall we say! It wouldnt be my daily mode of transport. I am not totally mental :lol:

Thanks for all your replys!
Click to expand...

then you will be the worst type of biker. :(

you need to ride daily in all weathers to become proficient and road wise.

if you go the bike route and they are a lot of fun, you will get wet, you will freeze in winter, you will bake in summer and you will get hurt.

invest in good gear and wear it.
 
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