thinking of a bike

[dr_jekyll]

morning all,

 

on the weekend i found myself playing around on a 1995 kawasaki ninja 600 and as i have never been taught how to ride a bike and never been a bike person it felt awsome .

 

i was quiet supprised at how fast i learnt the bike and i actually felt quiet at home on it.

 

so im asking to all you guys with bikes what steps you need to get a bike licence? how much roughly it costs to get a licence and can anybody reccomend a good " starter bike " id love to buy something like the ninja but i think something smaller like a 250cc would be a more sensible starting point untill i get a bit more experience on 2 wheels,

[Mike]

• CBT
  
• Theory Test (Multi Choice and Hazard Perception)
  
• Mod 1 (Manoeuvre around cones and swerve test)
  
• Mod 2 (Instructor following you around for 50 minutes)
  
• Pass!
  

 

I've done my CBT and just waiting for my theory test.

 

I've had four lessons since my CBT. Two on a 125, and two on a 500. The 500 is obviously no joke, but I found it much eaiser to ride... the 125 was a ball ache, I couldn't wait to hand it back.

 

As soon as I've passed the theory test I'm on with Mod 1 training and get in for the test. Then another lesson and Mod 2.

 

My instructor is confident I can pass first time

 

I'm looking at Kawasaki Versys, Honda Varadero, Suzuki VStrom...

 

I'm not too concerned about the engine cc... but I'm avoiding Sports bikes mainly because of my size (6ft 10) and the power is a little more 'on tap' than I want. I want something I need to wind up for a couple of years before I go for a Hayabusa/Blackbird

[JnrEast21]

even if you buy a bigger bike (i.e a 600cc) dont you have to have a restriction to 33bhp? because that way you wouldnt have to buy a 250cc, as you may get bored of that after a while and want more power, at least if you had a 600, you could just take the restriction off and there you go?

 

is that a lot for a 1st bike?

 

im another one who would love a bike, but have never done any tests or anything like that...

[dr_jekyll]

wow 6ft10 i was worried about sports bikes because im 6ft 4.

 

i was reading about an all access test? now im not sure but the way it was explaind made it seem like it was like a crash corse is this true?

 

im considering just doing my cbt and pedeling around on a little 125 for 6 months to get a bit of road experience on a bike then if i like being on a bike pushing on with the full licence.

 

the 600 i was on yesterday was no joke , i was short shifting and being real cearfull and it was still terifying me lol

[JnrEast21]

 

the 600 i was on yesterday was no joke , i was short shifting and being real cearfull and it was still terifying me lol

 

WOW lol!!! if a 600 has scary power then maybe your better off doing it the sensible way you just suggested lol!!

 

ive only ever been on a 1000cc, and obviously that was RAPID, but never been on a smaller bike to feel the power differences.

 

maybe better to get the road experience rather than being flash and sliding down a road on your face

[SimonT]

You only have to have the 33bhp if your under the age of 21 iirc?!

 

I started off on a Suzuki SV 650 but soon got bored as my brother and friends had bigger bikes but to start off with it was a great bike to have a bit of fun on and the low down torque of the v engine was great!

 

But I got bored and moved to a 750 GSXR which I found much more exciting!

 

In my opinion I wouldn't go for a 250 as you just won't enjoy it as much but then if you wanted a bigger bike you don't need to go silly on it until you get your confidence up and know the bike and how it handles because at the end of the day you could have a big bike but it only goes as fast as you want it too!

 

I'd love to get another bike as my brother has just bought the 2010 Hayabusa but I just can't run 2 cars and a bike

[caseys]

• CBT
  
• Theory Test (Multi Choice and Hazard Perception)
  
• Mod 1 (Manoeuvre around cones and swerve test)
  
• Mod 2 (Instructor following you around for 50 minutes)
  
• Pass!
  

 

Mike can I ask what net cost that was? I've been looking at bikes purely as a economical mode of transport and would like to get a 600cc odd as it'd still be far cheaper to run than a lot of cars. I take it you can rent bikes to do all this on?

 

Not that I'm 100% sure I'd like to be what A&E refer to as an 'organ donor', but if fuel prices go up and this country shifts to austerity measures in the budget I think bike ownership and usage will probably go up in this country. Only got to see less developed countries like Korea, vietnam etc where cars are beyond people's affordability.

 

Think it'll take a lot to get into this nation's mentality that a car is a luxury, and not in fact a necessity for your day to day life etc

[Mike]

I paid £110 for my CBT (all day riding), and then £110 for each three hour lesson after that - of which I've had four.

 

I'm now doing Mod 1 training, which is four hours at £110. Then I think I need an hour (warm up) before I do the actual test (which is £15).

 

Another 3 hours for Mod 2 training (basically hammering me on my observations and life saves for three hours, can't wait ) and then another hour warm up and the test itself (I think £30?).

 

All in all it's probably cost me about a grand for tuition/tests.

 

The gear wasn't too expensive;

 

• Helmet (Shoei Raid 2) £220
  
• Gloves (Hein Gericke) £40
  
• Jacket (Joe Rocket with CE armour) £150 (reduced from £250 from George Whites)
  
• Trousers (JTS, leather, 36" inside leg , CE armour in knees and hips) £140
  
• Boots (TCX Competizione S- £129 (reduced from £179 from George Whites)
  

 

So the gear came to £680... but I started with just helmet and gloves and bought it as I went along.

 

I bought everything in person.. only the trousers on-line. Check the fit of all of your gear.. obviously the helmet being the most important. I got gloves with long fingers from Gerickes, which were perfect for me. They really improved my bike control.

 

The lid came with a pin lock, which is perfect.. stops it steaming up!

 

Most of the bike manufacturers are doing a £1000 down and interest free for 3 years.. which on something like the VStrom works out about £150 a month (just over two tanks of petrol in the Supra )

 

It is the best thing I've ever done... I had a lesson last week and we went around Wickham (Fareham) on the twisties... I couldn't stop grinning for the whole lesson. It's effing amazing. People compare it to flying and it totally is... I never for a second realised how good riding a bike would be. I love it

[bluecoup]

you should budget about £500-600 from start to finish

a good bike school will take you from start to finish and lend you the gear you need untill you get your own

there are some silly rules like 3 days between mod 1 and mod 2

the theory test and hazard perception can be practiced online and is well worth doing its just a ballache really i failed the hazard pert by 1 point the first time

mod 1 can only be done off road now thanks to the eu and the 31mph rule for some of the test

you could get yourself a 250cc ninja if your not going direct just below the 33bhp limit these are still able to do over a 100mph

as for buying your own gear spend as much as you can if you like your bodyparts the way they are

my boots cost over £160 but i like my ankles

pop on direct.gov and motorcyclenews web site loads of info there

[dr_jekyll]

so at the moment i have a full uk driving licence for my car , with a cbt can i have any bike under 33bhp? wether it be 125 or 250? im 23 by the way

 

or would i need to complete more sections to be intitled to ride over a 125

[Mike]

so at the moment i have a full uk driving licence for my car , with a cbt can i have any bike under 33bhp? wether it be 125 or 250? im 23 by the way

 

or would i need to complete more sections to be intitled to ride over a 125

 

Dude... just do it properly.. you'll be bored with a 125/250 in a couple of weeks

[dr_jekyll]

Dude... just do it properly.. you'll be bored with a 125/250 in a couple of weeks

 

i nkow what you mean but i also know what im like . i dont want to fork out a fortune on all the lessons and tests then decide im not really into this bike stuff afterall.

 

i think ill get my cbt done , get a hairdryer to crawl around on for a few months and if i start to fancy myself as a rider ill go all in for the big stuff.

 

but if i could leagally get a 250 with my car licence and a cbt id rather that over 125 i think

[Mike]

i nkow what you mean but i also know what im like . i dont want to fork out a fortune on all the lessons and tests then decide im not really into this bike stuff afterall.

 

i think ill get my cbt done , get a hairdryer to crawl around on for a few months and if i start to fancy myself as a rider ill go all in for the big stuff.

 

but if i could leagally get a 250 with my car licence and a cbt id rather that over 125 i think

 

If I hadn't have tried a 500 I probably won't have carried on with the lessons tbh..

 

I would say do the CBT, then one lesson on the 500 and see how you feel

[dr_jekyll]

If I hadn't have tried a 500 I probably won't have carried on with the lessons tbh..

 

I would say do the CBT, then one lesson on the 500 and see how you feel

 

sounds like a plan;)

[SEDGE]

sounds like a plan;)

 

Booked my theory test for the 23rd, if i pass that then it's training for me

[AndyT]

I paid £110 for my CBT (all day riding), and then £110 for each three hour lesson after that - of which I've had four.

 

I'm now doing Mod 1 training, which is four hours at £110. Then I think I need an hour (warm up) before I do the actual test (which is £15).

 

Another 3 hours for Mod 2 training (basically hammering me on my observations and life saves for three hours, can't wait ) and then another hour warm up and the test itself (I think £30?).

 

All in all it's probably cost me about a grand for tuition/tests.

 

The gear wasn't too expensive;

 

• Helmet (Shoei Raid 2) £220
  
• Gloves (Hein Gericke) £40
  
• Jacket (Joe Rocket with CE armour) £150 (reduced from £250 from George Whites)
  
• Trousers (JTS, leather, 36" inside leg , CE armour in knees and hips) £140
  
• Boots (TCX Competizione S- £129 (reduced from £179 from George Whites)
  

 

So the gear came to £680... but I started with just helmet and gloves and bought it as I went along.

 

I bought everything in person.. only the trousers on-line. Check the fit of all of your gear.. obviously the helmet being the most important. I got gloves with long fingers from Gerickes, which were perfect for me. They really improved my bike control.

 

The lid came with a pin lock, which is perfect.. stops it steaming up!

 

Most of the bike manufacturers are doing a £1000 down and interest free for 3 years.. which on something like the VStrom works out about £150 a month (just over two tanks of petrol in the Supra )

 

It is the best thing I've ever done... I had a lesson last week and we went around Wickham (Fareham) on the twisties... I couldn't stop grinning for the whole lesson. It's effing amazing. People compare it to flying and it totally is... I never for a second realised how good riding a bike would be. I love it

 

Dude... just do it properly.. you'll be bored with a 125/250 in a couple of weeks

Very true.

Top lid Mike. Half the price of Arai, Shark etc with twice the awards.

[tony tt]

Im in the middle of doing this just now mod 1 is on the 24th and mod 2 on the 29th bikes are far more fun than cars yes there more dangerous but if you put the effort in its far more rewarding. Dont skimp on gear though get the best you can afford it will save your life. I bought a gixer 750 nice beast to start off with As said though get on the 500 its more balanced than the 125 you will feel better on the bigger bike. Good luck with it mate. Its the best feeling ever!!

[Purity14]

Im also doing mine, got my mod1 on the 6th of july and mod 2 on the 22nd of july.

 

Bikes are alot of fun, im after a gsxr600 for my first

 

Its a very good feeling, scary at first imo!!

[bigbloodyturbo]

How hard is the actual tesst? is it like a driving test where the failure rate is quite high? i grew up on the nw200 circuit and i've wanted a bike since i was a kid, seeing the TT this year has reminded me how much i like them. Would like to do the tests, even if i dont have a bike yet but i find it hard to put cash aside for it when i dont have the tests yet and vica-versa.

[Mike]

How hard is the actual tesst? is it like a driving test where the failure rate is quite high? i grew up on the nw200 circuit and i've wanted a bike since i was a kid, seeing the TT this year has reminded me how much i like them. Would like to do the tests, even if i dont have a bike yet but i find it hard to put cash aside for it when i dont have the tests yet and vica-versa.

 

Controlling the bike is the first thing... not as easy as it looks.

 

Observations and life saves (big looks over the shoulder) are the next things to get used to.

 

It's like training to be a 'super' car driver... observe everything (even in you pitiful rear view mirrors) and ride like you're invisible.

 

It's not easy, I would say

[dude]

Picking my new toy up tommorrow;) Matts just bought a Hyabusa which Ive been using for a couple of weeks.

[dude]

How hard is the actual tesst? is it like a driving test where the failure rate is quite high? i grew up on the nw200 circuit and i've wanted a bike since i was a kid, seeing the TT this year has reminded me how much i like them. Would like to do the tests, even if i dont have a bike yet but i find it hard to put cash aside for it when i dont have the tests yet and vica-versa.

 

The new test is by all accounts quite hard, its like they don't want new riders which I firmly believe they do not, some countries in europe were/are talking about banning road bikes all together!!!!

[dude]

Very true.

Top lid Mike. Half the price of Arai, Shark etc with twice the awards.

 

But prob a lot heavier than an Arai and not as easy to change visors, I only ever use Arai.

[gavin.starr]

I did my test about a week before all the new tests came out.

 

Failed it the first time as my test was on a really windy day and i almost got blown over doing my turn in the road and had to putmy foot down (instant fail), needless to say i was extremley pi**ed off, Carried out my test the following week after waiting out the mandatory time before carrying out a re-test and passed with 1 minor as i had a slight wobble coming out of a junction.

 

Im not sure what the new test is like but i had all my on gear and did a weeks pass scheme course which came out at me paying £500 for bike rental etc for the week tuition and the practical test included.

[AndyT]

But prob a lot heavier than an Arai and not as easy to change visors, I only ever use Arai.

 

Don't know Dude. I used to wear Arai but found the actual fit didn't suit my swede. Shoei's suit a particular shaped head, Arai's another. No quibbling the quality of the Arai though. Ventilation is very good too. I couldn't get along with any other make for even as long as it took to try 'em on.