Want to get a motorbike.

[ramirez]

Hi guys,

Whats the process for me learning to ride a motorbike.

I have a driving license since 2003 and am 25.

In my immediate position, if I get leathers and helmet etc, what can I ride?

What tests do I need to take if any before I go out on the road?

 

[Andri]

you will need a CBT which will let you ride up to a 125cc / 14bhp motorcycle for 2 years (with L Plates).
thats around £120 ish

then if you take your Direct Access as you're over 21 then you can ride anything.
thats either a 3 or 5 days course from around £350 ish which can include the CBT.

 

[Glaucus]

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=102700

THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO GETTING A BIKE LICENSE

16 Year Old.

1. Apply for Licence.
2. Pass CBT (valid for 2 years).
3. Ride a 50cc with 'L' Plates.
4. Pass Practical Test. This gives you the ability to ride a 50cc without 'L' plates then, *** when you are 17 you can ride a 125cc without 'L' plates too. ***

This may be incorrect, what may happen is if you pass your test at 16 on a 50cc when you turn 17 you can ride a 125cc bike on 'L' plate indefinatly (rather than having to redo it after 2 years)

17-21 year old

1. Apply for Licence.
2. Pass CBT (valid for 2 years).
3. Ride a 125cc with 'L' Plates.
4. Pass theory test (valid for 2 years).
5. Pass Practical test on a 120-125cc machine capable of at least 62mph)
6. You can then ride a machine with up to 33bhp.
7. After 2 years ride any machine.

21 year old and above.

1. Apply for Licence.
2. Pass CBT (valid for 2 years).
3. Ride a 125cc with 'L' Plates.
4. Pass theory test (valid for 2 years).
5. Pass practical test on a machine with more than 46.6bhp via Direct Access route.
6. Ride any machine.

OR

5a. Pass Practical test on a 120-125cc machine capable of at least 62mph)
6a. Ride a machine with up to 33bhp for 2 years.
7. Ride any machine.

Car Licence holder, licence issued before 1st Feb 2001

1. Ride Moped
2. Pass CBT (valid for 2 years).
3. Ride a 125cc with 'L' Plates.
4. Pass theory test (valid for 2 years).
5. Pass practical test on a machine with more than 46.6bhp via Direct Access route.
6. Ride any machine.

OR

5a. Pass Practical test on a 120-125cc machine capable of at least 62mph)
6a. Ride a machine with up to 33bhp for 2 years.
7. Ride any machine.

Car Licence holder, licence issued after 1st Feb 2001

1. Pass CBT (valid for 2 years).
2. Ride a 125cc with 'L' Plates.
3. Pass theory test (valid for 2 years).
4. Pass practical test on a machine with more than 46.6bhp via Direct Access route.
5. Ride any machine.

OR

4a. Pass Practical test on a 120-125cc machine capable of at least 62mph)
5a. Ride a machine with up to 33bhp for 2 years.
6. Ride any machine.


*********
Addendum
*********

If you take the restricted test and turn 21 before the 2 years is up you can take an 'accelerated practical test'. This is basically the bike test on a machine with over 46.6Bhp. It just saves you waiting the extra time till your 2 years are up.

I hope this helps, there are always loads and loads of questions regarding this. I think it is 100% accurate, I am sure someone will pop up and make things right if there is anything wrong, constructive criticism always welcome

As you have only had the license since 2003 you can't ride anything.

 

[InvaderGIR]

I seem to remember it being mentioned that after August or October this year the Direct Access Scheme is changing, making it more involved and done at DAS centres rather than on the roads. Not sure if it definitely is coming in and I have no source.

InvG

 

[georges]

If you have a driving license do you have to wait till you are 21 to ride a higher powered motorcycle? (not covered in the quote). Thanks.

 

[InvaderGIR]

If you have a driving license do you have to wait till you are 21 to ride a higher powered motorcycle? (not covered in the quote). Thanks.

Yes.

Up to 21 the largest you can ride is a 125...which is covered in the sticky (the quote).

InvG

 

[Glaucus]

If you have a driving license do you have to wait till you are 21 to ride a higher powered motorcycle? (not covered in the quote). Thanks.

Yes and no. You still need a test a1 or direct access. The trouble is a1 is restricted to roughly 33bhp or so many bhp per ton. And you have to have that license for 2 years before it's unrestricted. So if you're 21 it could be better to wait to do your direct access.

 

[Sagalout]

Yes.

Up to 21 the largest you can ride is a 125...which is covered in the sticky (the quote).

InvG

Thats not stricly true.

If you take your 33bhp restricted license at 17 then you will only be 19 when the restriction ends, and you can then ride whatever you want.

 

[Scuzi]

licence [ˈlaisəns] noun
A (printed) form giving permission to do something (eg to keep a television set etc, drive a car, sell alcohol etc).
Example: a driving licence

 

[InvaderGIR]

Thats not stricly true.

If you take your 33bhp restricted license at 17 then you will only be 19 when the restriction ends, and you can then ride whatever you want.

News to me that you can ride something like 1000cc bike at 19?! I was under the impression you had to be 21 for a large bike, regardless of time spent riding.

InvG

 

[Fireskull]

News to me that you can ride something like 1000cc bike at 19?! I was under the impression you had to be 21 for a large bike, regardless of time spent riding.

InvG

Nope, I could have had a 1000cc at 19 no problem but the insurance was as much as the bike so had to settle with a 750, not that I regret it at all though.

Pass Test at 17, restricted for 2 years, then you can ride what you like

Or if your 21 or near enough probably best to wait and do Direct Access course.

 

[mr jamez]

If you're 17 and have a full (restricted) license you could ride a 'busa turbo if you really wanted to, providing it is only making 33BHP.

 

[Cyanide]

If you're 17 and have a full (restricted) license you could ride a 'busa turbo if you really wanted to, providing it is only making 33BHP.

it wouldn't have enough power to make itself move though

Just make sure you do your test before October or you'll regret it

 

[Chabsy]

Blimey just before i did my test it was once around the block and if you came back you'd passed, the examiner would walk around the block

 

[Guv]

I did my CBT last week. I was told by the instructors that they're expecting it to get very busy soon with people wanting to do the test before the change in October so it would be a good idea to book it ASAP.

I plan on booking mine for August.

 

[Andr3w]

what changes will there be starting from October?

 

[Fireskull]

what changes will there be starting from October?

http://www.dsa.gov.uk/Category.asp?cat=405

 

[Cyanide]

what changes will there be starting from October?

No more uber-bikes straight away, much harder tests, probably a lot more expensive.

 

[PardonTheWait]

What they really need to do is spend more time on rider skill training rather than just passing the test. My riding school were very good I thought but I do think I'm going to get some more training soon, and probably continue making the effort to learn more as I go through my biking life. Especially on the actual bike skill side of things. I take it pretty easy most of the time, I don't want to end up in a ditch, and I'd love to get the training I need to be both faster and safer on the road.

Apparently the new test is going to include more of this sort of stuff, and while I can understand it being a pain in the arse for someone who's about to take their test, in the long run it's definitely a good thing. More skill = less deadage

 

[Fireskull]

Apparently the new test is going to include more of this sort of stuff, and while I can understand it being a pain in the arse for someone who's about to take their test, in the long run it's definitely a good thing. More skill = less deadage

Yea in the long run its going to be better for next generation of bikers, now if only they did something to teach the cagers :/