Getting a licence?

[Craig321]

Hi,

I would love to get my bike licence & would like to take a crash course at some point as I think that'll be the cheaper and, of course, faster route to getting the licence done and out of the way.

I am 20 in July and have no biking experience, but have ~3 years driving so luckily don't have to learn the rules of the road etc. again.

As I see it the best way would be to get my CBT, get used to riding a bike, then take a week off work at some point when I'm confident to do the intensive course, get my licence & keep the 125 until I can legally ride something bigger which would either be 2 years, or I take the larger bike test when I turn 21.

Is this a good way of going about things? Is there any better/easier/cheaper option?

I would probably get the CBT at Rugby Rider, but not sure if they do intensive courses yet. I have enquired. Can anyone recommend any places in Warwickshire to get this done? I'm about 15 miles from Rugby and that seems to be the closest I can find at the moment.

Thanks,
Craig.

 

[Craig321]

I missed out some crucial words there! I'm 20 in July

Could just do the full week straight off but I've read those are recommended if you have ridden a bike before? Or should it be ok as I've been driving for a while?

Also, as I understand it if I get a licence now I have to either ride for 2 years before I can ride something bigger, or take another test when I turn 21?

 

[Craig321]

How many hours a week did you do for 8 weeks to pass?

 

[Craig321]

I'd go straight for the week long course if I were you. The worst bit will be in July 2012 when you turn 21 and have been stuck on a 250cc 33bhp machine for 18 months. You'll be wanting to get on something bigger but will have to justify the retest costs for 6 months riding

I'll no doubt want to get on something bigger ASAP. If I was to get my licence now, fortunately I'd only have to wait for ~5 months after my 21st birthday to ride a bike of any size. I'd rather wait those 5 months than re-test on or near my 21st birthday.

I suppose in some ways getting your bike licence is easier than a car. Firstly you don't have an instructor sitting right on top of you staring at you making sure you check your mirrors all the time, and secondly as I've been driving for a bit I know the general rules of the road (although I know it'll be very different on a bike).

Glad to hear I should be OK going straight for the week long course. Means I don't have to roam around with L plates!

What kind of prices should I be expecting for the CBT, week course & test all together. The places I've looked at (all too far away at the moment) seem to be about £700 or so for everything.

I have a week off work in December so should hopefully be able to do it then providing I've got everything together and have my research done! Saying that though the Friday of my week off is the 24th. Are the test centres open so close to Christmas?

 

[Craig321]

Prices seem to vary greatly by region. I did mine in Mansfield (2 years ago) here, costs were (I think):
CBT: £100 (price now £110)
Theory: £35
4 day DAS: £500 (price now £530)


My office is open Christmas Eve, I'd have thought it was a standard working day for most

Yup, it's a standard working day for most, but you never know with these government centres!

That comes out to £795 for me at that centre, so it does look like that range or thereabouts is what I should/will be paying. Thanks.

Best Christmas present EVER if I go for it on that week & pass.

Now, what do you guys reckon to a first 125CC bike? Bearing in mind I need to keep it for 2 years, needs to be cheap to insure and I'll probably be using it most days to get to work unless the weather is stupidly bad. Work is 4 miles away down country roads so not too far at all. Also, I'll be getting some insurance quotes, what do you guys reckon I'll pay taking into consideration my experience & age?

 

[Craig321]

I like the look of the Yamaha YZR 125. What's the size of it like? I'm 6'1 and don't want anything too small that's going to make me look silly!

 

[Craig321]

Yes, they do.

Cool, thanks. Think I'll give them a call tomorrow and ask about pricing. They haven't got back to my email.

Wonder if they'd be willing to do me a deal and put me through the CBT, then at a later date put me through the intensive course for the usual cost minus CBT charges. I just think I'd have more chance of passing if I get the feel for things on the road before I take the test.

I would just hate to take the week off work, do the intensive course and fail resulting in me having to take more time off and paying for additional lessons & tests.