* How to obtain a bike license *

DangerMoose · 1 Jun 2015 at 14:35

Theory test booked. Not sure when I will be able to get around to practical training yet though. Would it be totally absurd to have a few months gap between mod 1 and 2? Not sure if I'd just be out of practice by the time mod 2 came around but I'm a bit stuck for availability in the next few months at least. Riding a scooter so would not get to practice gears and stuff in between. Sensible option may be to wait until next year as might not be able to trade up until then anyway. But the urge to lose the Ls is strong, even if I cannot immediately leap onto a big boy bike.

tom_e · 1 Jun 2015 at 14:37

DangerMoose said:
Theory test booked. Not sure when I will be able to get around to practical training yet though. Would it be totally absurd to have a few months gap between mod 1 and 2? Not sure if I'd just be out of practice by the time mod 2 came around but I'm a bit stuck for availability in the next few months at least. Riding a scooter so would not get to practice gears and stuff in between. Sensible option may be to wait until next year as might not be able to trade up until then anyway. But the urge to lose the Ls is strong, even if I cannot immediately leap onto a big boy bike.

I can't see it making much difference to be honest just have your MOD 1 training do the test, then just before your MOD 2 go and get some road riding training.
The 2 don't really overlap in terms of required skills so a gap shouldn't make any difference.

Edit: Just seen you'd be riding a scooter, might make sense just to put it all off until you can get it all done in close succession then as it's gears and clutch control that are going to bite you if anything.

DangerMoose · 10 Jun 2015 at 15:36

Just had a go on a geared bike today for the first time. Had an introductory session which did not cost a lot. Instructor seemed impressed, though there was a fair amount of fumbling with gears that made me cringe somewhat. Realistically may not get around to doing DAS until early next year (mainly time constraints) so I am thinking of trading the scooter for a YBR or something to ride until then.

tom_e · 10 Jun 2015 at 15:38

Got my last little bit of practice tonight working on my u turns before my MOD 1 on Monday, they're the only bit of the riding that's bothering me.

Captain · 11 Jun 2015 at 11:44

tom_e said:
Got my last little bit of practice tonight working on my u turns before my MOD 1 on Monday, they're the only bit of the riding that's bothering me.

Good luck

tom_e · 11 Jun 2015 at 11:48

Clov!s said:
Good luck

Cheers mate

Finally got my U turns nailed once I got out of the habit of leaning into the turn rather than basically hanging off the opposite side of the bike, went from managing it 50% of the time in a space 3 parking spaces wide to getting everyone done within just over 2.

RyanF · 12 Jun 2015 at 12:56

Going to pick up riding when funds allow as I recently blew most of my money on a GTX980Ti and custom loop setup

I'm old enough for the A2 (19, 20 at end of month) and will primarily be using the bike for commuting and travel on weekends etc. Would you guys recommend doing my CBT and getting a 125 for experience or doing my CBT, getting some lessons with a company that can provide a bike and going straight for my A2?

Also - Anyone know of any good schools around the Northampton area?

tom_e · 12 Jun 2015 at 12:59

RyanF said:
Going to pick up riding when funds allow as I recently blew most of my money on a GTX980Ti and custom loop setup

I'm old enough for the A2 (19, 20 at end of month) and will primarily be using the bike for commuting and travel on weekends etc. Would you guys recommend doing my CBT and getting a 125 for experience or doing my CBT, getting some lessons with a company that can provide a bike and going straight for my A2?

Also - Anyone know of any good schools around the Northampton area?

If you've got the cash I'd go straight for your A2, at the end of the day the bike will only go as fast as you make it and the extra power over a 125 is much nicer to have should you need it.
Plus from the time I've spent on a 650 doing my lessons a full size bike is just all round a much nicer, better built and more solid feeling place to be sat.

Craig321 · 12 Jun 2015 at 13:02

RyanF said:
Going to pick up riding when funds allow as I recently blew most of my money on a GTX980Ti and custom loop setup

I'm old enough for the A2 (19, 20 at end of month) and will primarily be using the bike for commuting and travel on weekends etc. Would you guys recommend doing my CBT and getting a 125 for experience or doing my CBT, getting some lessons with a company that can provide a bike and going straight for my A2?

Also - Anyone know of any good schools around the Northampton area?

Karmenz is supposed to be v. good (bike school in Northampton).

I'd go for your A2. Unfortunately you're still 4 years off DA so there isn't much point riding about on L plates, just go straight for proper training and a test if you can afford it.

Also have a look into the new rules. I can't remember if A2 is upgraded after x years, or if you have to then re-take the test when you're old enough for the licence up.

Edit:
Just had a look and if you get your A2, you will need to be on it for 2 years, then you can take the A test. So you're taking 2 tests, but you'll have your full licence at 22 instead of 24.

Progressive access is a process that allows a rider to take a higher-category practical test if they already have at least two years’ experience on a lower-category motorcycle. For example, if you have held a category A2 licence for a minimum of two years, you can take the category A practical test at age 21. There is no requirement to take another theory test.

TripleT · 12 Jun 2015 at 13:25

a guy was doing the A2 test with me, felt really sorry for him, the test is exactly the same and then he has to do it all again

He even did it on the same bike as me (Gladius) but it had a different ECU in it to restrict it. And with what you do in training / test you obviously don't use any real power so a bit pointless.

It's a good idea to limit under 24's to lower power, but to make them take a retest at the end is pointless as pootling along on a bike that is the same weight but a bit more power feels exactly the same at 30mph.

Craig321 · 12 Jun 2015 at 13:28

TripleT said:
a guy was doing the A2 test with me, felt really sorry for him, the test is exactly the same and then he has to do it all again

He even did it on the same bike as me (Gladius) but it had a different ECU in it to restrict it. And with what you do in training / test you obviously don't use any real power so a bit pointless.

It's a good idea to limit under 24's to lower power, but to make them take a retest at the end is pointless as pootling along on a bike that is the same weight but a bit more power feels exactly the same at 30mph.

Yeah a full re-test is a bit unfair tbh, they have already proved they can ride a bike, perform proper safety checks, have the correct road position etc.

tom_e · 12 Jun 2015 at 13:31

I'm surprised they've not decided if they fail the retest then they lose their A2 as well, that would be a nice little money maker and they can spin it as them no longer being up to the standard of riding required to be on the road.

Craig321 · 12 Jun 2015 at 13:33

Yup, and thinking about it that way makes re-testing to get the A licence even more ridiculous.

If they fail the A2 -> A upgrade, then surely they just proved they can't ride a bike and so the A2 should be taken away... but it's not :confused:

. I'm not saying it should be, just makes you realise how silly a full re-test is.

Maybe a shortened assessment, something almost as easy/basic as the CBT if they do want to check up on young riders going from A2 to A, but definitely not a full mod 1 & 2.

tom_e · 12 Jun 2015 at 13:37

Craig321 said:
Yup, and thinking about it that way makes re-testing to get the A licence even more ridiculous.

If they fail the A2 -> A upgrade, then surely they just proved they can't ride a bike and so the A2 should be taken away... but it's not . I'm not saying it should be, just makes you realise how silly a full re-test is.

Maybe a shortened assessment if they do want to check up on young riders going from A2 to A, but definitely not a full mod 1 & 2.

That'll be the next step I imagine next time they decide the licences need tightening.

It still makes me laugh that you've got to jump through these hoops yet a couple of hours on a car park and you can be let loose on a gutless 125 which on some roads makes me feel a lot less safe than knowing I can twist the throttle and be well out of the way of the guy trying to run me into the kerb when the dual carriageway drops back to one lane.

Craig321 · 12 Jun 2015 at 13:38

tom_e said:
That'll be the next step I imagine next time they decide the licences need tightening.

It still makes me laugh that you've got to jump through these hoops yet a couple of hours on a car park and you can be let loose on a gutless 125 which on some roads makes me feel a lot less safe than knowing I can twist the throttle and be well out of the way of the guy trying to run me into the kerb when the dual carriageway drops back to one lane.

Yup, more power is safer, especially when you have a little more experience on a bike. I've lost count of the amount of times I've used my power to get out of a 'situation'.

wazza300 · 12 Jun 2015 at 13:39

isn't it easier just to stick to a 125cc then when hes old enough go for the full license? rather than take the same test again (you can gain good road knowledge on a 125cc imo,i never found my 125 kmx to be lacking power)

god this licensing is becoming a joke

Craig321 · 12 Jun 2015 at 13:41

wazza300 said:
isn't it easier just to stick to a 125cc then when hes old enough go for the full license? rather than take the same test again

god this licensing is becoming a joke

He'd have to wait 4 years. Could be alright I suppose, he'd have to take CBT twice and might pick up bad habits along the way.

That's something else that's silly... you can keep re-taking your CBT. So every 2 years you have a day of riding which let's face it, you can't really fail, then you can go on the road on your own as much as you want.

wazza300 · 12 Jun 2015 at 13:42

depends how desperate he wants full license,but if seems daft to me to have to retake a test again,id rather wait the 4 years and go straight to full license,works out cheaper I bet

I really feel for the young lads or anyone going through this atm,its a nightmare

Craig321 · 12 Jun 2015 at 13:43

Yup, would be cheaper. A CBT is what, something like £100 now. A2 licence is going to cost more than that in test costs alone.

tom_e · 12 Jun 2015 at 13:47

wazza300 said:
isn't it easier just to stick to a 125cc then when hes old enough go for the full license? rather than take the same test again (you can gain good road knowledge on a 125cc imo,i never found my 125 kmx to be lacking power)

god this licensing is becoming a joke

I thought it was still an automatic step from A2 to A after you'd been riding for a couple of years, so to be honest now I know he'd have to do his whole MOD 1 and 2 plus paying for it again including a few hours with an instructor just to brush up on stuff you never really do in the real world and beat out any bad habits you're probably right.
£200 for a couple of CBT's plus £1000 for a 125 which you'll make back when you come to sell it then just go for the full licence at 24.

*** How to obtain a bike license ***

* How to obtain a bike license *