License question - CBT? [One year update]

Hades

Hades

Hades

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I an 51 years old and held a car license since 1987. I would like to get my motorbike license.

I always assumed I would have to take a CBT. But looking at these links it suggests that if I have AM on my license then I don't need a CBT? I do indeed have AM but I assume that is simply due to passing my test under older rules in 1987 (it's surprising just how many vehicles I can actually drive on that older license). Can I drive a 125cc without taking my CBT or is that loophole only applicable to a 50cc moped and I still need it for a 125cc?

https://scooterlab.uk/get-on-the-road/#An easy explanation of the licensing route
https://www.thebikeinsurer.co.uk/learner-guides/when-dont-i-need-a-cbt/

Thanks.
 
Thanks. Yes that's the plan. They can supply kit but as I will need it in the future I might as well get it now.
 
Thread update... I have since bought my own helmet, gloves and jacket and today I passed my CBT. Yay \o/

Using my own kit was definitely a nicer approach. The girl also doing a CBT with me struggled to find the right fitting jacket and helmet, and her hands froze with quite thin gloves. I was very toasty and comfortable with great airflow in my helmet. We also got a nod from two bikers while riding, despite us having L plates. I thought that was really nice of them. Thank you :)

My theory test is booked for mid November. I was happy with my instructor today so once I manage to pass it I will use him for Mod 1 and 2. My original plan was to get my license before buying a bike (although I may buy my brothers Vespa as a general runaround, not a replacement for a bigger bike later). But even though I passed CBT today I wasn't comfortable with my clutch, throttle and gear control when pulling away. I'll obviously learn more on Mod 1 but I think I'd like a bit more experience beforehand. I wasn't smooth on that at all and I think I'll be tense on the Mod 1 because of it. So I'm thinking of either taking a couple of ad-hoc lessons with the instructor or maybe buying a cheap used 125 and selling it again later. Not sure which yet. It will obviously be cheaper to just take a few extra lessons. But flipping a 125 would mean I can get a lot more experience. I'll need to look at insurance costs to decide.

Anyway... the journey has started :)
 
Omega_ said:
any updates op
Click to expand...
Yes indeedy, thanks for asking :)

I passed my CBT. My theory was booked for November but was a casualty of the second lockdown. I managed to rebook it for end December. I haven't booked the rest of my training yet because I want to pass the theory before doing so. But I've been hearing that Mod 1 and Mod 2 training and tests are also significantly delayed and I am not likely to get a date before spring. So I took a decision to get a YBR 125 to practice on and then sell when I eventually get a license. It takes the pressure off a little and I get a lot more experience before my DAS course. I also finished getting my gear and added boots and trousers to the jacket, gloves and helmet I already had. It's not the ideal time of year and frankly it's chuffing cold. But it's also good fun.
 
A little update to this thread. It's amazingly almost a year old now. After several delays due to COVID, I owned a YBR 125 through winter and summer. I passed my full license earlier this month, sold the YBR, embraced my inner hipster and bought a used neo retro bike, a Triumph T120.

I now pretend to be Richard Gere in An Officer and a Gentleman whenever I roll off the driveway :D

It's funny looking back how nervous I was on my CBT. I was gripping the handlebars like my life depended on it. Which I guess it kind of does :) I found clutch and gear control tricky on the CBT too. So, combined with test delays, I got the YBR to get some experience in my own time. I still don't regret the decision and it did exactly what I wanted it to do. I learned to relax and made a few mistakes in my own time on a slower bike. I learned a lot. It also helped me to be sure that biking was for me and understand what I wanted out of a bike. I sold the YBR at a small profit which mostly offset the insurance cost. So I ran the bike for a year at almost no cost at all. It also helped me get used to basic bike maintenance such as chain adjustment. No regrets at all - it was the right move for me.

I passed my Mod 1 in June and my Mod 2 mid August, followed by an almost immediate upgrade to a bigger bike. I think it is from this point which the 125 has helped. The change in weight and power of the bike is significant (from a 125cc to a 1200cc) and the 125 helped make bikes more familiar. I think I'd have crashed the new bike now if I hadn't ridden a 125 for months and just relied on the Mod 1 and 2 instruction. As it is, I nearly blasted myself off the back of it the first time I accelerated to join a motorway :D I also had to do a genuine emergency swerve to avoid a lorries shed load on the M40 about half an hour after getting the new bike.

I am completely hooked on riding now. I really love it and what started out last year as a bucket list item has turned into a new hobby and passion.

Now to gradually replace all my high vis gear and dress like a black ninja at night... :D (kidding)
 
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