Thinking of getting into biking

antijoke

antijoke

antijoke

Caporegime
Joined
28 Jan 2003
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England
I have always wished to own a motorbike, but never really had the commitment to follow it through.

Now though feels the right time to look into this more seriously.

Never driven a scooter or bike before, where should I start? I know there are quiet a few bikers here so hopefully I can get some good advice on where to start and what steps to take.
 
Hahahahahaha. I would never ever give up a car though, this would be more of a hobby, as I need the car to lug the family around.
 
Get your CBT booked :)
Quite a few places lend you gloves jacket and helmet, and then if you enjoyed that you should looking into at least getting your own jacket, gloves, helmet and boots for learning.
Then depending on your age you can either get a 125 or use one of the instructors and do lessons untill you are ready for your test, when you pass you will be restricted to 33bhp bikes for 2 years.
Or if you are over 21 you can do a DAS intensive course, which will be on a 500cc bike and after you pass you can ride any bike.
 
I am 27 (will more than likely be 28) by the time I get everything sorted.

So would you recommend buying a bike first or is there a facility to hire a bike for the CBT?

What would happen after the CBT? I then have lessons building upto a test (for which I could use an instructors bike?) which would be for restricted bikes or any bike if i did the DAS course?
 
The CBT will almost always be on the school's bike, and takes about a day (sometimes less)

After you do that, you can start taking DAS lessons, again usually on the school's 500cc bikes. Believe me you dont want to be learning on your own bike, I dropped it 4 times the first time I tried U turns :D

Look around at riding school's websites and look for testimonials or independant reviews, the quality of tuition varies immensley.
 
They should supply a bike for the CBT.

Hmmm actually the new test is out, and im not sure if anything has changed about the DAS :/ but if not you will do lessons on a 500cc bike too, but you will have to use their bike as im sure you wont get insured on one with a provisional :p
Or if you just do the normal test it will be on a 125cc bike which they can supply you again and when you pass you can ride any bike but it has to be restricted to 33bhp
 
Cool, some great info, thanks a million.

Will have a look around a few websites tonight and hopefully find a local school that's good.

:)
 
Use their bike for the CBT.

When you've completed the CBT you'll need to book in a DAS course with a riding school. You'll find the 500s much nicer to ride than 125s, and if you did the CBT OK then there's no reason you should have any problems with the big bikes.

The DAS course is usually a 3 or 4 days intensive course. You'll ride their bikes (usually 500 cc). You'll spend all day with the instructors who'll teach you how to pass the test. When I did mine, I had already booked in my test date (I think this is quite common), so I approached the school and they slotted in a few days training before the test. They also take you to the test location on the day to make sure you get checked in.

Once you've completed your test you are able to ride any size bike.
 
You would use the school's bike. Apart from the obvious insurance hassle, it would be harsh of them to make you use a different bike for the test to what you have been learning on.
 
I'm also considering getting a bike, I have pretty much the whole month of July booked off so was thinking about trying to get everything done then. Can anyone recommend a decent riding school in or near the Glasgow area?
 
Regarding equipment. I had my own lid for the CBT and that was it. Rather glad I did as I didn't want to catch facial herpes off some little bugger learning to ride a moped. Though if you ain't sure you'll love it then any big expense is probably best avoided till after CBT... unless you're silly like me. I'd advise having all your own equipment by the time you do the DAS just so you're comfortable. And yea, stick with school bike yay.

No idea about the new test other than the other thread about fun in the rain.

Anyway, do it!
 
Yup, I agree - I did CBT with all their gear, loved it, went and bought all my own gear for DAS :D It did help that after passing the DBT the school I use give you a 10% Infinity discount voucher, that really helps when you buy £500 of gear all at once :)
 
When I was 16 I had a Piaggio Zip 50 2-Stroke, that's as far as my riding went :p

Living in an area where driving standards are horrific (London), I didn't feel too safe on 2 wheels.
 
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