Bike license?

[fifegt4]

I've always wanted a bike and a gsxr in particular but I've never ridden a bike so just wondering if any of you bike ridders could give me any tips or help with whats involved in getting my bike license like prices courses etc.

Cheers

[madgaz]

Hmm...can't remember exactly what it costs but it is around the 300 quid mark usually I think...but I was good so didn't need as many lessons
I hear there is a new 'swerve test' involved now which has stuffed a few people up...including broken bones
HOWEVER...the best advice I can give is GO FOR IT
Unless people have been on a bike they'll never know the fun and the acceleration involved
Even a 125cc would out accelerate a 185 (about a millionth of the weight )

[fifegt4]

Hmmm swerve test that does sound like a recipe for disaster lol Cheers for the encouragement Its definitely something I want to do over the summer.

Obviously I'm not going to go out and buy R1 or sumthing of that nature as a total novice but what are the laws concerning what size of bike you can ride when learning?

[madgaz]

When I did test (maybe about 5 years ago) there were 2 options.
Direct access let you pass your test and then buy ANY bike
The 'basic' test let you buy any bike...but it had to be restricted to 33bhp

Any bike you buy will be dangerous whether it is an R1 or a 600 Shadow...because it is something new to you and other drivers really don't pay enough attention (apart from those Chris has taught )
I could tell you that on a GSXR you'll kill yourself...but to be honest you can do it on any bike just as easily...GSXR's handle like god knows what though
I opted for a Bandit 600 ('98 R Reg) which with a few 'basic' mods (and a *BLEEP* hot rider ) kept up and blew off a Bandit 1200 and a KTM Duke 2 on the twisties

Just do it...it's an awesome experience...I'll have another bike (when I get a divorce )

[fifegt4]

lol yeah I could see how easily it could al go wrong some people have a hard time noticing other cars let alone bikes. Cheers for the info gaz I saw a few bikes on flebay that said they had been restricted and wondered why 

[Wiggy]

Hi m8, my advice is DO IT, I've never looked back after passing my test. I did as you say and my second bike after passing was an Aprilia RSV-Mille, 1000cc V-Twin, awesome bike but as soon as I moved down to Cornwall I realised I'd soon be dead riding that. So, bought a Bandit, not bad, then got a BMW F650GS, that was great for my daily drive to work and I used it every day come rain or shine. I now also have what you desire in the shape of a Suzuki GSXR600. Its sooooo much fun, miles faster than the BM and very nimble....
I'm after either a brand new R1 or 1098 Ducati for next year though :-) See how big my bonus is at Chrimbo...hehehe

I did the Direct access and passed my test on a 500cc bike. This then allows you to ride any bike straight from passing. Otherwise you are restrcited to 33bhp I think for the first 12 months...

Perfect weather for it just now. My ride to and from work is soooo  much fun. No more traffic jams for me 

Problem with all this is I havn't touched my Celica in ages ans becasue I am currently doing my Gixer as a Rizla race replica, thats not likely to change any time soon 

[Wiggy]

On a side note....anyone planning to go to the world super bikes at Donny in a few weeks? A few of us are riding up from Cornwall and camping for the weekend.
I was there the other week for the british super bikes and it was a great day...

May even squeeze in the Moto GP if the missus will let us :-)

[fifegt4]

Hey wiggy cheers for the encouragement I really want to do it and as you say its the perfect weather for it 

I've been reading on the dvla website and I believe Id have to do my CBT first before I could do my direct access?

[karbon]

Having done my bike test some 18 years ago, its very different now.  In my day it was the 250 rule.  Pass your test and you were allowed up to a 250 for the first 12 months.  Now its a theory, cbt and das, total costs of approx 400.00.

I have had many bikes from rd250lc's up to new R1's and Fireblades, had some big suzys, gixer 1000, tl1000r and the s, honda sp2, but ill always return to the gloriuos fireblade.

Go for it fife but respect the bike as it only takes a second for it all to go wrong.  You aint felt acceleration till you twist your right wrist on big bike.

Oh, and bandit 600's are for cheesy puffs 

[Wiggy]

hiya m8, yeah the CBT isn't really a test, its a days training to make sure you can handle a bike. Usually done on a 125cc. Its a great day to be honest. I had been on bikes loads before I did my CBT but never legal   so I was ok with riding. Plus I do loads of mountain biking, so being on 2 wheels is something I was pretty well used too. All it usually involves is riding round a car park or school play ground (mine was the latter) doing slow speed stuff, riding in a figure of 8, emergency braking, stop and start etc etc....all really simple. You then go out for a ride on the road for a few hours usually with a com link to the instructor who drives behind you all shouting at the dum ass on the course...there is always one  
I really enjoyed my CBT. And remember its not a test its Compulsory Basic Training
I then went and passed my theory and hazard perception tests - again dead easy. most of it is common sense and if you drive anyway, you should know most of it. I brushed up for a few days on my highway code and flew through it all...
I then had 3 lessons on a 500cc with an instructor and some other dude. Then had my actual test. Much easier than the car test  

You will love it m8 - trust me, its the best thing I've ever done in life, apart from give up smoking (the bike thing was a reward to myself for quiting )

As stated though, you must respect the bike. Its soooo easy to loose it and I've come close a couple of times. i had the back wheel up in the air only last week because I had to brake that hard. I've also had a few sideways moments pulling away out of junctions due to an over enthusiastic right wrist  Best one was a wheelie pulling off from the lights on my Mille with my girl friend on the back, she wasn't impressed

[fifegt4]

instructor who drives behind you all shouting at the dum ass on the course...there is always one  

I could be that one  I think it deffiently on the cards.

I would quite like to skip buying a 125 and go for 400 or something and just hire a bike for the CBT or would that be stupid as I've never ridden one before?

[Wiggy]

They supply the bikes on the CBT mate. I was in the same situation, I didn't want to go out and buy a 125 or something, didn't see the point. So from doing my CBT to having my full license only took me about 5 weeks. The place i did my CBT also did the DAS course and again, they supplied the 500cc bikes to learn on. I could have taken my test sooner but I had to wait because of the date they gave me.
All in all, CBT cost about £90
Lessons cost me about £40 a pop (2 hour lessons) x 3
Then the cost of the tests themselves...

One hit, job done and prolly cost less than about £300 all in, depends how many lessons you think you need? Your instructor should tell you anyway if they are honest enough.

Honda VFR400 is a good starter, very quick and nimble. They still fetch pretty good money though. Or, get CBR600 or Gixer 600, all pretty good bikes. You will find once you've had a few different types, whci suits you best. For comfort I'd have the BM any day but for speed, bring on the super bikes :-)

[Trouble]

hiya

Iv been riding on bikes for nearly 10 years iv helped dozens of people through their tests and currently have 2 friends doing direct access

There are 4 tests to go through CBT theory and then 500cc with the swerve test then final test to allow you to ride anything over a 500 CC


total cost so far  for our Philly is £680 (with a theory retest heehaw should have revised.  Theres allot of stuff to do with first responce and first on site aid)


my best advise is to go for it and have fun it does take some form of taking your brain out and riding with just reactions and not overthink stuff. 

There is currently a MP (pah) that is trying to over turn the swerve test as no one has passed is 4 weeks and 16 people are in hospital with broken bones.

Type of bike consists of what size you are height and weight
 and what uses you want from it. 

 Happily enough I'm at the bike auctions this Tuesday and next Tuesday if i can help i will.

i agree that the VFR 400 Honda is a awesome starter bike, but it will be a back breaker and horrible if your 5ft 8 + and or above approx 14 stone.  also rubbish if you want to do some touring and want a passanger.
I like the GSXR's and I'm thinking of trading my 2 kwags in and getting one but its had to part with a sleeper bike that's as quick as the GP racers and a 2 year old ZX1000 with mods and 110 in first gear.

[fifegt4]

Cheers trouble I'm in the process of saving for this but its a balancing act with GT4 mods lol also my mother gave the not in this house speech so I'm still trying to talk her round to letting me keep one at my house lol

I like you say the VFR might be on the small side for me as I'm 6ft and a wee (Haha) bit over 14 Stone (cough cough fat b****ard)

[peterp1per]

Interesting thread you've started here mate 

now my four has gone (baby on route) mrs wants to learn to drive and i need my motoring fix i've been thinking about getting a bike license. and the fact that my mate keeps taking me pillion on his R1 and it's awesome..lol

i've already started a bit of revision for the theory test. the cost around here seems to be around the £700 mark for direct access with includes the cbt, 500ccc training and full test at the end

i've already chosen my first bikes. '02ish gixxer 600 ( telefonica colours if poss   )
http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/3/3230/2761/33073880002_large.jpg

then a while later a nice triumph daytona 675 in black with gold wheels...lol
http://www.triumph.co.uk/images/Daytona675_SE_gallery_pop_1_2008.jpg

i'm not fussy though..lol


Dam that daytona is one sexy beast!!!!!!!