Advise for the newbie

[Toby Stokes]

New found love of bikes, have done my CBT almost 2 years ago now but did nothing with it. Newly rekindled biking interest but wanted some advise.

The CBT is obviously gonna run out soon, so should I re-do the CBT, get used to a small restricted bike, then do Direct Access, or is Direct Access easy enough (with effort obvioulsy) to do first time round?

What does Direct Access involve and do I have to own a bike to do it, or can I "rent/borrow" a big enough bike from an instruction facility or what?

Also, anyone know roughly the cost this will tkae for say 5 or 10 lessons and the test...?

All help hugley appreciated.

Cheers guys and dolls, Toby
(an L Plate Warrior...but hopefully not for long!)
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Big, bad and beautiful...the bike, dammit the bike!

[Demonic69]

How old are you for a start?
DAS is done on a 500/550 and is a little more difficult than the restricted licence. You can rent a bike for both (usually included in the course fee). You can only do DAS if you're over 21.
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Back on a Blade. Just feels so right.

[dainesefreak]

Have a look in the New Bikers section https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewforum.php?f=32 there's been loads of these sorts of questions and answers in there recently.

[Frost]

lessons are about £20 each
if you can drive a car or have been riding a 125 then you shouldnt need too many lessons. otherwise your probably going to need a fair few.

as said above, if your over 21 you can do a direct access, which will include a CBT, theory test, lessons, bike hire, equipment hire, test etc.

If you are just getting into bikng for fun, then a direct access is recommendid, if you need it for imediate transport then redo your CBT and get a learner bike, then practice for your test.

[Toby Stokes]

Much appreciated all.
I'm 30 (yeah old fart, getting into bikes a bit late...)
Been driving cars for 13 years
Been riding a bicycle in London for 13 years too.

Interested in riding for transport and fun, but want to check out costs and effort required up front before deciding.

I'm gonna need lessons, bike rental, and test.
Then my own bike, leathers and helmet...

Could be pricey, but I reckong it'll be worth it.
____________________
Big, bad and beautiful...the bike, dammit the bike!

[Danny]

Pricey to begin with but well worth it in the end.

I'd recommend this place for lessons:
https://www.elitemotorcycletraining.com/html/locations.html
They do a free assessment ride to see how much time you need (although they recommended 3 days for me and I took 2 and passed).

I'd recommend this place for clothes and general bike gear:
https://www.jsaccessories.co.uk/shop_pages/newmalden01.htm

Oh and PM me for bike insurance.

[Demonic69]

Restricted Access is a little cheaper and easier and makes no real difference to what you can ride
____________________
Back on a Blade. Just feels so right.

[Toby Stokes]

What does restricted access mean then?

Is that up to 125's?
250's?
500's with limiters on the engine?
?
____________________
Big, bad and beautiful...the bike, dammit the bike!

[Demonic69]

Any bike "Restricted" to 33bhp. But none of us bother with the restrictors
____________________
Back on a Blade. Just feels so right.

[Toby Stokes]

What does 33 bhp equate to ... or can you get a 500 restricted to that?
____________________
Big, bad and beautiful...the bike, dammit the bike!

[Sacarius]

33bhp would be a good sports 125, you can get a 500 restricted to 33bhp but it is argueable wether it is worth it. Depending on what use and what your plans are with progressing with riding are what should determin if you do Direct Access or Cat A restricted.
____________________
The way your heart sounds makes all the difference. It's what decides if you'll endure the pain that we all feel. The way your heart beats makes all the difference in learning to live. Spread before you is your soul. So forever hold the dreams within our hearts. Through nature's inflexible grace I'm learning to live.

[Demonic69]

I'm nearly at the end of my 33bhp term and I've been riding a full-power Blade for nearly a year.
You can literally buy any bike and either get it restricted or just not bother
____________________
Back on a Blade. Just feels so right.

[Toby Stokes]

Can anyone give me a rough idea of costs for the Direct Access test, versus the Cat A restricted then and how much practise you'd recommend in order to successfully pass both.

I am assuming Direct would be harder than just for restricted, or is it the same test just on a bigger bike?
____________________
Big, bad and beautiful...the bike, dammit the bike!

[Bendy]

Don't even contemplate restricted access. There is no point if you're over 21.

DAS would cost you between £400 - £600 I would say, and that's bike hire, test, the whole lot. Prices vary according to how many lessons / days you want and whereabouts in the country you do it. I did a 3 day DAS in Aberdeen for £350.

DAS is the same test on a bigger bike, and the bigger bikes are far easier to ride IMO.

[McJamweasel]

[zaknafien]

[Dazbo666]

[iCraig]