Starting out

[gdog74]

Hi there

I'm thinking of learning to ride but have no experience of motorcycling, although I've been driving for 18 years or so. What do you think is the best way to start? From what I can gather from local sites, it's CBT first, but then what? Are there any restrictions on bike size for a beginner?

Cheers
Graeme in York

[N cee thirty]

aup,all you need to do is book a cbt


then you can have any bike up to 125cc,pretty simple atm


think you can ride a 50cc with no cbt and no L plates because you did your driving test before 2001,but don't take my word for it

then you could do your DAS to ride any bike you wanted but that costs a fair bit
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[Rogerborg]

Hi Graeme,

The Get On scheme should be able to put you in touch with a training school who can give you a quick taster even before booking a CBT.

But yes, generally, it's CBT then your options are:

1) Ride a 125 on L plates for 2 years then do your CBT again.
2) Do a theory test then:
2.1) Buy a 125, do Mod1 and Mod2 practical tests on it and get an "A (restricted)" license which lets you ride any bike, but generating no more than 25kW for the first 2 years. You can get a 250 or restrict a bigger bike. After 2 years, the limitation is removed from your license and you can whip the restrictors out.
2.2) Pay to get trained and do Mod1 and Mod2 tests on a big bike with a training school, which gets you an "A" license and you can ride any bike immediately. This is known as DAS, "Direct Access Scheme".

Which way you go depends on what you want the bike for. There are plenty of "perpetual learner" commuting on 125s. If you want a big bike ASAP then you might as well stump up for DAS rather than buying a 125. But if you want to take it easy and learn at your own pace, then getting your own 125 and doing "A (restricted)" is a viable route, doesn't require any training beyond the CBT, and works out cheaper if you can resell your 125 for pretty much what you paid for it.

[Xdwardo500]

Book yourself in for a CBT, and see how it goes, see if you like it... it's a real fun day (if the weathers good), and at the end you feel like you've learnt a hell of a lot.

Start with a CBT and then go from there.
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Lincoln, England
2011 Vespa GTS 300 Super
Riding Since 2011

[The Shaggy D.A.]

In addition to what Rogerborg has said, bear in mind that it's not going to get cheaper, nor easier to pass your full test as there's always another bit of legislation around the corner.

Not trying to rush you, but you may find that if you do your CBT then wait because "It's ok, I've got a couple of years" the mongs in Brussels will have added a "must balance a crepe on your front mudguard whilst doing the cone slalom at 50kph" clause. And due to the great crepe shortage of 2012, schools will hire them out at £100 an hour.

Or something.


____________________
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Currently : Royal Enfield 350 Meteor
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[Xdwardo500]

Have to add to the above... my instructor the other week was saying "test things are changing in the next year or so"... which could include tests for several different engine size increments. So you could have to take a test for 125, then for 500, then 600... But I think this will only apply if your under a certain age... 21... 24?..

It's just more hoops to jump through, so if you do decide you like biking - get a DAS course booked in fast
____________________
Lincoln, England
2011 Vespa GTS 300 Super
Riding Since 2011

[gdog74]

thanks for the advice folks, I'll look into CBT straight away

[Rogerborg]

Yup, the 3rd Directive is to be drafted into law by January 2011 and implemented by January 2013 at the latest.

There's no immediate panic, just get your test (any test) done before 2013.

Presumably an A (restricted) done before 2013 will remain an A with an endorsement rather than downgrading to the new A1 or A2 - there's been no indication to the contrary from the DfT yet.

[gdog74]

Well, after numerous weather-related re-schulings, I got my cbt today!
After a few wobbles off-road, I got the hang of it and felt my confidence increase. Barring some minor gear-shfting problems mainly due to infamiliarity, it's all done before the next lot of snow!!

Theory next.......

Thanks for the advice on this thread and others

Graeme

[pinkyfloyd]

Well done that man.

Great fun on 2 wheels isnt it?
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[gdog74]