Riddle me this!

[Okeydokey]

Just need a sanity check...
1. I need to take a theory test even as an experienced car driver before I take my mod 1?
2. If I take my mod 1&2 test on a twist and go 125cc I can only ride twist and goes up to 33bhp for two years? Thereafter only allowed to ride twist and goes.
3. Do I need to take any kind of test after the 2 years.. like an upgrade or similar?

Many thanks
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Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruitsalad!
YB100 v. Ford Sierra (1982 I came 2nd place) Honda H100S (Currently 0 - 0) CX500 Cafe project (me 1 - wife 0.... maybe!)

[TheSmiler]

[The Artist]

[TheSmiler]

[Recluso]

I was under the impression that if you took the test on an automatic (i.e. a scooter) then your license would be restricted to scooters only and that, much like a car license, if you wished to ride manual bikes you would have to RETAKE the test on a manual machine.
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'Just erotic. Nothing kinky. It's the difference between using a feather and using a chicken.'
Honda PS125i > Yamaha YBR125 > Yamaha XJ6 Diversion > Yamaha Tracer 900

[Okeydokey]

My problem is... I've discovered the joy of driving an auto car about five years ago, can't be arsed with manual and was thinking most bikes I like the look of are under 500cc 33bhp, anyway and twist and goers. Burgman 400 being a fine example, I see mpg go up significantly after about 400cc anyway, may as well another auto mini car type thing otherwise.
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Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruitsalad!
YB100 v. Ford Sierra (1982 I came 2nd place) Honda H100S (Currently 0 - 0) CX500 Cafe project (me 1 - wife 0.... maybe!)

[P.addy]

Need a motorcycle theory and a CBT regardless.

Mod1 on scooter means mod2 on scooter.

You pass with UK Auto licence.

You can only ride autos and restricted to 33hp for 2 years.

After that you can ride anything automatic.


I enjoyed my auto car, but the destroyed ability to choose what gear I want rather than what the car wants started to grate on me after a few months.

By all means sit it on a ped, but it seems pointless, might as well learn to ride geared and have a proper licence for the same money and effort.

[MikeyBrown]

[Paulington]

If you pass your motorcycle test on an AUTOMATIC motorcycle, you can ONLY RIDE automatic motorcycles. If you wish to ride a manual motorcycle you will have to take both your Module 1 and Module 2 again. It is better to take your Module 1 and Module 2 on a manual motorcycle.

From what I gather you've never ridden a motorcycle before so how can you decide which you'd prefer? Plus, the main reasons for the advantages of an automatic car don't apply on motorcycles:

1) Pain to depress the clutch/use your arm to change gear.

Motorcycle, dip the clutch slightly (or don't use it at all) and snick it in gear with a small movement of your foot, easy.

2) Traffic meaning you have to change gear all the time/play with the clutch.

Motorcycle, filter. Or put it in gear and leave it there as most motorcycles will do enough in 1st/2nd to have no need to change.

Just pass it on a geared 125cc as you then have an option to ride both, passing on an automatic would be a false economy.
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"Four wheels move the body, two wheels move the soul."
Current Vehicles: '89 Kawasaki KDX200, '99 Yamaha XV535, '00 Honda ST1100 Pan-European, '08 Suzuki GSX-R1000, '08 Mitsubishi Lancer GS4 2.0 TDCi, '15 BMW 1 Series 116d Sport Turbo.
CBT: 27/08/08. Theory: 04/09/09. Module 1: 16/09/09. Module 2: 01/10/09.

[Teflon-Mike]

Smiler, at 16 you cannot take the motorcycle test; you may take a moped test, but that would restrict you to a moped, for ever; completely different group.

Clearing up the twist and go bit; like a car; test on an auto and you get the group on your licence 'endorsed' automatic only. End of.

Back to practicalities; same test; three licence groups depending what you test on.

'Light Bike' machine less than 120cc, or not on DSA list of machines approved as meeting test req's for 'Standard Bike'

'Standard Bike' machine between 120 & 125cc, meeting certain performance criteria.

'DAS Bike' das test; on full powwr machine over 125cc & 25Kw power output.

Test for 'Light-Bike' you get an A1 group licence allowing you to ride no more than a 125cc machine.... for ever. You dont need L-Plates; you can carry pillions, if machine has appropriate pillion provision; you may use motrorways but the BIKE may not be more than 125cc or make more than 11Kw or be under certain power to weight; same 'specs' as apply to Learner-Legals.

Standard Bike; gets you (CURRENTLY) a Full A group licence, endorsed with two year 33bhp & Kw/Kg limit; Ride what you like as long as it meets restriction standards; after two years have lapsed; restriction 'expires' and you can ride what you like; its a full 'A' group licence. You dont have to take any tests or courses beyond passing initial test, the tests the test and that's it.

DAS; taken on bike over 25Kw; if over 21 years old, gains you full A group with no restriction straight away.

Now add twist and go rules; Perfectly feasible if you are over 21 and can find an Automatic 'big bike' to get a full A group licence with Auto-Restriction.

I think it would qualify you to ride an old 1970's Moio-Guzzi Convert, or the two Honda-matic motorcycles they made in the 1970's the CB750 and CB400 'Auto's.!

Doing STANDARD bike tests on a twist and go? I would be dubious as to what twist and go's are on the DSA standard bike test list. Doesn't demand gears, but specs would deter many from being on the list as they need to be able to reach higher speeds, many twist and go's just don't, even if they are full 125's.

MOST people testing on twist and go, do so as 'Light-Bike' to ride 125 machines without having to fork out for repeat CBT every couple of years.

Hassle and expense; and limitation imposed by twist and go only; AND new licence laws coming in Jan 2013; for the sake of working a couple of cogs on two tests lasting approximately one hour, I do NOT see why ANY-ONE would want to do anything but the full, unrestricted test on a geared bike, even if it means renting a geared bike to do it on.

Means they can still ride twist & go, but wouldn't be banned from a crunch box C90, or even propper motorbike, with gears. 'Future-proofing' the situation for the sake of a very small effort now.

Modern gearbox technology with sequential shift systems; now 'on' high end production cars, and being messed with on bikes; with electronic control allowing various auto-semi auto or full manual gear selection; opens a can of worms.

IF it has selectable gearbox, is it a manual or an auto?

I believe the question has been raised; and the matter 'in debate' as far as law enforcement are concerned; BUT having unrestricted licence oblivigates the potential hassle.

Meanwhile; as others; much as I see the appeal of a super-scooter to a non enthusiast, and I have been an auto-convert in cars a very long time; having learned to drive in Canada aged 14 in one..... I am also pretty sure that an awful lot of folk that get them; stepping up from a commuter-scooter; get to a point where they realise that its pretty much ALL compromise for very little gain.

Comuter-Scooters; they have the dissadvantages of bikes; by way of road vulnerability; lack of weather protection etc. the design adds to that, sacrificing stability, balence and control for a little 'practicality' and convenience in use.... which is fine if you merely want to get to and from accross sub 50mph speed limit congested streets; the low running costs and convenience make it worth while.

Stepping up to a Super-Scoot; you gain a bit of comfory; loose a lot of nimbleness; gain weight; loose ecconomy; and with higher tax; lower mpg and higher running costs.... compromises start working against you....... gets to a point where you might as well almost ride a Gold-Wing... and that then begs the stuck in traffoic; might as well use a car!

AND, it would be rather gauling to have done tests on a 125 twist and go; got restricted licence and restriction lapsed; and THEN in a couple of years, thing 'sod it' I want a propper bike, and find that THEN under 2013 on licence system, you have to do full DAS on big geared bike to get back to where you could have been.......

But, end of the day; your life, your licence, if you think you'll NEVER want to ride a geared bike; then fine, go for it.

Like I said; I like auto's drive auto cars; cant see myself getting another manual; BUT wouldn't WANT an auto-only licence..... becouse even though I might never buy another manual.... NICE to know I CAN jump into any car, manual or auto and drive it; whether a borrow or loan or rental, for whatever reason........
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