I'd like to say I bought my first bike, but...

[bLiXeY]

...as my 50cc is categorised as a 'bicycle' it would probably be misleading.

I'm nearing 40 and never had a bike before (which I suppose I still don't in some respects). I wanted an alternative to the huge fuel bills my Delica L400 gives me, so I thought, get a cheap moped to potter around on.

Then I baulked at riding around on something that sounded like a chainsaw, so I thought, ok, get the biggest, cheapest, 4 stroke 50cc you can find.

Which was a 2010 Chinese Skyteam 50 for £300 I've made the bike look cosmetically fairly respectful, and de-restricted it as much as I'm willing (new front sprocket to give me longer gears, de-restricted exhaust, bigger carb/manifold and new CDI), but my mates told me that I'd want rid of it in a few weeks as it'd be like riding a mobility scooter and that's exactly what I've found.

Been good experience though, getting the feel for riding on 2 wheels in traffic.

I wanted a 125, but was so confused at what the hell you're supposed to do regarding bike tests I just couldn't be @rsed to figure it out...and I was under the impression that it would be too expensive for what I wanted (and I think L plates look crap).

Right, I've blathered on, sorry.

Now I've registered on here I can start doing some searches on CBT/bike test stuff, as I can't hack being overtaken by everyone every time I'm in a 40-50 mph zone.

[ninja_butler]

The MCN license guide: https://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/Newrider/newriderresults/Pass-your-test/?id=118091

[bLiXeY]

Thanks ninja. The stickies in this section are a brilliant help too.

I'm getting a good idea of the bike test, just need to read up on CBT info now.

Quite surprised at how confusing it appears at first.

Perhaps they should introduce a test on obtaining your test

[passifid]

hey, dont worry about it bieng "bicycle" as my 125 is and on the VED my dad's 660 is a bicycle too..

[dazzzaa]

if your financialy capable go straight through your cbt, theory and "big bike" test in a few short days/weeks. get yourself a bigger cc machine and enjoy the rest of your riding
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1988 VFR 750-f,,,,binned on duncton hill. current-1993 vfr 750-f

[FerretFing]

Welcome to the bestest ever motorised bicycle forum

[Clanger]

All motorbikes come under the Bicycle category in road tax terms, so welcome to the Bicycle Chat Forums...

Actually comes in really handy that little nugget. If the police ever question you about sitting in the cycle zone at the front of the traffic lights...you can point to your tax disk and say, "it's states Bicycle here".
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Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter won't mind - Dr. Seuss

[blito]

I actually quite like riding my 50cc "bicycle" but then again I dont have to go on any roads that are more than a 30 limit
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2012 Zontes Monster

[Kernowscoot]

Been there and got the T shirt.

I bought a cheap chinese 50 back in june for the same reason.....eg rising insurance costs/rflcosts and fuel (30 - 40 mpg)

I got bored very quickly and now have a Yamaha SR 125 custom parked in the back waiting for me to do my CBT on Sunday.

I'm already looking at options for my full test.

Biking is very addictive (even at this time of the year)

[dazzzaa]

[dazzzaa]

[bLiXeY]

Hey chaps, thanks for the welcome. This is a great forum, been lurking for a few weeks before I registered, already been a great help to me getting my bike roadworthy as I have no mech experience.

Even though I'm complaining about the 50, it still has been great fun these past couple of months (as long as I'm in a 30-40 zone )...and I can't wait to be out on a bike over summer

Here's some pics of my 'moped' before and after, had a great time learning about basic bike mechanics and tuning. Much easier than diy on a car.

EDIT: Yes that is orange you can see on the side panel...I dropped the bike off its stand, smashed my replacement mirrors, had to replace the bars, a couple of bulbs and a clutch handle.

https://img268.imageshack.us/img268/2315/bikebefore.jpg
https://img94.imageshack.us/img94/9231/img00330201201071507.jpg

As these come in a 125 version I'm contemplating sticking a Lifan 125 engine in (as they're a honda copy it should just plonk straight in), they're only £150 on ebay.

I'm amazed this even goes 40 mph at the moment considering it weighs a bloody ton....all I want is a bike that can go 50mph (as I need to use this particular road most), other than that I'm not bothered about going any faster at all.

[bLiXeY]

[ninja_butler]

https://img94.imageshack.us/img94/9231/img00330201201071507.jpg

Resprayed? It's not often I'd say this, but it actually looks better in plain black than it did in standard orange & go-faster stickers.

[bLiXeY]

[dazzzaa]

[bLiXeY]

[Baisemontchou]

I'm in a similar position! Age 46, haven't ridden a bike since I was 17, then went to visit my brother in Thailand 18 months ago and rode a scooter everywhere (Honda Click). As soon as I got back went out and bought a cheap 50cc Piaggio Liberty Scooter, within a couple of weeks that wasn't good enough so booked a CBT and got a PGO T-Rex 125 Scooter from one of my students, followed up a shortly after with a Rieju RS2 Matrix Pro 125 bike, then a Suzuki GZ-125 Marauder and I've now just cut a deal with my neighbour for an immaculate Triumph Tiger 900.

It's amazing how i got hooked so quickly & I suspect it'll be the same with you

[bLiXeY]

[Teflon-Mike]

Normally telling teenagers this BUT;

1/ Its a FULL licence, not a 'Big Bike' licence. pass tests you dont HAVE to get a big bike, you can still ride a 125 on it.... I do!

2/ You cant de-restrict a moped. The restriction is in LAW that says it cant go over 35mph. If its 50cc and does more than 35mph or makes more than I think 3Kw or something its a MOTORCYCLE not a MOPED.

3/ To LEGALLY ride a moped MODIFIED to be a motorcycle; you need to re-register the vehicle under the new vehicle catagory; means presenting the thing for VOSA inspection same as building a kit-bike or custom. & Bike must meet regs for 'self built' vehicle, which are actually slightly more stringent than for a production bike, which in turn are more stringent than the relaxed regs for a 'moped', that doesn't need speed rated tyres, and 'stuff'.

Hint here; many brand spanking new Chinese bikes would not; out the crate pass a regular MOT...

SO: do do it 'legit' almost garanteed you would end up spending more than the bike is worth to get it re-registered as a 'Motorcycle'; with very high liklihood it wouldn't pass inspection; and if it DID, declaring the modifications to your insurer would result in a 'loading' disporoportionate to what a 'standard' bike originally built and registered as a 'motorcycle' would cost to insure.

My advice; if you want more performance than that chinky thing offers; go get a CBT, get a 125 and go get a full licence on it, which would be as cheap and easy, less hassle, and 100% legal.

Do it THIS year and you will get a full A-Group that would allow you to ride any bike you like, of any capacity, without L's, not just 125's, even if you dont.

Leave it to next year and you will only be able to do 125 'only' licence on a 125; and have to do DAS to get a full licence.
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My Webby'Tef's-tQ, loads of stuff about my bikes, my Land-Rovers, and the stuff I do with them!
Current Bikes:'Honda VF1000F' ;'CB750F2N' ;'CB125TD ( 6 3 of em!)'; 'Montesa Cota 248'. Learner FAQ's:= 'U want to Ride a Motorbike! Where Do U start?'

[bLiXeY]

Yep, I'm already there mike, located my local CBT centres and will be arranging CBT asap