Accelerated Access

[Turks]

Been riding now for around 4 months on a 250 after passing my restricted test. I'll be 21 soon meaning I can do accelerated access and put my money towards a sportier 600.

I was just wondering what I'll have to retake - mod1, mod2, theory etc. Also, is it worth taking a lesson or two for slow speed manoeuvring considering the bike will be 40kg+ heavier?

Has anyone failed after passing already?

Cheers

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

Seems like a waste of money to my mind. Why didn't you just wait the four months then do DAS?
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[McFlufferson]

IMO get the 600, have it restricted, and wait the other year and half.
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[Turks]

[McFlufferson]

[Rogerborg]

I looked into this. You'll have to pass Mod 1 and Mod 2 again, both on a 35kW+ bike. Failing doesn't invalidate your current A <= 25kW entitlement, you can just keep trying until you pass.

You don't have to re-do the theory but the online booking system requires you to enter details of it, which makes it a ball ache - I suspect doing Accelerated Access is very rare.

In terms of lessons, your main issue is going to be getting access to a 35kW+ bike for the tests. You'll want to ask your local centres if they're prepared to rent you a bike plus an accompanying instructor just to do the tests - they may not think it's worth their while.

The other alternative is to get your own big bike, "restrict" it to 25kW for use on your current license, then "unrestrict" it to 35kW+ (and put on L plates) for the duration of the test.

I "quote" those "restrictions" because if the examiner comes out to find a 600 sitting there, I'd doubt if he'd ask to see evidence that it's making 35kW+, and it's none of his business how it got there or how it gets home afterwards. To what extent you actually comply with the law is really up to you.

Some insurers - e.g. Swinton - have a "don't ask, don't tell" policy regarding restricted licenses and bikes. Just don't stack it and by the time it becomes an issue you'll be all licensed up. In any case, I wouldn't tell an insurer that a bike was restricted since it could only reduce their risk.
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[Turks]

Thanks for the advice Rogerborg,

Seems a bit crazy getting you to retake the MOD1 after all its just simple manoeuvres in a car park :/

Should cost me around £150 I'm thinking, would be good to see if I do better than my previous 3 minors

Thanks again

[Teflon-Mike]

What 250 have you got bored of?
An old Honda CB250T is hardly more powerful than a modern Learner-Legal; more contemprary four strokes just about nudge the numbers of the last of the line 'Super-Dream' deluxe, and have just about as much power as a full-power Mito or RS, with twice the mass to lug around, they are rarely 'inspiring'.

But jumping from one of them, to a super-sports 'six' is a big leap, regardless.

The popular commuter twins; the most often reccomended 33bhp restrict or post DAs bikes; GS500, GPz500s, SV650, ER5, CB500, even in restricted form, tend to offer a bit 'more' bang for your buck. Extra 3-5bhp doesn't sound much, in restricted form, but its the power delivery that counts, and with twice or four times the capacity of a full power sport tidler, or commuter 250, they have more low down 'grunt' and an awful lot more 'useable' power in the mid range than the simple numbers suggest. Also not much, if anything heavier than 250 four stroke.

Insurance wise; its not true that restricted bikes are more expensive to insure than full power machines, becouse of declared 'modification', or that you HAVE to have a certificate of restriction, and pay silly money for approved fitting of an expensive 'kit'.

Some insurers wont touch restricted bikes, becouse basically they dont want the business; restricted licence holders, and risk of restrictions being 'lost', is a risk they dont want, and cant be arsed to properly calculate, so simply 'load' to discourage from thier books.

But shop around and there are insurers happy to take your money, and be more reasonable in thier 'terms'.

This may sway the ecconomics, if you shop around and check some quotes.

You are unlikely to get Accelerated access for a mere £150.

Mod 1 is £15.50, Mod 2 £75, = £90.50, doesn't leave much margin to set a bike to do it on, or contingency if you don't do it 1st time.

Most Bike Schools charge something in the order of £70 per 'session' for a refresher lesson, or accompanied test, and unless you can book Mods back to back, you are going to need two of them, plus any 'conversion' lesson before hand to get familiar with and practice on the 'different' bike.

Realistically, that makes it more like £300 excersize, presuming you do pass in one shot.

Could be done cheaper; if you have a mate with full power bike, who is prepared to put you on thier insurance, or let you ride on (possitively confirmed!) Third Party extension on your own bike's policy; pillion you over to test apointment, and slap L's on the thing for you to ride the test, you could DIY it for no more than test fees....

But, stepping up, swapping bikes; whether you chop 33bhp complient machine, or do AA and step up to full power one; there are hidden costs; selling your current bike; how much you likely to loose on what you paid for it? How much will it cost to advertise? Hassle of dealing with tyre kickers etc. Being short pocketed, if you buy a new bike ahead of selling the old; being without wheels if you sell old bike ahead of new. Then there are the likely insurance cancellation or amendment fees; and the 'inevitable' de-niggle period with a new bike, servicing & sorting the minor faults that dont present themselves at sale.

But, thats just perms in the mix, for you to ponder running the sums.

Main thing is, your full, unrestricted licence is 'in the bag' anyway, its yours in umpety months time regardless...

This is merely expediting that forgone conclusion..... and woth remembering the advice I oft offer on this forum; patience is a virtue, when it comes to bikes, rushing is a sure way to get hurt, fast....

Personally; my base line would be to run the 250 'out' at least through the winter, when you will be having enough hassle with the bad weather, without getting to grips with bigger, more powerful bike. Maybe try and procure replacement while prices lower in the winter; and I'd be thinking commuter twin, rather than 600 four. Then come spring, take stock.

With more time elapsed of restriction, is it worth the money & hassle? & if so how much?

You could step up to the restricted twin, and have a 'bit more' than you do now, to ride out restriction, and new bike, in good weather to rejuvinate the fun, certainly long enough so you merely have anouther foul winter to fare before spring after and short time to restriction lapse.

More prudently, running out the 250 until insurance expires, negating change or cancelation penalties; and hopefully gaining NCD, and swapping at that natural break point; again choice whether to do AA ahead of that and go full power, or ride out what would be barely a year, on restrict.

Another winter, on 'soft' bike, and without AA you have unrestricted licence in your pocket for now effort or expense; and two years and two winters worth of experiencve preparing you for something far more inspiring, and money saved to be able to enjoy it.

End of the day, its your call, and question of how frustrated you are with the 250, and how much getting on anything more inspiring is worth to you.... and the 'right' answer is probably in the numbers, BUT... one way of another you already HAVE that full, unrestricted licence, if only in promice, and there is NO RUSH.
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[MG]

A related question, for which I didn't want to make a new thread.

I turn 21 18 months into my 33hp period, in march next year, and I fancy doing accelerated access so I have an unrestricted bike for the summer riding. My question is - could I take my restricted cb500 to the test centre (maybe even pillioning with my dad riding) and sit the test on it, whilst claiming it's 35kW+ even though its not?

This would make the exercise cost £90 rather than hundreds with riding school hire fees.

Also, the new licence directive comes into play next year, will that affect accelerated access for me?

[Rogerborg]

[MG]

Bugger, I really want an unrestricted bike next summer, looks like they'll be falling out!

[dan_flash]

I'm gonna be a wet towel and give my opinion;

mikeyg143 - as just said, you're up shit creek there because of the amazing-and-not-at-all-frustrating new rules coming in Jan 2013. I feel for you, but it looks like you just gotta ride out your restriction (pun very much intended).

Turks - IMO (as in, if I were in your shoes) you'd be better off saving the test-cash and when your restriction is over you'll be nigh rich enough for a lovely brand new worth-the-wait unrestricted motorcycle.

I sympathise completely, but given the choice I'd personally just wait. Another test(s) would just be soul-destroying.

Teflon & Roger, as is often the case, are bang on with their advice here.
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[Rogerborg]

[MG]

Well I bloody hope I don't lose my automatic upgrade because of the new licence regime. I do fancy emailing someone about this, would the DVLA be the people to ask or the DSA?

[Alex_B]

If you hold an 'Restricted' A now, it will still auto update in 2 years from the date of passing.

New rules will not affect you at all.
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[Rogerborg]