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Is it to late?

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slipstream12
L Plate Warrior



Joined: 19 Sep 2012
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PostPosted: 17:23 - 19 Sep 2012    Post subject: Is it to late? Reply with quote

In my forties now and never been anywhere near a motor bike Sad

My late father was biker but I never really took to bikes as I always preferred a car Confused .

Anyway I'm kind of liking the idea of doing the tests etc and picking up something small to begin with

So any advice will be welcome

How old where some of you guys when you started?
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angryjonny
World Chat Champion



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PostPosted: 17:26 - 19 Sep 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote

Not too late at all. If you want to do it then do it.

I was 28 when I learned to ride. I did it for practical reasons really but these days my bike is one of my favourite toys.
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slipstream12
L Plate Warrior



Joined: 19 Sep 2012
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PostPosted: 17:35 - 19 Sep 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote

Should have added.....

Is a crash course a good idea? got a few days holidays need to use up before xmas

if so any recommendations in the Kent area
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stinkwheel
Bovine Proctologist



Joined: 12 Jul 2004
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PostPosted: 17:37 - 19 Sep 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote

If you have a car licence, do your CBT (a training day to make sure you're safe on the road) and you can go out on a 125 on L-plates.
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Elffie01
Nova Slayer



Joined: 30 Jan 2012
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PostPosted: 17:41 - 19 Sep 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote

42 just passed mod 1 waitin on mod 2 date

Never too late... Twisted Evil
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angryjonny
World Chat Champion



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PostPosted: 17:42 - 19 Sep 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote

At the moment we're advising most folks to rush out and do their Direct Access courses before the end of the year because as of next year the rules and regulations change re: what you can ride and at what age. However, being in your forties they won't affect you at all, I don't think.

So you might find that schools and test centres are packed to the rafters between now and Xmas as everyone under 24 scrabbles to get their licences but in the new year (maybe the Spring might be nicer) there could be something of a lull meaning that courses may be cheaper or at least there's a chance of getting an instructor to yourself, rather than being 2:1 as per usual.

Just a thought...
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slipstream12
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Joined: 19 Sep 2012
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PostPosted: 17:42 - 19 Sep 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote

stinkwheel wrote:
If you have a car licence, do your CBT (a training day to make sure you're safe on the road) and you can go out on a 125 on L-plates.


Yeap have a car licence but never been near a bike, I need some really basic novice training. I see CBT's are around £120 would that include the basic riding going through gears?
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Andy_Pagin
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PostPosted: 17:43 - 19 Sep 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote

I started aged 45, It's never too late.
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angryjonny
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PostPosted: 17:44 - 19 Sep 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote

slipstream12 wrote:
stinkwheel wrote:
If you have a car licence, do your CBT (a training day to make sure you're safe on the road) and you can go out on a 125 on L-plates.


Yeap have a car licence but never been near a bike, I need some really basic novice training. I see CBT's are around £120 would that include the basic riding going through gears?

Yeah - the idea is basically to make you good enough to not disappear under a truck the moment you set off on your own. It involves (amongst other things) a 2-hour ride on the road with an instructor in intercom contact. It's the bare minimum training you need, these days, to not die.
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stinkwheel
Bovine Proctologist



Joined: 12 Jul 2004
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PostPosted: 17:47 - 19 Sep 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote

slipstream12 wrote:

Yeap have a car licence but never been near a bike, I need some really basic novice training. I see CBT's are around £120 would that include the basic riding going through gears?

It's what it's for. Most people taking their CBT have never ridden a bike before.
____________________
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I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.
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Rogerborg
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Joined: 26 Oct 2010
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PostPosted: 17:49 - 19 Sep 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yup, do the CBT first. It's a fun day by itself and even if you never take it further it'll make you much more aware as a car driver.

That's if you get the right instructors. Check out the local training schools, rule out any ones where they mistake the nature of the employer / employee relationship, and remember that it's training, not a test.
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slipstream12
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Joined: 19 Sep 2012
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PostPosted: 17:54 - 19 Sep 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote

stinkwheel wrote:
slipstream12 wrote:

Yeap have a car licence but never been near a bike, I need some really basic novice training. I see CBT's are around £120 would that include the basic riding going through gears?

It's what it's for. Most people taking their CBT have never ridden a bike before.


Cool so the CBT will get me off my stabilizers then I can pick up something under a 125cc to gain some more experience before doing the full test
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angryjonny
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PostPosted: 17:57 - 19 Sep 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote

slipstream12 wrote:
Cool so the CBT will get me off my stabilizers then I can pick up something under a 125cc to gain some more experience before doing the full test

...if you're ok with being restricted to 33bhp or less for 2 years after you pass, then yes.

Oh, and it's tests = there are 1 theory and 2 practical tests these days.

If you want immediate access to any mean-machine out there you'll need to do your practical tests on a >46 bhp machine which will typically mean enlisting the services of a riding school.
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DaveB
Trackday Trickster



Joined: 06 Aug 2011
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PostPosted: 18:04 - 19 Sep 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote

Had a 125 when I was 17, passed car test at 18 and didn't ride again till last year (42). Done CBT and test(s) within 4 months and now loving it Mr. Green
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thepuma
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PostPosted: 18:11 - 19 Sep 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'm 39 and had never been on a bike in my life till I did my cbt 6 weeks ago. Did the theory test, passed the mod1 and have mod2 booked next week. So its definitely not too late. You can go from nothing to full licence in 2 months, even doing it yourself on your own bike.

But yeah, do a cbt and see how you get on and take it from there.
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Teflon-Mike
tl;dr



Joined: 01 Jun 2010
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PostPosted: 18:16 - 19 Sep 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote

READ THIS:-
I want to Ride a Motorbike! Where Do I start?
Everything you are asking, leads to answers promting the next thing you are asking, and and ... err... I think I have answered pretty much all of them in the FAQ list of that page on my webby!
Read, consider, ponder, absorb.... come back to discuss!
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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?'
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dazzzaa
Nitrous Nuisance



Joined: 22 Apr 2011
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PostPosted: 18:16 - 19 Sep 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote

never too l8, did my a licence at 38
think that makes me 39
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LordShaftesbu...
World Chat Champion



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PostPosted: 18:27 - 19 Sep 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote

Make sure you can ride a bicycle first.
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U_W v2.0
World Chat Champion



Joined: 07 May 2012
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PostPosted: 18:27 - 19 Sep 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote

if your near margate/thanet in kent. then south east motorcycle training is awesome for your CBT.

did mine there
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Ribenapigeon
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Joined: 20 Feb 2012
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PostPosted: 18:36 - 19 Sep 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'm 45 and did my CBT in march after years of wishing i could ride a motorcycle. Wish I had done oit years ago. That said years ago I didn't have the money. The great advantage of age is your more likely to have the cash and insurance is cheaper. I bought a new bike on finance £500 down and £120 per month and got the cost of the CBT covered by the dealer. The only thing would do differently is maybe look at getting a bigger bike but restricted to 15 HP.

I am quite confident you will not regret getting on a bike.
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Teflon-Mike
tl;dr



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PostPosted: 18:59 - 19 Sep 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote

Boozehawk wrote:
The only thing would do differently is maybe look at getting a bigger bike but restricted to 15 HP.

Ug? Why wot how?
On a Provisional you are only allowed 14.5bhp & 125cc, end of.
You cant 'restrict' a 250 or 500 or anything, HAS to be under 125cc as well as power limit.
Post test, if you have a 'restricted' licence, having tested on a 125, you may have any capacity bike you like.... could have a Boss-Hoss if you wanted with a 5.4l Chevrolet V8 engine in it.... you'd just have to restrict it to 33bhp..... Hmmm.... I wonder whether a coppa WOULD believe that the motor had 'eaten' the restriction washers in the inlet manifold, if it was being sucked by a Yank-Tank V8 more usually used to power a Camaro!
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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?'
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Ribenapigeon
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PostPosted: 19:04 - 19 Sep 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote

Well there ya go so I wouldent have done anything differently Smile which is probably why I'm so happy with my WR Smile
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Clanger
Stirrer



Joined: 27 May 2004
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PostPosted: 19:07 - 19 Sep 2012    Post subject: Re: Is it to late? Reply with quote

slipstream12 wrote:
How old where some of you guys when you started?


First pillion ride was aged 7yrs old, would have been earlier but Mother refused. Two years later after constant whinging and nagging, she relented. Got my own road bike as soon as I was 16yrs. Thumbs Up
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kernow24
Crazy Courier



Joined: 15 Jun 2011
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PostPosted: 19:22 - 19 Sep 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote

angryjonny wrote:
slipstream12 wrote:
Cool so the CBT will get me off my stabilizers then I can pick up something under a 125cc to gain some more experience before doing the full test

...if you're ok with being restricted to 33bhp or less for 2 years after you pass, then yes.

Oh, and it's tests = there are 1 theory and 2 practical tests these days.

If you want immediate access to any mean-machine out there you'll need to do your practical tests on a >46 bhp machine which will typically mean enlisting the services of a riding school.


Don't confuse the chap, I doubt he's looked in to doing the 'tests'
off his own back on his own 125 after pooling around for a bit.

By 'tests' he probably means a course to get a full licence.
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MCW
World Chat Champion



Joined: 20 Aug 2012
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PostPosted: 19:33 - 19 Sep 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote

I started in July. Am 50, but only chronologically..

Spend most of the time s**t scared or loving it. (A bit like life really).

Am writing a blog about it. There's drivel about other stuff as well but it is the story of my staying ons and falling offs etc:

https://mid-lifecrisiswoman.tumblr.com/

Go for it, good luck!
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