Dilemma as to what to do, advice appreciated

[Seigi]

Hi there,

New here, and I've had an interest into learning to ride a motorcycle for awhile but been going through in my head deliberating the best option for me. I'm currently 20, turn 21 on November 5th and I can't decide whether to either A. Go and try and do a full course now and just stick with a restricted license for two years or B. Wait until I turn 21 and do direct access.

Obviously this is cutting it close as new law comes in on January 13th and ideally I want to get it done by then. It's highly unlikely that I'll be able to afford/run a larger than 250cc bike anyway but it gives me that little extra room if something comes up within the two years.

At the same time I should add that I'm interested in sports bikes and am 6'2 (have been told I might be too big for the smaller cc sports bikes?).

Finally, is anyone from the Carlisle area that can recommend a school? There's only two here however neither of them seem to have reviews anywhere,

Well, thanks for any help,
Seigi.

Edit: Sorry, I've got mixed up, I meant racing bike not sports bike. I had sports bike in my mind for some reason.

Edit Again: Actually, it is sport(s) bike isn't it? Or so Wiki is telling me. Like a Kawasaki Ninja 250 for instance.. Just you saying you had a dirtbike threw me off

[Flatbadger]

Welcome, as for height, I'm 5'11'' and a Suzuki DR dirtbike fits fine - its the length of your legs which is more relevant than your height though.

I'm looking at 125 for 2 years if I pass in time, cheap fuel/tax and 2 years to save for a bigger one - while getting up some expertise and good road sense of course. There's worse you could do.
____________________
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
You're in ISIS

[Rogerborg]

You'll need a theory pass before you can do any practical tests. Given the booking times on those, it'll be close to the end of the month before you can go either route.

If you've got the money to spend, I'd suggest doing an intensive DAS course. Or (depending on the schools) do a CBT and maybe one road day on a 125 as soon as possible, then a few days on a DAS bike after you pass your theory and turn 21.

The reason is that if you (for example) get your own 125 instead but then don't get a license before January, then you'll end up having to pay to go via a training school anyway just to get the new (35kW restricted) A2 license next year.

Might as well spend now and get an unrestricted one if you can.

Sorry, I can't recommend any schools in Carlisle.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[TheSmiler]

[Seigi]

Thanks for the replies guys, I've just checked on the directgov website and the next available day for a motorcycle theory test is the 10th October thereafter is 17th, 18th, 23rd, 24th and 30th, so I might go ahead and book one for the 10th,

Am I right in thinking that the motorcycle theory test is the same one you would take if you were learning to drive a car?

Thanks

[Rogerborg]

Yup, it's essentially the same test with a couple of token bike questions thrown in. There's sod all point in being made to do it if you've already got any kind of a license, but the revenue must flow.

You can get a training DVD from any supermarket that'll see you right. The hazard perception is particularly annoying, since you'll likely find yourself clicking too early.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[Seigi]

Alright, I've just done two practice motorbike theory tests, one I passed, one I failed by 3 marks (3 marks I could have got if I didn't question my original answer).

I haven't got a driving license but my girlfriend does, I've done some hazard perception tests in the past and I passed it first time, I just need to learn to click it once when I first notice the potential for the hazard and then once again when the hazard is present. I found I was sometimes pressing it when I 'knew' it was going to become a hazard but wasn't one yet.

[Ribenapigeon]

I'm also 6'2 and when I was trying out 125s I found the sports style bikes too small for me as were CG's and YBR's. You will probably find a traily or supermoto style bike better for your long legs. I have a Yammy WR125X and very happy with it.

If your confident you can learn to ride quickly then do the DAS. If you just want rid of L plates and your happy with a 125 until your comfortable riding then don't sweat it. The new rules are a bitch but I rekon learning to ride should just be fun and not something to get stressed about.

[Polarbear]

Varadero 125 is a stonking bike for a big person, my brother in law has one and when I test rode it for him I was (almost) pleasantly suprised by it.

He is 6'2" and doesn't look a nerd on it.

(He does really, but not cause of his size )
____________________
Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[Deadonkey]

Hi,
I'm at the same stage as you and am also from Carlisle!
I don't know which school to use either. It seems Peter cairn or Cumbria motorcycle training are our only options. I've seen both schools on the roads teaching students. Peter cairn on a pan European with 3 students on 125's at Burger King car park on a Sunday night and Cumbria motorcycle training with 2 students on 500's at Morton service station taking a break.
I'm looking to do a DAS but not intensive.
I'm unsure what school to use and would be interested on any contact you have with either as I plan to do a licence after the new year!

[Rogerborg]

[Seigi]

Just a quick update:

I got in contact with Peter Cairns today and he rung me back this evening. I've already booked my theory test (it's this Thursday (11th), been doing mock exams and I only failed one, so here's hoping I don't fail my theory!), and my CBT is on Sunday. What he was telling me is that we'll do the CBT on Sunday, get some of the 125 lessons out the way before I turn 21, then when I turn 21 on November 5th I'll do some lessons on a bigger bike and put in for my mod 1 & 2 on a big bike.

Really looking forward towards my CBT however slightly apprehensive as I've never ridden a motorcycle before (although I am a road cyclist), and here's hoping I pass my theory test in one go.

Prior to all this I tried to contact Cumbria Motorcycle Training, I called them Saturday (No answer), Sunday (No answer) and Monday (No answer, but was allowed to leave a message this time), they didn't get back to me and took ages to get back to my Facebook messages which just lead me to believe they were unprofessional - Peter Cairns on the other hand, I emailed him last night, his associate got in contact with me this morning and I arranged for Peter to call me this evening (as I was busy all day) which he did.

[Flatbadger]

If you're 20 you'll do the CBT no problem, you'll pick it up in a jiff.
____________________
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
You're in ISIS

[Seigi]

Another small update,

Did my theory test yesterday and passed with flying colours! Scored 49/50 on theory and 59/75 on HPT, pretty chuffed with it tbh.

The one question I got wrong (I think) was regarding something like "There's been a child involved in an accident and you have to breathe for them during CPR, how would you do this?" and I answered "Sharply" but in hindsight it was probably gently/steadily.

Went and bought a jacket today, they're heavier than I expected!

[sheriffjonny]

[TheSmiler]

[Mark 37]

[Paxovasa]

Well done on the theory pass.

And good choice in doing the Direct access.

If you want a sports bike, look at older models they are bigger than the more modern ones.
____________________
Suzuki GSF600 K3 (in the fastest colour, black).

[Rogerborg]

Yup, good to hear you're getting on with it. Better sooner rather than later.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[Deadonkey]

How did the CBT go? I'm interested to know what you thought of the school, at least the weather was mostly good in Carlisle today

[Seigi]

They seemed quite good, in the morning and just after lunch we had a different instructor to Peter and in the afternoon Peter took us on the road, I didn't catch the name of the first instructor. The first instructor wasn't as good as Peter but his intentions were well and he kept reassuring me (as I was getting fed up, I kept on stalling the motorcycle), after lunch I managed to pick it up and stopped the stalling, and when it got to road riding I only stalled at first, then I changed bike and I was fine.

Before I changed the bike I think from all the stalling the battery stopped working/drained and we were forced to jumpstart it every time I stalled so this put massive pressure on me which led to me stalling more and more. When I first started the on-road training I stalled the first bike numerous times and Peter started to get angry, was shouting, swearing and we pulled into the side of the road and I told him that his shouting isn't going to help me and if it doesn't stop I'm not going to continue - After that we returned to the centre and I changed bikes and once I changed bikes I was fine and I don't think I stalled at all. In fact, after that I mostly got praise from him, so I don't know if it was me, or I got the bad bike of the group but once I changed I did fine and once I stopped actively thinking about everything it just came to me.

He did later apologise, in fact he apologised about three times and said the reason he was getting angry was over the bike and not me.

So, I have my first 'lesson' on the 24th and I'm semi looking forward to it but I'm still a little bit nervous ;p. Road riding is a blast though, thoroughly enjoyed it once I got going and was smiling under my helmet (albeit only going 30mph) ;p

[Deadonkey]

I'm sorry to hear of your reasonably bad experience.
An instructor getting angry at a student isn't going to help anyone! I'm supprised you didn't either smack him in the mask or 'walk off the job'

I suppose he doesn't have to be patient or nice since its quite a niche market up here with only two schools.

I might look into Cumbria motorcycle training. I want it to be fun learning to ride a bike. If we're going to get shouted at no wonder the average age of bikers is on the rise.

[Polarbear]

[Seigi]

To be fair to him once he calmed down he was actually really good, he gave a constant stream of praise and reminders throughout the journey.

He is a short Scotch man who was in the army for 14 years, so he probably has a short temper ;p