Gearless "Bike"

[Azmodeus]

I know this sounds daft, but are there any twist-and-go bikes out there that look like a "proper" bike?

I know about the DNA, and it looks ok, but little pricey.


Would there be any chance of modifying a bike to me automatic trasmission?

[iCraig]

Theres the Honda CB400N Honda-matic, which is automatic and there was word Gilera were bringing out an automatic bike too.

But one question would be is why would you want one?

Its not hard changing gear on a bike you know!

[Azmodeus]

***Note - I had written out a long reply, and IE crashed, so I may miss some stuff out here***

I would really like to be able to ride a geared bike, but im so new to the road I dont know if I could handle it.

I took my CBT on a moped, but there was someone else on a geared bike taking his too. Ill never forget the walkthrough he was given (he had never even touched a bike before) -

*instructor holds out hand, fingers splayed apart*
"These are your gears, 1-5, and this is the neutral. Here is the clutch, and the back brake. Hop on a ride about in circles while I get the others sorted".

That was it.

He promptly got on the bike, let out the clutch, fell off the back, and hurt his wrist. He went home in his car because he had lost his confidence.

Not a good start for him or me to the world of biking. Seeing the way he fell really took the confidence out of me.

So the only way I could practice on a geared bike would be to buy one. It a big commitment, because not only will it cost a lot, it will also mean that if I cant manage it, im stuck with an unridable bike.

[instigator]

^^ I second craigs question.

Unless you're disabled, gears are feckin easy and theres no reason to be not want them. If all bikes were automatic, it'd be f*cking boring.....

If you can handle a scooter, than you should have no problem with a geared bike, don't be so scared of one, ahve some confidence in yourself... Obviously the guy just dumped the clutch and hit the accelerator. Its just your scoot instinct...

[Azmodeus]

The bit you forgot the mention was "easy for you"

I would love to be able to go pick some money off of my money tree and go buy a bike (and insurance!), but I get £44 a week from Incapacity Benefit.

Even if I bought a mangy looking thing, I would probably still have to take out a loan for the insurance.

[mchaggis]

[Jammy-G]

[Ste]

Well in that case all I can say is don't go back to that CBT place, lots of people on here did their CBT on a geared bike having never used one before and didn't manage to kill themselves (or come close ) in the process so I'd say to do a CBT on a geared bike to get used to using the gears and then get yourself a geared bike.

[Azmodeus]

Unfortunately, you cant have both Income Support and ICB (as far as I know).

Another unfortunate is that its the only CBT place near here.

But im looking at roughly:

£100 for another CBT
£300-400 for insurance
£1000+ for bike

Anyway, the sad fact is that I dont have the money, and cant get a loan, so its all out of the question

[Ste]

[G]

You can get an old 2 stroke 125 for around £500, a bit less for a particularly tatty one. Insurance shouldn't be too much on an older bike (even TPO is cheaper on older bikes.)

Even a 4stroke that'll be cheaper on both counts will probably cost less than a scooter altogher.

Gears do feel weird for the first few days, some for everyone, but you'll get used to it the same as everyone .

[Jammy-G]

I got my RXS100 for £300 + £200 insurance + £80 CBT.

Got my NSR125 for £80 (Exactly the same as Nighteyes new one), will be about £400-500 insurance.

If you have a CBT, there is no point doing another just to learn the gears. Many people learned the gears before the CBT anyway, I know I did. It took about an hour messing about until I was ok. You are better off saving your money and practising on your drive or on a quiet road.
____________________
RooRoo: just like the time i stuck my finger up my arse with no lube at all and she didnt talk to me for hours

[Gazdaman]

My MZ ETZ 125 was £200, it looks vaguely supermoto if you squint slightly and someone pokes your other eye with a fork.

(I'm trying to say it's not horrible looking)

So that was £200, + £233 insurance

[Ste]

As people have said, you do not have to do another CBT to use a geared bike, but unless you have somewhere safe to practise out away from cars and other such obstacles with someone willing to help you who is experienced at riding then I would say it really is worth doing. If you havn't used gears before then although the basic concept of "clutch in, change gear, clutch out" is easy, actually using it well and safely is a harder.

I paid £85 for CBT using their bike so unless you are able to learn gears somewhere safe with the help of someone experienced then I would say it is money well spent.

[AcIdBuRnZ]

[Azmodeus]

[jamie192]

I am due to take my cbt this saturday, i brought a bike before the summer holidays, it was restored during it. Ive had since about the end of the summer holidays messing around. Note before this i had never even ridden a bike. Now after being told by a friend how to use the clutch i can pull away change through the gears i can even do some tricks. Its just practise, my sister could do it you can do it. Just buy a geared bike. The guy that fell off the back when he let the clutch out must hardly hold on at all of been pulling away on a yamaha r1. Its practise some people have more trouble then others but you will get there, dont buy an automatic bike its not worth it.

If you really cant get the hang of gears you might as well just get a scooter.
____________________
Ride Fast, Brake hard, don't fall off!

[mchaggis]

Whatever you do, bear in mind that you will need to pass your test on a geared bike if you don't want to be restricted to big automatic scooters later on. I really don't see the point in an automatic only licence, as a normal manual licence allows you to ride anything, no matter the transmission.

Edit: I may have been slightly misleading here, as what I really should have said is that you would have to take the test again on a manual bike to get the manual entitlement as well.
____________________
I must not be a troll...
Mmmm, Guinness
Discovering the delights of Hammerite and a 3/4" brush.

[binge]

Hmm, on my CBT certificate it says "Provisional moped" [ ] "Provisional Motorcycle" [ ]

And the "provisional moped" Box has been ticked. Do I have to retake my CBT on a manual to get an NSR125?

Ben...

[mchaggis]

[Ste]

There is only one type of CBT, you can do your CBT on a 50cc twist and go and then (try to) ride home on a geared 125 prefectly legally, despite the fact you've never even sat on one before. Very daft system IMO as there are people who end up doing their CBT on a twist and go rather than a geared bike because it's easier or the gears were getting annoying.

It should be just the same as with your normal test, if you do your CBT on a non geared bike then that is all you should be allowed to ride.

[dodsi]

i did my CBT on an SR 125 rode a speedfight for a while (check sig) then got an SR 125

then took my test...failed it
then took my test...failed it
then went for my test...cancelled
then took my test...passed yay

now im gonna get a big boys bike

[Demonic69]

How much is your ped worth? Where did you get the £310 to fix it? I tought my bro to ride my GPZ in about 5 minutes, he got the hang of gears no problem and had only spent a few days on a ped in Greece before.
How old are you may I ask, and why are you on benefits?
____________________
Back on a Blade. Just feels so right.

[Milo]

The idea of a gearless bike does appeal. It would make the daily commute much easier on the clutch hand if you've got a long one through heavy traffic and also if it's icy you can use both feet to stabilise but still have brake control.
And no, my ideal bike isn't a scooter!
____________________
Shaft drives rule.

[Azmodeus]