Come on then sell it to me...

[InkedMuttley]

Okay I've been considering most of the last couple of days on whether to to my bike test, as you can probably tell that although I'm only riding on a CBT I do actually have a full car licence, which I've held for 8 years.

So sell it to me, I'm 29 and don't particularly feel the need to go fast or anything, I just like bikes and the whole experience of biking. I love the whole feeling of being at one with my machine and feeling every curve and undulation. Don't particularly like going fast, I just like simplicity and the solitary feeling of being out on the bike. The biggest bikes I'm likely to be riding are probably going to be probably 250-400cc tops.

Bikes I like the looks of: CB250 Superdream, Kwak ER250, GSF400 and I also like the VFR400 and Bros 400.

So despite me wanting one of the above bikes at some point, is there any advantage to me going for my full licence besides the obvious having to go for a CBT every 2 years?

[CaNsA]

[InkedMuttley]

They're old photos that you've no doubt seen on Facebook, I've actually lost weight thank god. But seriously I don't something fast or racy, all I want is something to plod around on, one thing I did consider was the Honda Shadow or Yamahahahaha Virago.

[c_dug]

More training. Cheaper insurance. Use motorways. Carry pillion. No L plates.

It shouldn't need selling to be fair, if you're enjoying riding (and it sounds like you are), then it's the way to go.
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I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock.

[iooi]

[Northern Monkey]

l plates look shit and are gay. Pass your test so you don't have a big sign showing that you can't pass a basic test of competence strapped to your bike
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Fisty: after polishing the tank with the glistenng beads of sweat from my full hot scrotum, I filled the headrace bearings with 10cc of my manmilk

[The Shaggy D.A.]

From here on in, bike tests are the cheapest/easiest they are going to be.
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Chances are quite high you are not in my Monkeysphere, and I don't care about you. Don't take it personally.
Currently : Royal Enfield 350 Meteor
Previously : CB100N > CB250RS > XJ900F > GT550 > GPZ750R/1000RX > AJS M16 > R100RT > Bullet 500 > CB500 > LS650P > Bullet Electra X & YBR125 > Bullet 350 "Superstar" & YBR125 Custom > Royal Enfield Classic 500 Despatch Limited Edition (28 of 200) & CB Two-Fifty Nighthawk > ER5

[Oldie]

Simply riding a 125 without L Plates is good enough reason to sit your test. It's a great feeling.

There are no real reasons not to sit your test, but plenty of excuses - the injustice of the system, cost, no time etc etc but we just have to get over that way of thinking and do it. I can't recall anyone saying "well that was a complete waste of time".

When I started riding I certainly felt that a 125 would do me long term and I got fed up with all the calls for "just do your bloody test". When, some 12 months later I was wringing the neck out of my FJR I felt a bit silly for putting it off so long.

[arry]

[InkedMuttley]

[quote="arry"][quote="BanMe"]But seriously I don't something fast or racy, all I want is something to plod around on[/quote]

There's a load of bikes out there that are neither fast nor racy, and there's bikes that are fast and racy that can still be pootled around on.[/quote]

Okay a more accurate translation - "I have a tendency to pin the throttle" so the slower the bike the more beneficial I think it'd be for me.

Saying that I do like the looks of the CB750 when coupled with a shortened bum and a cowling for the headlight, always liked the café racer type bikes...

[BumpingUglys]

Think c_dug covered it pretty succinctly.

Though if you have a tendency to pin the throttle, restricting yourself to small bikes sounds like a dangerous way to slow yourself down...
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Ducati M695

[InkedMuttley]

[quote="BumpingUglys"]Think c_dug covered it pretty succinctly.

Though if you have a tendency to pin the throttle, restricting yourself to small bikes sounds like a dangerous way to slow yourself down...[/quote]

Really? I thought it'd be a safer option :?

[arry]

Safer option would be to learn how to use the throttle properly rather than as an on off switch

[InkedMuttley]

[quote="arry"]Safer option would be to learn how to use the throttle properly rather than as an on off switch[/quote]

Point taken and duly noted, then again I'm only used to little things that are only capable of 50ish mph so I do tend to think they get ragged...

[BumpingUglys]

Heh, well yeah, I guess that'd work in a crude kinda way.

I meant that more training and awareness, i.e. learning when not to pin the throttle, would be more beneficial to you (and everyone else) than ragging the arse off a 125.
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Ducati M695

[geordie1234]

Well I done my CBT back in November and thought about a 125 but after reading comments on here I decided to go for my full bike test.... Started my lessons on a real bike the other day and it's night and day and yes I feel safer on it...mod 1 7th of Jan too look forward to aswell
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[Rogerborg]

Your first go on a 600cc+ A training bike will cure you of the throttle-pinning, one way or another.

There are so many bikes that offer so much more than a 125, even if power and speed isn't your thing. Roll on torque makes for a much more relaxed ride, you've got better brakes and suspension and lights, it's all good.

See if you can blag a go on a training school A bike, it should help to make up your mind.
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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

[rubyhorse2]

CBT in my mind is for the young kids to get some transport and dick about on till they can then dick about in cars.

Full licence is for people who like bikes.

[InkedMuttley]

[quote="Rogerborg"]
See if you can blag a go on a training school A bike, it should help to make up your mind.[/quote]

Surely they wouldn't just let me get on a 600cc+ bike without a bit more training than a CBT?

[Evil Hans]

[InkedMuttley]

Okay in that case that sounds pretty sweet...but one problem, I got nervous even getting on a 125 scooter when I took my CBT, HOW HARD IS IT TO GET USED TO A 500/600 or is it simply a case of you take to it like a duck to water if you listen?

[geordie1234]

[InkedMuttley]

[quote="geordie1234"][quote="BanMe"]Okay in that case that sounds pretty sweet...but one problem, I got nervous even getting on a 125 scooter when I took my CBT, HOW HARD IS IT TO GET USED TO A 500/600 or is it simply a case of you take to it like a duck to water if you listen?[/quote]

If you have a quality instructor it won't be a problem... I honestly find it easier and more comfortable...with a wee 125 they get flung about a bit[/quote]

Apologies for the caps I can't understand why it did that...think that's my next best bet seeing as my bike just fucked up again :(

[stevo as b4]

My issue among many with the licencing system now is that say if a person resolutely only wants to ride smaller/lighter and fun bikes with full freedom of not being restricted limited or having to keep CBT surfing on a 125, is the 600cc+ test bike and forced DAS.

The cost doesn't bother me in the slightest. If someone wants to ride enough, they will pay for the course and tests etc.

But if you or I were to pass our tests today on a 600cc+ bike, how many people that want the bike as a useful 2nd form of commuter transport will then see the world of superbikes and think I need to board that train?

It's great for all the BCF'ers that think every bike owner with a pulse is automatically on their way up the capacity ladder all the time, and the 125cc class is for pussy's brigade too.

But in the real world theres not enough options for people to train and pass tests, who are not affected by the age stepped system, but only ever want a bike for a cheap to run get me A-B situation in 2015 traffic.

Do the powers that be not want people to ride for A-B reasons anymore, and do they want everyone that passes a test to have automatic Fireblade aspirations and wank fantasy's too?

[chickenstrip]

Couple of reasons I'd say get your tests done and get something bigger than a 125:

You don't get slowed down by the slightest incline or headwind when you want to make progress.

You have a greater ability to overtake slow traffic.

You have more on tap to get you out of potential trouble, should you need it.

A bit more weight makes for a more stable ride.

A larger bike will (often) give you better brakes, a better choice of tyres, leading to potentially a safer ride.

Other road users often get impatient around riders with L plates, which puts you at more risk.

Riding a bigger bike is a very different feel to a little 125, you might enjoy it for it's own sake, which is good enough reason on it's own sometimes.
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