Gorilla on a Mini Bike

[Filtertron]

Hiya everyone.
For the last year or so I've been developing that thing you all have, where you feel you need to ride.
I'm mid 50's, chunky but still able to walk up and down stairs without collapsing, 5'10" tall, and money is not much of an obstacle (please don't try and sell me something). I'm a car driver so have a full UK license that I've had for many, many years without problems.

I've read some great pieces on here about getting started but there are so many variables that every time I think I've got the hang of what's needed, a new spanner gets thrown into the works.
So I'm hoping that somebody might have had a similar start point as me and will be able to steer me around the potholes so I don't repeat their mistakes.

The first part - getting certified
For somebody my age that has a lot of road experience in the UK and abroad earned in cars, what would be the quickest / recommended / suggested steps to get to a big boys bike?

I checked out my license restriction on the DVLA website https://www.gov.uk/driving-licence-categories (you will need your license number, postcode and National Insurance number to check online).

Apart from unknowingly being qualified to drive a road roller (!) I seem to also have provisional entitlement to category A, which means I can "drive any size motorbike, with or without a sidecar"
This all sounds good in principle but what does it mean in relation to all the other things that need to be done?

The second part - what bike?
I realise that only having car / road experience is not enough, and that it might be better to develop muscle memory to learn the controls on something you wouldn't mind dropping once or twice.
And although I do love the smell of petrol, I don't want to spend every waking moment up to my nipples in swarfega so it's not tinkering that attracts me - although general day-to-day stuff is okay.

I spend time around the 50s rock and roll/rockabilly scene, where there is a good healthy interest in bikes and cars, and my intention is to eventually get a bike that will fit in there.
Regarding riding position (not sure how important this really is at this point!); I don't fancy the 'planking' required for a café racer, and I don't fancy the reclining of a chopper - something off the middle shelf probably. It doesn't have to be 100% true to the period as long as it has a bit of character and doesn't make me look like a gorilla on a mini bike.

So thanks for all the things I've read on here so far, and I'll be interested in seeing if anybody can help
____________________
I would never join a club that would have me as a member (Groucho Marx)

[c_dug]

Hi!

Your provisional entitlement doesn't mean much in practical terms; you still need to do CBT, Theory, Test. At your age DAS is definitely the way to go, it'll mean you are free to ride anything you like once you pass. Personally I'd skip the riding around on L plates stage and do the whole lot of training in one go.

I'd suggest ringing around some local riding schools and working out costs etc... You'll probably wan't 3-4 days training after your CBT, but some people take to it easier than others. The school will be able to advise better.

As for bikes, well, once you've passed the DAS the world is your oyster. Modern Triumphs probably fit the bill reasonably well:

https://www.totalmotorcycle.com/motorcycles/2015/2015-Triumph-Bonneville-T100b.jpg
____________________
I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock.

[Filtertron]

Thanks for the advice c_dug

DAS does sound the best route now you mention it - and the modern Triumphs appear to be a good call also. Some good bargains can be found with only the smallest search parameters. Of course, I won't mind having one with a few bruises and scrapes as it'll likely get a couple more to add to it's pre-loved charm (I'm not really one for the shine and glitter of completely new things)

So, now to find somewhere in Cheshire that offers DAS. I suppose I can find that on here somewhere too if I get my finger out

Merry Christmas
F
____________________
I would never join a club that would have me as a member (Groucho Marx)

[Wonko The Sane]

[Rogerborg]

Yup: CBT, Theory, 'A' training and tests (aka "DAS"), Triumph.

Your only regret will be waiting so long to do it.
____________________
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

[Filtertron]

Thanks to you all for your advice. Some nuggets in there to think about. Sorry for not doing this sooner but life just gets in the way somehow!

I do like the Royal Enfield (Wonko) and they do a version with a sidecar which I think my dog would love. I remember seeing Guy Martin buying one in India and doing a bit of a tour on it. So as long as I'm prepared to carry some tools around with me then it could be the way to go (is this why they make one with a sidecar?)

Still doing a bit of internet slogging at the mo' but I hope to actually do something practical about it all in the spring.

See you all near the white lines
____________________
I would never join a club that would have me as a member (Groucho Marx)

[panaceasaurus]

[Rogerborg]

If you do go Royal Enfield, the fuel injected "UCE" models (post 2008) are significantly better than the older ones and should require less spannering. Post 2010 they sorted the sprag clutch as well, and any 2008/2009 examples might have had it done anyway.
____________________
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