Advice needed for a newbie

[Tony Norton]

Hi All,

I have come to biking somewhat late in life (DOB 6/12/37) and made the assumption that I would have to ride a 125cc bike initially so I purchased a 125cc bike.

When I examined my licence, however, I saw that it is a Class A Provisional, not A1 or A2. On the "GOV.UK" site I queried what vehicle I was allowed to drive and got the following: -

"You can drive a motorcycle of a power exceeding 35kW or.....a motorcycle of a power not exceeding 35kW...."

In other words, subject to CBT, Tax and Insurance, any size of bike I fancy. I think I will stick with the 125cc until I have completed my CBT, (due this time next month), as I am getting used to it by doing regular "off public road" practice.

Now to my questions: -

What test would I need to take to convert my provisional "A" to a full "A"?

Would I have to take this test on a larger bike, or could it be done on my 125cc?

I have arranged fully comp insurance to start at the beginning of September, when I will also tax it. Assuming that my current insurance is £nnn does anybody have an idea of what sort of factor my insurance premium would increase by when changing the bike for a larger one? e.g. 250cc = 2 X £nnn, 500cc = 4 x £nnn.

I realise that insurance premiums are influenced by many factors, but I guess that many of you will have started on smaller bikes and then changed to larger ones. What effect did the change have on your premiums?

Any advice would be most welcome, including best bikes for a novice. I don't expect to be going anywhere near 1000cc or have any model that has a suffix "R" after its type designation.

Stay safe on the road,

Tony Norton

[Fat Angry Scotsman]

[Nobby the Bastard]

Tony Norton? 85 years old?

Fuck off, mate.
____________________
trevor saxe-coburg-gotha:"Remember this simple rule - scooters are for men who like to feel the breeze on their huge, flapping cunt lips."
Triumph Sprint ST 1050

[Tony Norton]

"You can buy any you like, but driving it you will need to be under the supervision of an approved instructor at all times".

Thanks for the quick response, but I must admit that I am somewhat surprised that the "GOV.UK" site doesn't say anything about needing to be supervised when riding a 35kW+ bike. It implies that, having done the CBT anything goes, subject, of course, to legal requirements.

Is "MOD2" the same test as one would do via "DAS"? If so what are my options? Mod1, then Mod2, after theory of course, or DAS. I can understand the need to be riding a larger bike for DAS, but have just read on a government site that this is being reduced to 250cc subject to the power output being 35kW+. My YS125-5C is alleged to be capable of 70mph which should be sufficient for any test.

Is there something I am not understanding? Could you please give me a link to the "GOV.UK" page that says I would have to be supervised on a larger machine.

Cheers
Tony

[Tony Norton]

I've probably done more things at speed than you've ever dreamed of. Flown a plane, raced single seaters and more. I tjhought bikers were supposed to be a friendly bunch, but there's always one wanker who's the exception to the rule.

[Nobby the Bastard]

We are a nice bunch but an 85 year old even using the Internet let alone deciding to start riding bikes?
____________________
trevor saxe-coburg-gotha:"Remember this simple rule - scooters are for men who like to feel the breeze on their huge, flapping cunt lips."
Triumph Sprint ST 1050

[Nobby the Bastard]

Just realised this account was created in 2007. Ignore me. As you were etc.....
____________________
trevor saxe-coburg-gotha:"Remember this simple rule - scooters are for men who like to feel the breeze on their huge, flapping cunt lips."
Triumph Sprint ST 1050

[Zen Dog]

[Easy-X]

Think of it this way: if you have a provisional car driving licence you have to go out with L plates and an instructor. Before I got my licence I was on an MT07 with L plates and an instructor riding behind me.

If you didn't have at least "Provisional Class A" how would you ever be able to get on the road?
____________________
Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

[UncleFester]

[Fat Angry Scotsman]

[Tony Norton]

Hi All,

Thanks to all for your comments and advice, particularly the "Scotsman " (You don't sound at all angry to me, and I wouldn't venture to comment on your physical appearance.), I particularly liked the clear, logical, outlining of the necessary steps towards a full "A" licence. I will discuss DAS with my instructor after my CBT on 16-9-21, wish me luck!.

To "Nobby the Bastard", your slightly conciliatory later posts lead me to believe that your initial "Foxtrot Oscar" comment was more a John McEnroe type "You cannot be serious!" rather than a "Go forth and multiply". As for my using the internet, I got my first PC, for CAD work, in 1985, possibly before you were born, (your profile is very limited, indicating a desire for anonymity. I hope you're not a Facebook troll), when the OS was MSDOS and one needed to be able to read and write to use one. Since the 1990s whenever updates were necessary, or desirable, I have been building my own PCs to my own spec. I think that qualifies me to use the internet, don't you?

Once again, thanks to all, and looking forward to the freedom of the open road on 2 wheels.

Tony

[blurredman]

I like your linguistic competence.
____________________
CBT: 12/06/10, Theory: 22/09/10, Module 1: 09/11/10, Module 2: 19/01/11
Past: 1991 Honda CG125BR-J, 1992 (1980) Honda XL125S, 1996 Kawasaki GPZ500S, 1979 MZ TS150.
Current: 1973 MZ ES250/2 - 17k, 1979 Suzuki TS185ER - 9k, 1981 Honda CX500B - 91k, 1987 MZ ETZ250 (295cc) - 38k, 1989 MZ ETZ251 - 50k.

[Nobby the Bastard]

I was just bewieldered that an 85 yo would suddenly take it into their head to get a bike.

Can't see I'll be doing it at that age and I'm 50.

Oh, and the clue is in the name....
____________________
trevor saxe-coburg-gotha:"Remember this simple rule - scooters are for men who like to feel the breeze on their huge, flapping cunt lips."
Triumph Sprint ST 1050

[Fat Angry Scotsman]

[Evil Hans]

[Nobby the Bastard]

[Freddyfruitba...]

[Evil Hans]

[Fat Angry Scotsman]

[KiwiBob]

If you passed your car test years ago your licence may have code 79(3) in column 12 after the letter A.

If it does you can ride a trike or motorcycle combo of any cc.

[TaffyTDM]

[Nobby the Bastard]

It was supposed to be an instaban but I got time off for 'not being an annoying cunt in court.'
____________________
trevor saxe-coburg-gotha:"Remember this simple rule - scooters are for men who like to feel the breeze on their huge, flapping cunt lips."
Triumph Sprint ST 1050

[Keithy]

One other consideration is the relative weight of a 650 (or larger) compared to a 125. Unless you are keeping fit you may struggle to wrestle a bigger bike around?

[struan80]

If you weren't confused before I bet you are now.