Stupid Laws!!

[Ciarans-special]

My fathers been driving bikes all his life, since he was 12 yrs old striping engines on his kitchen table, up till now.... Hes 48. Hes a trained mechanic an when he was in his twenty's he even opened a bike workshop with a friend which lasted a few years. Hes had tons of bikes over the years from motto guzzi's,bsa's,rd's to z650's, u name it hes had it. Any who about 16 years ago shortly after i was born he had to get rid of his bike at the time (gsx1000) because he had to buy a car due to his two sons. He wasnt in an opportunity to buy a bike since up untill recently and he decided to get a honda blackbird. The problem is he then found out his license had been taken away and he had to re-do his test, If thats not bad enough after hes done his test hes going to be restricted for 2 years.. Now hes done his test but he has a lovely blackbird up in the garage that he cant drive.. Just want say what aloud of bollox! I feel so sorry for him hes gutted, and its ridiculous because he is an amazing driver with tons of experience.. Stupid laws, they should have a loop hole for people like him.
What do you guys think?.. Im in Ireland btw, to avoid confusion with laws and the sort..

[MarkJ]

I don't know Irish laws so can't really help, however are you sure he doesn't just have to re-apply for his licence and not re-do the test?

Have you spoken to the Irish licence authority over there about this (your version of the DVLA)?

[Ciarans-special]

Hes after retaking his test and all, hes talked to alot of people about it hes after given up at this stage and I dont I think theres any loop hole or way around it, hes after coming to terms with waiting two years. I just think its ridiculous, really pisses me off.
Does anybody know if his blackbird will depreciate much? Its a 99 model with only 19,000 on it..??

[yambabe]

It would appear from a quick google that in Ireland a bike licence is only valid for 10 years, although you can apply for an automatic renewal within a certain time of it running out.

https://www.meath.ie/LocalAuthorities/MotorTaxandLicences/DrivingLicences/FullDrivingLicenceforMotorcycles/
____________________
Sod falling in love, I wanna fall in chocolate.

[yambabe]

It would also appear that he can ride his blackbird perfectly legally as long as he keeps to a 45mph speed limit for 2 years - there is no apparent power restriction like here.

Wierd.
____________________
Sod falling in love, I wanna fall in chocolate.

[Ciarans-special]

*Category A driving licences carry a restriction. This restriction limits the licence holder to motorcycles (with or without a sidecar) subject to a power limit of 25Kw. This restriction continues for two years after you complete your motorcycle driving licence test for this category and you have obtained a full driving licence for this category. This restriction was introduced for anyone applying for a Category A driving licence after 17 November 1999.*

Thats what the deal is..

[Kal]

I take it Ireland has no DAS then?

For what it is worth we need a law like that here, the biggest growing group of fatalities are born again bikers getting bikes a stupid ammount more powerful than the ones they rode in their youth before having families.

It scares the crap out of me that the mother of one of my Ex-Grilfriends hasn't driven since passing her test at 17 and yet can still legally drive on the road!

If 25kW works out to somewhere in the neighbourhood of 33bhp he could always get the Blackbird restricted down for the two years.
____________________
Kal...
I Like To Hoon It Hoon It I Like To Hoon It Hoon It I Like To Hoon It Hoon It Ya Like To (HOON IT!).
1984 GB250 Clubman,1983 CB250N Superdream, 1999 GPZ500S

[MattEMulsion]

Whether it is a stupid law or not is irrelevant, by the look of it your father should have renewed his licence as and when necessary. Its not worth blaming the Irish licencing authorities for what appears to be the licence holders mistake.

As for doing the bike test and then finding out that it involves a two year restriction, maybe he should have researched into it a little more before retaking his test.

Anyway if he can't restrict the Blackbird, there is little point in having it festering away for two years in the garage. He might as well sell it and then find another Blackbird in two years when he can ride it.

I have little doubt that in the UK we will eventually get rid of out Direct Access system which means a new biker can jump straight on a Hayabusa etc and end up with bikers having to spend time working their way up through the restrictions until they are allowed to ride full power bikes. I don't think this is particularly a bad thing, although I am sure others may disagree with me.
____________________
Yamaha YZF-R6

[Blackrhythms]

No we have no sort of DAS here at all! We don't have any sort of CBT either. You do your theory test, pass it, apply for your provisional license, do your bike test (whenever it finally comes through), pass it, get your full license and continue to be restricted for two years. After that you're free and clear. Yes each license is only for 10 years, but at the end of that time, you just have to reapply and depending on certain circumstances you might have to include a medical and an eye test in that.

Ciaran, I know it's annoying for your Dad, but my Dad had to go through the same thing. (So did I after passing my test) Tell him to get the Blackbird restricted for the two years so that he can continue to ride it. Better that than having it rotting away in the garage for two years.
____________________