A(restricted) TEST

[trippz]

i was wondering is it better to do the Restricted test instead of just doing a cbt and riding a 125cc. I am not so much concerned about the size of my bike but more about what would be the best decision.

i know i have gotten off on the wrong foot with some people on here but i will listen to all advice.
Thanks alot.
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Don't take what I say seriously, I'm a F&*cking idiot

[Quornholio]

I'd do the restricted test, because it's cheaper than re-doing your CBT every two years, and your insurance should drop. Plus, you'll hold a full licence.

[Moxey]

Yeah just get it out the way with. Some suggest riding a 125 for a year gives you experience and such but you can do that with a full license and get a reasonably powered machine (or restrict) without the complications of it having to be 125cc.
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Current: 02 FZS 1000 & 91 Royal Enfield Bullet 350 Some Bike Pics...
'I was too busy paying attention to pay attention'

[Teflon-Mike]

Err, we need to be a bit pedantic about terminology here....
There is no 'restricted test'.... you have three 'Tests' to gain a motorcycle licence; Theory/Hazard, Mod 1 Practical & Mod 2 Practical, and they are all the same tests.... doesn't matter whether you take them on a twist and go scooter, a crunch change C90, a YBR125, a GS500 or anything else.... the test is the same.
ONLY difference is that, depending on what you take test on, you get different categories of licence, and different restrictions.

I PRESUME, by 'restricted test' you mean what the DSA unhelpfully term on the booking forms as the 'Standard Motorcycle Test'.. ie test on a 120-125cc 'qualifying' motorcycle, that gains you, on satisfactory 'pass' a full motorcycle licence, to ride any machine of any capacity, provided it makes less than, or is restricted to less than 33bhp, for the first two years from pass date?

As described on the DSA form 'Light Motorcycle Test' taken on bike less than 120cc or not meeting qualifying performance criteria, or not on their approved list, gains licence with entitlement restricted to 125cc machines and learner legal power limits, indefinitely.

BOTH can be described as 'restricted' licences, or restricted 'tests'....

BUT presuming 'Standard Bike' tests for full licence with 33bhp/2yr restriction....

Unless DAS is an option, IF you are even considering getting a bike, go for it! As soon as.

Riding on L-Plates is a loop hole to allow you to practice for tests on 'limited performance machine' prior to test, as it used to be nie on impossible to effectively supervise a learner motorcycle rider, as it is a learner car driver or truck driver or any one.... now with DAS proving radio supervision, its a bit of 'legacy' legislation, that they will probably abolish in the not too distant future, and imminent 3rd Directive laws are a good start in that direction.

So, morally, you ought to be looking to test, EVEN if you don't want to step up to bigger bikes; Sensibly, getting trained and getting tested, makes a lot of sense too; cheaper insurance for one thing, plus confidence you are a 'qualified' competent rider, not an unqualified hazard! And Stats, you are something likely ten times more likely to hurt yourself while you are on L-Plates than you are on a full licence... OK it doesn't 'magically' make you a safer rider the second its in your pocket.... but, takes you out of highest risk group, thats for sure!

But ; main thing is, opens the doors to ALL biking has to offer, and makes you a proper biker, not a wannabee, and rather than having two year life CBT cert ebbing away against you, you'll have two years of power restriction, counting down for you.

Wallying about any longer than you have to on L's makes little sense at all. And all it takes is a little application to get on and do, and £121.50's worth of test fees.... and maybe a bit of training.

BUT biggest imperatibve at the moment is we
are down to less than 18months till the 3rd directive laws should be in force; under which, licence will be three tiered, age limits will change, and test bike eligibility will be 'upgraded'.

Under 3rd dir regs; you will be able to take a test on a 125 at 17 and over, but only for 125 only 'lightweight bike' licence.

You'll have to be 19, to do the the equivilent of the 'standard bike' test, but instead of being able to do it on a 125, you'll have to do it 'DAS Style' on a 500 (you wont be able to ride on the road, except under radio supervision of qualified instructor) ... and once done,. you'll be limited to 45bhp... for ever... or until you do the 'big bike' tests to 'upgrade' licence.

The 'Full' Licence without restrictions, will have to be obtained taking the test on a 'full power' machine over 500cc, again DAS style, and you will have to be over 24 to do the test under DAS rules straight off, or have held the '45bhp' licence for two years.... so earliest 21, if you push to get it ASAP.

THIS load of wamp, is a right nightmare, and it will make it harder, and more expensive to get a full licenc, as well as push up the ages you can practically get on to bigger machines.

So, if you CAN avoid it all, and get licenced under current regs, SO much the better.

You have to do CBT either which way.... after that, you can leap-frog buying your own 125 and go for tests using a school bike, if you like.... then buying something 33bhp compliuent after.

BUT, if you do get your own 125, you can get a lot more learning in, and as much 'free' practice between lessons as you like, not paying hire charges or instructor time.... or completely 'go it alone' (Though I advise against that)

Training to tests need not take long, and on your own bike, with some weekly lessons, you could go from CBT to Full licence in six to eight weeks, though three months is 'reasonable'..... flog 125 on, for often close to what you paid for it, and get much more 'useful' bigger bike with proceeds, stepping out of 125 market where bikes fetch a premium price by dint of being Learner Legal.

Either way you do it, TESTS and full lcience ought to be on the cards either way... only question whether to train up on school bike, or buy your own.....

I say probably more helpful / economical to buy your own, but your call.
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My Webby'Tef's-tQ, loads of stuff about my bikes, my Land-Rovers, and the stuff I do with them!
Current Bikes:'Honda VF1000F' ;'CB750F2N' ;'CB125TD ( 6 3 of em!)'; 'Montesa Cota 248'. Learner FAQ's:= 'U want to Ride a Motorbike! Where Do U start?'

[Blob]

Errr

What Mike says
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Bikes - Honda XR125 (SOLD) Suzuki GS500E (SCRAPED) Yamaha XJ600 N (CURRENT) -- Theory Test - 12/7/2011 (PASSED) -- Mod 1 Test - 13/7/2011 (PASSED) -- Mod 2 Test - 15/7/2011 (PASSED)

[Quornholio]

Just to clarify.

Though unhelpfully unclear, I was referring to what I did, where I owned a 125, and did the test on my own 125 that gave me a two year restricted period.

[Rogerborg]

Well, you'll have to do the CBT anyway. I assume that you haven't yet?

Do it first, see how you get on. If you love it, then consider going straight for a training course leading to an A2 test - the training school will have test slots pre-booked, and there might be a bit wait if you try to book yourself.

If you're not sure, then buy your own 125 (cheap commuter, YBR or CG 125) and ride it for a bit. Worse case, you sell it next spring for what you paid for it and forget the whole thing. Best case, you pass A2 over the winter when test bookings are quiet.
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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

[chris-red]

[trippz]

Thanks alot for all of the help guys helped alot. And yes mike i was on about the test that restricts me to riding a bike with 33bhp.

But what if i have already past the tests and have a resticted license and then the new laws come in? with it void my licence and have to take them again?
____________________
Don't take what I say seriously, I'm a F&*cking idiot

[pinkyfloyd]

[Quornholio]

[waffles]

[Rogerborg]

[Quornholio]

[waffles]

I figured it was
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Theory test - 19/8/09, CBT - 11/10/09, MOD 1 - 16/8/10, MOD 2 - 27/10/10
Past rides Yamaha XT125X, Triumph TT600, Honda XR250
Current rides Suzuki GSXR 600, Honda MSX125

[Quornholio]

Still, for £500 that's 4 attempts or thereabouts, isn't it?

[blurredman]

I got all my tests including CBT done for £245.
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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 - 18k, 1979 Suzuki TS185ER - 10k, 1981 Honda CX500B - 91k, 1987 MZ ETZ250 - 40k, 1989 MZ ETZ251 - 52k.