Car driver for 5 years. Thinking of switching to bike.

[Ludford]

I'm 23, been driving a car for a while now. And having recently moved to Birmingham I really don't need a car anymore, but I couldn't stand not having any form of transport as I'm used to going where I want when I want which you can't do on a bus.

And after noticing how cheap bikes are to run, tax and insure I'm actually going to get REFUNDED by my insurance company £300 to switch to a bike.

Looking at doing my CBT and getting a 125CC bike. Am I to understand the max hp you can have is 15hp? The laws are so complex and changing so fast I really don't know

Not sure if I will go for a full licence after 2 years, depends if I get hooked and wanted something faster. Even if I redid my CBT every 2 years I would still save money over a car.

I've been looking at cheap 125cc cruiser style bikes like Suzuki Marauders, my budget is around £800. Do you guys recommend looking at any other bikes?

Now for the question that might seem the dumbest. I was looking at the back of my licence where all the categories and the date you passed is recorded.

So I have a B1 and B that was awarded 10.12.07.... then I have an AM that was awarded on 30.01.13 and even stranger an A that was awarded 19.01.13

Are they trying to tell me I have somehow been awarded an A licence (unrestricted motorbike) without ever doing a test?

Thanks for any replies

[Andy_Pagin]

125 cruiser style bikes are heavy, slow, don't handle all that well and overpriced - you're paying extra for all that 1/(go faster) styling stuff.

I suspect the A on your licence is a provisional.

On a provisional you are limited to 14.7 bhp and no more than 125cc. I'll let others who aren't typing on a crappy smartphone give you the full lowdown.
____________________
They're coming to take me away, ho-ho, hee-hee, ha-haaa, hey-hey,
the men in white coats are coming to take me away.
Yamaha Vity -> YBR125 -> FZS600 Fazer -> FZ1-S Fazer

[Ludford]

Thanks for the tip. I could get a sports bike like an Aprila 125 but aren't they quiet small?

I'm 6ft 3

[kerr]

[Andy_Pagin]

If you really are just looking for a cheap alternative to a car why not just go for one of the larger 125 scooters? Dead easy to ride, almost zero maintenance, and way more load capacity than a bike.

[Dives into cyber-bunker to avoid incoming flack from other BCFers]
____________________
They're coming to take me away, ho-ho, hee-hee, ha-haaa, hey-hey,
the men in white coats are coming to take me away.
Yamaha Vity -> YBR125 -> FZS600 Fazer -> FZ1-S Fazer

[Ludford]

Looking for something with a little more style tbh

[Alex A]

[-Matt-]

May not be to your taste, and i have a feeling you will struggle to find one in good nick in your budget but if you could stretch it a bit further a honda varadero 125 might be a good pick - especially considering your height.

And theyre more functional for longer journeys if you do need to travel further-a-field occasionly on it due to having no car.

[XanderZZR]

[Ludford]

How about a suzuki rg 125?

[-Matt-]

Old two stroke if i'm not mistaken, probably more hassle than its worth as a new rider.

You may find it isn't comfortable with your height as well [haven't seen one in person] but a lot of these 125 sports are quite stumpy and might end up with you having crunched up knees possibly.

I'd go down a large local bike shop and have a sit on various ones as your first point of call, will give you some idea what you feel comfortable on from a seated point at least, and whats too small/large. From there if you like riding you can see what you think will suit your riding capabilities/travel needs etc.

[Pete.]

You know it is remotely possible that you have been awarded motorcycle entitlement by mistake. Many people have lost it due to DVLA's ineptitude when transferring records and I have heard of one person who got awarded it in error. Check your paper counterfoil.

As for the cruiser-style bike - if you like that style then get one. You'll be limited to about 60mph but then you live in Birmingham so does that really matter? It'll be a lot less nickable and a lot more reliable than any 2-stroke sports style, and you'll get more for your £800. An £800 Aprilia is going to be a shed.
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a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[azulene]

The A on your photocard, awarded 19th January (the day the EU Third Directive came into force) will almost certainly have 79(tri) in the codes column. Does it?

If so that just replaces the tricycle element of the old B1 category, which Our Masters In Brussels have decided should now come under motorcycle category A.

Bizarrely, new (post 19th January) car drivers don't get given that. (Yes, that does mean that new car drivers would have to pass a motorbike test on a two wheeler to drive a Reliant Robin or a 3-wheeled Morgan. Bonkers)

[Ludford]

Yes it does say 79(tri) after it. That's that mystery solved then!

[Ludford]

I'm a little confused over the direct access and the way ages work. It seems the government is doing something silly.

So right now at 23, I can only get a restricted licence and ride 500cc right? Then I have to get 2 years experience before doing a course to ride unrestricted bikes.

But, if I waited 6 months till I am 24. I could do a direct access, pass it in a week then right away go out and buy a litre bike and wrap it around the nearest tree.

Is the government saying that in 6 months time of not riding, my riding ability would magically get better so I wouldn't need to practice on a 500cc for 2 years?

This is hypothetical of course to highlight how dumb the government is.

My actual plan would be to do a CBT, get a 125cc. Then in 1 or 2 years do a direct access then get a ninja 250

[DrDonnyBrago]

[bikertomm]

[Ludford]

On the subject of being learner legal are most 125ccs only 15hp anyway?

Or will any bike I buy need a restrictor? Are these cheap and easy to fit?

[-Matt-]

[bikertomm]

[Ludford]

I couldn't afford a direct access right now. I am switching to a bike because I can't afford next years insurance payment come next April.

[P.addy]

Varadero would fit a taller guy like yourself.

Nice and big too, mine is fantastic and when its clutch finally works again I'll be using that daily.

[Ludford]

Just had a go at a mock theory. Seems to me that 45 of the 50 questions were questions taken from the car test.

Since the passing grade is 43 out of 50 you can get all the bike specific questions wrong and still pass

[-Matt-]

Reason #124151245 the DSA are a bunch of cunts

[Ludford]

What do you guys think of a 1993 HONDA CG125BR-K for £400?

Not very stylish but dat price.