Which license for 250cc?

VazNI · L Plate Warrior Joined: 01 Nov 2015 Karma :

Hi all

Am really considering getting a bike for the work commute on good days
I do just short of 40 miles each way to & from work so it makes sense, easier on fuel and getting through traffic quicker (dense jams most days)

Had a look at the 125cc's but most have a max speed of 50-60 mph, so would need to go to the 250's for motorway speeds
Most if not all 250cc seem to be class A2
Now I'm not up on the driving categories, or how to attain them, the dvla website is a bit confusing

I am 21 and have been driving for just over 3 years, what hoops do I need to jump through to be able to get a 250cc bike? And if I do the appropriate tests will I then be put on 'R' plates as with the car, or not allowed on motorways, etc for a given time?

Appreciate all feedback, thanks

john24ssj · Trackday Trickster Joined: 08 Aug 2014 Karma :

Well to ride a 125 you only need to have to do a CBT(Compulsory Basic Training) and for 2 years you can ride a 125cc bike with L plates.

To get a full A2 license (for bikes with max 35 kW(47bhp)) you will need to do:
1 - CBT(Compulsory Basic Training)
2 - Theory test
3 - MOD 1
4 - MOD 2

https://www.doble.co.uk/images/latestNews/what-can-you-ride-2013/What-you-can-ride-3DLD-licence-categories-1-large.jpg
____________________
Bikes: Honda CBR600Fi, Kawasaki ER5

Andy_Pagin · World Chat Champion Joined: 08 Nov 2010 Karma :

^^ This, plus a provisional motorcycle entitlement on your driving licence.

There's no need, or advantage to restricting yourself to a 250, look for an A2 compliant 500cc instead. There's a lot more to choose from, they're near to the power limit for A2 and a much better riding experience. 250s tend to be little more than 125s with a teenie bit more power, whereas a restricted 500/600 is more like a full power big bike, just not quite so quick.
____________________
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

john24ssj · Trackday Trickster Joined: 08 Aug 2014 Karma :

Andy_Pagin · World Chat Champion Joined: 08 Nov 2010 Karma :

VazNI · L Plate Warrior Joined: 01 Nov 2015 Karma :

Thanks gentlemen

That big poster thing clarifies it alot

Is there much difference in mpg between a 250cc and 500cc? MPG is one of the main factors I am after

I have cat B, B1 & fkp (beside it: code 11B) - no idea what the fkp code 11B means, google would suggest moped amongst other things, but double Dutch to me and it isn't too clear

edit: the code is probably 118 rather than 11B - no specs on!

john24ssj · Trackday Trickster Joined: 08 Aug 2014 Karma :

trevor saxe-coburg-gotha · World Chat Champion Joined: 22 Nov 2012 Karma :

Gunge · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 06 Nov 2012 Karma :

I am not sure what the rules are regarding R plates - I did my car test in NI many years ago and my bike test in England a few years ago so it didn't matter to me.

Keep in mind most posters on here are answering from a mainland UK perspective and there may be some differences in requirements for NI (such as 45 mph limits...).

iooi · Super Spammer Joined: 14 Jan 2007 Karma :

Gunge · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 06 Nov 2012 Karma :

Done your homework for you:

L plate rules seem pretty similar apart from 45 mph rule
https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/motorcycle-licence-requirements

R plates must be displayed after passing, but the 45 mph rule doesn't apply to A2 or A bikes
https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/index/information-and-services/motoring/the-highway-code/annexes-to-the-highway-code/motor-vehicle-documentation-learner-and-restricted-driver-requirements.htm (Right at the bottom of the page)

talkToTheHat · World Chat Champion Joined: 21 Feb 2012 Karma :

It really does depend on engine design, look at the NC700 as the poster child for efficiency. The wider the throttle opening, the lower the pumping losses, and the lower the rpm, the less frictional losses, but modern ride-by-wire bikes can do clever tricks to save fuel although sometimes at the expense of a smooth throttle response, especially off idle. Further consider that an expereinced rider may filter through traffic smoothly rather than dawdle through stop start traffic which will save time and petrol. An air cooled 250 will have wider tolerences than a water cooled 250 and thus have worse efficency. If it is carbed, it will be even worse as it will be jetted rich to account for a wide range of temperature.

I think the last 10000 miles have cost me 1300 pounds in petrol, so it's by far the biggest expense for me including buying the bike. I could save money by riding economically, but that only happens on the rare occasons I need to use the fuel reserve and the reserve switch actually works.

Check reviews and fuelly.com for real world fuel economy. Ride a big bike like you're afraid to make any noise and you might get some pretty good fuel economy. Scream out of every corner up to warp speed and hard on the brakes into every corner and you'll say farewell to your spare change.

Whilst you can probably get similar fuel consumption out of a 500 and a 250, the bigger bike will probably drink more petrol if you ride it like you mean it.
____________________
Bandit. does. everything.