Poor mans biking?

[Mopman]

Couple of questions.

I'm 16 atm, riding a 50 (woo, chopper style fizzy *dodges rotten fruit*), gonna be 17 in a few months, want to do my full test as quickly as possible, mainly because 125s tend to be small and I'm a lanky git and look stupid, but also just being greedy.
Problem is I don't have a lot of money at all, should be able to get a cheap cb400 off of one of my dads mates to ride about on with my 33bhp restricted licence, which will get me about until I can afford something better, but I need to pass my test first...

Is it possible to pass test with a years "experience" on a 50, and a couple of days on a 125 with one of the many bikers I know? I've been told that is is.. but even though I know some pretty old and grey bikers, they aren't test instructors, and if it was that easy everyone would do it i suppose. If I really do need some official training, roughly how long does it take?

Also, I know you can do theory at 16.. if I did it now, would it still count at 17? So I could save time? Might be a stupid question but you can do some stuff at 16 that you have to do again at 17 so thought Id check.

Cheers,

[Mopman]

Actually, ignore most of that. I've been reading the posts about test nerves and realised that it would be near impossible to pass without a course, no matter how good I trick myself into thinking I am...

[DanceLikeAMon...]

I would have though it depends mostly on how many bad habits you have picked up in your year.

I rode my 125 for 4 months, had 3 lessons then passed the test first time with one minor.

I would recommend getting the lessons from a proper instructor though not just a biker mate, as although they may be well meaning there's a good chance they will steer you wrong.

[Mopman]

Yeah that's what I thought really.. Its hard to tell really though, I've been reading begin-motorcycling.co.uk and it says optionally take lessons, meaning there must be people who don't bother.

Shame I don't know an instructor personally or I'd ask their opinion. Might see if I can borrow someones 125 to learn on for a while... hm..

[Gazdaman]

I passed with 3 hours paid instruction, with one minor.

But then I consider that I can ride to a good standard when I want to. I have to take my hooning hat off.

Gaz