Standard bike test?

[augi]

I read in this site:
https://www.ridelondon.biz/main.php?pageid=7

It says that there is the "Standard bike test" that gives you the right to ride a bike up to 22bhp for 2 years. After that you can ride any bike you want.
Isn't this better than just the CBT? In the sense that it has a higher value for money. It is cheaper than DAS, you can buy a bike larger than 125cc (I don't know the equiavalent cc for 22bhp) and this way you can buy a I cheaper and better bike (most newish 125cc are overpriced).
What do you think?

[Trip]

A standard test lets you ride any 33bhp bike for 2 years then after that you can ride any power bike. Its the prefered test route for under 21's.
____________________
Bike: Yamaha XJ600N Mileage: 28500 Miles Rider Mileage: Many Miles
CBT: PASSED Theory: PASSED Test: PASSED
Past-CG125 Present - Yamaha XJ600N Future - WHO KNOWS?

[Lawnie]

[augi]

I am 25
But I am on a budget... And I don't think I would like to ride something bigger than 33bhp for the next 2 years (that's a lie: I would like a Bandit 600 ). But I also think it would be safer to ride a smaller bike for a while and if I manage to survive (no broken legs, ribs, spinal chord) I will go for something bigger.
I don't know the exact cost of the DAS, but I think it something between 500-600 pounds. Or even more... If I can get a good price for a CBT+Standard license (below 400 pounds) I think I will go for it..
Thanks for the quick reply!

[veeeffarr]

[augi]

I searched the makers' sites for 250cc models and I found that there is a gap between 125cc and 500cc. I only found the honda cbf 250. I was hoping I could find something similar to a Bandit but at 250-300cc
So, do you have any suggestions? Is there a bike near 33 bhp that's not a supersport nor a cruiser (e.g. resembles the Bandit )?
And finally, what does the "restriction" thing involve? Do they restrict the max revs you can go at each gear (with an electronic limiting device or something like that)?
The restricition solution is very interesting and from what I read in the forum the restriction kit costs about 200 pounds if I am not mistaken. This means I could by a 600cc bike (the Bandit) and chop some power off for the first 2 years... Unless if I can't restrict a 600cc down to ~33bhp.

[Lawnie]

There is a huge 125cc - 500cc gap. Although it seems to be getting better. Don't buy the CBF250 new, as it's only £600 cheaper than the 500c (so ~£450 including the 500's restriction).

I had a Suzuki DR350 for a while (see attached photo) - that's listed as 30bhp. But a trailie might not be your thing.

The method of restriction differs between makes and models. My restriction is on the carburettor and physically prevents the throttle from opening as far as it should, while others can be found in other places, like the exhaust (quite common for mopeds and scooters).

It's important to mention that some bikes handle the restriction better than others. A Bandit 600 would be fine - but something like an R1 or maybe even any sports 600 wouldn't like it too much.

Click this link for a list of bikes that are inherently <33bhp (but >125cc), and ones that you can get restriction kits for:
https://www.batmotorcycles.co.uk/33bhp.asp

You'll find that most of the 250-400cc bikes are within the 33bhp limit - except maybe for some sportier models.

[beglitis]

Hi guys,

actually me and augi are having endless conversations about
what to do, how, how much it will cost and what bikes to get.

What I don't understand is how is it possible to get on the
street with just a CBT. I mean, the dangers on the road inside
a city are the same when riding a 1200cc bike with a 125cc bike.
The rest of the vehicles move as fast, the drivers drive as they
would to and what actually happens is that you get on the
street knowing shite about how to drive a bike and then you
are supposed to learn on your own ( huh?! ). I just don't get it.
Honestly!

I am actually looking to get as much training as possible
before riding a bike inside London even if I buy a bicycle
afterwards. That is the reason I am looking, and trying to
convince augi, to do DAS since both of us are above 25.
The problem is that we can afford £100 for a CBT but not
£600 for the DAS.

I think the masterplan now is :

1. Do the CBT. Augi, if we go together we can bargain the price
of the CBT ( the same applies to DAS as well ).
3. Pass the theory test. I mean, it is there for a reason. What difference
does it make what bike you are riding?
2. Get a decent 125cc with a good resale price. I do not plan to get
something bigger than a 125cc bike at the moment ( although god,
Fazer, V-strom etc look great ). How much should I expect to pay
for a 125cc bike? To be honest, I would prefer something touring-like,
a Varadero XL125V would be ideal but they are EXPENSIVE.
Augi likes the Bandit a lot but I think he could settle with something
less. A Shadow 125cc perhaps? Not the coolest but we have to start
from somewhere ( the same applies to me, the Varadero is wishful
thinking ). With £3400 I could buy a 1000cc V-strom used and it is very
rare to come across a used 125cc Varadero for less than £2000.
Also, if there are any dealers who do offers on used bikes like for
example £200 deposit + £100 per month ( on a USED bike ) that
would be great.

Now, part 2 is the most difficult part, actually we are both from outside
the UK, both a little bit scared and both without very supportive parents
If part 2 gets accomplished, we could move to part 3 which is

3. Hit the Ace cafe. £30 every second week is peanuts and these guys
over there seem to do a good job ( + the cool factor riding with police
bikers ). Cheaper than DAS and you don't have to pay the whole amount
at once. £30 now, £30 in two weeks then £30 next month, not bad.
£600 at once is difficult! After a year, the 125cc will have earned her money,
do the DAS after you do a couple of lessons ( like £40 each? -> £100 with
the examination included? something like that ), sell the 125cc for, hopefully,
not much less you gave to buy her and buy the Bandit, Fazer, V-strom,
Hayabusa or whatever you like.

How do they above sound to you expert guys? Bullshit? Good plan?
Too much? Actually, it would be nice if someone who lives in London
could offer some advice. From what I see around me, people in London
drive FAST. Keep in mind guys that my main concern, and I thing
augi's too, is not to get to work with a bike to avoid the tube, but
to get there SAFE. Honestly, the CBT just sounds scary.

Take care guys

Nick

[Lawnie]

I went through my CBT without having been told the meaning of any road signs, so the preparation you would make for your theory test would go a long way there.