What are my options :)

[jackzR]

Hi guys,

I haven't ride a bike yet.

Just turned 21 so was wondering what my options were as I think they change when your 21?

I also read that the tests are changing in Jan 2013

Should sort of engine am I looking at getting..

I think I have about £2,000 spare would that be enough for everything?

Thanks!

[Efes123]

You've got till 19th Jan to do your tests. Before that, your options are do tests on a 125 and be restricted to 33bhp for 2 years, or do tests on large bike = full license, no restrictions.

TBH, I think you've probably left it too late to go the 125 route, and you're cutting it fine for the DAS. You'll need to book your theory asap, then find a training school that can get you through before the deadline. Most schools do an offer that includes the CBT and the tests, but you're looking at around £700 iirc.

After Jan, you'll only be able to take the new restricted test (47bhp), higher restriction, but it doesn't upgrade, you stay on it until you pass the tests on a big bike, which you will only be able to do after 2 years.

As for whether £2,000 is enough, probably not, but it is possible;
training - £700
Bike - £750 - £1,500
Insurance - Who knows, but you'll probably be paying at least £300 as a 21 year old noob
Equipment - at least £100, and this is probably a bare minimum. A half decent helmet will cost you between £60 to £150.

Prices for training around here are;
CBT - £100
Theory test - £30
3 Day training - £540 (inl. test fees) But you'll probably need more than 3 days starting from scratch.
Guarenteed pass - £850, incl. test fees and CBT - probably best value for money I've seen
Test Fees - £90

So, you'll probably spend at least £1,000 on training and equipment, leaving you £1,00 for a bike and insurance. You can pick up a 10 to 15 year old 500 for around £500 to £800, anything bigger then you're looking at over £1,000. The big one will be insurance, do some quotes on compare the market, and see what comes up, just pick some random 500cc and 650cc bikes

Let us know how you get on.
____________________
Honda Goldwing GL 1000 Current love
Honda VT500 ED - SOLD
Projects Suzuki GS125 Done, then stolen - Kawasaki GPX750R SOLD - Honda VF750S SOLD

[J.M.]

In your situation I would use as much of the £2k as possible to book an intensive DAS course which gets you passed before the deadline.

After the DAS was passed, then I would start worrying about what money I had for a bike.
____________________
2004 R1 & 2018 XSR900

[Val]

It depends for what do you want to use your bike? Do you plan to do off road, adventure touring, sports, town commuting or just enjoy some classic bike riding? Do you want to use the bike full year including winter riding or good weather only?

Where are you will be riding - in the south or north?


Cannot stress how important is to have decent gear, and I am not talking about expensive one like helmets about 600 pounds, just minimal protection gear that will keep you safe.

option one: to spend less money and get sound bike riding experience

CBT 110 pounds
Good gear: helmet 100, boots 120, clothing 200, few set of gloves 100, total for gear about 520 Pounds.
Good 125cc bikes: Honda CG125, Homda CBF125, Yamaha YBR125 - £1200

Total: £1830

Insurance: this is tricky one but you should be able to have one around £200.


Option 2 DAS - you have it in the other posts, but the idea that you can go on 3 day training and learn how to ride is laughable. You can a get a licence for sure, but bear in mind that after that you will be actually learning to ride on the public roads in very dangerous environment. Crashing big bike is very risky business and I do not have any biker friends that have not crashed at some point. Big bikes are actually easier to ride because they are heavier and more stable then 125. The problem here is lighter bikes are more forgiving and you learn the basic more easily.

My advice for good biking career is 125->some off road training course->big bike.

The point is if you do not make your own effort in training all this licensing will not teach you how to ride at all. The reason is simple - on all license training courses they do not take the risk to teach you and show you extreme conditions that actually you will experience on road in critical situations. Like what I should do when the back tyre is locked? What I should do when somebody cuts me off? What is the proper way of falling off the bike if needed? What should I do when I get in the corner with too high speed? Panic and crash - this what happens usually.

Your own training (like offroad course) will help you have an experience in such situations, unless you want to learn it the hard way on the road.
____________________
Adrian Monk: Unless I'm wrong, which, you know, I'm not...
Yamaha Fazer FZS 600, MT09, XSR 900

[TheSmiler]

Personally I would wait till next year you have left it late to get onto the full license route in my opinion unless you live somewhere remote. Even if you could get your theory passed the first time. Most places have 2 weeks waiting list for that.

You will then struggle to get DAS out of the way unless you are living in somewhere remote and their is hardly any waiting time for the tests one fail could mean wasted cash and time.

Wait till next year and you can go grab a restricted license it may not be the best thing but it at least gives you a chance to get used to the big bike feel. Then it is just 2 more tests in two years time from the pass date of Mod 2.

IF you want to get onto the road sooner go grab a CBT and do theory this side of the new license change, then you can get some road experience and you will be fully ready come 20th January onward 2013.
____________________
CB125>CG125>GN125>ER5>K100RS>R1100RS>K100RS
A2 completed 23/07/15 Ready for the Golden Crisp Packet

[jackzR]

thanks for the reply guys

I thinking maybe it's too late I do live in a quite remote place but there's not a center here.

I'm actually 21 in December 5th that's why I was waiting for that.

Or I could ring up and see maybe if they could fit me in.

[Turkish]

[J.M.]