Beginner motorcycle?

Coveredinbees!!!!

More importantly get a helmet that fits properly, I got a Caberg helmet as it was the only one that fitted me properly. Try lots on before you buying anything.

whatmichaelsays

The Motorcycle Industry Association is currently running a "Get On" campaign to encourage new bikers which allows anybody to apply for a free "taster" session at locations across the country.

These will give him a free session with a fully trained motorcycle instructor on a new, learner-legal bike and they'll take him through the basics of motorcycle riding, safety and maintenance. The idea is that people can get an idea of whether biking is for them before they commit to the expense of lessons, insurance and buying the safety equipment. I was invited on their press day last year (I'm the sports editor at Insidebikes.com) and it is an excellent scheme.

More information is at http://www.geton.co.uk/

kingoftherodeo

Can i also recommend a back protector? In my opinion these are extremely important, and now they're even comfortable to wear.

I wear a forcefield (not this particular model) - http://www.forcefieldperformance.com/gear/select_options.asp?productID=2339

I agree that safety equipment is the most important. No, you don't need to spend £500 on a helmet but do your research in magazines etc, they do good crash testing and you'd be surprised how some of the items of clothing/protective gear don't provide adequate protection.

If you come off your bike you need to be protected - for me that means a full set of leathers, boots, back protector, gloves and good helmet. Your bonce is the most important piece to protect. I won't ride with anything less, regardless of temperature!

lisyloo

NOBODY fails that test

Some people DO get told to come back another day on the CBT if they don't reach the required standard/attitued.
I'm an IAM secretary and know a number of people that work in the business.

One boys mother was told he wasn't getting the certificate and she may as well book his funeral.
The people I know that work in the business will not just hand out the certifiactes willy nilly.

But I do agree the standard is not THAT high and the vast majority will reach it first time round.

The IAM (and ROSPA) are charities and are staffed by volunteers who work in their spare time to promote road safety. Most groups would have people who would be willing to help out. Contact the secretary and ask for help.

jennyjelly

lisyloo wrote: »

Some people DO get told to come back another day on the CBT if they don't reach the required standard/attitued.
I'm an IAM secretary and know a number of people that work in the business.

One boys mother was told he wasn't getting the certificate and she may as well book his funeral.
The people I know that work in the business will not just hand out the certifiactes willy nilly.

But I do agree the standard is not THAT high and the vast majority will reach it first time round.

The IAM (and ROSPA) are charities and are staffed by volunteers who work in their spare time to promote road safety. Most groups would have people who would be willing to help out. Contact the secretary and ask for help.

As my son is a bit of a hothead and has very little sense of danger I fear I may be following in her footsteps!

Seriously, thank you all so much for some great and constructive advice. I'm going to start by checking out the 'get on' link from whatmichaelsays, that sounds like a good start. I was under the impression that he had to have his own bike to do his CBT and I'm so glad I was wrong. It's good he can have a go without having to commit to buying a bike up front.

I've also taken note of what several people have said about helmets and back protectors and we've decided to buy them for him as I know he won't see it as a priority expense.

I didn't realise his ordinary provisional license probably wouldn't cover him for a bike - that's another thing to sort out. I think I'm right in saying a provisional only lasts for a year? In which case it needs to be renewed anyway as we got it when he was 17 but he never did anything about learning to drive a car (which is what we got it for in the first place).

So, we have a lot to look into and think about. I'm so glad I asked on here.

Will report back on his progress (or broken bones, God forbid!)

Strider590

Start by searching Youtube for the bike accident video's and then let him mull on it before deciding.

Like this

and this

18 year old are a tad impulsive for their own good, both on and off the road.

I apologise sincerely for the downer, I simply believe in people having all the facts before making a decision.

Flearoy

I commend the OP for researching around motorcycling for their son.

I passed my motorbike test years before I passed my car test, and was quite young while riding around on pretty powerful machines. As evidenced by this post, I am not dead. People can do some silly things on bikes - if you are lucky enough, you might just end up with a smashed bike and bruised ego. I would argue from my own experience though that young people in cars often feel invulnerable - you can't fall off a car for a start - which can be a recipe for disaster. At least a learner motorcyclist can't carry passengers, thereby reducing the chances of killing their mates as well.

Training and good gear will go a long way. A healthy fear of hitting hard, immovable objects at speed will also help.

One thing is for sure though - motorcycling is great, and once you've ridden a bike, chances are you'll never want to be without one.

jennyjelly

Strider590, thanks for the accident video links, although I might curl up with panic watching them I'm still going to make sure he sees them in the hope that it might just make him a but more aware of the dangers.

Flearoy, I'm old enough to remember when you could take your test on a 125cc then go straight out and buy a fearsomely powerful bike - certainly a recipe for disaster! I'm so glad you now have to work your way up step by step.

BTW in spite of my worries I don't have a problem with bikes as long as I can instill some sense and caution into him, which is a major task in itself.

I've found that our local dealer Morse's does the free taster hour and all the necessary training, and as they also have a good range of bikes and safety stuff and an excellent reputation we are going to do everything through them. As has been said, it may cost a bit more but money is SO secondary to safety, at least from a worried mum's pov if not from hothead son's who would no doubt get on the first cheap bike he was offered, buy a used helmet(!) and be off.

kwaks

Hold on a minute...


All those offering advice above, would you allow your son/daughter to drive a car on the roads unsupervised on the roads after a days tuition?


Do this right. If your son likes bikes after doing his CBT, then get him booked in for lessons and his A2 test. On passing this he can ride any bike restricted to 33BHP.

CBT is Basic Training, why stop there (especially if he is hot headed) get proper training through a bike school and at least reach the standard required to get a full licence.

At least then he is in the 2 yr probationary period so will have to watch those points

It will also allow him to buy a bigger bike than the overpriced 125cc

davetrousers

missile wrote: »

An Aria crash helmet may cost you £500, but a £50 helmet may cost his life.

A slight typo there, it's Arai if you're going to search for one.