Research into getting a scooter

consumers_revenge

You need to take a CBT which gets renewed every 2 years for bikes upto 125cc. If you have passed your car test before 2001 that entitles you to ride a moped without needing to take a CBT again. Anything bigger its a full bike licence ( and then the really confusing stuff starts :-) ). No 50ccs on the motorways IFAIK.

Unsure of your cashflow, but I umm'd and ahh'd about this after buying a £500 suzuki....my god what a cash drain though you may be lucky. Well shot of it after 4 months. Then looked at a cheepy chinese, around £800. Found very hard to get bits for and insurance. Nightmare!! In the end bought a brand new yamaha 125cc. Included helmet, wetgear, heavy lock, and gloves for £1699! with 0% apr over 3 years!!! 2 years RAC and 3 year warranty. No MOT for 3 years :-). Works out £44 a month over 3 years and when you consider 180 miles for about £8.50, park anywhere and drive in bus lanes, your laughing :-)

Norman_Castle

Taken from directgov motoring. google cbt

If you obtained your car licence before 1 February 2001 you do not need to complete a CBT to ride a moped.

top_drawer_2

consumers_revenge wrote: »

You need to take a CBT which gets renewed every 2 years for bikes upto 125cc. If you have passed your car test before 2001 that entitles you to ride a moped without needing to take a CBT again. Anything bigger its a full bike licence ( and then the really confusing stuff starts :-) ). No 50ccs on the motorways IFAIK.

Unsure of your cashflow, but I umm'd and ahh'd about this after buying a £500 suzuki....my god what a cash drain though you may be lucky. Well shot of it after 4 months. Then looked at a cheepy chinese, around £800. Found very hard to get bits for and insurance. Nightmare!! In the end bought a brand new yamaha 125cc. Included helmet, wetgear, heavy lock, and gloves for £1699! with 0% apr over 3 years!!! 2 years RAC and 3 year warranty. No MOT for 3 years :-). Works out £44 a month over 3 years and when you consider 180 miles for about £8.50, park anywhere and drive in bus lanes, your laughing :-)

This sounds like what I want!!! The prices sound similar but it was a ligero bike and around £1,800 + kit.

Jen

benham3160

As the old adage goes:

Before buying a motorbike, stand in front of a hair dryer for half an hour, with a loud, whining sound played loudly into your ears, with somebody hosing you down with cold water, and flicking stones at you at random intervals.

If you have passed that test, then consider a moped.

Regards,
Andy

Nicerella

Get decent gear and you won't get wet and you'll feel the odd stone but they don't hurt.

Spending out on kit made from Gortex was the best thing I ever did. 3 years riding my bike in all weathers and havn't got wet riding in rain once.

top_drawer_2

I will definitely be looking to buy decent kit ..........

I'm seriously beginning to wonder if that guy in the bike shop actually worked there (maybe he was a volunteer!) because he tried to sell me a generic bike for £1,800, reckoned I could get all the kit for under £200. Didn't mention things such as resale value or what the benefit of good kit was .... the jacket he directed me towards was £40, helmet around £50 which seems quite cheap when I have done my research...... Does he seriously believe that (being a girl) I wont do my research? I must look completely stupid or something. Has anyone else bought a motor bike in the preston area and if so where from?

Billy-no-Money

Here's a suggestion - book a CBT with a training company, using their hired scooter. They will provide basic safety gear.

The CBT isn't just about riding - there's also advice on helmets, jackets etc, and it's also an opportunity to ask questions without feeling somebody's trying to make a sale. A CBT is a really enjoyable day, and a decent trainer will be used to dealing with people lacking a bit of confidence.

You might find on your CBT you absolutely hate it (especially if the weather's bad) - better that than having committed £1800.

This will cost no more - even if you buy your own scooter you'll probably find it difficult to insure it for the CBT so you'll have to hire one anyway.

Take a look at http://www.greenlightridertraining.com/ - both my wife and a colleague know Phil and he's sound as a pound. They're not affiliated to a dealer so any advice will be independent.

Coveredinbees!!!!

benham3160 wrote: »

As the old adage goes:

Before buying a motorbike, stand in front of a hair dryer for half an hour, with a loud, whining sound played loudly into your ears

Which is why god gave us ear plugs.

Fiddlestick

top_drawer wrote: »

I thought you only needed a 125 cc licence to go on the motorway, and that this was covered at the second CBT which didnt look too expensive. The guy in the shop recommended Viper as they do a free retest if you fail the first time (£80).

I don't know about the current arrangements for motorcycle tests as I passed mine before the recent change, but I can tell you there is no such thing as a "125cc license", nor a "second CBT" whatever that is.

Your CBT is your Compulsory Basic Training - you spend a day at a place that teaches you about safety gear, documentation and general road safety. You will also perform some exercises on the bike in the yard and then will have a supervised ride on the road with the instructor in the afternoon.

Once you pass the CBT (there is no exam - the course is a straight pass/fail), you can then ride a scooter/moped/bike of up to 125cc provided that you display front and rear L plates and do not carry a passenger.

The CBT is valid for 2 years and you are still classed as a learner until you sit and pass a motorcycle test. This learner status of course means that it is not legal for you to ride on motorways.

I would recommend that you sit your CBT and if you enjoy it (who knows, you might hate it!) look into purchasing a cheap 125cc bike so you can gain more experience.

If there is anything else you would like to know then post on the thread and I'll check back and do my best to respond

top_drawer_2

If its as miserable as some of you are implying, why on earth do you still do it?

Thanks Billy I'm going to do this, I was looking at going with a place called Viper (because they do free retest) but the place you have recommended has been mentioned a few times a being a good place. What should I be looking for in a school? When I was learning to drive I was amazed at the difference between instructors, does the same thing exist between motorcycle training?

Fiddlestick - How much is considered cheap in terms of a motorcycle? It seems a good idea that I should check that I like it (and can do it) before buying anything, then get experience. Its a pity they dont offer a car licence the same way as it was experience I was lacking there which I just couldnt get in a 2 hr a week lesson.

Jen