Motorcycle above 125cc

attila_

Looking at getting a motorcycle licence to ride a 600cc or equivalent and would like some opinions pref. by riders who have recently got a motorbike licence.

I've read up about a direct access scheme. My question is does this guarantee a pass? What is the typical pass/fail rate. At 700 quid for a week it seems quite steep. Is there a cheaper way?

As I've only passed my car driving test after 2001 (over 21) will I also need to do a CBT or can I go straight for a direct access?

Why os getting a motorcycle licence so blooming complicated? If car licence was this complicated there would be a lot less drivers on the road!

Thank you

Trebor16

You will have to complete the CBT before you can go on to take your module 1 and 2 practical tests.

I would recommend completing your motorcycle theory test as soon as possible as you will be unable to book the mod 1 & 2 tests without a theory test pass certificate number.

Doing direct access will not guarantee you a pass as you still have to take the tests. All direct access does is to allow you to ride any bike without a power restriction once you have passed your test. If you take the test on a 125 you are restricted to a bike with a power output of 33bhp for the first two years after you have passed your tests.

If the £700 is an all in price, including your test fees and CBT then that would be about the average. But you would be advised to go to a training body that gets you through the module 1 test first and then the module 2 test on another date. I have heard of some schools who book both tests on the same day and the problem with this is if you fail the module 1 test you have to wait three days before you retake it. If you have the module 2 test within that period then you have lost your £75 test fee.

If you think it is complicated to get a bike licence now take a look at what is coming on the 19th January 2013. I have no doubt that the powers that be want to put people off getting a bike so they have made the steps to get a full licence as convoluted as possible.

sk240

I think they make it so complicated to put people off, its strange that you can go straight to a 600cc bike anyway.I would recommend that you did it the other way and ride a 125 for a while to get some experience.
I think its strange that you can only get 50, 125 and then 600 or over bikes, all of the 250s and 400s etc have all disappeared (probably due to how the UK system works).
Any biker will tel you that its not if you fall off its when you fall off, they are a very different kettle of fish compared to a car.
I'm not trying to put you off, but there's too many idiots jump straight on a 600 and kill themselves!
I have been a biker for 12 years :-) i have had the 600s and have now gone back to an old 300cc bike (this will still do 90mph on a private road)

Trebor16

sk240 wrote: »

i have had the 600s and have now gone back to an old 300cc bike (this will still do 90mph on a private road)

Not an MZ by any chance?

sk240

No, its a GPZ305EX

Cash-Strapped.T32

Indeed (edit; referring to SK on his 300), I was about to post that 400cc (apx 33bhp) is likely plenty, more than enough for any learner or new rider imo so the DAS really isn't worth the extra time, hassle & money imo.

For comparison, I have a 850 twin & a poxy little single-cylinder 400cc Burgman, and I rarely if ever take the big bike over speeds you can't reach just as quickly or as comfortably on the 400, only ever on the motorway.

Leave the "cool" bikes for when you've got the skill with handling the machine & the general experience to go with them, and honestly that will not come within a couple of years of passing your test, so on this one thing I'm actually in agreement with the DSA; The 2yr 33bhp limit on the A2 test is by no means a bad thing.


As to price, I paid just for the CBT, rode on L's to teach myself how to ride then 2yrs later the theory, and then mods 1& 2, all within a month;
Call that £90 + £35 + £35 + £80, so £240-£250 all in? (rough prices from memory)

No reason why it should cost a lot more imo, for me the insane startup costs were what prevented me from even learning to drive, rather than some mad-love to be a free spirit biker..

Trebor16

sk240 wrote: »

No, its a GPZ305EX

That would have been my next guess:)

fivetide

attila,

the big question regarding size and style of bike is what do you want to use it for? Commuting? Weekend fun? Out with the mrs? Touring Europe? That will all have an impact on what you want to do with the bike and what you need.

Some very good reliable commuter bikes out there that don't have masses of power but will do the job brilliantly and sip fuel.

I would say if you do want to cover any distances then doing direct access is a good move as you'll reach the limits of a 125 very quickly.

As others have said though, you can get smaller bikes that will beat the limits for you no problem. Kawasaki's ER6 looks a decent machine, i had an ER5 for a while and that was a grand wee thing. Also Suzuki's GS500 will offer 52bhp, the ability to lose your license if needed but a very stable bike.

Good luck.

5t.

attila_

Thanks very much for the replies.

I've riden motorcross bikes since I was 7 and although I know its not the same as tarmac I don't consider myself a conplete novice. I'd like a 600 as I have my heart set on a ducati monster. I would use it for commuting on good days and general weekend rides -

So if i understand correctly i need to get CBT, then theory then full licence.

fivetide

attila_ wrote: »

So if i understand correctly i need to get CBT, then theory then full licence.

Basically yes (assuming you mean the practical test). Although if you will be looking to ride all year then do check out the service costs of a monster, you might be better with something a bit less open too.

If you are used to trailie style bikes don't discount some of the endro type machines out there as well but the monster is a nice looking bit of kit!

5t.

Rolandtheroadie

Not so recent now (2007), took lessons instead of Direct Access. Failed first time, passed second (still worked out cheaper though).
Other guy at work done lessons, passed on 6th attempt.
Another 4 guys at work done Direct Access, all passed 1st time (all 6 of us in 2007, wanted to do it before the changes came in back then).
None of us had any experience beforehand.

I started on a big bike and went bigger. I've now got a 600 and I wish I had got one right from the start.