New to motorcycling

billy2shots

It's probably a midlife crisis (39 years old) but I'm really hankering to do my bike license. 

This is the third time in the last 15 years where I have reached this point. I've previously studied for the theory before backing out at the last minute. 
This time I really want to take the next step. 

So I'm asking here for some inspiration really. 

Are you guys happy on the roads and the freedom riding a bike can bring or is it not worth it these days with traffic, road conditions and the poor standard of car users?

I wouldn't be looking for speed as I have always loved the art of some bikes. My goal would be to tastefully mod a bobber (Triumph or Indian) to create a bike I have had in my mind since I was a kid. Then use it on nice days and social meet ups. 

All feedback appreciated. 

AdrianC

Just do your CBT, and see what you think. It's a day, and they provide everything.

What you think about the roads/traffic is going to depend on where you live and when you'll be riding. Commuting in London is going to be very different from a weekend bimble in the Welsh hills.

John_

I’ve been riding for years, and still absolutely love it
Have you done your CBT yet? If not, do that first, it’ll give you an introduction to biking.
If so, book some lessons with a school that supplies bikes, or a Direct Access Course. Again, this will get you out on a bike for some experience, without committing to the expense of buying one yourself.

billy2shots

Thanks for the replies. 

I live in Bournemouth so have coast rides and The New Forest on my door step. 

No CBT yet. I was planning on booking the all in one DAS course, CBT , 125cc day, big bike adaptation course day, training days then both tests. Bike, insurance etc included although I would get my own lid, jacket and gloves. It's £900 all in. 

I had an off-road scrambler for a year 25 years ago but no experience since. 

oldagetraveller1

Totally irrelevant, but -

Something that puzzles me is the fact that having a motorcycle licence I could buy and ride a 1000cc bike with loads of power. Group A entitlement.

The puzzle being that I passed the test in the 1960's when the examiner was on foot and the requirement was to just ride around a short course for him to observe from various easily walkable vantage points, walk alongside briefly to check handling at slow speed and a couple of other tasks.

No CBT or anything else.

Frightening really. No, I have no desire for two wheels whatsoever!

billy2shots

oldagetraveller1 said:

Totally irrelevant, but -

Something that puzzles me is the fact that having a motorcycle licence I could buy and ride a 1000cc bike with loads of power. Group A entitlement.

The puzzle being that I passed the test in the 1960's when the examiner was on foot and the requirement was to just ride around a short course for him to observe from various easily walkable vantage points, walk alongside briefly to check handling at slow speed and a couple of other tasks.

No CBT or anything else.

Frightening really. No, I have no desire for two wheels whatsoever!

I guess it's the same principle as some old timers driving cars that never took a test. 
My 66 year old mum can drive larger vehicles than me and carry more passengers even though she passed a fair simpler test back in the day with less traffic on the road. 

dipsomaniac

£900???? Not very MSE.  CBT £100ish, Theory £23, Mod1 £15.50, Mod2 £75, 6 x lessons £150 = £363.50ish
Just go for it and pass on the largest bike you can so you don't have any restrictions when you pass. Good luck 

billy2shots

dipsomaniac said:

£900???? Not very MSE.  CBT £100ish, Theory £23, Mod1 £15.50, Mod2 £75, 6 x lessons £150 = £363.50ish
Just go for it and pass on the largest bike you can so you don't have any restrictions when you pass. Good luck 

Going that route would require initial outlay on a bike plus insurance. If things went bad and I couldn't pass or hated it then I would lose more than the £437 difference in your above example. 

MEM62

billy2shots said:

So I'm asking here for some inspiration really.  

My wide did her direct access as a 50th birthday present from me.  She loves every minute of the time spent on two wheels and last year rode her MT07 down to the South of Spain.   

Were_Doomed

oldagetraveller1 said:

Totally irrelevant, but -

Something that puzzles me is the fact that having a motorcycle licence I could buy and ride a 1000cc bike with loads of power. Group A entitlement.

The puzzle being that I passed the test in the 1960's when the examiner was on foot and the requirement was to just ride around a short course for him to observe from various easily walkable vantage points, walk alongside briefly to check handling at slow speed and a couple of other tasks.

No CBT or anything else.

Frightening really. No, I have no desire for two wheels whatsoever!

I passed my bike test in 1990. By then it was a supervised ride with the examiner following you. Plus you had to pass your CBT first. And a maximum of 125cc until you'd passed, after which there was no limit.

My first bike after passing was a Kawasaki GPZ600R ... lovely machine. (My last bike was a Yamaha XJ900S Diversion ... totally different. It didn't fly very well either - I did though, but the landing was not so good).

AdrianC

billy2shots said:

dipsomaniac said:

£900???? Not very MSE.  CBT £100ish, Theory £23, Mod1 £15.50, Mod2 £75, 6 x lessons £150 = £363.50ish
Just go for it and pass on the largest bike you can so you don't have any restrictions when you pass. Good luck 

Going that route would require initial outlay on a bike plus insurance. If things went bad and I couldn't pass or hated it then I would lose more than the £437 difference in your above example. 

Which is why it probably makes most sense to do the CBT first, then worry about going on from there.