Learning to ride a motorbike

Jem8472

I have been riding a 50 cc scooter to and from work for the last year and have been happy with that. As I am living with my gf and we only bought this flat a year ago and saving for a wedding money is a little tight.
BUt I have read that in october 08 the motorcycle test is going to be made longer and guess what More expensive! Good old labour goverment really helping the people!

So I am going to try and do the part 2 motorbike test before then just so in the future I have the option of riding a bigger bike if I ever want to.

So Anyone got any good tips for me?

zincoxide

Riding a full sized motorbike is much different to riding a moped. The way it handles and how you steer, brake etc are all entirely different.

If you are going to take a course, try and find a local company that uses current or ex-police motorcyclists as the trainers. I used one which used retired officers and they kept me in line, told me when I was causing a danger and when to expect danger. I passed first time but am looking to do an advanced course so I can learn how to avoid the nutters on the road that hate motorcyclists.

I know this is MSE but don't skimp on this course, get a good professional company to teach you and also ask if they attend any ride-outs etc where you can pick up hints and tips from more experienced riders.

Check out the forums here for great advice.

Oh - and have you perfected your head shaking technique? Nothing better than shaking your head in a helmet at the most recent driver to cut you up!!

Keith

Read my comments here

It's a big jump from a scooter, I did it myself, but once you try a big bike you'll probably not want to go back

anewman

zincoxide wrote: »

I passed first time but am looking to do an advanced course so I can learn how to avoid the nutters on the road that hate motorcyclists.

Motorcyclists are among the more vulnerable road users so should take extra care of themselves and make absolutely certain they are able to stop or get out of the way should the worst happen. If there was no chance of anything happening to them they wouldn't wear expensive helmets or leathers....

So I'm not impressed when I see motorcyclists overtaking on the right cars that are turning right, squeezing into the outside lane past an articulated lorry that's about to turn right because they think they have the speed to do it, or going 70mph down between two lanes of traffic at standstill around a bend, where if something happened to be blocking their path ahead, they couldn't possibly stop in time.

Sorry to say I've seen more evidence of motorcyclists who are nutters causing annoyance to other road users than the other way around.

bootsaholic

I want to pay for my husband to take his bike test for his 40th birthday. His CBT has lapsed so he would have to start from scratch. Can anyone tell me how much it would cost for the full test including cbt, theory etc?
Thanks alot

uktyler

I took my bike licence at a residential school in Bristol, and used thir bike. You can do a similar course at most bike schools around the UK for around £400 to take you to A2 standard, this allows you to ride bikes upto 33bhp.

A Direct access course will allow you to ride any bike you want, but this costs more. If you go this route please be careful, and don't go out and buy a 170mph superbike, because the chances are you will put it in a hedge!

Keith

My local school has intensive courses (on top of these prices is the theory at £28.50)

3½ Day Intensive Direct Access Course Including CBT, test fee, bike hire and insurance £419
4½ Day Intensive Direct Access Course Including CBT, test fee, bike hire and insurance£525

Or Lessons at £28.50 per hour.

bootsaholic

Thats great, thanks so much for the info - will get saving!!