Am I right in thinking that..

[TheRealDave]

I'm 19 and looking at getting a motorbike license. Mainly because I only transport myself to work and uni and cant really justify having a car. I have a few questions though.

Firstly, is this the correct path for getting my license?

copied from: http://members.lycos.co.uk/motobykz/Motorbiketraining.htm

You have a full car license but are under 21 or don't want to do a Direct Access Test.

Do your Compulsory Basic Training.

Ride a 125cc bike on L-plates .

Pass practical test on a 125cc bike.

You now have an (A) Standard Motorcycle License and can ride any bike up to 33bhp (25kW) and also carry a pillion passenger. After 2 years you'll be given an unrestricted full bike license allowing you to ride any bike.

What's the 'Direct Access Test'?

How much will I be looking at getting my license/test?

How much for safety gear?

What sorts of bikes am I looking at (how do i find out if they're <33bhp, is it just in the spec?)?

What brands of equipment and bikes do your recommend?

If i do eventually get a bike and a license I'm wanting one that isnt too much to handle, but still has a fairly sportish, modern style to it and DOESNT sound like those awful hairdryer mopeds all the chavs have!

I know very little about bikes and the law around them so thank you for your help :)

[gregb0b]

In the USA all you have to do is attend a course for one weekend and then you get your full license.

[metallithrax]

I'm 19 and looking at getting a motorbike license. Mainly because I only transport myself to work and uni and cant really justify having a car. I have a few questions though.

Firstly, is this the correct path for getting my license?

copied from: http://members.lycos.co.uk/motobykz/Motorbiketraining.htm

What's the 'Direct Access Test'?

How much will I be looking at getting my license/test?

How much for safety gear?

What sorts of bikes am I looking at (how do i find out if they're <33bhp, is it just in the spec?)?

What brands of equipment and bikes do your recommend?

If i do eventually get a bike and a license I'm wanting one that isnt too much to handle, but still has a fairly sportish, modern style to it and DOESNT sound like those awful hairdryer mopeds all the chavs have!

I know very little about bikes and the law around them so thank you for your help :)

http://www.theinternetbikeshop.com/store/c...sp?idProduct=74

[TheRealDave]

thanks metallithrax. Thats the sort of bike I would be looking at.

Found some stuff on the DVLA website. Might go find a local place to learn to ride!

Direct and accelerated access

Riders age 21 or over, or those who reach 21 before their two year restriction ends, have other options.

Direct access

After taking CBT and the theory test, the practical test may be taken on a motorcycle with a power output of at least 35kW. A pass allows you to ride any size of bike. All or part of the CBT course may be taken on either a learner bike or a large bike. You may practice for the practical test on bikes larger than the learner bike specification provided:

* you are accompanied at all times by an approved instructor on another bike and in radio contact

* you wear fluorescent or reflective clothing and follow all other provisional licence restrictions

Accelerated access

Riders who reach the age of 21, while still within the two year period where they are restricted to maximum 25 kW machines, but who wish to ride larger bikes need to pass a further test on a motorcycle of at least 35 kW. They may practice on bikes over 25 kW under the same practice conditions for direct access riders. You will revert to learner status while practicing (on a motorcycle greater than 25 kW) although test failure will not affect your existing licence.

[metallithrax]

http://www.liaimports.com/

the above also have some nice bikes

[wildk]

You can also if you pass on the 125cc ride upto a 600cc bike with a restrictor kit fitted which will limit the power to 33bhp. This includes bikes like the Fazer 600 CBR 600 and the ZX-6 ( I passed through a DAS course backend of last year and am currently riding a CBR-600 which is very easy to ride!) Although the Kawasaki 250 Ninja come highly rated from what i have read for beginners.

You could look at manufacturers web sites and look at the spec it will tell you the power output and also with the bigger bikes if restricter kits are available.

I think the CBT is around ?100 pounds, Then you would need to pass the bike test on a 125cc to be able to ride without L plates, but your local rider school should be able to give you advice and may even offer a free evaluation session to see how much training they think you need.

Bike Kit is personal preference, How much do you want to spend. Though with helmets, dont buy the cheapest one or the first one you try, i made that mistake and it was really painfull after a while. Go in to a local bike shop and try on lots of different makes, Firms like Shoei & Arai do offer custom fitting when you buy the helmet but they are expensive!!

But if you do take the test for a cat A licence you won't regret it. (Just get it done before october before the rules on the test change and it becomes sooooo much harder to get a full licence. Assuming your in the UK)

[Lyric]

In the US...you can take a MSF Course (Motorcycle Safety Foundation) and it takes the whole weekend to do it and is around $180. Or you can go up the the DPS office and take a 20 question exam (after reading the book over, I didn't even do this its so easy). And once you pass it you get a permit, then you must come back the next day and have a officer follow you around and will grade you on your driving.

[the evn show]

How much for safety gear?

How much is it worth it to avoid that?

You want full leathers - at the very least a 2 piece suit, helmet, gloves, and boots.

I paid about $2700 for my riding gear:

• Helmet: $500
  
• Jacket: $800
  
• Pants: $700
  
• boots: $300
  
• Gloves: $150
  
• Alternate visor: $40
  
• Ear plugs: $20 for a big-ol' box.
  
• Taxes etc.
  

When it comes to jacket and pants or suits:

Motorcycle Leather > Motorcycle Textile > Street leater > Denim > cloth/Nothing

A good pair of boots is both comfortable and they'll protect you from the second most common injury. They aren't much more expensive than a good pair of running shoes: $150 to start or so.

Gloves a requirement: no matter how you go down, your going to put your hands down to stop the fall?it's a natural reflex?so get gear that protects them. A respectable pair of motorcycle gloves can be had for as little as $75 new. I don't recommend getting used gloves: they form to your fingers as you use them so if they're shaped to somebody else's hand then they'll be uncomfortable.

That said, you don't need to go that far. As long as you have a DOT approved helmet you'll be protected in a collision. More expensive ones tend to be lighter, quieter, or have fancier graphics but they all must meet certain minimum performance requirements. Don't buy a used helmet: you just don't know what happened to them. Head to the shop and try on as many as you can. If you can twist it at all then it's too big. Helmets with "pack down" after a week or two of riding and fit much closer and more comfortably as the padding adjusts to the shape of your head. A reasonable price is about $150 to start. Make sure you get a clear visor if you only have one. Full-face helmets are pretty much the only way to go IMO. Protection from rocks/birds/bugs/etc. is worth it, and they'll keep your face from being ground away on pavement when you go down.

1 piece suits offer the best crash performance but they're less convinient than a 2 piece. Unless you're a very active track rider a 2 piece suit that joins at the waist will perform just fine in all but the most extreme crashes. Gear should fit tight, like a wet-suit: if it moves around not only do you have it billowing when you run down the road, it's also more likely to tear in a crash or rash you when it twists. It should also be comfortable and not restrictive. There's a bike shop around here that sounds "new-enough" race suits for <$350. If you can find one that fits you, it's a great way to save money. A good quality suit should start about $500 and can go as high as $2000.

Make sure you get something with elbow, shoulder, and back shin, and knee protectors. Not only do they protect you from crashes, they also take the sting out of bugs, rocks, and whatever else you run in to.

You can get a good set of riding gear for about $800-1000, spending more just makes it look and feel better.

[Lyric]

I'm with evn, full leathers or a 2-piece leather suit is the way to go...especially for the way I ride around corners... :laugh:

I'd love to have either, but right now I can only afford my textile jacket, boots, gloves & helmet....when I get the funds I'm going to get a race suit or a 2-piece leather suit though. (and I ride mostly street but still will wear it).