[Motorbikes] Learning to ride/Getting a licence

SOLIDBOB · 2nd July 2009, 5:32pm

Been thinking for a while about passing the necessary tests etc to be able to go out and lose 70% of my skin in a horrible accident caused by a woman in a jeep.

Anyway, being over 21 I can go for direct access malarkey and learn to ride on a big bike and not have to go through the 2 year probationary 125cc part, yes?

Anyone care to recommend/advise of:

1) Somewhere to learn

2) How long it might take all in/approximate cost

3) Bike recommendations (I probably have between £2-3k to spend)

Any other hints/tips/advice are appreciated.

I have no experience at all riding motorbikes, although I've driven quads and mopeds quite a bit.

Cheers!

caitlinjae · 2nd July 2009, 5:53pm

Bob, you are quite literally made of money. A few of my exs are well in to their bikes, I'll give them a shout and see what they say. Probably best to search a few driving school sites for how long it'd take etc but you can ride a 125 after a one day course so I don't think it'd be *that* long.

ladysavage · 2nd July 2009, 5:56pm

Adam learned with Harleys, did the direct access course and it cost him about £500 4 years ago (this included the CBT) and think it took a bit under a month, but it depends on how much free time you have. I will throw him in your general direction if you're working this weekend when we're in

SOLIDBOB · 2nd July 2009, 6:03pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by evilglamcaitlin

Bob, you are quite literally made of money. A few of my exs are well in to their bikes, I'll give them a shout and see what they say. Probably best to search a few driving school sites for how long it'd take etc but you can ride a 125 after a one day course so I don't think it'd be *that* long.

Nah, I've just decided that seeing as I'm still waiting on my replacement passport and no longer have a girlfriend to spoil I might not go somewhere really swish on holiday and do this instead.

Then I can get a cheap fortnight in Greece or something at the end of the summer.

caitlinjae · 2nd July 2009, 6:07pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by SOLIDBOB

Nah, I've just decided that seeing as I'm still waiting on my replacement passport and no longer have a girlfriend to spoil I might not go somewhere really swish on holiday and do this instead.

WELL, if you're looking for someone to spoil...

Quote:

Then I can get a cheap fortnight in Greece or something at the end of the summer.

Flatsitting at the end of the summer, I'll pencil it in.

SOLIDBOB · 2nd July 2009, 6:10pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by evilglamcaitlin

WELL, if you're looking for someone to spoil...

I'll get a new girlfriend, aye!

Quote:

Flatsitting at the end of the summer, I'll pencil it in.

If you could see the state of my flat this week you'd not want to come near it.

caitlinjae · 2nd July 2009, 6:15pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by SOLIDBOB

I'll get a new girlfriend, aye!

I think you're being a bit hasty. A girlfriend might dump you, I wouldn't

see also hissy fits, making you watch chick flicks, having to go shopping with her etc etc

If you could see the state of my flat this week you'd not want to come near it.[/quote]

Onion all over it aye?

SOLIDBOB · 2nd July 2009, 6:22pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by evilglamcaitlin

I think you're being a bit hasty. A girlfriend might dump you, I wouldn't

see also hissy fits, making you watch chick flicks, having to go shopping with her etc etc

If you could see the state of my flat this week you'd not want to come near it.

Fortunately onion free, but lots of blood from my antics on tuesday night!

What girl in their right mind would dump me anyway?!

Helter Skelter · 2nd July 2009, 6:26pm

I've just decided that I'm gonna learn/get my own bike too. I'm like you, I can do the direct access route.

A friend recommended a place in Paisley to me. Said it would be approx £500-600 from start to finish. Can't remember the name of it off the top of my head but I'll ask him for you. He was also telling me about some outlet place where you can get biking gear at cheaper prices, I'll get him to tell me the name of it again.

I'm not going to be able to do this right away as I'm totally rooked at the moment but I'll be keeping an eye on this thread to see what other folk have got to say about it.

doogie · 2nd July 2009, 7:46pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by SOLIDBOB

1) Somewhere to learn

2) How long it might take all in/approximate cost

Quote:

Originally Posted by Helter Skelter

I've just decided that I'm gonna learn/get my own bike too. I'm like you, I can do the direct access route.

A friend recommended a place in Paisley to me. Said it would be approx £500-600 from start to finish. Can't remember the name of it off the top of my head but I'll ask him for you.

I used Bike It in Paisley and aye that's about the price for package, plus cbt, plus test fees, not sure if the price has gone up a wee bit with the new format test. Depending on how many lessons they think you need dictates the price.... IIRC you can pay by single lesson, block of 10 lessons or "unlimited to first test" package.

They are sound guys and I've sent another mate there for training and he's been happy. And don't let the fact that within a month of passing my test (with no minor faults

) I came off and broke my collar bone......that's just because I'm a fanny LOL! Can't wait for it to heal so I can get back out!

You can do intensive courses of 3 days @ 6 hours a day, or do it as and when, like one two hour lesson most weekends so it took me about 4 months.

Noizy Rab · 2nd July 2009, 7:57pm

sadly harleys is now a goner

big jim decided it was time to work on something new and closed the school in springburn

what kind of bike do you fancy? and have you spoken with baldy george yet?

PAPA LAZEROU · 2nd July 2009, 8:02pm

Id say the best bet would be to go for the cbt first. If you arent used to bikes, take it from me, when ya sit your ass on a 1300 cc for the first time it can be pretty daunting.

You also learn quite a bit on the road with a 125cc too but if you have been a cyclist for a few years on busy roads you will already have the road knowledge.

Its down to the individual though, but if you already have your cbt and a 125cc then you sit the direct access and dont pass, you still have your cbt and your 125. If you go straight for the direct access and dont pass...you have nothing and have to pay more cash to do the direct access again.

Noizy Rab · 2nd July 2009, 8:08pm

cbt comes as the first part of direct access, you're not allowed on the road on anything bigger* than a 125cc without it (meaning you can't ride a 500cc during direct access)

* when i say bigger than a 125cc, i mean with an instructor, if you know your stuff you'll know you can ride a 125cc without an instructor with your cbt, just not on the motorways

**djtoast** · 2nd July 2009, 8:34pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by SOLIDBOB

3) Bike recommendations

this.

http://craziestgadgets.com/2008/12/1...orcycle-thing/

(scroll down and watch the video)

SOLIDBOB · 2nd July 2009, 8:42pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noizy Rab

what kind of bike do you fancy? and have you spoken with baldy george yet?

Dunno what bike I fancy, had a quick swatch at the autotrader there and there's a couple of decent bandits kicking about.

Also want this: http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk...icleRegLetter=

I avoid talking to Baldy George whenever possible to protect my sanity.