Been getting a feeling that it would be nice to have motorbike option on license as bikes don't seem to be too expensive for the performance they
offer.
So, how do I go about upgrading my license? I passed my drivers license in Feb 1994 if that is important?
Also, I am on the old paper license so does that mean that when/if I pass I go onto the new photograph one and have to hand/post the paper license
back to the DVLA?
Thanks for any comments...
Andy
Dont think you need a CBT, as you should have it on your licence.
Next you take lessons, either on a 125 or a bigger bike, as you are over 21 you can take direct access test.
This means you learn on a bigger cc bike (usually a cb500 or similar) and once you pass the test you can jump on anything you can afford to insure.
If you learn on a 125, and pass the resitricted licence, then you'd be limited to 33bhp for a few years after your test. 33bhp isn't much on
a bike and limits your choice, or you fit a resitrictor to a bigger bike, but that is annoying (especally if you took a sneeky ride without them in
first)
Go for a 5 day DAS (Direct Access)
It will cost you 300/400 quid, but youll get good continuity from the instructors and almost one on one coaching.
I did a CBT a couple of years before, but i dont think its compulsory for the direct access.
Also, dont jump straight on the bigger bikes. Youl start training no the 125, then theyll put you on a 500 (i did mine on an ER500). My first bike
was a 600cc bandit, which was plenty quick enough for a first bike. the newer onesare even quicker.
Spend the extra money on safety kit, then upgrade to a bigger bike later on.
quote:
Originally posted by MakeEverything
Go for a 5 day DAS (Direct Access)
It will cost you 300/400 quid
I personally think DAS is the only way forward unless you want to poddle around on a 125 for ages...
I did my DAS last year. The company did a CBT / assessment one weekend and then did a DAS a couple of weeks after. I was assessed to only need a 3 day
DAS course so it only cost £400 I think but once you pass your test you can go for what you like (rather than a 250cc to 2 years).
Mark
I paid 525 quid for 18 hours of lessons (in 3 hours blocks) including test fee, bike hire, insurance, fuel, helmet and gloves.
Find a local motorcycle training school and give them a call. They'll tell you exactly what you need to do.
Bikes are great for the power-to-cost ratio. Just picked up a 2005 suzuki sv1000 (v-twin) for £3500. 126bhp, 0-60 in around 3.4 seconds. Insurance is
£300 fully comp for 23 year old riding for 2 years in york.
Do it, you won't look back 
quote:
Originally posted by Paradoxia0
I personally think DAS is the only way forward unless you want to poddle around on a 125 for ages...
I did my DAS last year. The company did a CBT / assessment one weekend and then did a DAS a couple of weeks after. I was assessed to only need a 3 day DAS course so it only cost £400 I think but once you pass your test you can go for what you like (rather than a 250cc to 2 years).
Mark
I agree Jimbo, even on my "little" CBR600 0-60 is rediculous and you can easily hit 100 quicker than most cars can hit 60 so as you say, you
get to the corners quicker than you though much sooner than you thought. I have had a couple of "oh sh**" moments when I got there!
It is such an awesome feeling though!
quote:
Originally posted by Paradoxia0
I agree Jimbo, even on my "little" CBR600 0-60 is rediculous and you can easily hit 100 quicker than most cars can hit 60 so as you say, you get to the corners quicker than you though much sooner than you thought. I have had a couple of "oh sh**" moments when I got there!
It is such an awesome feeling though!
Bike Training School...
It's the only safe way!
Steve
Everyone has to do their CBT though, no getting out of it, Compulsory Basic Training, clue's in the title really.
As above, I have a commercial bus license and still had to do a CBT, you ain't getting out of it 
tbh everything you learn in a car or bus or truck means zip on a bike, its like learning to drive all over again.
If you’re going to use a bike everyday, rain or shine, personally I don't see much point in a large capacity bike. There's a few here at
work that have them but as they say the bikes are just too powerful for the rain (one is a 1200cc), even this morning I passed a crashed sports bike
that had obviously had been dropped going round a greasy roundabout.
Biggest issue I’ve noticed is how amazingly easy the wheels lock up in the wet, way worse than a car, I slid right through some red lights and stopped
in the middle of the junction rather embarrassing but that was just doing that speed limit ) fair made me lower my speed in the wet.
Step 1 - CBT on a 125cc. Pretty much sit on the seat and pay your money.
Step 2 - DAS is where you need to be, unless after doing Step 1 you feel that getting comfortable on a 125cc for a while might help.
The Boss has a 125cc that I acquired for her (lovely little CG125), she's getting comfortable on that after her CBT.
Remember that you'll need to lay out a bit of cash for some decent clothing, either leather or textile. Whether you're doing 180mph wheelies
on your GSXR, or chugging along on your Beemer twin, you'll need to be clothed to cope with numpties. PLEASE don't end up as another bike
donor for my car, please don't end up like me with body and brain that have been very badly damaged from motorcycling. I guess you could go the
non-motorcycle route for a while and try a Harley.
Fortunately - all this CBT and DAS stops what I did..... you can't get off your Fizzie, on to a 250LC...... then to A and E and rehab.
Anyway, DO IT, you won't look back. Bikes are just fantastic, everything else is IN YOUR WAY!
^ yip even a little 125cc can get you in a big heap of danger, especially if your not dressed correctly. I've managed to spend around £1200 on
safety gear, almost half the price of the bike but it's all necessary to keep me safe(ish)
It's scary when I see folk on bikes wearing just trainers and a track suit then swerving through traffic.
As I've mentioned before I worked with a guy who swerved to avoid a car in town while doing 30mph, ran straight into a lamp post and had his ribs
rammed through his back. Not nice, mind boggles when I see folk boasting about doing 150mph, its like you actually expect to survive coming of at that
speed??! they'll be scooping up what’s left of you with a shovel.
keep off the superbikes till you have worked out all car drivers are out to get you! and do a track day! with training this will show you what the bikes are capable of.
Ribs vs. lamp post (ouch). I keep looking at the tendancy for this wire cable to keep sprouting up down the middle of carraigeways, with some
alarm.
Thing is, riding motorcyles just doesn't make for a good risk assessment. Period. It is unlikely that you'll escape injury from the
slightest of road incidents, so don't do it. Don't ride a motorcycle, it's dangerous.
Also your 7 won't be much protection when that Audi hits it, the thing is, the driver won't even notice unless he's finished his
phonecall.
There you are, we all need Hummers. Problem is, I can't see (even) a Hayabusa engine pulling one..... so no joy for me.
quote:
Originally posted by motorcycle_mayhem
There you are, we all need Hummers. Problem is, I can't see (even) a Hayabusa engine pulling one..... so no joy for me.
quote:
Originally posted by motorcycle_mayhem
Ribs vs. lamp post (ouch). I keep looking at the tendancy for this wire cable to keep sprouting up down the middle of carraigeways, with some alarm.
Thing is, riding motorcyles just doesn't make for a good risk assessment. Period. It is unlikely that you'll escape injury from the slightest of road incidents, so don't do it. Don't ride a motorcycle, it's dangerous.
Also your 7 won't be much protection when that Audi hits it, the thing is, the driver won't even notice unless he's finished his phonecall.
There you are, we all need Hummers. Problem is, I can't see (even) a Hayabusa engine pulling one..... so no joy for me.