Bikes

[Abe]

Thx Webram..........

Barry Sheene, eat your heart out!
Im a coming........

btw............ With respect
May he rest in peace

[Johnny Rod]

Tried to post this yesterday but didn't work...

You have a couple of different routes as you are (probably) over 21 - 125 test or direct access (DAS). If you are under 21 you can't do DAS.

Before you're allowed on the road on anything you have to do your compulsory basic training (CBT). After that you can ride a moped or 125cc bike with L plates, limited to 15bhp (top speed about 80mph), no pillions or motorways. If you pass the test on the 125 then you can ride anything up to 33bhp with no L-plates or other restrictions for 2 years, after which the 33bhp limit goes too. You can buy bikes which are much more powerful e.g. 500/600cc with restrictor kits, so after 2 years you pull out the kit and thave the same bike but 70/80/90etc. BHP. If all you do is commute round town or aren't bothered about lots of motorway miles, a small biek may be all you need anyway, and you can squeeze 90mpg out of a 125.

Direct access gets you to your unlimited licence in one step. Downside is you have to pass your test on a bike of over 54bhp (usually 400cc upwards), but unlike the 125 you can't just go and ride it - you can only ride it with L plates and an instrctor following you. The test is tougher too (rightly so). Downside in practical terms is you get your licence with less time on the bike, so the test is harder to pass and it does open the door for numpties. Mind you, plenty of them in cars...

Step one is CBT no matter what you want, so might as well get on with it! You can find out more once you're there. Cost should be around £60-70 plus bike hire about £30 unless you want to buy a 125/moped straight away and use it (a bike shop will deliver it to the training centre for you).