A2 Bike Licence

[motorbiking]

Interesting history lesson here
http://lightningpass.com/changes-motorcycle-learner-law

 

[Ian H]

My CBT ran out today so time to get my proper licence.

First off is the theory test. Has anyone done it recently?

 

[Ian H]

Some of the theory test questions are a bit odd.

On this one, it says ‘You should use dipped headlights when another vehicle is overtaking you’

What, even during the day??

 

[motorbiking]

You'll struggle to get a bike under 10 years old without hard wired dipped beam / daylight running.

 

[PhillCO2]

I didn't know there were different bike licences? Took test in 1960's I thought I could just buy a bike and ride it? Seem to remember dad took his bike test after me, he had a Honda 50 cc but it could not be propelled by peddles so not classed as moped, and he said after passing test on the 50 cc he could ride any size bike. Think took my test on a 125 cc, but it was a long time ago.

Remember taking driving test 5 times fail then pass on bike, fail then pass in car, pass with class 2 wagon, I know wagon licence now expired as did not take medical, but thought rest still valid?

I was told one of the main reasons they brought in multiple categories was that young lads particularly were passing a test on a little scooter then when they got to 21 or around that age they were getting on something at a 1000cc with no experience and doing themselves in.

So now if you want to ride a bike with no restrictions you can only take the full 'category A' licence directly if you are over 24. And if you pass a lower category you have to then take another test at the appropriate age and/or experience to go up to a

 

[motorbiking]

The problem is a 125cc is nothing like any bike over about 400cc. Its more about weight than power. In the old days kids were riding big bikes with sidewinder sidecars attached. It was little more than a tea tray with a wheel, but it meant you could ride it on L-plates.

Direct Access made a bit impact on skilling people up for riding bigger bikes. The only problems is that while many would have taken their test on a 125 and then bought a 400 or 500cc bike, now people learn on a 500 and want to start on a 600+. Still learning on a 500 will help them handle a bigger bike. When I was teaching advanced, we usually found a good DASer wasn't far off the IAM test. Often only needed 5 or 6 sessions to get ready.

 

[ericmark]

I have read the link, it is as clear as mud with all the changes over the years, does it mean I can't ride a motor bike any longer in spite of taking my test and at one time being an instructor? I have never taken a CBT what ever that is, do I need to now take one to ride a motor bike?

 

[Keithmac]

I have read the link, it is as clear as mud with all the changes over the years, does it mean I can't ride a motor bike any longer in spite of taking my test and at one time being an instructor? I have never taken a CBT what ever that is, do I need to now take one to ride a motor bike?

If you took a full motorcycle test then you'll still be entitled to ride any size barring any medical condition.

CBT (compulsory basic training) is for people who have not passed a test, CBT course has to be done every two years to ride on L plates (or a test taken).

I did my Motorcycle test over 20 years ago, just before they started messing with it all luckily!.

 

[Mottie]

At 50 years old, I did my CBT and got a 125 commuter scooter. Before the two years were up I took my test on a 125 mainly so I didn’t have to retake cbt's, get cheaper insurance and take a pillion if I wanted. At the time, I had no intention of getting a bigger bike. After a couple of years, I got myself a brand new SH300 scooter (which I still have) in 2009. A few years after that I bought myself a 'fun' bike - a Suzuki Burgman 650 executive scooter, did a few European trips on it and then traded that up for a Yamaha FJR1300 sports tourer and did 4 more European trips on that. That was frighteningly fast. I had that for 4 years and only sold it last year. Just got a bit fed up with long motorbike trips plus, for basically one weeks use per year, it was costing me £1,500 in depreciation, tax, insurance, mot, servicing etc and that’s without the travelling costs just to get a few days decent riding somewhere in Europe (Eurotunnel, fuel, tolls, hotels..). This year my mates went to Corsica. They rode 900 miles over two days to get to the overnight Corsica ferry in Nice. I flew out, hired a bike and met them there. The flights and bike hire for 4 days cost me just £450. I just use my scooter for fair weather commuting these days.

 

[ericmark]

Last time I rode a motor bike was in the Falklands, borrowed a 250 cc, I found bigger that that too heavy to de-bog, and smaller would not lift the front wheel to get out of river crossings, it was better than a Landrover, but not a nice way from getting from A to B, much nicer in the UK with tarmacadam roads.

Last bike I rode in UK was a Yamaha 200 RD, quite fast enough, got it to save money going to work, however it only did 60 MPG and I could get that from a Reliant and be dry, so not really a good idea, as a young boy started with Honda P50, engine built into back wheel, then a J125 scooter, and an Excelsior 150, that was where I realised why it was called a kick gear change, with the recommended light grease in gear box, changing gear was not easy, seem to remember at the time every Lambretta did 100 MPG or better. Moved to Honda 90 step through with Honda 90S engine and gear box, so having a 200 cc which only got 60 MPG was not what I expected.

I think in the future I may get an electric bike, but don't really want excessive power, just cheap transport.

 

[Mottie]

On my last trip abroad on my FJR1300 with the throttle pinned open, I didn’t average much more than 35mpg!

 

[motorbiking]

I used to get 50mpg all day long on both my 955 Sprint and the 1050 Sprint.. Had a VTR1000 that could drain a tank in under 100 miles. I never got much more than 35mpg on most of my sporty bikes.. worse bike was this:

Super Unleaded and manage about 30mpg.. still over there I don't think I ever put £10 in the tank.

On the Licence question look here : https://www.gov.uk/view-driving-licence. you need NI number and driving license number and it will show it you have Cat A on your license if so (and without any restrictions) you can ride anything you want.