Motorcycle Lessons/Purchase

[Chuck Rhoades]

Planning on booking lessons. About as far away from a piston/petrolhead that you can be. Something I’ve always wanted to do though.

Any advice on lessons and purchasing a bike?

Initial test looks to have you at a lower CC, have been gradually sat other training/tests or can you try jump tiers in one go?

[DaveF]

I think if you are older than 24 then you can do the CBT, theory and practical and then hop on any bike you like and ride on.

Can't offer any guidance on lessons as it's been many, many years since I passed my test.

Are you planning to use it for commuting or just pleasure? Only words I'd offer is just be very, very aware when on the bike. Car drivers hardly ever see you. Potholes, drain covers and winter are buggers.

That said, there is no better feeling than being on a bike. It's brilliant. I had a test run a few tears ago when I toyed with the idea of buying one again and loved it but talked myself out of it.

[degenerated]

Planning on booking lessons. About as far away from a piston/petrolhead that you can be. Something I’ve always wanted to do though.

Any advice on lessons and purchasing a bike?

Initial test looks to have you at a lower CC, have been gradually sat other training/tests or can you try jump tiers in one go?You'll need to do your CBT on a 125cc bike, that's just a days training with a run out on the road in the afternoon.
You'll need to do the touchscreen theory test as well, though you can get apps on phone that will help you do that no problem.

The actual lessons, assuming you're over 24, will likely be on 600cc type bike if you're going for your A1 licence (Direct Access course). Not much point doing an a2 unless you're under 24.
A1 is unrestricted so you can ride whatever you want, A2 limits you to 35kW (47bhp) bikes.
When you're out on first lesson on big bike the instructor will gauge how much training you'll need to get through the tests.
There's 2 tests, mod 1 in a yard with close control, emergency swerve/stop and u turn etc. mod 2 is out on the road with examiner behind you, bizarrely he was in a car when I did mine.
I found the mod 1 more of a challenge and put my foot down on u turn first time and failed. Passed next time around.

When you pass don't go mad with bike size or type, be safe and sensible and spend a couple of years on something like a 600 to 700cc bike, they're big enough and powerful enough without being too much for an inexperienced rider.
Ultimately what you want to do with it will dictate the style of bike you should go for. I wanted retro street type bikes so I had a Yamaha XSR 700 for about 4 or 5 years, that was a super easy to ride twin cylinder with about 80bhp and great fun on twisty country roads. Now I have a Kawasaki z900rs, that's 4 cylinder bike with just over 120 bhp and it's lovely bike and really powerful. It was a bit twitchy due to emissions regs impacts but I got it flashed to smooth it out, that gave it a bit of a power boost as well.

I also have a Vespa px125 which is the complete opposite end of the scale with about 8 bhp and a top speed of about 60mph :hilarious




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[Alfiembra]

Back in the day I was an RAC/ACU motorcycle instructor and it surprises me that nowadays beginners are getting on, what I would class as larger capacity bikes, even if they have been restricted.
For a complete novice I wouldn’t recommend anything bigger than a 125 or 250cc bike. mostly because novice riders don’t appreciate the weight of a motorbike and how that affects manoeuvrability particularly at slow speeds. Even at 125/250cc they can be a handful for a beginner and todays machines a 125cc bike is easily capable of driving at motorway speeds. Therefore it baffles me why you would stick a newcomer on a 600cc bike. There is also the insurance aspect the larger and more expensive the bike the higher the insurance price. One thing though as a beginner never skimp on your clothing and crash helmet, buy the best you can afford and regardless if it’s a blistering hot day or not always wear your full kit. I’ve had some really sore ones over the years all due to drivers not seeing me and on one occasion my crash helmet saved my life after a particularly nasty crash caused by a careless car driver. However all that said nothing compares to the freedom and exhilaration of riding a motorbike and as you gain experience then moving up the capacities becomes even more of a thrill.

[DaveF]

Good point about the bike weight. I well remember dropping my Honda CBR 600 almost at walking pace which was embarrassing, infuriating and a struggle to get up 🙄

[degenerated]

Good point about the bike weight. I well remember dropping my Honda CBR 600 almost at walking pace which was embarrassing, infuriating and a struggle to get up [emoji849]Aye, bikes are heavy things. Mine is around 215kg, I'd struggle to lift that on my own these days :greengrin



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[degenerated]

Back in the day I was an RAC/ACU motorcycle instructor and it surprises me that nowadays beginners are getting on, what I would class as larger capacity bikes, even if they have been restricted.
For a complete novice I wouldn’t recommend anything bigger than a 125 or 250cc bike. mostly because novice riders don’t appreciate the weight of a motorbike and how that affects manoeuvrability particularly at slow speeds. Even at 125/250cc they can be a handful for a beginner and todays machines a 125cc bike is easily capable of driving at motorway speeds. Therefore it baffles me why you would stick a newcomer on a 600cc bike. There is also the insurance aspect the larger and more expensive the bike the higher the insurance price. One thing though as a beginner never skimp on your clothing and crash helmet, buy the best you can afford and regardless if it’s a blistering hot day or not always wear your full kit. I’ve had some really sore ones over the years all due to drivers not seeing me and on one occasion my crash helmet saved my life after a particularly nasty crash caused by a careless car driver. However all that said nothing compares to the freedom and exhilaration of riding a motorbike and as you gain experience then moving up the capacities becomes even more of a thrill.It's those that jump straight from passing their test onto R1's and S1000RR's that concern me, those things are ridiculously fast and powerful.

I would say that the mid size 600s, like those that are used for lessons, are far more stable and easier to control than 125s.

Anyway, I'm away out for a trundle on my Vespa this morning and then gonna take the bike a decent run later on. :greengrin




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[Alfiembra]

Planning on booking lessons. About as far away from a piston/petrolhead that you can be. Something I’ve always wanted to do though.

Any advice on lessons and purchasing a bike?

Initial test looks to have you at a lower CC, have been gradually sat other training/tests or can you try jump tiers in one go?

https://www.honda.co.uk/motorcycles/blog/articles/types-of-motorcycles-guide.html

This is quite a good guide that explains the different styles of bikes, so although it’s referencing New bikes it still applies for used bikes as well.

[Chuck Rhoades]

Thanks everyone really helpful. I’ve never sat on a bike, so completely oblivious but these posts have been helpful. Have no desire to bite off more than I can chew. Posts around the weight are helpful too.

[superfurryhibby]

I had ridden bikes from my late teens to early 30's. Started riding again after a gap of more than 20 years. The power difference in middleweight from my younger days to now is staggering. My old SRX 600 made 42bhp, my more modern Triumph 600 made around 95bhp. There are significant differences, even allowing for the very different engine configurations.

I'm thinking about a new bike again, lightweights like Husqvarna 401 or KTM 390, make 40 bhp and weigh 140 kg. Plenty fast enough, easy to manoeuvre on road and move around your garage.