Calling all bikers!

[Russ]

After watching almost £40 in petrol disappear in less than day after driving my car a bit too hard, I've been thinking of getting a commuter bike. I'm not really after anything flashy, new or expensive, my budget will be around £300 - £400. I know I can ride up to a 125cc on a learner's license (as it will just be for work, I'm not all that bothered about passing my test) but was wondering what else I'll need to know. I'm aware of the CBT test, but how much is it likely to cost and how long does it take? I passed my driving test in 1993 so I've got a decent bit of experience behind me but have realised I know little or nothing of bikes. How does the insurance compare to that of a car?

Any relevant advice on what someone in my position should know would be gratefully recieved

[Bifta]

http://www.dvla.gov.uk/drivers/rdmcy...0Specification

No idea about the costs, but there's a telephone number on there for further info.

[ZrByte]

CBT is almost impossible to fail unless you crash into a bus or something.
CBT cost varies from place to place, for e.g. in my home town alone the price varies from £70 upto £85, this must be retaken every two years until you get your full liscence (Takes about 5 hours to do) so I would really considder going for your full liscence before your first CBT runs out, since you have so much experience with the car passing your bike test should be easy and including the cost for lessons shouldnt be much more than passing the CBT again.

My insurance as a learner on my 100cc scooter costs £300 per year (thats including the subcharge for paying monthly) and road tax is £15 per year, though since you hold a full liscence and have done for a few years, aswel as beeing a fair bit older than I am , im sure that will be cheaper for you.

[Russ]

Cheers both, the above is the sort of thing I'm really looking for though

[Ramrod]

Originally Posted by Russ D

I'm aware of the CBT test, but how much is it likely to cost and how long does it take?

Graham can probably answer that one



.....I'll get me coat.....

[paulyoung666]

Originally Posted by Ramrod

Graham can probably answer that one



.....I'll get me coat.....

good idea

is this


any use to you

[Russ]

Yeah it's cool, but I'm more after tips from the people who actually do it themselves

[Ramrod]

Originally Posted by Russ D

Yeah it's cool, but I'm more after tips from the people who actually do it themselves

Graham again....maby....you'll have to ask him

I agre with things said here, Insurance on bikes is a killer. The CBT is pretty straight forward, basically are you competant at handling the bike and are you safe to be let on the roads.

Holding your car license for x amount of years in my experience makes Jack difference to anything to do with a bike.

How far do you travel on a daily basis? can you get there by non motorway roads?
If so I'd stick with a really small 50cc automatic. If you need to travel on faster roads your better of with the 125.
It is possible to do your CBT in a day, but i'd say its more for people that have had theirs and had to resit etc. Poeple that have had a bike before.

[paulyoung666]

while we are semi on the subject , i passed my sickle test 19 years ago , does that mean that i can legally ride anything i can buy or not

Originally Posted by paulyoung666

while we are semi on the subject , i passed my sickle test 19 years ago , does that mean that i can legally ride anything i can buy or not

No

[paulyoung666]

Originally Posted by timewarrior2001

No

oh poo i thought it did

Originally Posted by paulyoung666

oh poo i thought it did

I'd check, as far as I know you cant.

Mate of mine had ridden Vespas for years, after a 10 year absence he had to do his CBT, even though he had never needed one before.

There is a clause in the rules, I'm not exactly certain of the regulations, but I think you would now need to take the test again.

Mind you I could be wrong.

[greencreeper]

Make sure you have decent life and health insurance for when you come off and cripple yourself or end up as a vegetable on life support.

[paulyoung666]

Originally Posted by greencreeper

Make sure you have decent life and health insurance for when you come off and cripple yourself or end up as a vegetable on life support.

yeah ok , @ tw 2001 i have just checked my motheaten copy of my dl and it says i can , so unless the rules have changed i can , if you see what i mean
i might just make a phone call to the dvla first though