#21

London roads have a whole different set of rules (i.e. none)

#22

Now that we’re buying a house with a garage, I’m considering getting a bike at some point but at the same time, other drivers are enough of a danger when I’m in my own metal box - I’d be in a constant state of terror if I was riding a motorbike around them.

#23

Know three people who have died on them, absolutely not for me

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#24

Only if you passed your test before 2001. If not, you still have to do the CBT.

#25

Yeah, one of my friends from school died after being knocked off his motorbike.

I wouldn’t want to drive one on British roads, I don’t think.

#26

Used to have one (Honda CBF600) but sold it shortly after moving to south Manchester as I didn’t have a garage, and still haven’t had one three house moves later.

Would definitely get one again if I had a garage as they’re loads of fun.

I initially did my CBT and got a 125cc as I lived in a notoriously shite place for traffic to get in and out of Manchester and the public transport was even worse, so it seemed pretty logical and saved me a huge amount of time each day.

In short, I would strongly recommend it!

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#27

What are all the costs/processes involved, do you know?

#28

I have only ever been on one once when I had no choice in Thailand but to get a motorbike taxi. The guy spent most of the journey turning around to chat to me. Fucking scared the shit out of me. But got the girl so it all turned out ok.

Anyone want to bid for the film rights on this one.

#29

Similar to cycling, I would feel comfortable commuting in and out of(/around) London as there is something approaching the critical mass of other motorbikes/scooters etc so I would expect car drivers to have greater awareness or understanding. Idk though.

#31

Based on my experience from 10ish years ago, it was about £100 for the CBT which is a one day course allowing you to ride anything up to and including a 125cc (with the caveat you can’t carry pillion, use motorways, and have to have front and rear L-plates).

This is where it might have changed, but back then you had to wait until you were 25 to do direct access courses 1 & 2 to allow you to ride any bike anywhere and carry pillion. 1 being a short test on a closed area setup with cones to do manoeuvres and stuff on, 2 being a longer on-the-road test with an examiner following you on a motorbike and giving you directions through an earpiece.

Can’t remember the costs involved, sorry. But it wasn’t much. The route I took meant I used my 125 for a year commuting to get experience then when I turned 25 I felt much more ready to do DA1 & 2.

They are intensive courses available for those over 25 who have done their CBT but want to go straight into being able to ride a bigger bike, I would expect this to be more expensive though.

I guess it would depend on whether you need to use a motorway to get to and from work? A 125 would be powerful enough for other road use, and comes with the benefit of restricting any mad urges you get to go fast and do sick wheelies etc.

#32

Also 125cc bikes tend to hold their value quite well due to the demand, I think I sold mine for only a tiny amount less than I paid for it.

Also the insurance and tax were ridiculously cheap.

#33

Yeah I’m going on the M4 so will need to have a license for that :slightly_frowning_face:

#34

I am also thinking not only the gift of time but how much cheaper the fuel will be.

#35

ALSO: thank you so much for this!

#36

I think it may have changed now so it’s 21+ and 2 years on a restricted licence - so if you had been riding since you were 19, you can get onto the big boys at 21. Even if you are 25, I think it’s still 2 years restricted before you can kill yourself on a Hayabusa.

#37

Ah, shit. That’s a shame but understandable. I’d be strongly in favour of an equivalent rule for new car drivers too. Limite them to a 0.6l-engined runaround for two years before letting them loose on the roads. Never gonna happen though, obviously.

#38

Could limit them to 1.2l or 90bhp or something. Pretty sure young drivers are restricted in Italy, probably other places too.

#39

Come from a family of motorobike twats. Fucking love me a Ducati. Gets me right hard and throbbing.

I’m named after a biker too. Met him when I was about 20, which was slightly odd. A local chap who became world champion back in the 80s.

#40

mate I think that was just his race number not his actual name

5 Likes
#41

I put that I’ve ridden one, but only scramblers round the odd field when I was a youngster, never on the road.

As a white, middle aged, middle class, bearded man I like the idea of riding a cafe racer type bike round europe or something, but I very much doubt I’ll get round to it

A motorbike would be of no use to me in everyday life - if it’s not a journey I can do by bicycle (with the added advantage of being able to have the odd beer when I like) then I’m going to need to be driving kids or stuff or both