Full motorcycle licence - Category (A) - What can i ride?

[Guest]

Hi,

Apologies if this has been covered, I'm sure it has, but I can't find it.

I'm shortly going to be doing my CBT and intend to get a 125 bike to commute round London. My intention is to do this for a few months before doing the test for the Full Motorcycle Licence (Category A). Could someone explain what I would then be able to ride? I've looked on the official websites, but all I can see is:

"After passing the standard motorcycle practical test, you will be restricted for two years to riding a bike of up to 25 kW and a power/weight ratio not exceeding 0.16 kW/kg. After this you may ride any size of bike."

Roughly what does this mean? 125cc, 250cc? Is it just a case of checking the specs of a motorcycle to see whether it would be legal or not.

Any help in this area would be appreciated.

Cheers

Chris

[Guest]

Any cc bike which is fitted with a restrictor kit. 250cc usually make around 33bhp. Most 600-650cc bikes restrict well, ie Suzuki Sv, Kawasaki ER, Honda hornet etc.

[sparkeh9]

The 250 that I had made 40BHP, so dont take it as fact that just because it's a 250 that it's OK for restriction

[NearOn]

Long as its restricted to 33bhp, you can ride it once passed the test on your 125. Get restrictors for pretty much most bikes these days, 600s seem to be most popular to restrict.

[Guest]

Thanks for your replies, it seems it's not as simple as I thought. A restricted 600 sounds like it might be the way to go for me.

[cypek]

You didn't say how old are you... As if you are over 21 you could pass your test on 500cc+ bike (DAS) and then you wouldn't be restricted at all. You will if you do your tests on 125cc bike

[Guest]

I'm 30, so going into this a bit later in life than some!

I figured the most economical way to do it would be to do the main test on a 125, and then put up wih the restriction rules. Presumably it's slightly easier to pass if you do the test on a 125 that you have a few months experience riding.

I wouldn't really be keen on paying out for the DAS scheme as I believe I'd then have to pay for lessons, bike hire, and escort to and from the test centre?

I'd be interested to hear people's opinions on this though?

[Susieque]

I suppose it's a case of weighing up the pro's & con's of both. If you do your CBT & buy a 125 to ride around on for a few months to get the experience then it would cut down on the amount of training you might need. On the other hand, you could use the 125 money for lessons & take your test on a 500cc bike.

If you did the 'teach yourself 125 route it's still advisable to have some time with an instructor, who can tech you how to pass your test & smooth out the bad habits you've picked up!

Wouldn't necessarily say it's easier to pass on a 125 - maybe for some like myself who feel more confident on the smaller bike, but others will say that a 500cc handles the manoeuvers better.

[Boothy]

Personally If I were in your situation I would do the DAS. From my experience the only thing that was harder than than doing it on a 125 is manual maneuvering, everything else will be much easier on a bigger bike.

[Bogof]

I wouldn't really be keen on paying out for the DAS scheme as I believe I'd then have to pay for lessons, bike hire, and escort to and from the test centre?

 

That's correct, since you can't ride a big bike on L plates with a provisional licence unless you are supervised by a Cardington qualified instructor and in radio contact with him.

If you're cash limited, then test on a 125 is the best route, with or without the benefit of professional training.

[Martyc]

Once you've got you're theory test outta the way you could pass DAS in just a few days if the test bookings are available with the right training. And it's a lot easier to find (and more versatile to have) a 'big' bike than a 125. I went the DAS route and I'm glad I did now even though I was scared of the idea of riding a 500 even after my cbt. The learning starts once you pass your test really, the rest is just getting you up to the minimum standard required to be let loose by yourself.

[PhatDad]

DAS isn't the only way to go. I passed my CBT and rode a few months on a 125 but got seriously frustrated with the lack of power and speed so thought sod it and took a few two hour lessons every week until my full bike test was available. I had about 4 or 5 lesson and to be honest those lessons were with others who weren't as confident on the bikes as I was so I got pretty much overlooked as I was competent enough so could have done with a few less lessons if it was one to one.

If you've been driving a while, which I had, then you don't really need the road experience on the 125 so I'd go for the DAS or weekly lessons till you're ready.

[getready]

My two cents:

I did DAS three months ago and the moment I rode a 500cc I knew I wanted a full licence to give me the option to ride anything I wanted. I would be bored if I only had 33bhp to play with for the next two years. But if you can handle that, it's still amazing fun!

It could cost you more in the long run if you pass the restricted test, then end up wanting an "unrestricted" bike before the end of the two year period (ie, you have to do both modules again on a 500).

If you plan to own a big (ish!) bike in the next two years, I'd go for DAS.

[Guest]

Thanks for all your replies guys.

It sounds like the best option for me would be to do the 125 for a few months, which was always my intention anyway, and then to do the DAS course. Price wise it looks like it could work out about the same as having to pay for a normal test, and paying for a bike to be restricted anyway. Would obviously give me much more flexibility on bike choice to do it that way too.

[Guest]

Sorry to dig this thread up a little but I just need to clarify something (better than starting a new thread perhaps?)

If I do my tests on a bike of between 120 and 125 cc and Pass, I though I was only entitled to ride a 125cc bike without L plates and on the motorway, and have a 33bhp limit. ie an FP Aprilia RS125, Cagiva Raptor etc.. This seems to differ from the previous advice which says i can ride any CC bike limited to 33bhp?

apologies if im misreading, im knackered and the old mince pies are strugling.

is the CC restriction also down age of the ride? ps im 33.

Can you please confirm? ta.

[Bogof]

If I do my tests on a bike of between 120 and 125 cc and Pass, ---------> i can ride any CC bike limited to 33bhp?

is the CC restriction also down age of the ride? ps im 33.

 

Any bike so long as its output is <33bhp, either by design and manufacture, or by being restricted in some way.

Age is immaterial, unless you want to do Direct or Accelerated Access.

Direct Access is taken on a big bike and a pass allows you to ride ANY bike. Only available to over 21s.

Accelerated Access is for people that tested on a 125 and then either decide they were too hasty and want to try again on a big bike, or attain the age of 21 during the 2 year restriction period, is taken on a big bike and a pass allows you to ride ANY bike. Only available to over 21s that have already passed on a 125.

[Guest]

Thanks

they dont make it easy do they!?

[Bogof]

Thanks

they dont make it easy do they!?

 

Depends. How old are you?

If you're <21, take it on a 125 and put up with 33bhp for 2 years.

If you're >21 stop fannying around and get on with it. Do DAS and get a loud bike so you can cause stress to motorists.

Simple really

[Guest]

I'm 33.

financially it makes sense for me to stay on a 125 for a few years, however it would be nice to get rid of the L plate. So as much as i would like to get a bigger bike one day, No rush for a bigger bike just yet.

[Bogof]

I'm 33.

financially it makes sense for me to stay on a 125 for a few years, however it would be nice to get rid of the L plate. So as much as i would like to get a bigger bike one day, No rush for a bigger bike just yet.

 

125 test is generally a cheaper option, as you can practice without paying someone to chaperone you.

And spending time learning by experience post-test is no bad thing.

[Guest]

Ta for that mate.