Motorbike test

[Davidtav]

I am very pleased I passed my test when it was all less complicated! … so having my bike serviced today and chatting to another bloke doing the same. His bike is a new 125. He is an older gentleman. New to biking. So he has done the CBT. Passed the Mod 1. Taking Mod 2 this week … he was looking at a RE Himalayan in the showroom. I said I thought it would really suit him when he passes his test this week. But apparently no! … the test only allows him to ride a 125 without L Plates. To ride a bigger bike he would need to do it all over again. … now I’m all for road safety. But really. Whoever thought that idea up. Really struggling to see the logic myself. 

[SometimesSansEngine]

It sounds like he is only taking the A1 licence. He would have been totally able to take the 'full' A licence - did he give a reason? Was it personal choice, a misunderstanding or a recommendation?

[SometimesSansEngine]

5 minutes ago, Davidtav said:

when it was all less complicated!

 

Indeed..... https://themotorbikeforum.co.uk/forum/topic/36832-kawasaki-and-yamaha-are-closing-many-of-their-plants/?tab=comments#comment-548985

 

 

 

5 minutes ago, Davidtav said:

Whoever thought that idea up. Really struggling to see the logic myself. 

 

The logic is sound for younger rides to give them a progression in power rather than just swinging their leg over a litre bike at 18. I think there should be similar for car driving (eg 17 year olds can only drive a 1.0l engine). What I don't agree with is the fact that kids have to retake the same tests (theory, mod 1 etc) several times to get there.

 

[fastbob]

The changes to the law started right here . I wonder how many kids had already died when these carefully chosen words were written . A hundred plus miles an hour on L plates was never going to end well . 

[Davidtav]

Of course I understand the road safety aspects. And I did have an idea that licences were now staggered. But I had thought that the restrictions just applied to riders younger than 24 … that seems to be incorrect. 
I think it is correct that if you take a test on a 125 now that you can only ride a 125 … if that is the case then it does explain why so few riders on small scooters etc bother taking a test. Why would you if there is little to be gained?

I know that riders can choose the direct access route instead. However doesn’t that mean that they can only ride the larger capacity machine while under instruction? A much more complex and expensive route I would have thought. 
I have a gut feeling that this level of complexity isn’t just about road safety. But also to discourage people from taking up motorcycling in the first place. I must admit if I hadn’t already got a full licence I would never have embarked on learning now with these rules in place. 

 

[James in Brum]

1 minute ago, Davidtav said:

Of course I understand the road safety aspects. And I did have an idea that licences were now staggered. But I had thought that the restrictions just applied to riders younger than 24 … that seems to be incorrect. 
I think it is correct that if you take a test on a 125 now that you can only ride a 125 … if that is the case then it does explain why so few riders on small scooters etc bother taking a test. Why would you if there is little to be gained?

I know that riders can choose the direct access route instead. However doesn’t that mean that they can only ride the larger capacity machine while under instruction? A much more complex and expensive route I would have thought. 
I have a gut feeling that this level of complexity isn’t just about road safety. But also to discourage people from taking up motorcycling in the first place. I must admit if I hadn’t already got a full licence I would never have embarked on learning now with these rules in place. 

 

I am 39, two years ago I took my full A license and can now ride any size bike. 
I could have taken my test on a sub 33bhp bike and been limited to it or on a 125 and been limited to it but there was no need for that. I could and did go directly to unlimited Bike licence. 
I had risen on a CBT on a 125 for 18 months but could have taken CBT a day before my mid 1 and 2 if I wanted.

The person you spoke to has chosen the route they have taken and the limitations or they have been incorrectly advised.

[Fish]

As it stands at the moment, up to 24 you're limited to an A2 license so something around 47BHP, over 24 and you can go straight to A license without question. However if you take the A test on an A2 limited bike, you will be limited to A2 power levels until you pass on an A (unrestricted) bike.

 

Fish

[Davidtav]

I understand the logic. Yet in a way I don’t … nobody is going to break speed limits on a motorbike test. I remember when I took mine on a 125 the instructor said I must ride at the speed limit. Which I did. A 125 is perfectly capable of that. I wouldn’t have ridden any differently if I had been taking the test on a larger capacity machine … so I’m still really of the opinion that it is more about adding levels of complexity for the sake of it. 
Anyway I will stop thinking about it. And just be grateful that I passed when it was more straightforward 

[JustinW]

If he passes, one thing the gentleman won't have to do again is the theory test (which expires every 2 years otherwise), nor CBT ever again. And of course he will not have to pay for lessons or hire of bigger bike to get the 125cc license, he can use his own bike. If all he wants is to ride a 125cc, he could save a lot by simply taking the tests without several hundred in lessons. If he fails, just learn from it and rebook.

I reckon it's the wrong decision though, he's almost certainly going to want more power and regret not doing his test on a bigger bike.

[dynax]

2 minutes ago, JustinW said:

I reckon it's the wrong decision though, he's almost certainly going to want more power and regret not doing his test on a bigger bike.

 

Not necessarily, as that is what I am doing I am quite happy on my 125 it gets me to where I want to go

[Bender]

38 minutes ago, Davidtav said:

I understand the logic. Yet in a way I don’t … nobody is going to break speed limits on a motorbike test. I remember when I took mine on a 125 the instructor said I must ride at the speed limit. Which I did. A 125 is perfectly capable of that. I wouldn’t have ridden any differently if I had been taking the test on a larger capacity machine … so I’m still really of the opinion that it is more about adding levels of complexity for the sake of it. 
Anyway I will stop thinking about it. And just be grateful that I passed when it was more straightforward 

I may have been ever so slightly over on my test and the examiner had to he to catch me  

 

I went through the test system as an elderly member of society didn't find it complicated, pass cbt, pass theory, Mod1 mod 2 test done.

 

If someone was happy having a 125 without l plates that's fine by me, least he won't have to do any of it again if he's happy.

[kev1955]

Having taken my test on a Honda C50, which let me unrestricted ( albeit a few years ago), if i was starting out now - the complexity ( and Cost) is a big hint that we should all be driving? automated cars, and i feel sorry for the younger people starting driving now, - electric etc, = no soul ( cars have been like it for years)

 

[SometimesSansEngine]

Arguably the cost of learning to drive a car is more (40 odd hours of lessons is average, about £30 a lesson, plus everything else on top comes to about a grand and a half), but can't disagree on the complexity. And absolutely if you're younger and starting out you have to repeat tests which bumps up the price.

[Six30]

On 20/04/2021 at 18:24, dynax said:

 

Not necessarily, as that is what I am doing I am quite happy on my 125 it gets me to where I want to go

your just a weird exception .... who wants to wobble about on a 125 for ever, i ride my nephews bike to an industrial site so he can ride it , doing his cbt in June , its fooking horrible .

[Bender]

1 minute ago, Six30 said:

your just a weird exception .... who wants to wobble about on a 125 for ever, i ride my nephews bike to an industrial site so he can ride it , doing his cbt in June , its fooking horrible .

You need saddle bags and tassles to even out the wobbles  

 

How's his bike training going? 

[Six30]

36 minutes ago, Bender said:

You need saddle bags and tassles to even out the wobbles  

 

How's his bike training going? 

he's a natural mate, really picked it up quick .... i put it down to his teacher 

[fastbob]

14 hours ago, Six30 said:

your just a weird exception .... who wants to wobble about on a 125 for ever, i ride my nephews bike to an industrial site so he can ride it , doing his cbt in June , its fooking horrible .

I've tried my best . 

[Mississippi Bullfrog]

21 minutes ago, fastbob said:

I've tried my best . 

A bit harsh there @fastbob for this time in the morning.

 

 

[fastbob]

7 minutes ago, Mississippi Bullfrog said:

A bit harsh there @fastbob for this time in the morning.

 

 

I've tried the carrot approach enough times . 

[dynax]

18 minutes ago, Mississippi Bullfrog said:

A bit harsh there @fastbob for this time in the morning.

 

 

 

Not at all @fastbob is entitled to his opinion as everyone else

[dynax]

10 minutes ago, fastbob said:

I've tried the carrot approach enough times . 

 

Still not working though is it

[Mississippi Bullfrog]

1 minute ago, dynax said:

 

Still not working though is it

Maybe he's sticking the carrot in the wrong place.

[fastbob]

2 hours ago, dynax said:

 

Not at all @fastbob is entitled to his opinion as everyone else

Cheers mate , you know I'm only pulling your chain ( Rather than my maintenance free Belt Drive ) I know that one glorious day you will see the light . 

Edited April 23, 2021 by fastbob

[dynax]

6 minutes ago, fastbob said:

Cheers mate , you know I'm only I'm only pulling your chain ( Rather than my maintenance free Belt Drive ) I know that one glorious day you will see the light . 

 

Maybe one day, just not possible at the moment, but for now more than happy enough to be able to get out about