Quote: Originally posted by bigpoppa81 on 22 March 2004
i know this is a very long running debate
BUT
im just about to get a new car cos ive got about 2-3 grand and i had my heart set on a willy or 16v and then i got a copy of the latest streetfighters magazine and well.... its thrown a whole new spanner in the works-
the only factor is i cant ride a bike yet so im thinking about getting a crappy honda cg125 to do my test and find my bearings and then move onto a cruiser or a beast out of streetfighters
what do you think?
You dont need to buy a bike to do your test. Im not completely sure what the latest rules/laws are about riding bikes coz I passed my test years ago, but if you are serious I would suggest you go about it like this...
1) Buy a car, like people have said, you cant take your mates out on a bike or carry alot of gear, I know that I couldnt manage with only a bike, then..
2) Pass a CBT and (if you are 21) for £400/500 you can do a Direct Access course to get a full bike license. The cost covers the hire of a bike and equipment, instruction and in most cases the cost of the test. If youre not 21 you can pass the basic test then wait until your license automatically upgrades to a full bike license.
3) Pass the bike test then, assuming you are 21, start saving for the bike and all the other equipment youll need - helmet, gloves, boots, leathers. You can get a great bike for £2-3000, but youll need about £300+ to get some 1/2 decent kit, and bike insurance can be steep too! If youre not 21 (or you are but want to get on a bike straight away, or take a cheaper option) pass the basic test, buy some good kit, then a cheaper, smaller bike (IIRC it would have to be restricted to 33bhp - thats more bikes than you think) brush up you riding skills then trade up when your license automatically gets the full bike entitlement.
Youll find riding schools offering the DAS courses and rider training in your local paper, or at your local bike dealers - give then a call see whats involved and how much itll cost.
There is a BUT, and its been said, you are alot more vunerable as a motorcyclist (thats why good kit is essential), you only have to read your local paper or look at the local news on TV or the internet to find articles every week about motorcyclist who have died or been seriously injured. It isnt always the bikers fault (sometimes it is), but as a minority group of road users, IIRC motorcyclists are the user group with the highest injury and death statisics (followed by pedestrians). I can speak from experience and say that a month in hospital, operations, being stuck at home, 6 months on crutches and 12 months physiotherapy isnt fun.
However, also from experience, nothing beats having a blast on your bike around the twisties in the sunshine early one Sunday moring before all the cars get in the way!
