anyone taken a bike test recently??!

[luke sheath]

hey, i started off on the road on two wheels like a lot of people, did my cbt, rode a 50 till i was 17 then had the coolest souped up 84 rdlc 125 for two years, then under pressure from all my mates did a car theory, passed the car test, that was in 2003 and i have'nt looked back since!
ive lived and breathed fast cars and nothing else for 10 years, my evo iv is my 11th car, ive had vtec hondas, a type R, FOUR 200sx s13's and a beautiful jdm 180sx.
but a few months ago, a good pal of mine,"skyline rob" named after the 350bhp gtst he's been driving for years, suddenly passed his bike direct access test, now he's blasting about on an R1!
thing is i did'nt even know he was doing any bike test!

but i hav'nt stopped thinking about it, i abandoned bikes 10 years ago without taking a test, but i really loved bikes back then and still do in reality!
i dreamed of riding rgv 250's or nsr 250's or rd350's.

problem is, its just as big and heavy a deal as a modern car test now!!
it does'nt matter that i have a driving license, ill have to take a bike theory test which includes a hazard perception, then a cbt, then part one of a full license test, going round a car park,emergency stop etc, and finally part 2, out on the road with instructor, i think for 45 mins then drive yourself back to the test centre!

it'll cost a fair bit and im not sure even where to begin!!
can any of you offer some good encouraging advice?
i think my life really would be complete if i could enjoy cars and bikes together!!
cheers
luke!

 

[supamario666]

Yes Mate Craig FQ Craigus has!!

 

[luke sheath]

hmmm maybe craig can let me know how his theory and practical went?!
I suppose I have to prepare for the theory first, I guess ill have to buy a new highway code and I also need a programme that will let me practise not only the questions but the hazard perception too!

 

[supamario666]

hmmm maybe craig can let me know how his theory and practical went?!
I suppose I have to prepare for the theory first, I guess ill have to buy a new highway code and I also need a programme that will let me practise not only the questions but the hazard perception too!

Send him a PM Mate!

 

[Billy MR]

Yep Craig

 

[luke sheath]

will do! would really like to get that license this year! it might be tough but the reward will be big!!

 

[fq-craigus]

Hi mate, gettin the licence this year might be a bit tricky only a few days left lol. Only messing.

Before I started it all I was more worried about theory as I was always naf at it, but I had about 2 or 3 weeks to prepare and build on what I knew, I downloaded an app for theory and done one or two tests a day and was consistantly passing so knew I wad ready.

I booked my course through alpha rider training in grantham after an assesment they recomended a 4 day course for me.

Ill admit initially it feel like they are making you jump through hoops but ill be honest it all makes sense. The first thing they will teach you is all the slow manuvours for the mod 1 which is easy dont listen to anything where people say its dangerous ect when swerving you have more that enough space time and everything and a decent school will make sure they cover everything and naybe even get you along to a mod 1 course for practice. Once you pass the mod one its prep time for mod 2 which is out on the roads 40 mins and 10 mins independant riding where you will be told to follow signs to somewhere, you will do hill start angled starts and will be assesed on your cornering and positioning at speed. Again as long ad you havr gone into all your lessons not acting like you know everything and listen to what is beibg taught and working on what you need to focus on you will be fine.

The main downside to it all is the price, it varies from school to school but your more than likely looking at 600+ well worth it though buddy. Only passed mine couple weeks ago

 

[luke sheath]

thanks craigus, very helpful, im a pretty humble person myself so ill simply nod and do the manouvers!!
i rode my 125 everywhere between 2001 and 2003 when i sold it and bought my first car so the handling of a bike should come back quite easy, just the theory with the hazard perception nonsense to do first!!
oh yeah the riding school near me (cmt) which is supposed to be a top place, do a week long direct access with use of their kawasaki 500 and helmet etc for £550 i think, so not too bad!
cheers

 

[fq-craigus]

Main diference with the bigger bikes is that you have to slip the clutch a lot more than 125 so clutch control might be new to you. 500? They should have a bigger bike than that for the A licence a 500 test would still be restricted to 47bhp

 

[luke sheath]

sorry my mistake, they are in fact kawasaki 600's !!

 

[RsvRob]

The 500 and 47bhp used to be the direct access which was simpler. Just practice and test on a bigger bike. Now it's far more conplicated for something that's quite simple.
And all just a ploy for more money. That goes for all driving tests.

 

[fq-craigus]

The 500 and 47bhp used to be the direct access which was simpler. Just practice and test on a bigger bike. Now it's far more conplicated for something that's quite simple.
And all just a ploy for more money. That goes for all driving tests.

ill admit looking from the outside it does seem like that, but ill be honest i see the only downside to the new style on bigger bikes is short people, for example some woman wanted to do full entitlement but because she couldnt reach the floor on the 600 she had to take the resricted one on a 500 unless she supplied her own bike. the students passing these days 'should' be more capable

is your bike locked away for the winter rob

 

[RsvRob]

Most definately. I've done my share of crap weather riding. It's your turn lol