After a bit of advice.

[earache]

Hey, I'm new to this forum and want a bit of advice, thoughts and what not.

I'm 28 and want a bike again, currently I have a full car licence - 10 years ago when I was 18 is when I last had a bike... I had a twist & go 50cc and then a yamaha 125cc but both got nicked and ended up just buying a car instead.

Obviously I need to take my CBT again and my greatest aspirations really would be to get a 250cc or something, mainly to enjoy biking again - not bothered about racing or risking my life too much. Its not to save money on my car either as I do about 3000 miles a year and I probably cycle more than that so its a toy I'll be buying.

From what I can gather I need to do my CBT and ride a up to 125cc until I do a 'bike theory test' and my 'direct access' which'll then allow me to ride up 33bhp?. I think that is right, sorry if I'm being dumb but sometimes it almost reads as if I'm over 21 I can take a CBT and ride something bigger than a 125 if I have L-Plates on and its restricted?

I've read the sticky threads etc. I want to buy a new bike. I have a budget of up to £3k - maybe I'll stretch that.

What I want to know is:
- should I wait and buy a larger bike than a 125 and try and go for the CBT, Theory and then Direct Access in close succession? Mainly because I've read that its better to get a larger cc and then restrict it.
- or should I just buy the 125 I want now and then when I do the direct access, then trade that 125 for something better.
- or can I ride something bigger than a 125 after by CBT as long as its restricted, and then use that bike for my direct access ~ kinda confused on this issue like I said above
- or is there some 125's out there that I should get now and I'll probably won't want to upgrade past it because its good enough for my needs - like the Honda Varadero for example. Which is currently my favourite bike from what I have read about them but the price seems really high for a 125 (£3.5k new @ rrp)
- or should I do something else?

I am a open book atm. I'm not gonna rush this purchase, currently just taking on advice.

Sorry for the long post and sorry for the n00b questions when you have stickys that should answer but like I say, I kinda read them in different ways.

Thanks

EA

[druidsam]

at 28 you can do CBT and direct access and ride ANY bike you want to.. its your decision if you get a 125 after the cbt to practice on before doing the full test, i did and think i made the right decision.but if you do an intensive course over 4 or 5 days then you wont really need a 125. between cbt and test ,all you can ride is a 125cc machine and pop in here New Members - The Biker Forum and say hello to everyone and you can link back to this post,you should get a lot more reply's that way... and welcome to the forum



......................Sam

[grotbag]

Hello earache

Before you do anything else do a CBT. It will give you a feel of bikes again as memory plays strange tricks on reality Also the riding school you do your CBT will have some 125s and the bigger bikes too so you can have a look, sit on etc and get advice at the same time

Like Sam's already said, you can do your CBT then an intensive DAS course.

Or you can CBT and then book lessons over a period of time until your ready for a test.

Or buy a 125 after CBT and get riding experience before you feel ready for the test.

You can't ride a 33 restriced bike without an instructor with you.

Everyone's different, you need to think about your own learning style and which path you will learn best from and only you can decide that


Now pop into the new members forum like Sam's asked

[gasman]

I got myself a 125 Varadero from a friend. Great bike, still miss it though I'm riding a 500 now. They seem to command a high second hand value and I doubt you'd have any problem selling it.

If I was you, I'd try for one of those and when you pass, take your time looking for a bike you like. When you have that, then sell the Varadero.

I'd like a Transalp, but money is tight at present and I cannot justify the cost for the amount I use a bike at present.

[WRXPete]

Personally, i'm doing my CBT and then going to pootle around on a 125 for a bit to gain some experience over the winter and then reassess in the spring, at which point, if i'm getting on okay, might then jump into a DAS course and go big. But i can honestly say that i'd be perfectly happy to get my test passed and just wait the 2 years. This is about getting about and lifelong enjoyment, no need to get up to some insane 1000cc straight away, well for me at least...

[gasman]

Yeh, I thought that when I started. Initially I only wanted my licence to go on a Harley type road trip in the States some day, but enjoyed it so much out practicing that I got a 500 when I passed.

Admittedly it is only an ER5, but it suits my needs, and the extra power is very welcome.

Originally Posted by WRXPete

Personally, i'm doing my CBT and then going to pootle around on a 125 for a bit to gain some experience over the winter and then reassess in the spring, at which point, if i'm getting on okay, might then jump into a DAS course and go big. But i can honestly say that i'd be perfectly happy to get my test passed and just wait the 2 years. This is about getting about and lifelong enjoyment, no need to get up to some insane 1000cc straight away, well for me at least...

[earache]

Thanks all. I will be doing my CBT soon - I'm thinking I might try and do my restricted licence before the test changes in march.

Like I say, I don't want a big bike but I do want to get past the 125 stage this time. Looking ahead there doesn't seem to that many 250's or 33bhp's about. Seems every1 does the DAS to go massive (which I don't really want atm, I don't think).

Anyway, this leaves me to thinking I might go for a decent 2nd hand good badge (like Honda etc) 125 and then use it to pass the restricted licence and then think about things more assuming I pass.

Not sure if I can see the point of aiming for DAS

[Bill CBF1000]

large engine doesnt have to eqate to high speed I ride a cbf1000 n dont go overly fast and from experience I found a cb400 was actually more efficient and handled better than a cb100 even round town as it didnt have to struggle so much!

there is major difference between the two tests AT THE MINUTE (MARCH IS COMING FOLKS) and lots of people say bigger bikes are easier to handle so why not try a couple of lessons on a bigger bike n see how you get on?

If you pass on a big bike, you then have more choices what to ride

[johan_strange]

If I was in your position I would do a CBT ASAP and then take a Direct Access course like the other members have said and do it before the test changes next year. Apparently as of 30th March 2009 you will need to do additional higher speed off road manoeurvres... obviously there is some logical reason behind making the test harder to pass. When you pass this you can ride any bike you want due to your age and the DA pass.

[grotbag]

Originally Posted by earache

Anyway, this leaves me to thinking I might go for a decent 2nd hand good badge (like Honda etc) 125 and then use it to pass the restricted licence and then think about things more assuming I pass.

That's a good idea as know brands tend to hold their price when selling on, have a gander on fleabay and you'll see what I mean

Originally Posted by johan_strange

Apparently as of 30th March 2009 you will need to do additional higher speed off road manoeurvres... obviously there is some logical reason behind making the test harder to pass.

The full rundown of the new test is in the new rider information forum and the 'high speed' you refer to is actually 31mph, not what most people would consider to be 'high speed'
It's a swerve at 31mph maneuver, which when you think about it, is something you do when pass parked cars in a 40mph speed limit anyway