I was thinking after getting my car all sorted, its back in the garage today for yet more things I might save up and use a small bike to get to work and back as its getting the warmer weather and Im sick of getting stuck in traffic too.

I was thinking I would do the motorbike test before I got one though, even though I think I can drive a 125 cc bike on my car license, but I really have no idea how to! So Id get some tuition. Is that right, that I could drive a 125cc bike on a car license?

I was thinking of looking for a bike under a grand... but what else is there to consider, what clothing would I need and what costs would they be likely?  Helmet, £100?

I was thinking maybe something that looked a bit like this

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/bikes/advert+search/Ne-2-4-7-8-27-64-104-133-146,N-117/advert.action?R=200806303212328&distance=10&postcode=NE27+0AZ&channel=BIKES&make=&model=&min_pr=&max_pr=&max_mileage=

But also really like the Eliminator > http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/bikes/KAWASAKI+BN+ELIMINATOR/Ne-2-4-7-8-27-64-104-133-146,N-117-4294966957-4294967264/advert.action?R=200718282570757&distance=101&postcode=NE27+0AZ&channel=BIKES&make=KAWASAKI&model=BN+ELIMINATOR&min_pr=&max_pr=&max_mileage=

Just looking for advice really... what would insurance costs be like too? Would insurance companies take into account that Ive had 3 years claim free driving (No NCB though)

No its not right..

Well you could probably figure it out, but if caught you would be arrested for driving without a licence.

Car licences obtained after some date (think its 1979) only entitles you to ride a 50cc moped ON L PLATES without needing a CBT, if you wish to ride a 125 on L plates you have to do a CBT.

125 Eliminator is crap. Looks the part, but does 60mph down hill with a tailwind, and is generally laughed at for talking the talk but not walking the walk if you catch my drift.

If you want a workhorse 125... get a honda... if you want fast, get a whiny aprila, if you want comfort and commuting/fuel economy, get a Honda CG125.

Hondas are wank. Cars abd bikes. Flip your license over. If you see a picture of a bike you have motorcycle entitlement and can do your cbt, if no bike picture ring dvla.

Hondas are wank. Cars abd bikes. Flip your license over. If you see a picture of a bike you have motorcycle entitlement and can do your cbt, if no bike picture ring dvla.

He wasnt asking if he could do a cbt... he was asking if he could ride one without L plates.

"If you already have a full car driving licence, then you may have full moped and provisional motorcycle entitlement already.  This allows you to legally ride a moped (up to 50cc and 30mph), without completing CBT."

Anything faster than 30mph bigger than 50cc = CBT Required.

Here are the routes available.

Most places have a hard enough time with 125 mopeds and chavs... imagine if it was unrestricted and they were barrelling down pavements on a 400.

Wed wipe more of the delinquents out sooner?

I did a quote, assuming I had just completed a CBT, on confused.com and the price came to £85 for the year! does that sound right for a 125 Kawasaki Eliminator?

If it is, its blooming cheap indeed!! £15 tax and £85 insurance, thats £100 a year and petrol would be much better than my car and parking would be easy too...

I cant see many down sides apart from the cold...

Theres a company in Newcastle thatll charge £375 for the CBT and tuition (http://www.motorcycletraining.net/motorcycle_training_prices.html) Id have to buy my provisional motorcycle license, do my theory then I go in for my CBT... Then pass, hopefully, and get my license then I can ride a 125cc bike.

So what clothing would I need?
Helemt
Gloves
Leathers
What else am I missing?

waterproofs

either textiles top n bottom or an all in one cover for the leathers

I took a MC licence at 16 which allowed me to drive MCs weighing 75 kg or less that is now changed to the 125cc limit. at 18 I could driving larger bikes without any further lessons or tests if you had a car licence you could drive a an MC without ever used one before !!! Nowadays you need special MC licence and that is good. I do not need one cause my old licence is still valid