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)

Oh, Ive only ridden moto-cross, which was immensely fun. I think the bikes were about 250cc Kawasakis, but it was a few years ago and not on the road at all so... thats the only experience Ive had of them.

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.

I think I saw one of those Hondas... Ill looks some more, but Ill look into the CBT and get the license anyway, just in case I need it.

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.

brings back memories, 25 years ago I had a Suzuki GT 750 water cooled and a Kwak Z1000, and we didnt have the stupid restriction laws, at  17 on a l plate I had a Suzuki Hustler 200, awesome bike and at school I got a Fizzy.

Quote from: soopahflyHondas 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.

Quote from: Privateerbrings back memories, 25 years ago I had a Suzuki GT 750 water cooled and a Kwak Z1000, and we didnt have the stupid restriction laws, at  17 on a l plate I had a Suzuki Hustler 200, awesome bike and at school I got a Fizzy.

The restriction laws are actually quite smart. Stops idiots going out and riding a bike way too big for them, killing themselves, and putting others in danger.

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.

Quote from: M3ta7h3adMost 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?

Quote from: Clockd 0Ne

Quote from: M3ta7h3adMost 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?

Or yourself, your mother, a friend would get flattened by a chav racing his mate doing insane speeds down the footpath.

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?

Quote from: mr_rollSo what clothing would I need?
Helemt
Gloves
Leathers
What else am I missing?

boots

waterproofs

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

Do those prices sound good to you guys?

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