0-60 in One Month?

Question

UK answers please.

I have one month to buy and learn to ride a motorcycle from scratch. Am I looking at the impossible, or do I stand a chance?

I am 20 and have a full, clean car licence.

As far as I know, I need to (please correct me if I'm wrong):

do something with my licence*

take another theory test

take my CBT

buy a motorcycle of max 125cc**

insure it and tax it ***

buy a helmet and "leathers"

learn to ride it

take the practical motorcycle test

* - What exactly do I need to do with my licence? I need to add a motorcycle to it somehow, but will this affect my qualifications as a car driver?

** - What sort of price can I expect to pay? Are there any particularly good or bad bikes I should look for/avoid? I'm looking for cheap, reliable and easy to maintain myself.

*** - How much can I expect to pay? Is there really a difference in insurance prices between step-through frames and crossbar frames?

Ta in advance,

Dac

Answer 1

Wow, you do like a challenge don't you?

If you don't already have it you have to get motorcycle entitlement put on your license.

I have no idea how long it takes but you are in the hands of the DLA.

It doesn't affect your car driving entitlement at all.

You DON'T need to take a theory test if you already hold a full license for another type of vehicle.

I'm a foreigner so had to sit all of this despite already holding a license from my own country.

I did the car first up to a full license then did the bike.....I only sat the theory test for the car and didn't then have to sit it again.

You do need to sit and pass a CBT....this last for two years but that doesn't sound like an issue for you.

Then you get a bike, 125cc maximum and no more than 15bhp....and yes, insure yourself, make sure it's taxed and MOT'd.

Buy a helmet yes and leathers if you want.   I would also suggest gloves and boots.

Then sit and pass the full test....not as easy as the CBT and you may not get a test within a month.

If you pass you get to ride bikes up to 33bhp for two years...any bike, it can be restricted if it's normally more powerful.

In my opinion you're going to be pushed to do it in a month but you could consider taking a Direct Access course.

It's a concentrated training course on a big bike, 500cc and not less than 46bhp I think.

The tests are block booked in advance and if you pass you then get to ride big bikes straight away....none of this 33bhp thingy.

Look them up online or in the Yellow Pages, take a week off work and do it.

It probably costs a fair bit though.......depends how keen you are I guess.

Rat bikes are cheap enough, we have a 500cc Honda that cost £350.

Or you can pay £10,000 for a Beemer.

Insurance as always is based on you, where you live and what you want to ride or drive.

Want a sports bike and expect to pay more for insurance.....not exactly rocket science that.

My husband has the most no-claims out of the pair of us since he's not a foreigner so has lived here longer.......his insurance for the Honda is less than £100.

Answer 2

Send your licence off to DVLA and get your provisional entitlement for a motorcycle put on.

Book your CBT and theory test, you usually do the theory test, say on a week night, then your CBT on a Sat or Sun, on on a week day if it suites you.

Once you have passed then you start to look for a bike, the bike depends on your height, build, then the look and style you want. If your tall you would gat something possibly like a Varadaro adventure type, if your small or short possibly a chinese bike, they look like hondas but only cost £400-£900 new on the road, cheap insurance too.

No difference between types, prices vary between sport and commuter styles, or whether the bike is popular for being nicked in your postcode area.

Loads of info on The UK Motorcycle Tour Club site. on MSN