h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I am thinking about getting my motorbike license and buying a motorbike. I have heard that in the uk there are 2 ways of getting a license (one being direct access?).

Does anyone one know what the 2 different methods are, what size engine I will be allowed with each method and for how long, cost....

There are indeed two metods to the two-wheeled heaven that is your bike licence:

Restricted: Engine size is not a factor, but you will be limited to motorcycles of 33bhp or less for 2 years after passing your test. 33bhp Hayabusa anyone? ( Yes I'm being serious, there are restrictor kits out there.)

Direct access: If you are over 21(?) you may take your test on a machine with a capacity greater than 33bhp. This then allows you to ride any bike you can afford to insure. This is the more expensive method of getting your licence.

Both the above methods assume you already have passed the theory test and CBT.

As for costs, these vary between training providers. The only way to find out is to call a selection in the Yellow Pages. They will also be more than happy to point you in the right direction with regard to which is the best entry route for you, and answer any questions you may have

In the UK (if you're over 21) take one of two options.
1, Standard Category A Licence. Take the CBT and test on a bike between 120 and 125CC, capable of at least 100kph. You're then restricted to a max power output of 25kW (33bhp) for 2 years. After that you can ride whatever you like.
2, Direct Access. Take the CBT and test on a large bike, of at least 35kW (46.6bhp).

The direct access route is the route I want to take (if I ever get round to doing it)

The info was got from http://www.dvla.gov.uk/drivers/rdmcycle.htm

You should do it. OK so I might be a little biased, but in the majority of cases I prefer my bike to driving a car, especially when I can get through traffic jams!

I am going to get round to it, I just don't want to end up doing the work and then not doing anything with it for 4 years (like I've been doing with the car licence).
I want to be able to do the bike test and then get a bike straight off as it seems much more fun then a car

I am over 21 and although having never ridden any kind of motorbike I would agree that they are much preferable to bumbling around in traffic (especially as moving to London).

I'm thinking of going down the direct access route - are there many 125's (or under) that are actually credible in biker circles??!

Do it do it do it, the more bikes on the road the better!!! If you want any guidance, MotorCycle News gives you reviews, small ads & details of training courses.

Whoops, I forgot, does anyone know where I can get hold of a pair of mirrors for a Suzuki GSX 400FW (Jap import) from?

Again, try MCN (Motorcycle News) as its got a list of brekers and importers you could try.

I agree with you, it doesn't matter what you ride so long as you ride. The more of us out there the better!

I meant breakers not "brekers"...Ooops

One word of caution..Sorry make that 2.

If you go the direct access route expect your insurance premium to be stupid for a while. Correction....expect your insurance to be stupid for a while either way.

I've had a bike licence since I was 20 so I've been riding for a while - take my word for it, there are so crazy S.O.B's out there. Assume everone else it out to kill you & you might survive!

Can't be much more than what I'm paying for my car at the moment!
Silly money !!

Want to bet?

I've been riding motorbike on the road since I was 16. Finally passed got round to taking my test 8 years ago. I'm now 29, living in Plymouth, incident free record for the last 3 years and TPFT for my FJ1200 is £350

As a motocyclist you are seen as being high risk, especially for personal injury claims from accidents, so insurance premiums reflect this, unfortunately. They're still over priced though and don't reflect the fact that the accident rate amongst bikers is falling, whereas amongst car drivers it rose slightly last year. A good reason for stricter training of tin box users?

Ouch!
I guess my £510 (22, Ford Escort 1.4) will be chicken-feed in comparison.

I know it's little consolation, but this is one thing that does get better with age. I pay less than that for a Xantia 1.9 SL fully comp. Have you read the papers today? It's going up again!!!!!

*hangs head and sobs*

Oh joy, what a surprise. I'll stop there before I go off on a rant.

Oh yes, if you want to ride a bike you will need VERY deep pockets and infinate patience. Some examples
My bike insurance is twice that of my car (My bikes only a gs500!) Spare parts cost twice as much.
You will get pulled over by the police twice as often.
The licence is considerably harder to obtain.
You will automatically been seen as a bank robber/garage robber/hooligan/one of the great unwashed etc etc etc etc........
Oh and if you happen to be female you will be assumed to be male. (when pulled for speeding I was told 'please take of your crash helmet sonny' - ever seen a copper go bright red?)

But, riding a bike is soooooo much more FUN.

Sue,

Just wait, they go more funny colours when you reveal yourself not only to be female, but above a certain age as well!!!!!!! Lots of fun, by the way, has anyone heard the story, maybe urban myth, of the three bikers stopped by the constabulary in Flint, when asked their names, they gave them as Win Canton, Eddie Stobart and Norbert Dentressangle!!!! (All large trucking companies for our foreign readers)

... and presumably had there been a fourth he would have been called Preston and been from Potto?

One - Go for it, it will be one of the best decisions ever.

Two - insurance is NOT more expensive if you shop around. Ignoring my longer no claims bonus on my car, it is more expensive to insure my £500 Peugeot than my £3000 Bandit, both fully comp. The only thing is the excess is £250 on the bike and only £100 on car.

Three - however it aint a cheap option, I do about 7 000 miles a year by bike, thats 1.5 sets of tyres @ £200 per set, two services @ £100 (at least) brake strip down and re-build (I ride all year round and don't trust myself with safety critical systems) @ £30 a shot. Leathers, helmet, etc @£500 for a half way decent set (but will last many years)

Four - You get to work with a smile on your face (especially female riders on 2 strokes )

CH