RSrussell

On how to do a test, what test i need and where to buy a 600cc bike from.

I've never driven one, is it a good idea to go straight to 600cc? I'm a very carefull roaduser and never crashed (yet. lol)

Cheers guys

PJay

am right in thinking you've got a stg 3 cos?

RSrussell

well depends what you call "stg 3"

but yeah with the std T3 turbo

GARETH T

if your over 21,, you can do direct access, you need a CBT, and pass your bike test on a bike of 36 kw's of power

gurnE

If you under 21 take your test on a 125, buy an R1, restrict it to 33bhp, take the 4 washers out and don't get caught at 177mph

Anonymous

Don't go straight to a 600cc unless you've got a few years of experiance. Most 600's, cbr's, gsxr's, and R6's are stupidly fast, around a hundred horspower with very little weight, 0 to casuality 2.3 seconds.

I've only ever played on little bikes, chicken chassers but have had mates who have owned serious machines, at the moment ones got an R1 and anothers got a GSX 750 R, both stupid fast. You could be the safest rider in the world but its not about you, its about the other road users around you. Build yourself up with smaller bikes first.

Anyway, forget the crap, just get out there and see if you can get a test ride on something to get a feel for yourself. If you want to get into bikes quickly you can do a crash course, this is either done in one full week, around five days or over a period of weekends. Courses vary in cost but expect something around £300 plus. Its something i looked into before getthing my saph cossie.

Hope that helps

RSrussell

Nope i'm 24 ( getting old) i'll do a search for direct access

GARETH T

PJay

I'll be honest with ya mate ihad a craving for a bike for a long time so wen't out and done my direct access and bought a gsxr 600 k1, TBH when your used to a coz the perfomance of a 600 ain't much quicker but a lot more dangerous.

PJay

RSrussell

PJay, i rarely used my cossie, its an old mota, and i don't get to appreciate it much.

I drive about 20 miles to work, so i'll use it just to get to work (start at 7pm and the roads are rather quite)

Another question, i don't need to do a theory test do i?

PJay

yes mate you do have to do a theory, i'm not trying to put you off, i'm glad i've done mine because if i ever feel the need i can go and get another bike but if your after it for speed a600 ain't that quick but if your getting a commuter type it'll be cool and i had no prob's with a 600 as my first bike you just gotta take it easy at first.

PJay

RSrussell

i do want it for spped aswell, but i don't think buying an R1 or similar straight off would be a wise choice. lol

PJay

for a 600 your looking at aroung 160 mph max and the accelerationa in't much better than a 315bhp cossie, i know where i'd rather be if it wen't tits up at anythng over about 40 mph. Go for it though mate, it's something you'll always have then if you want to go bigger

PJay

Rich_w

Right cos yoyur over 21

Go and Book a Theory TEst, and the Hazard awareness test. These are COMPULSORY. You cant book a test without these nowadays.

Next phone around the training centres in yuor area. Go for 4 or 5 day DAS (Direct Access) type course. Be about £450-£500. That pays for Bike hire, radio hire, helmet hire, (if you havent got your own) And usually waterproof hire.

You must have a strong Jacket and gloves. Dont turn up in trainers cos they MIGHT not let you ride in them.

I recommend getting your own kit as a) it'll fit you better b) Wont be completely knackered and c) you're going to need them if you get abike anyway. Also a lids handy if you want to do a trackday in your car.


Day 1 : CBT (Compulsory Basic Training) on a 125. You'll spend the morning learning about a bike, how to put it on its stand, walk it around without dropping it. Then you'll learn basic controls. Ride around some cones in a car park. When to do lifesaver checks, Then in the afternoon you'll go for a ride with the instructor following you. Telling you to turn left, stop tyurn right. All the basics. At the end of the day you should get the certificate, as long as you havent been completely useless. Remember the kids on Peds pass so you should be fine.

Day 2-Test day. On a 500 (GS500 normally) You will go for all day rides with you, learn to do turn in roads, lifesavers, emergency stops etc. Get you to ride up to 70 somewhere. When you first do 70 on a unfaired 500 you suddenly realise how vunerable you are on a bike!

On the test day you go out with the Examiner who will give you a radio. You'll do all the above then you pass or fail.

Did mine last year. Had the biggest when I passed.

As for which bike. Nearly everybody says start small and work up. As PJ says a 600 is still bloody fast and a 1000 is only going to be at most 20mph faster.

But beware, when you get back in a car for the first time, it will feel sluggish, sloppy and shite compared to a bike.

AndyGranger

Buy the best gear you can afford
If you have a £10 head buy a £10 helmet
As for the bike it will only go as fast as you twist the grip!!

PJay

Agreed, theres a little thing called temptation tho Just be careful guys, bikes are dangerous if not respected.

PJay

swerv

p jay are you being serious about a 600cc (gsxr600 etc) being as slow as a 315hp cossie!!!!

really dont think so

JBcos

Definately would never get back on a bike without the proper gear!!!!!!!!!

At 23 i did the direct access and bought my 1st bike, New GSXR750, awsome and well impressed. A dumb move as it was the 1st bike i ever owned and picked it up the day i passed my test 5 days after 1st getting on a bike. Would deffo do the same again though

PJay

theres not a lot in mate,and since i've got a 315bhp cossie and just sold my gsx600 i'd be in a position to know

PJay

AndyGranger

I agree about the temptation bit
Sold mine last year and bought a Moto-x bike instead
More chance of getting hurt but less chance of going for the long sleep
After clipping the mirror of a car at just under 90 kinda wakes you up a bit

PJay

moto x is good fun

Stoney

I done my DAS last year at a total cost of £450, that included:

CBT (includes bike hire)
4 Day DAS which included: Bike hire (fully insured) 4 days training (9am - 4pm) and TEST fee + everything else you'd need except protective clothing.

I took my CBT on a CG125 then I done my DAS on a ER5, I did'nt want to jump straight in at the deep end and go for silly power so I got myself a brand new Suzuki Bandit 600 (unfaired) and I found this was an ideal bike for starting out on, easy to modify and insurance friendly for a 1st bike. I've still got the Bandit but ive ridden a mates Triumph Speed Triple and im glad I started with something smaller or i'd quite possibly be brown bread by now if I hadn't

AndyGranger

Dirty fun!
[img] http://picserver.student.utwente.nl/...php/PQQA92PU42 [/img]

RSrussell

Cheers guys, just been reading up and getting prices from instructors around my way.

CBT ; All in, including bike and equipment £85

Direct Access Test ; Noumber of days dependant (2-6) £110 per day + £50 for the test (bike & equip all included)

The theory test is part of the direct access test. They will supply you with the test book, so you can revise

http://www.probiketraining.com/Probike_motorx.html

RSrussell

How long does a bike engine last for? and is the maintenance expensive? tyres, brakes etcetc

AndyGranger

Jap 4 strokes go forever mate
2 strokes need constant care but you won,t be getting one of them so it don,t matter

Rich_w

Rikki

http://www.dsa.gov.uk/mockpaper/theoryintro.htm

Have a quick read. Its all just basic stuff, so as someone whose been driving for a few years, it wont be that difficult.

Any more questions bung em on here

Oh and check the link in my sig for one of the bigger Bike forums.

PJay

bike engines will last as long as a car engine if looked after correctly, everyone seems to have a fit if there more tha a few thousand but i put 18k on mine and had it services regular and it was still good as new tyres for are sports bike are about £90+ for the front + £100odd+ for the rear tax is £60quid a year and petrols pretty good to, it's the insurance which is normally shocking on a first bike

Rich_w

PJ

I was quoted less for a R1 with no experience or NCB than for a Cossie with 3 Years NCB, Cat 1 and a Tracker!!!!

Lets be honest, which is easier to steal! Oh and that was only £80 more than what I am paying for my Escort (Worth a 1/3 of the Yam!!!) with GreenLight (New Official PassionFord Insurers )

RSrussell

pmsl @ andy

cheers rich, i'll take a look

what about other stuff, chain, oil, air filter (if they have one )

What and average service cost and when is it recommended to do one? as frequently as poss?

Is there any thing that like to fook up? well before i crash it. pmsl

PJay

Rich im shocked by that, the bike is the easier to steal by far IMO, my coz cost an extra 200 a yr on my ins and the bike was an extra 800

PJay

PJay

Oil same as car mate, if it's low top it up, bikes have service interval's the same as cars do so you just get it done if/when the mileage requires it, chain lube will be a issue if your using the bike daily but there reliable and built well, nothing major tends to go wrong, all depends what bike you have i gues..

PJay

AndyGranger

My mate had a 748 service + mot (including cambelts) came to £612
He sold it and bought a brand new MV F4

Rich_w

That reminds me Rikki.

The examiner will now ask you to "Show me how" or "Tell me how" you do basic maintenance on bikes.

Stuff like.

Check tyre treads and pressure (Legal is 1mm on bikes not 1.6 as on cars)
That the front brake is working
That all the lights are working
That theres enough Oil/Brake Fluid on the bike

Again, your instructor will tell you if youre not sure

PJ - Admittedly there online quotes from H & R Insurance, so they may go up 10-15% when you actually sign up, but still

RSrussell

Just done one of the tests, i got them all right (don't know how. lol)

Why would you do the top two??

As a safety measure before starting your engine, you should

Mark two answers

push the motorcycle forward to check the rear wheel turns freely
engage first gear and apply the rear brake
engage first gear and apply the front brake
glance at the neutral light on your instrument panel

and why would you need headlight deflectors when going abroad?
You intend to go abroad and will be riding on the right hand side of the road. What should you fit to your motorcycle?

Mark one answer

Twin headlights
Headlight deflectors
Tinted yellow brake lights
Tinted red indicator lenses

RSrussell

PJ, looking at a 2000> model, R6, Ninja or GSXR600.

But defo wanna get my license before i get any clothing or the bike itself

Stoney

Im insured through H & R www.insurance2000.co.uk and they managed to know £500 off of my cheapest quote and I purchased it online and it never went up. I pay £385 TPFT 1st bike so no NCB and im 26, I didnt think that was too bad

Rich_w

As a safety measure before starting your engine, you should

Mark two answers

push the motorcycle forward to check the rear wheel turns freely .....X
engage first gear and apply the rear brake
engage first gear and apply the front brake
glance at the neutral light on your instrument panel........................ X


You intend to go abroad and will be riding on the right hand side of the road. What should you fit to your motorcycle?

Mark one answer

Twin headlights
Headlight deflectors ..................... X
Tinted yellow brake lights
Tinted red indicator lenses

I think that bike headlights do have the "kick" type shape that car headlights have. Its just not so noticeable. Daresay no one bothers though.

Regarding Clothing. Its ADVISABLE to get at least a jacket. If you really dont want to cough up the £200 or so, try and borrow one. Same for gloves, a mate gave me an oldish set (that were still useable) SOme schoos wont let you ride in a "non tough" jacket. Something like a bomber jacket isnt good enough. As a little fact for you to consider.

At 30mph it takes 3 seconds to wear bare unexposed skin down to the BONE!

PJay

I had a 2001 gsxr 600 was a wicked bike but a bit dissapointing compared to 4 wheels once the novelty wore off

Thats not too bad at all, but theres no way i'd insure a bike of any value only TPFT I'm only 24 BTW.

PJay

Stoney

Not out of choice mate, it doubled to go fully comp but next year it'll only be £450 comp providing I dont bin it in the mean time