Take my cbt on Sunday! Nervous but excited. I'm planning on doing the direct access route although I may change my mind depending on how I get on. I have ridden bikes a bit when younger, messing about on mates bikes (on private land of course) but that was ages ago when i didnt think about consequences. Im more nervous now.

Just wondered if the many bikers on Brisky had any advice regarding their experiences of tests and any bikes they would recommend-I like the naked bikes like sv 650 or hornet but wonder if these are ok for beginners....thoughts and advice welcome.

Never sat the cbt myself but a lot of my mates are bikers. Most of them say to call it a test is a joke, it's done by a instructer not a examiner. And if you fail it don't own up to it as you will never live it down.

Make sure you do your full test before January, even just on a 125.

After then the rules are changing to make it harder and more costly to get a license.

Good luck danroly, nothing more liberating than getting your bike licence and the CBT is an important first step. Contrary to Meta55b's post you CAN fail CBT, just listen to the instructor and try and relax (dont forget to update us).

I'd go direct access if you can, at least then you can decide yourself what sort of bike you have. The two bikes you mention are ideal bikes, and you wont get bored of them quickly as they are excellent bikes in their own right. Also look at things like Kawasakis ER6 (F or N), its a more modern version of the sv650 and hornet you mention which are both getting a bit long in the tooth now.

I think every car driver should pass the bike test and ride a motorbike, just because it makes you so much more aware of potential hazards. My car driving improved after passing my bike test immeasurably and I went on to do IAM on both car an bike, and then observe for a local IAM group on bikes.

Good luck.

RBW.

Make sure you do your full test before January, even just on a 125.

After then the rules are changing to make it harder and more costly to get a license.

Really? Why what's being introduced?

Thanks for the heads up

as far as I know you just keep going on the CBT till you pass for one set fee. (that is how it was when I went through it in 2003) decided that even though I had all the bits I needed it had been over 25 years since I had been riding so thought it best to do the lot again. after passing I got a bandit 600, very basic but cheap and a very good bike to learn on.

John

Really? Why what's being introduced?

Thanks for the heads up

At the mo, take your test on a 125 and you are restricted to 33bhp for two years then you can ride anything.

From next year if you use a 125 for the test you are stuck at that level for ever. To ride a bigger bike you need to take your test on a larger machine with all the added expense involved.

http://www.90-one.com/testchange.html

Ahhhh, cheers, just read the link. I'm 38 so can still do the direct access route as I intended but will defo look to push on and pass this year now.

Looks like you can leave it to after the Jan change and still go direct access, may be better as weather is getting colder and wetter for now.

I went down the Direct Access route many years ago, i think this is a good route as it is intensive and gets you to a bigger bike sooner. I had the time available to do it this way, no idea what it costs these days though.

First bike I got was an SV650S (part faired version). Really nice bike and a good first bike, did get bored of it after a year and got a ZX6R Ninja which had I got originally would have got me banned or killed! Hornet should be equally good, probably better build quality as Honda?

Good luck with the CBT.

I have a bmw funduro 650. Has a great comfortable riding position and would i think be good for a new rider.

In regards to your lessons or test, you can't look over your shoulder enough, and keep your head up looking forward into the hazards that ly in front of you. But mostly, enjoy it. Being out on The open road is great on a bike!

CBT is a bit of a joke. I'd go for the full thing if you are going to do it all.

You'll soon get irritated by a 125 and personally I never felt safe on anything smaller than a 400.

SV650 isa good first bike, Fazer 600 or Bandit 650 too. Naked bikes are cheaper look good and stop you doing silly speeds.

They're also easier to ride. Hornet is a good bike but the tank range is stupidly small. If you've money get a BMW 650 bit dull but you won't lose much when you trade it in.

I got a ZXR400 after my test and it was a real head down, arse up racer, quite tricky to ride and spectacularly uncomfortable. I spent less time on it because of that, it only worked well when you were wringing it's neck and it was good for 140.

Don't bother with restricted licenses either. The bike is only as fast as your right wrist.

Get a cheaper bike and better safety gear (leathers etc) if it comes down to a choice. You can always get another bike but if you come off (likely) you want to stay in one piece.

I did my test in November in the snow so you can do it then it's just uncomfortable.

Edited 13 September, 201213 yr by Aspman

Bandit or Hornet would be good to start with then you can progress to something like a ZXR1100/1200 or similar naked.

Past my test 25 years ago so cant comment on the CBT or test but you will love it.

If you really want to ride all year round then somthing like a DR350 or XL250 would be good for the winters as they are easy to ride and cheap enough when you drop them.

Make sure you get a good helmet and that dosnt mean you have to spend £500 some of the best helmets cost less than £150 just make sure it fits properly.

Good textile jackets and trousers are as good as most leathers. A good textile jacket with a removable inner will do all year round.

And get some winter and summer gloves.

Get a good pair of boots but dont go for MX boots they may look good but are not really suited to road use.

Good luck and ride safe.