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[Closed] motorbike (mk2 - vintage, small) - should I?

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There is an option to do the test on a 125 which then allows you up to 33bhp (or k?) bike?

Yes, do the test on a 125 and you're limited to a 33bhp bike for 2 years.


 
Posted : 08/07/2011 11:41 am
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al

[url= http://www.begin-motorcycling.co.uk/training.htm ]THIS SITE[/url] explains it all quite well with costs etc.


 
Posted : 08/07/2011 11:43 am
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Thanks Woody....I find that website badly drafted and confusing!


 
Posted : 08/07/2011 11:53 am
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1. CBT then direct access course both on hired bikes. (bit daft, no practice)

This is in fact the most sensible idea. CBT, direct access, buy suitable bike (not a 125 which will cost a premium due to there being people who don't have the option of a bigger bike) then practice as much as you like. We call it riding.


 
Posted : 08/07/2011 12:09 pm
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Seriously it's not making sense to me: Ignoring hiring/buying, I think it's

CBT then...

1. further test (theory and practical) on >35kW = ride anything afterwards
2. further test (theory and practical) on <35kW = ride up to 25kW afterwards


 
Posted : 08/07/2011 12:13 pm
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Direct access is quite a serious amount of training - its by fart rhteh best way IMO. Just remeber you don't know it all. You are only going out on the road on your own once youhave significant amount of training - safer than just CBT tehn ride a 125.

An older middleweight will be a more fun and safer option than a 125 at the same price point - ad more chance of getting a well looked afdter bike

Stuff like that GS 550 will be spot on for what you want. Fast enough to be fun, not too big or heavy, not to highly strung. Spot on for a sunny days cruise and pose


 
Posted : 08/07/2011 12:14 pm
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Hang on....CBT and A2 license = bike up to 33kw...would those bikes not be OK?

EDIT Ah I see A2 only £200 cheaper than DAS


 
Posted : 08/07/2011 12:33 pm
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Thanks Woody....I find that website badly drafted and confusing!

I thought it would be perfect for a lawyer 8)

Re the GS550 that TJ is recommending - I had a GS650 a few years ago and can confirm it will do exactly as said ^^.


 
Posted : 08/07/2011 12:33 pm
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Having just been out in a torrential thunderstorm I realised that while I wouldn't mind going back to a cheapo 125cc hack for commuting I'd most definitely want to still be using good riding kit!

My current Gericke and Altberg stuff never lets in a drop - back when I was a teenager I only had a 2nd hand waxed cotton jacket and some leather work boots and would have got soaked.


 
Posted : 08/07/2011 1:49 pm
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Oh no I appear to have a copy of "Classic Motorcycle" magazine under my arm...


 
Posted : 08/07/2011 2:13 pm
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Tell you what, seeing as you're taking the blame from my missus when she finds out about my 'new' BMW, I'll do the same for you.

Only I'll bet my missus is bigger than yours...


 
Posted : 08/07/2011 3:09 pm
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Hello cynic-al, just to give you some hope I am selling my wifes (with her knowledge) R reg Suzuki GN125. She bought this when it was one year old, it now had 4147 miles on it. She is the second owner. Just had new battery, plug, oil, oil and air filter fitted by myself. Garaged all it's days. Small dent in tank (paint solid and some pitting on fork lowers. Price £575. All paperwork MOTs, etc. Not what I would call knackered. It is located in scotland so probably no use to you but they are out there.


 
Posted : 08/07/2011 5:48 pm
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If I didn't already have an SV 650 then I'd be perfectly happy with a "modern" 500 twin such as the GS 500 developing 50 odd bhp.

Let's put it in to context. Probably the greatest 500 racer for the ordinary man was the Manx Norton, beating many multi-cylinder bikes in the right circumstances and it developed 47 bhp. OK the GS 500 won't handle as well (but will probably stop better) or do 140 mph but who wants to do that anyway.

It's in the riding. About two years ago I came up behind a gaggle of sports bikes dithering about on a twisty road and passed the lot of them but had to use possibly threequarters of the 18 bhp available from the small two stroke I was on.

People tend to make the mistake of overbiking. As the saying goes, "Add lightness and simplicate".


 
Posted : 08/07/2011 7:01 pm
 juan
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People tend to make the mistake of overbiking. As the saying goes, "Add lightness and simplicate".

Bow to such wisdom...


 
Posted : 08/07/2011 7:07 pm
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I do enjoy little bikes like the SV650 or the CB500 but for the sort of riding I do I find bigger bikes (like my CBF1000GT) are better. It's not necessarily that they're faster, more that they're more relaxed and comfortable on longer rides.

For shorter distance stuff like commuting the CB500 is a great bike though, and it also handles pretty well.


 
Posted : 08/07/2011 7:07 pm
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Cupra

That sounds like exactly what he's looking for !


 
Posted : 08/07/2011 7:13 pm
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Don't think I could feel relaxed on anything doing only 40 to the gallon (MCN figure for CB 1000 GT). In 40,000 plus miles the SV has averaged 56 (best 64, worst 45). I would hope for similar from a CB 500.


 
Posted : 08/07/2011 7:21 pm
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"People tend to make the mistake of overbiking. As the saying goes, "Add lightness and simplicate"."

"Bow to such wisdom... "

Not my saying, I've known it used a few times, usually in relation to the smaller Guzzis. But I've witnessed the overbiking often enough.


 
Posted : 08/07/2011 7:25 pm
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My direct access consisted of cbt for one day, half day training for mod one then mod one in afternoon next day full day training next day half day training then mod two. Total cost including test fees was 525 so not too much and it was a doddle

But as I said before our lasses 2003 gn125 was only 625 but needed fork seals but cheap enough, its mint and hardly used 😉


 
Posted : 08/07/2011 7:31 pm
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BSA bantam 🙂


 
Posted : 08/07/2011 7:34 pm
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Don't think I could feel relaxed on anything doing only 40 to the gallon (MCN figure for CB 1000 GT). In 40,000 plus miles the SV has averaged 56 (best 64, worst 45). I would hope for similar from a CB 500.

Fuel consumption isn't really a consideration for me when buying a motorbike.


 
Posted : 08/07/2011 7:35 pm
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Cupra

That sounds like exactly what he's looking for !

Can someone tell him 😀


 
Posted : 08/07/2011 8:19 pm
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Cupra, TGM


 
Posted : 08/07/2011 10:40 pm
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Cynical-al, er I don't, but I have sent you one.


 
Posted : 09/07/2011 7:51 am
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