Learner needs advise

I'm 23 years old and am looking to get my first motorbike, never ridden one
before. I don't have a licence and have just sent of for my provisional.



I am looking at getting an Aprillia RS125 after I've passed the CBT. Then
getting either an Category A1 or A2 (Restricted for 2 year - I don't mind
waiting) licence



Is the Aprillia RS125 a good choice? I want to be able to ride it on a CBT
and A1 licence. And I believe it can be unrestricted if I get A2 licence.



What's the different between the licences in terms of what's involved.
Wondering if getting a category A licence is going to be much harder, since
I'm over 21.



What should I be looking to pay for

Aprillia RS125

CBT and the difference motorbike license.



I'm from Irlam in Salford/Manchester can you recommend somewhere I can do my
CBT and the other licences.



I've got no biking experience and appreciate any help you can give me.



Regards



Neal

 

Neal posted:

I had an RS125 for when I was serving the 2 years on the A2 licence. It
was my third bike though, having spent a year on a TS50 to learn road
sense and implanting the 2nd bike (a 125) into the side of a car.

I think the RS125 is a great choice, and if you get it there's the
potential for lots of fun. Take it to Moto-Technique near the CIS
building in the city centre for servicing and you can't go wrong.

There are a number of things you might want to think about though.
It'll be a scrote magnet, so you'll need somewhere secure to keep it.
Also, insurance won't be terribly friendly - get some quotes before you
go further.

First bikes tend to spend a little bit of time on their side. This will
cost you on the RS125. You might like to consider getting a direct-
access course, and getting some sort of 500/600 with not much plastic.

As for licence, I was trained up by Motag around Bolton/Horwich. The
guy was called Ren and was a top bloke. I think they have regional
training people, so give them a call and see who your local bod is.

If you fancy a chat or a pint let us know - I live about 20 mins away.

 

To jump in on this thread - is there anything you can recommend? I did most of
my training on a GS500 and was thinking I could do worse than picking up one of
these for a while. I'm a bit lost with the sheer variety in autotrader though!

I've just done a direct access course with Motag, bloke was called Tom, he's
been training in Bolton for a few years. I trained in Stockport, took my test in
Northwich. Unfortunately I failed it (thursday just gone), accumulation of five
minors for missing lifesavers became a serious fault. Everything else was pretty
much perfect [1] so the fail was a bit annoying. Still, I guess it's better that
I get into the habit of good observation before they let me loose. Annoyingly
though I was told that when you get to advanced it's all mirror work, grrr...

[1] aside from a couple of minors in the "move away" category - stalls arrgghh
(nerves of course!)

 

Liam posted:

I've not ridden (m)any of the smaller middle-weights. I loved my
SV650S, and will recommend them to anyone that will listen (and a few
who won't).

I didn't like the seating position of the Fazer, and the Hornet didn't
have a good range when I was looking, some years ago.

As for the older/cheaper ones I don't really know. I think I'd better
wibbleflipdibbledoo this one and pass it over to someone else.

 

Keelworm wrote

It is still a fucking lifesaver, even if you are in a car. Just that
this time it maybe somebody else's life you are saving.

Tell the piss takers to **** off or shut up and pointed ask them if they
can ever be bothered to look round at other traffic on the road.

Don't be such a fucking wuss. Be aggressive about it and remind them it
is a 'Lifesaver' and it all helps to keep reinsurance costs down.

 

A google search on this group will reveal lots of recommendations.
CB500s seem to get reasonably good press, but IIWY I would consider
something with a little more poke: Bandit 600, SV 650, Hornet 600,
Fazer 600. I've had one each of the first two and would thoroughly
recommend both.

It all depends on what you want out of it, and how much you want to pay
for insurance.

Bad luck. I disagree with "all mirror work". Whilst you might live
more in your mirrors, the shoulder check before overtakes and before
right turns is still imporant IMHO.

--
John

SV650
Black it is
and naked

 

Liam said:

Whoever told you that is a ****.

 

He was talking shite.

 

provisional.

Good man.

Do your DAS. Don't even think about a restricted license.

licence.

The RS125 is a great bike and can be ridden on a learner plate
restricted and on an A1 license unrestricted. I had one. But if you're
implying to do your CBT on the RS, don't. In my experience people tend
to struggle when they use race reps for the CBT.

Do DAS

Do DAS

See: http://www.ads-training.co.uk for license categories.


--
Molly
Who am I? http://www.MollyG.net/intro2molly/about-me.htm
"Kneesliders Sponsored by Cane"
"Gower School" By Appointment".
GSX-R1000 (a girly bike), Triumph Thunderbird, GS500, GHPOTHUF#27
TGF, UKRMFBitchC#7, Two#24, BOTAFOF#11, YTC#9, GYASB#1. SbS#23.
DFWAG#2, DS#2, DIAABTCOD#20. remove "thisbit" in the reply
http://www.mollyg.net (our own endurance team) http://Team-ukrm.com
"Nemo repente fuit turpissimus"

 

I would try Tom Granger warrington based, on the main drag from winwick
there is a big college/poly oposit a BP garage near the KFC.

I would recomend them to everone.

Ken
B12

 

though!

I loved My Bandit 600 even though it was restricted (1) I am sure you can
pick them up dirt cheap if you look hard enough. I got a brand spanker for
£3500 years ago so second hand should still be cheap.

(1) wrote the bastart off the day before it was due to be derestricted.

Ken
B12

 

I even do them when walking down the street!

 

I absolutely agree; I would prefer to fail being unsafe rather than risk not
seeing someone cut me up the time I didn't look.

 

That collar bone of yours making breathing too difficult then?

--
John

SV650
Black it is
and naked

 

--

Email: 21.co.uk
MSN:

Mate, my advice is save ure money and get a cheap 125. Get unrestricted and
spen good money on a bigger bike - From experiance!
Check it out! An all new Site
Web Site: http://www.biker.v21hosting.co.uk

 

Something along the lines of "What's behind doesn't matter"?

 

Champ wrote in

Although the transition phase where something attempts to get in front of
you could be problematic, no? How's the shoulder?

 

Oh, the irony!

 

I find myself doing them when I'm driving, either the car or a shopping
trolley.