License question - CBT? [One year update]

Hades · 31 Aug 2020 at 15:57

I an 51 years old and held a car license since 1987. I would like to get my motorbike license.

I always assumed I would have to take a CBT. But looking at these links it suggests that if I have AM on my license then I don't need a CBT? I do indeed have AM but I assume that is simply due to passing my test under older rules in 1987 (it's surprising just how many vehicles I can actually drive on that older license). Can I drive a 125cc without taking my CBT or is that loophole only applicable to a 50cc moped and I still need it for a 125cc?

https://scooterlab.uk/get-on-the-road/#An easy explanation of the licensing route
https://www.thebikeinsurer.co.uk/learner-guides/when-dont-i-need-a-cbt/

Thanks.

Mucky_Pup · 31 Aug 2020 at 16:25

You still need a CBT for 125cc. You could ride a moped without a CBT because you passed your car test before 2001.

Hades · 31 Aug 2020 at 16:27

Thank you.

Hades · 9 Sep 2020 at 22:57

A quick update... I booked my CBT today (mid October). I'm really quite excited

Diddums · 10 Sep 2020 at 11:11

Congrats mate, make sure you bring your own helmet & gloves (you'll likely have to in the covid times but even if not, the kit provided is generally manky and stinky).

Hades · 10 Sep 2020 at 12:26

Thanks. Yes that's the plan. They can supply kit but as I will need it in the future I might as well get it now.

Hades · 9 Oct 2020 at 18:20

Thread update... I have since bought my own helmet, gloves and jacket and today I passed my CBT. Yay \o/

Using my own kit was definitely a nicer approach. The girl also doing a CBT with me struggled to find the right fitting jacket and helmet, and her hands froze with quite thin gloves. I was very toasty and comfortable with great airflow in my helmet. We also got a nod from two bikers while riding, despite us having L plates. I thought that was really nice of them. Thank you

My theory test is booked for mid November. I was happy with my instructor today so once I manage to pass it I will use him for Mod 1 and 2. My original plan was to get my license before buying a bike (although I may buy my brothers Vespa as a general runaround, not a replacement for a bigger bike later). But even though I passed CBT today I wasn't comfortable with my clutch, throttle and gear control when pulling away. I'll obviously learn more on Mod 1 but I think I'd like a bit more experience beforehand. I wasn't smooth on that at all and I think I'll be tense on the Mod 1 because of it. So I'm thinking of either taking a couple of ad-hoc lessons with the instructor or maybe buying a cheap used 125 and selling it again later. Not sure which yet. It will obviously be cheaper to just take a few extra lessons. But flipping a 125 would mean I can get a lot more experience. I'll need to look at insurance costs to decide.

Anyway... the journey has started

EMarkM · 9 Oct 2020 at 18:33

Well done so far!

That clutch control will come with just a little more practice, as will things like using your back brake for slow manoeuvres and hill starts.

Enjoy it

Munchies · 10 Oct 2020 at 07:22

As said above clutch control will come, but it's worth noting that gloves can have an impact on that.

I have a set of summer gloves, and a set of thick winter gloves, the winter gloves are coming out about now, but it'll take me a ride or two to get used to the clutch again, as I have far less feeling through the thicker winter gloves. Same with boots, and gear changes / rear brake.

So if you're struggling, perhaps try some thinner gloves to better feel for the bite point, until you are comfortable.

azazl187 · 10 Oct 2020 at 08:01

Please keep us updated on your progress, I've wanted to pass my bike test for a while now and I've always wondered about cost and how much it all costs

burns · 12 Oct 2020 at 08:33

I did similar last year, I passed my CBT in early November. It's a good time of year to buy a 125. If you can hang on until spring to sell it you should be able to make a profit on it.

Have fun!

EMarkM · 12 Oct 2020 at 09:40

So, to keep OP Hades interested, what are we all riding?

I started in around 1991, and have had a fair few bikes.

One of my favourites was my A reg GPZ 750 - a real classic

We currently have the little Honda CMX 500 twin Rebel - a nice, relaxing bobber to pobble around on

Omega_ · 7 Dec 2020 at 15:37

any updates op

Hades · 7 Dec 2020 at 22:06

Omega_ said:
any updates op

Yes indeedy, thanks for asking

I passed my CBT. My theory was booked for November but was a casualty of the second lockdown. I managed to rebook it for end December. I haven't booked the rest of my training yet because I want to pass the theory before doing so. But I've been hearing that Mod 1 and Mod 2 training and tests are also significantly delayed and I am not likely to get a date before spring. So I took a decision to get a YBR 125 to practice on and then sell when I eventually get a license. It takes the pressure off a little and I get a lot more experience before my DAS course. I also finished getting my gear and added boots and trousers to the jacket, gloves and helmet I already had. It's not the ideal time of year and frankly it's chuffing cold. But it's also good fun.

Omega_ · 10 Dec 2020 at 11:19

Hades said:
Yes indeedy, thanks for asking

I passed my CBT. My theory was booked for November but was a casualty of the second lockdown. I managed to rebook it for end December. I haven't booked the rest of my training yet because I want to pass the theory before doing so. But I've been hearing that Mod 1 and Mod 2 training and tests are also significantly delayed and I am not likely to get a date before spring. So I took a decision to get a YBR 125 to practice on and then sell when I eventually get a license. It takes the pressure off a little and I get a lot more experience before my DAS course. I also finished getting my gear and added boots and trousers to the jacket, gloves and helmet I already had. It's not the ideal time of year and frankly it's chuffing cold. But it's also good fun.

awesome to hear ;D my cbt is at the end of the month. cant wait to join you in complaining about the cold

. Excited to ride around

mehiko · 1 Apr 2021 at 10:27

great theme. I dream to buy an electric scooter

Hades · 25 Aug 2021 at 15:50

A little update to this thread. It's amazingly almost a year old now. After several delays due to COVID, I owned a YBR 125 through winter and summer. I passed my full license earlier this month, sold the YBR, embraced my inner hipster and bought a used neo retro bike, a Triumph T120.

I now pretend to be Richard Gere in An Officer and a Gentleman whenever I roll off the driveway

It's funny looking back how nervous I was on my CBT. I was gripping the handlebars like my life depended on it. Which I guess it kind of does

I found clutch and gear control tricky on the CBT too. So, combined with test delays, I got the YBR to get some experience in my own time. I still don't regret the decision and it did exactly what I wanted it to do. I learned to relax and made a few mistakes in my own time on a slower bike. I learned a lot. It also helped me to be sure that biking was for me and understand what I wanted out of a bike. I sold the YBR at a small profit which mostly offset the insurance cost. So I ran the bike for a year at almost no cost at all. It also helped me get used to basic bike maintenance such as chain adjustment. No regrets at all - it was the right move for me.

I passed my Mod 1 in June and my Mod 2 mid August, followed by an almost immediate upgrade to a bigger bike. I think it is from this point which the 125 has helped. The change in weight and power of the bike is significant (from a 125cc to a 1200cc) and the 125 helped make bikes more familiar. I think I'd have crashed the new bike now if I hadn't ridden a 125 for months and just relied on the Mod 1 and 2 instruction. As it is, I nearly blasted myself off the back of it the first time I accelerated to join a motorway

I also had to do a genuine emergency swerve to avoid a lorries shed load on the M40 about half an hour after getting the new bike.

I am completely hooked on riding now. I really love it and what started out last year as a bucket list item has turned into a new hobby and passion.

Now to gradually replace all my high vis gear and dress like a black ninja at night...

(kidding)

Diddums · 26 Aug 2021 at 19:51

That's fantastic to hear mate, well done

I've got my CBT in October, really looking forward to it. Probably going to do it your way too, a year on a little 125 and then move on. I'll likely be taking every rung up the ladder as I go, from a 125, CRF250, RC390, CBR500, etc. I used to ride mopeds as a kid which I absolutely loved too, I lost it when I moved to London and got married, but I suspect it'll be back with a vengeance.

I was sitting on a Grom the other day, such awesome little bikes. I'd love one, shame it'd be nicked within a week. I really like the look of the Keeway K-Lite, and Keeway seems to be the best of the Chinese bikes and it'll never get stolen.

CrazyGreggy · 26 Aug 2021 at 20:00

Yeah, saw that about the van in the other thread. I hate getting stuck behind a vehicle I can't see through, will usually do anything I can (legally, ofc) to get out from behind and preferably in front. Worst thing is when the buggers just sit in the outside lane of the motorway blocking everyone's visibility.