Any Bikers here?

[Leedscanary]

Hey Guys, as the title suggests - any bikers in here?

Reason for asking is as a kid I always wanted a motorbike, but as I got older I couldn't afford it, etc. Now I'm 37 (!) I've got more disposable income and I fancy a bike (could also be a bit of a midlife crisis!).

Anyone know how I'd go about getting a full motorcycle licence? Ideally when I can legally ride one I'd be after a Harley Davidson rather than a racing style bike.

Any advice gratefully received!

 

[Lone Star Canary]

I hope you enjoy picking gravel out of your backside, because odds are decent you'll lay the bike down at least once in the first 500 miles. 

That said, start small, don't spend too much and get something you can manage on the road before getting a bigger heavier hog.  I looked into getting a bike a few years back and talked to my cousin, who's owned the largest Harley store in Oklahoma for about thirty years.  He doesn't even ride anymore, prefering not to pick the aforementioned gravel from his butt.  Instead he drives a Corvette, something my dad turned him onto before I was ever born.

 

[Fenway Frank]

Leeds, your local motorcycle dealers will have flyers with details on courses etc. It's a great way to get around, although I'm at the other end of the biking scale and have a Vespa

 

[Tomasz Blazak]

I've got a little 125 on a learner licence. Just to commute to work on really as it halves my journey time and costs me £165 a year in tax and insurance, and about 7quid a week petrol (about 95-100miles to the gallon).

Great way to get around, make sure you get proper protective gear though, i came off on some ice as I went round a corner in December and the only damage I did was twist my knee a bit. If I'd not had proper padded gear on, I would have done myself a right mischief!

Agree with above post about starting on something small/battered as iv come off 3 times and dropped the bike twice more. You do not want to be dropping a Harley mate!

To get your provisional licence, its a 4-5 hour course called CBT (compulsory basic training). This involves learning basic skills and a 2 hour road ride (normally on a poxy 50cc that can't do more than 30mph). If you can ride a bicycle, and you know your highway code (eg if you drive) then its an absolute breeze. Once you pass your CBT you will be licensed to take a 125cc bike out on the road unaccompanied (Lasts for two years but can be renewed). 

You need lessons to get a full license, and this can take a bit of time, it's worth just getting a 125cc on the road, while you do lessons, as it costs almost nothing, and better you learn, and take the spills on that, than when you get something bigger. Will also increase your confidence, and help with the big bike lessons.

Ask at your local bike dealer, they'll have some info.

 

[Tomasz Blazak]

If you want any advice about reputable brands of gear to get etc then give me a shout.

 

[BIKER]

Hello there. I have been a biker for over 50 years and still turning the throttle in my 70s. A good bike to start with if you like the cruiser style bike is a small Yamaha Virago. Easy to ride, comfortable and ecconomical. I am riding a Virago 535 at the moment but have had every type of british bike over the years. Had most of the rice burners also. As a new rider, and come to that even older riders would all benifit from a course with bikesafe (www.bikesafe.co.uk) it is run by the police and worth every penny. You ride out with the police motorcyclists for a whole day and they will teach you stuff that bike lessons do not. Do not think that just because it is the law they are out to trip you up in some way because they are not. Policemen ride m/bikes because they love them and are just bikers like us. I ride out with a police biker at weekends when he is not working and we have great fun runs. He has a Harley that is all tricked out with a paint job that is second to none. Let us know what bike you settle for and above all else ride safe.