couple of questions

boomboombazza

hi i just wanted to know what the best option for me and my dad would be as regards:

insurance...i am 21 and my dad is ancient.neither have a licence only car licences so far. i understand there is a provisional test and full test to be done?
also what is the most we could get insured on as beginers honda 250 cc of some discription maybe?

my dad wants to get a harley or a gold wing eventually,how long before he could do that as regards getting insurance or would it be ok as soon as he gets the full test?

if some one could help me out with the above and basically generally point us in the right direction to get started it would be greatly appreciated

thanks in advance

boomboombazza

come on guys i know there is a wealth of knowledge on here surly some one can point me in the right direction?

colm_c

First of licenses:

A1 - up to 125cc
A - up to 250cc (until 2 years after you pass your test, then whatever cc you want).

You don't have to get an A1 then an A, you can just go for the A. There's the standard theory test for both.

boomboombazza wrote:

my dad wants to get a harley or a gold wing eventually,how long before he could do that as regards getting insurance or would it be ok as soon as he gets the full test?

Age doesn't come into it when it comes to big bikes - your dad will need to pass his A test then after 2 years he can get whatever he wants, but until then it's got to be a bike of 250cc (or the equilvalent KWh). Some bigger bikes can be restricted, but I don't think either harley's or goldwings can be, so it's at least a 2 year wait.

Insurance wise, under 25 and it's gonna cost quite a bit for pretty much any bike, for your dad - not sure here, maybe some born again riders can give some info.

Quinn direct, AON and Carole Nash are the only bike insurance companies at the moment.

KTRIC

From next month both yourself and your Dad will have to do 16 hours compulsory training before you get the provisional.

They changed the restriction thing with the bikes recently with the new rules of the road.
This is what you will need to do currently:

1. Pass theory test
2. Apply for Provisional A licence (you are restricted to a bike with a power to weight ratio of 0.16 and a power output of 25kw)
3. Pass driving test for A licence
4. Wait 2 years from the date of passing your test and then you can get any bike you want.

Make sure both yourself and your Dad understand that a Provisional licence only entitles you to drive within the Republic of Ireland.

I have heard some crazy stories in the past couple of weeks about older guys getting provisionals, then Harleys / Goldwings and touring Europe on them.
If you're stopped by a cop outside of ROI then you'll be in big sh!t.

boomboombazza

you say wait two years from passing your test? do you just have to wait or do you have to be insured for the two years

KTRIC

boomboombazza wrote:

you say wait two years from passing your test? do you just have to wait or do you have to be insured for the two years

This is great part, you just wait . It would be better if you used those 2 years to get some practice in rather than just jumping on to a big bike with no expierience what so ever.

boomboombazza

hey hey:) just booked our theory tests online. one question though ,there was no option for a and a1. do you just specify when posting away for the licence or what?

also do i have to do the eye test, i already did it a couple of years ago for the car

Hotblack Desiato

colm_c wrote:

First of licenses:
A1 - up to 125cc
A - up to 250cc (until 2 years after you pass your test, then whatever cc you want).

WRONG. There is NO cc limit on a restricted licence.

Age doesn't come into it when it comes to big bikes - your dad will need to pass his A test then after 2 years he can get whatever he wants

He can get whatever he wants straight away, but depending on its weight and power output it may need to be restricted. Heavy bikes like Harleys and Goldwings may not even need restriction at all, because of the power-to-weight exemption.

but until then it's got to be a bike of 250cc (or the equilvalent KWh).

:rolleyes: The power limit is 25kW, some 125s make more than that, some 650s don't... There is no real relationship between cc and power, so telling someone they can have a particular cc is pointless and misleading.

Hotblack Desiato

KTRIC wrote:

From next month both yourself and your Dad will have to do 16 hours compulsory training before you get the provisional

So much for the "public consultation exercise" when the outcome is already decided...

They changed the restriction thing with the bikes recently with the new rules of the road.

No, they didn't.

boomboombazza

good to see you are all in agreement lol:) , so does anyone know do i need another eye test as i said above cos i already did it for the car a while back
also if we get insured on the same bike is there a 'name driver' thing like on cars or would it be just as expensive to be on the same bike?

Krusty_Clown

boomboombazza wrote:

f we get insured on the same bike is there a 'name driver' thing like on cars or would it be just as expensive to be on the same bike?

There certainly used to be. I would imagine it's down to the individual insurers though.

faceman

Something that hasnt been mentioned yet is training. Regardless of how easy it is to get a license, dont be foolish. Do some lessons. You'll be glad!

2000th post!