Cruiser

Odgious

hi there ...

Im interesting in buying a cruiser. Something like a yamaha dragstar is kinda what im after. Thing is, i've never ridden a bike before! Ideally, i'd like something kinda big i.e. 650 or 1100, but the sensible side of me is telling me that i'd be better off getting a 250 or something to get the hang of it. Im 39 years old. Do i need to do a bike driving test before i can ride one of these, or will my full car license do?

Thanks in advance ...

MargeS

Your car license only covers you to drive cars. You will have to sit the theory test (incl motorbike section) to get a Prov License or (Learner permit now!) You can get an A1 that covers up to 124cc or A license >125cc. Your bike has to be restricted while on prov license and for 2 years after you get your full license unless the bike falls under the power/weight figure, then no restriction required.
It is highly recommended that you get lessons to start. It's very different out there on a bike compared to a car!!

The type of bike you get is a hard question to answer. Depends alot on your size, height, etc. You might look silly if you were a 6'4" bloke on a small 125. You have to try them out. You might find you don't like the feel of a cruiser!! Sit on a few bikes, etc and get a feel for them.

If you get lessons with an instructor that has a school bike - it would be a good start. You should read some of the info in the stickies at the top of this forum. Lots of info about instructors, etc.

Odgious

Thanks for that ... im 6'1", so i reckon a bigger bike is just the ticket! Does anyone know of anyone in the Monaghan area that does motorbike lessons? I've been poking around on the web and cant find anyone.

Thanks again

galwaytt

don't know anyone in Monaghan, but don't forget to look over the border to NI for lessons too.

Get your A licence and go for a dragstar 250 or 650. I had the dragstar 125 and at 6'2 myself found it quite comfy. I'm currently riding a dragstar 650 and it's the business. Great bikes, extremely reliable etc.

Odgious

Thanks!

Are there any issues with passing a test in Northern Ireland and getting my license updated in the south?

Hotblack Desiato

There's no need to exchange any EU full licence for an Irish one, unless you want car & bike on the same document.
You will need an address and proof of residence to do the test in Northern Ireland or Britain, they clamped down on people living here doing it to skip the queue.

Odgious

Thanks for all your help ..

Im aiming to get a Drag Star 650 ... am i allowed to ride a bike of that capacity on a provisional bike license? Was speaking with a guy in a bike shop who said that, because its a cruiser, and not a sports bike, its ok. Is that right?

Cheers


Kieran

colm_c

Not sure about the dragstar 650 but I'm pretty sure all 650's will need some kind of restriction kit.

See here' on Mag's website for bikes under the 33bhp for a provisional license:
http://www.magireland.org/33bhp.htm

Doesn't look like the Dragstar 650 is there but the Dragstar 400 is and it's under the 33bhp too.

Hotblack Desiato

colm_c wrote: »

Not sure about the dragstar 650 but I'm pretty sure all 650's will need some kind of restriction kit.

See here' on Mag's website for bikes under the 33bhp for a provisional license:
http://www.magireland.org/33bhp.htm

Doesn't look like the Dragstar 650 is there but the Dragstar 400 is and it's under the 33bhp too.

Two things to bear in mind about that list :
- It's a few years old and the manufacturers will not provide the info to update it.
- It doesn't take the power-to-weight exemption into account.

Divide power (in kW) by weight in kg, if it's less than 0.16 then it doesn't need restriction under Irish law, even if the power is above 25kW. A cruiser is heavier and less powerful than a sportsbike of the same cc, so is a lot more likely to meet the power to weight ratio without a restrictor.

Odgious

Odgious wrote: »

Thanks for all your help ..

Im aiming to get a Drag Star 650 ... am i allowed to ride a bike of that capacity on a provisional bike license? Was speaking with a guy in a bike shop who said that, because its a cruiser, and not a sports bike, its ok. Is that right?

Cheers


Kieran

Yes you CAN ride the Dragstar 650 on a provisional licence. The size of the engine doesn't really matter, it's the power to weight ratio(it's power/weight ratio is 0.16). Even the Yamaha 1600cc Wildstar is learner legal.

Odgious

Nice one thanks ..

According to my googling, the power is 29kW and the curb weight is 227kg, leaving a power to weight ratio of 0.12 ... happy days!!

tk123

if you're in Dublin head over to JP Motorcycles in Pearse St - the have loads of different makes/models of cruisers. Thats were I got my beloved Shadow 600

Odgious

thanks .. nice bike btw!

does anyone know if the mock theory test is good enough practice for the real thing?

http://www.soyouwanttodrive.com/theory_test.htm

If i can get away without spending €18 on the book/cd all the better!

colm_c

Just did it there - seems ok but was in mph instead of kph, and got all the questions correct (just like in the real theory test!)

I'd buy the book or cd, 18 euro is pretty cheap compared to the cost of insurance and the bike itself.