2 wheel licence question

Wolfsberg

Hi folks,
I'm sure the answer to my question is very straight forward but as an outsider I have found it quite hard... I also find going into a motorbike shop for the first time a bit like going into a tattoo shop for the first time... a bit overwhelming!
I want to get out on 2 wheels, I've had a car for around 6 years. I don't want anything big, just something for scuttin around on in the sun, something 50cc or so but no bigger than 125cc.
I don't have too much spare time to go do lessons etc and I already know how to ride small engine bikes and I am very careful on the road.
If I go for a cat A1 licence can I just do the theory test or do I have to do a full practical test after that to be fully qualified? Also if I do the theory test for cat A1 does this cover me for vehicles that would fall into the licence category M?
Am I correct in assuming that to ride category M vehicles all I have to do is pass the theory test?

Cheers guys!

Tigger

apply for a restricted a lisence
ddo theory test get lisence drive

KamiKazi

Don't bother with the A1 license, it's a waste of time. Get the A license.

Wolfsberg

Thanks,
do I have to do a practical test to ride up to 125cc on an A1 or A licence?

Del2005

Wolfsberg wrote: »

Hi folks,
I'm sure the answer to my question is very straight forward but as an outsider I have found it quite hard... I also find going into a motorbike shop for the first time a bit like going into a tattoo shop for the first time... a bit overwhelming!

They may look frightening but most are nice people. If you go into the bigger shops like Bikeworld, don't buy their unless you're loaded, they have a good selection of small bikes and you can sit on a few to see how they fell and ask some questions. In the smaller shops if you go in and explain that you're new to bikes they'll help you out.

I want to get out on 2 wheels, I've had a car for around 6 years. I don't want anything big, just something for scuttin around on in the sun, something 50cc or so but no bigger than 125cc.
I don't have too much spare time to go do lessons etc and I already know how to ride small engine bikes and I am very careful on the road.

You better off getting lessons. You will learn about road position and other stuff that you never think about in a car.

If I go for a cat A1 licence can I just do the theory test or do I have to do a full practical test after that to be fully qualified? Also if I do the theory test for cat A1 does this cover me for vehicles that would fall into the licence category M?
Am I correct in assuming that to ride category M vehicles all I have to do is pass the theory test?

Cheers guys!

Once your over 18 I'd get an A permit. It'll cover you on the bike you want, you just need to do the test on a bike bigger then 125cc but you can hire a bike for the test. Once you get used to biking you may want something bigger and if you have an A1 you'll need to do the test again.

You need to do a theory test for your learners permit and then apply for the practical test to get you licence.

It depends on when you passed your car test if you can ride M vehicles, AFAIK it was around Oct 2006 that the law changed so that B doesn't include M.

Wolfsberg

I did my car test in April 2004 and have been driving ever since. I'm not really looking for something that I can zip down to cork and back in 13.6 seconds. I drive my car for a living so the bike would be something I would keep covered on my (big) balcony and take out in weather like we had today to go (reponsibly) down to the end of the road and back, don't ask me why I want that, but I do!
We really are talking around €1500 budget for everything here, like Piaggio Ciao region! Safety gear, bike and insurance.

I've ridden bikes off-road and in Thailand (Got bored of the beach so rented a TW250... in flip flops and shorts, no helmet, on the road :eek: what was I thinking! after 3 days I had a callous on the wrong side of my foot from gear change!).

Del2005

Wolfsberg wrote: »

I did my car test in April 2004 and have been driving ever since. I'm not really looking for something that I can zip down to cork and back in 13.6 seconds. I drive my car for a living so the bike would be something I would keep covered on my (big) balcony and take out in weather like we had today to go (reponsibly) down to the end of the road and back, don't ask me why I want that, but I do!
We really are talking around €1500 budget for everything here, like Piaggio Ciao region! Safety gear, bike and insurance.

I've ridden bikes off-road and in Thailand (Got bored of the beach so rented a TW250... in flip flops and shorts, no helmet, on the road :eek: what was I thinking! after 3 days I had a callous on the wrong side of my foot from gear change!).

You should have M on your B licence then. You can ride the Piaggio Ciao or any other moped with your current licence, provided the bike can't exceed 45km/h and be under 49cc.

Colmgogan

I currently have a 50cc MBK Ovetto which I am driving under my B licence,
(I passed the B test in 2001)
I have become a little bored of the 50cc and am looking to go up a class or 2.
If I apply for an A licence and buy say a 400cc twist & go i.e. Yamaha Majesty or similar would I be correct in saying that the following applies
1. I need to get it restricted for the test and for 2 years after passing the test?
2. Can I then only ride "twist and go" bikes or can I then change to manual bikes?

There is much to do there, and the cost seems to escalate.

KamiKazi

Colmgogan wrote: »

1. I need to get it restricted for the test and for 2 years after passing the test?
2. Can I then only ride "twist and go" bikes or can I then change to manual bikes?

There is much to do there, and the cost seems to escalate.

1. Yes
2. No you can ride manual with A license

Cuddlesworth

KamiKazi wrote: »

1. Yes
2. No you can ride manual with A license

Are you sure about 2? I thought if you do the license test in a automatic you are limited to automatics from then on until you retest in a manual?

KamiKazi

Cuddlesworth wrote: »

Are you sure about 2? I thought if you do the license test in a automatic you are limited to automatics from then on until you retest in a manual?

Sorry my mistake, I thought he said Yamaha Dragstar :rolleyes:

Colmgogan

Ive seen Honda Silverwings online etc,
They look pretty good!
Anybody got any comments on them?