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Learner/Newbie Sticky **All Learner/newbie/Starter Questions Go here!!****

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Comments

  • Registered Users Posts: 42 mossiepark


    Hi all,

    After a whole lot of deliberation, I've finally got myself back onto a bike (or at least it's being delivered next week). It's been a fair few years since I had a bike.

    I was hoping someone could advise me on where I could buy luggage (top box) and crash bars. Obviously, lots of brands online such as sw mototech, heed, givi etc but it's not entirely clear where is best to purchase. I'm not great with DIY so might be better off buying local? Any thoughts would be much appreciated.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,747 ✭✭✭Bluefoam




  • Registered Users Posts: 42 mossiepark


    Sorry, that should have been the first thing i put in....its a F750gs



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,735 ✭✭✭muddle84


    I'm sure BMW will fit it for you!

    Failing that, it depends on where you are based. If you're near Dublin, give City Spares Motorcyles a shout.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,445 ✭✭✭LollipopJimmy


    They've been sharing some mad things on their socials. If you're not white and Irish you might not be welcome.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,735 ✭✭✭muddle84




  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,445 ✭✭✭LollipopJimmy


    Just saw some stuff on FB stories. Personal opinion of course



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,843 ✭✭✭knucklehead6


    I'm in with them most weeks, and have only ever seen them treating everyone with respect, men, women, transgenders, black, white, asian, irish, european, immigrant, it doesn't seem to matter.


    They have a customer for life in me, the aftersales service, the general customer service, i think they're great.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,843 ✭✭✭knucklehead6


    And i meant to say, i'd have no problem taking my business elsewhere if i saw evidence of bad behaviours relating to people OR their machines, or price gouging etc. There is one bike shop that i will never darken the door of again after how they treated my TG child.



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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,445 ✭✭✭LollipopJimmy


    That's fair enough and your experience, I've been in there and they even loaned me tools when my bike sat down with a flat battery. But their facebook stories a few weeks ago were full of anti immigration stuff, the usual 'unvetted economic migrant' crap. Personally I won't support a business that takes that stance. I don't want to give the mods a headache so I'll leave it at that.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,747 ✭✭✭Bluefoam


    Yeh, it's disturbing. It's also disturbing how they're not concerned that those types of comments might effect their business.

    *if true...



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 35,662 ✭✭✭✭Hotblack Desiato


    It's posted in their name. If they allow it to stand, they are endorsing it.

    Scrap the cap!





  • Hey lads.

    After spending over 20 years (since I was a kid) wanting to be on a motorcycle 🏍️ it’s about time to move forward with it I think. Basically I’ve convinced the Mrs I won’t be killed. 🤣

    Im 28 so can go for any licence category I am pretty sure? I’m just not sure what’s the best place to start in regards to learning the basics about the bike I’ll need for theory test and then what’s the best next steps from there? Haven’t a clue about learning to ride a bike but I did recently pass my test for car.

    The process there is a lot simpler I think cos it’s the more common vehicle!



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,843 ✭✭✭knucklehead6


    boom your theory test

    practice with an app

    https://theorytest.ie/learning-app/

    pass theory test

    do ibt

    buy bike





  • Lovely.

    I have the theory test app should be a handy enough pass after doing the car test recently (full driving test but studied the theory again).

    will do some practice on the app to get familiar with the motorcycle specific questions although like the rest of the theory test it’s basically common sense for the most part. 🤣

    what’s the average cost of IBT generally also? Just don’t want to get ripped.



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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,735 ✭✭✭muddle84


    I paid €600 2 years ago in the west for the IBT. I've seen people put up quotes here ranging from €600 to €700 depending on where you are in the country.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,683 ✭✭✭Citizen  Six


    I found there's a few curveballs in there. Like questions about blood alcohol limits, max fines for certain offences, age groups most likely to die in alcohol related crashes. Different to when I just applied for a provisional and passed a test four months later, when I started driving a car. 😂





  • Yeah the overall test is easy enough to be fair. They do throw some questions that would get you a bit stuck especially if memorising stats isn’t your thing.

    I found though the tricky ones were when they’d ask the same question but a different way and you could easily get tripped up if you didn’t read it well.

    For example they ask

    What should a driver do when an emergency vehicle with flashing blue lights and sirens approaches?

    AND

    What should a driver never do etc etc

    But it’s not highlighted or anything so if you don’t read the question throughly you can get caught out!



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,683 ✭✭✭Citizen  Six


    I'm working through the questions when I get spare time at work, and screenshotting any of the tricky ones. Once I'm happy enough, then I'll go ahead and book the theory test. Then sort the IBT after that. Still haven't got 100% permission from my other half, but going ahead anyway.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 35,662 ✭✭✭✭Hotblack Desiato


    Forgiveness is more easily secured than permission

    Scrap the cap!



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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,683 ✭✭✭Citizen  Six


    I just keep dropping hints, and I won't mention more about the provisional test or IBT until after I've done them.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,843 ✭✭✭knucklehead6


    When I read this thread I’m reminded of how lucky I was. My mrs BOUGHT my first bike without me knowing about it or even having the ibt booked!!



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 35,662 ✭✭✭✭Hotblack Desiato


    Maybe she was trying to bump you off 😉

    Scrap the cap!



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,843 ✭✭✭knucklehead6


    Oh I’ve no doubt that’s her aim. But I’m having my fun and that’s all that matters



  • Registered Users Posts: 27 FurrySlippers


    I've the Learner permit now, and the IBT booked for late summer. Herself is totally OK with it, because I drive like a pensioner, and it's my midlife crisis.

    Rode dirt bikes and 125's over 30 years ago, (the past is a foreign country, and all that).

    Hopefully I'll enjoy it, and it will be handy as the kids get their (car) licences and the car goes AWOL...

    No interest in speed. Or anything sporty . But want to do "A" licence. Don't see advantage/ point in doing A2.

    Or is a bike restricted to A2 easier to insure as a learner?



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,843 ✭✭✭knucklehead6


    No. There is no restriction that I’m aware of, apart from age of rider and affordability


    I had an A provisional, drove a not quite A bike (deauville) and hired an A for the test.



  • Registered Users Posts: 27 FurrySlippers


    How fussy are they about the "A" designation? Needs to be over a certain weight, 600cc, and 50kw? Deauville is just a bit low on power on 700cc version?

    Would a tester say nope if you were a KW or two short...?



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,445 ✭✭✭LollipopJimmy


    It's a black and white thing, it's an A bike or ot isn't. Your instructor will definitely rent you back bike for the test. I did mine on the instructors MT07. Inhad a CBR600 but didn't fancy a leaning forward bike for the test



  • Registered Users Posts: 27 FurrySlippers


    Thanks for the advice.

    So, has you done the test in the "not quite A" Deauville, you would have got a A2 licence, and still need a Learner permit for your bike, because it exceeds the A2 criteria?



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,843 ✭✭✭knucklehead6


    I assume it would have been an A2 licence


    there was a list of all bikes on the RSA website and what class they are. I can’t find it now but that’s where you want to be looking.



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  • Registered Users Posts: 458 ✭✭robbie_63


    Hi folks,

    I have a young fella at home turning 16 this year and is mad to do his ibt and get on the road.

    He's over 6"5 so is worried he will be too big for a lot of the starter bikes we've seen so far,

    Any recommendations for a decent A1 bike that might fit a lanky young fella?

    Cheers



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,735 ✭✭✭muddle84


    Have a look at the Honda Varadero 125, they're decent for tall people.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,747 ✭✭✭Bluefoam


    I had one, am 6'3" and it was great… IMO it's the best 125cc bike hands down!



  • Registered Users Posts: 458 ✭✭robbie_63


    Thanks lads although I'm not sure it will pass the "looks cool" test!



  • Registered Users Posts: 17 ajw08


    Hi all,

    I'm a 40 year old (mid life crisis) starting out biking. I've never ridden a bike in my life. I have the provisional (covering A1,A2 and A). I know I have to do my IBT. But after that I'm unsure, do I go for my A1, A2 or A test or what would you recommend? It would be just to commute to work the odd time and odd leisure spin etc.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,735 ✭✭✭muddle84


    Once you have your IBT you can insure a bike and get on the road and get some experience. Don't waste your time on anything except the A test. You can ride whatever kind of bike you want with that. Best of luck with it, you won't regret it!



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,843 ✭✭✭knucklehead6


    muddle84 is just the first to respond. Your IBT instructor will tell you the same thing. Doing anything other than an A test is a waste of time and money.

    It doesn’t matter what bike you ride, be it a, a1 or a2….. just do the A test. That allows you ride whatever you want.



  • Registered Users Posts: 39 rmactier


    does anyone know the test routes for the Mulhuddart (West Dublin) test centre? would like to get some practice in on where they take you to get an idea of that its like.



  • Registered Users Posts: 27 FurrySlippers


    So, IBT done, bike being collected this weekend, 2nd hand bike , so what's the craic with paying road tax? Do you have 30 days, and does the sales doc from the dealership satisfy a Garda for a few weeks...?



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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,843 ✭✭✭knucklehead6


    it’s only 88 for the year. I don’t think they allow the part payment for 3 months like with a car.

    I’d say you’d want to be terribly unlucky to get a bad guard though with the sales documents.

    What are you getting?



  • Registered Users Posts: 27 FurrySlippers


    Tiger 660. I wanted something with a rain mode, as well as ABS and TC.

    Also something comfy (bad knees, generally less than flexible 50 something year old), and not that heavy..

    Weirdly, looked at some A2 bikes which were more expensive to insure.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 35,662 ✭✭✭✭Hotblack Desiato


    Once you get the registration document in your name you can tax it.

    Scrap the cap!



  • Registered Users Posts: 54 ✭✭Widows Son




  • Registered Users Posts: 182 ✭✭pakb1ue


    What bike would people recommend for someone starting off?

    I completed my IBT on a Kawasaki Z650 and my instructor was recommending anything Japanese with Honda CB series high on his list and latter suggested Suzuki (I think it was SV650). He said I shouldn't get anything lower than 600cc and make sure I can rest both feet on the ground on any bike I get.

    I had it in my head I could get my A license like how I got my B license by just doing lessons and never owning a car or in this case a bike. But now I think it would better just to gt a bike.

    Post edited by pakb1ue on


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 120 ✭✭dubal2008


    MT07, but only if you have somewhere safe to keep it, they are popular targets to get stolen, but a whole lot of fun to ride



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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 35,662 ✭✭✭✭Hotblack Desiato


    SV650 or one of the 600-650 naked or half faired 4cyl bikes would be a good choice. Nothing with an R in the name (insurance).

    You need 600+ cc to do your full A test on.

    It's not going to be possible to get enough practice in just doing lessons unless you're both very patient and made out of money.

    Scrap the cap!



  • Registered Users Posts: 182 ✭✭pakb1ue


    While I think I can fit the bike in through the gate in my back garden I was also hoping to get a bike that is less likely to be robbed. But seeing that cheap push bikes get robbed all the time I guess there isn't too much point getting a bike I wouldn't like either.

    Is it just me or is there not a lot of supply of bikes? Would importing a bike be a bad idea for someone with little knowledge of bikes?



  • Registered Users Posts: 27 FurrySlippers


    So, Registration Cert finally arrived, I saw something online that the reg cert has to state the bike is + 50KW for the test. Mine says 60KW, so that is grand. but the "Mass in Service" field is blank. That's the weight of the bike, Bike is 206KG fuelled up, and 660cc, so clearly a "A" bike.

    Do I need to get onto the department, or is it OK? Also, has anyone managed to change details on the reg cert? I know leaving the KW off is very common.?



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