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

Wossack

someone on here did just that - they never even owned a bike, but still passed their A test with just a rented school bike

I personally couldnt have, so certainly down to how quickly you'd pick it up / natural talent

minidazzler

What should I have under my saddle as part of my maintenance kit? Anyone have a decent comprehensive list to deal with most common eventualities? Thanks.

Wossack

Ive a bicycle multitool (foldaway allen keys), pile of fuses, cable ties, a 20e note in a baggie (emergency petrol money), and used to keep my leatherman under there, but Ive only one and it gets used for allsorts. Probably could do with one of those puncture repair kits, but space very limited under my seat unfort.. have breakdown/recovery with Adelaide so worse comes to worst..

blu3r0ri0n

minidazzler wrote: »

What should I have under my saddle as part of my maintenance kit? Anyone have a decent comprehensive list to deal with most common eventualities? Thanks.

Get yourself a puncture repair kit it's a must, one of these;
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/UNIVERSAL-MOTORCYCLE-BIKE-ATV-QUAD-CAR-BICYCLE-PUNCTURE-REPAIR-KIT-TUBELESS-/320990658049?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item4abc88be01

Your bike should already have a toolkit that will have everything you need in terms of screw drivers, spanner etc. you will only need one or two diferent sizes of spanners in reality and it will be easy enough to figure out what you need.

Allen keys, fuses and strong cable ties are a must too. I also carry a spare bulb for the headlight just incase but thats in my jackets outside pocket.

seeker639

Hi all,
My first of many questions,
actually il start here, ive always wanted a motorcycle since i was a teen, 36 now, a family members death on a bike and a promise to a parent stopped me til now!.
i started lookin at a few bikes and just cant keep away from the naked,s, 1 in particular HONDA CB1000(BIG ONE),,,,,,DROOOOL, ahem anyways i need a straight answer no jargon or law quotes in normal english ,, can the big one best restricted so it can be ridden and maybe slept on! with a learner permit . i found this link to specs

http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/honda/honda_cb1000fr_big_1%2093.htm
thank you for your help.

eurofoxy

seeker639 wrote: »

,, can the big one best restricted so it can be ridden and maybe slept on! with a learner permit . i found this link to specs

thank you for your help.

anything can be restricted, its weather you would be able to drive it properly restricted is the question...i had a cbr600 restricted when i passed my test, it was horrible to ride, it was too heavy for the power and i assume the 1000 will be the same but thats your preference, google fi restrictor kit, they are the ahem market leader in rip off kits, i think they will do a kit for it..

seeker639

eurofoxy wrote: »

anything can be restricted, its weather you would be able to drive it properly restricted is the question...i had a cbr600 restricted when i passed my test, it was horrible to ride, it was too heavy for the power and i assume the 1000 will be the same but thats your preference, google fi restrictor kit, they are the ahem market leader in rip off kits, i think they will do a kit for it..

thx for reply, weither its useable or not, would it be legal,,.

on this link theres a list , a cb1000 is not restrictable
or maybe im reading it wrong
http://www.magireland.org/a2-license-facts/

minidazzler

seeker639 wrote: »

Hi all,
My first of many questions,
actually il start here, ive always wanted a motorcycle since i was a teen, 36 now, a family members death on a bike and a promise to a parent stopped me til now!.
i started lookin at a few bikes and just cant keep away from the naked,s, 1 in particular HONDA CB1000(BIG ONE),,,,,,DROOOOL, ahem anyways i need a straight answer no jargon or law quotes in normal english ,, can the big one best restricted so it can be ridden and maybe slept on! with a learner permit . i found this link to specs

http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/honda/honda_cb1000fr_big_1%2093.htm
thank you for your help.

If you will be on a learner permit then come January 13th that bike would not be legal for you to ride. Even with the restriction, a bike after then will not be allowed to be restricted to below half it's power, which this bike will be just a hair over. (The new power restriction will be 35Kw. )

seeker639

thank you for that:), guess im looking at a naked bandit 600 or similar so ,didnt win lotto either:(

LookBehindYou

Deleted User wrote: »

Hi guys

Quick one for you, I've a provision A licence (did my theory, am in the middle of doing all of my IBT training) and will then be picking up a Vespa PX 125 next month. I'm wondering what the story is with the test in 6 months time, if I do the test on my Vespa, will that mean they'll only give me an A1 licence instead of the A provisional I currently have?

Cheers fellas

If you do the test on your Vespa, you will only get an A1 with a restriction.

Do your test on a school bike and you will get the full licence.

There are changes coming next Jan 19th.
A1= max 125cc
A2 = restricted
A = unrestricted.(for age 24 and over)

The full facts are not known yet as to how and what.

blu3r0ri0n

seeker639 wrote: »

thx for reply, weither its useable or not, would it be legal,,.

on this link theres a list , a cb1000 is not restrictable
or maybe im reading it wrong
http://www.magireland.org/a2-license-facts/

Read what LookBehindYou said, it might be possible that if you do your test for an A license you wont have to restrict it, after Jan 19 though and once all the rules have been written in stone!

LookBehindYou wrote: »

If you do the test on your Vespa, you will only get an A1 with a restriction.

Do your test on a school bike and you will get the full licence.

There are changes coming next Jan 19th.
A1= max 125cc
A2 = restricted
A = unrestricted.(for age 24 and over)

The full facts are not known yet as to how and what.

phil_h_1993

how much would i be looking at for basic motorbike insurance for 200cc honda rebel, age 19 male provisonal licence
thanks in advance

Hotblack Desiato

Ring insurers, ask them. We don't have access to the crystal balls they use

Doylers

Lads tying to understand these new laws coming in. I have a full A since september. So the 2 years has only started for me. What will the new laws do to me if anything?? ALso did they take away the 2year restriction for people over 24 Im 20 btw.

RosieJoe

Doylers wrote: »

Lads tying to understand these new laws coming in. I have a full A since september. So the 2 years has only started for me. What will the new laws do to me if anything?? ALso did they take away the 2year restriction for people over 24 Im 20 btw.

It'll make no difference to you at all.

minidazzler

Can anyone here clarify filtering and the laws around it?

Am I allowed to filter on the right side of the road with traffic coming towards me, or is it just between 2 lanes of traffic going the same direction?

Can I filter on the left of the traffic if there is only one lane and then parked cars?

RosieJoe

minidazzler wrote: »

Can anyone here clarify filtering and the laws around it?

Am I allowed to filter on the right side of the road with traffic coming towards me, or is it just between 2 lanes of traffic going the same direction?

Can I filter on the left of the traffic if there is only one lane and then parked cars?

Not sure of the laws but please don't filter to the left. This is the last place you'll be expected by car drivers and the first place you'll hit a pedestrian stepping out onto the road! Think of the pram pushers testing how safe it is to cross by sacrificing their first born :eek:

minidazzler

RosieJoe wrote: »

Not sure of the laws but please don't filter to the left. This is the last place you'll be expected by car drivers and the first place you'll hit a pedestrian stepping out onto the road! Think of the pram pushers testing how safe it is to cross by sacrificing their first born :eek:

I thought that might be the case, but wanted to clarify...never did like kids though :pac:

RosieJoe

I personally will filter to the right on a single lane and in the middle of dual lanes. Not 100% of the law but I take it easy so as not to draw any attention to myself.

Wossack

minidazzler wrote: »

Can anyone here clarify filtering and the laws around it?

Am I allowed to filter on the right side of the road with traffic coming towards me, or is it just between 2 lanes of traffic going the same direction?

Can I filter on the left of the traffic if there is only one lane and then parked cars?

filtering in ireland is just overtaking, and the same rules apply

basically, you cant inconvenience any other traffic (ie causing them to slow/weave/or otherwise avoid you)
You cannot cross any solid white lines.
You cannot undertake traffic at speed (this includes going between two cars going the same direction - you're undertaking the car on the right)
and you cannot swerve back in following your maneuver (again, you'd be inconveniencing other traffic)

slow (crawling), or stopped cars you can go up the inside of. Not in cycle lanes, and again, not if the traffic is moving at speed. I personally dont, as mentioned, as its a biking accident black spot.

Going up the inside of a line of stationary traffic, and a line of parked cars is a recipe for disaster imo - lots of potential door openings to ruin your day.

RosieJoe

Wossack wrote: »

filtering in ireland is just overtaking, and the same rules apply

basically, you cant inconvenience any other traffic (ie causing them to slow/weave/or otherwise avoid you)
You cannot cross any solid white lines.
You cannot undertake traffic at speed (this includes going between two cars going the same direction - you're undertaking the car on the right)
and you cannot swerve back in following your maneuver (again, you'd be inconveniencing other traffic)

slow (crawling), or stopped cars you can go up the inside of. Not in cycle lanes, and again, not if the traffic is moving at speed. I personally dont, as mentioned, as its a biking accident black spot.

Going up the inside of a line of stationary traffic, and a line of parked cars is a recipe for disaster imo - lots of potential door openings to ruin your day.

Slightly better than my explanation

Best filtering scenario I can give you is when I was leaving work. 2 lanes in both directions, and at one point there are a few plastics columns stopping people coming out of a side road and turning left. I was on the wrong side of the road bypassing the stationary traffic ( oncoming traffics' right hand lane) and I got overtaken by a Garda car who would have been in oncoming traffics left hand lane. Thankfully his sirens were not for me

Ayla

*Complete* newbie here - just passed theory test today (whahoo!)

So, 1st module of training is booked, but before I even get on a bike I'll need/want some gear. Where do I go? (and, btw, I'm female, and I'm living in the backwoods of Donegal)

And what's the best gear these days....I always thought leather was the best in the event of a collision, but how does it compare against cordura? What's better in terms of weather protection/longevity?

Please Kill Me

Ayla wrote: »

*Complete* newbie here - just passed theory test today (whahoo!)

So, 1st module of training is booked, but before I even get on a bike I'll need/want some gear. Where do I go? (and, btw, I'm female, and I'm living in the backwoods of Donegal)

And what's the best gear these days....I always thought leather was the best in the event of a collision, but how does it compare against cordura? What's better in terms of weather protection/longevity?

God, how long is a piece of string? LOL

For crash protection (and I'm speaking from experience) you can't beat leathers. Great armour in them. Textiles on the other hand will keep you warm and dry. The cheaper the gear, the more likely it'll let in water! Probably the best place (given your location) would be Crossans in Newry link HERE and Hein Gericke used to be there too but not sure if they're gone or not.

On the other side, gear for girls can be hard to get depending on your size and shape. Find Pixiebean22, she's been biking for years and would be the best person to advise you on where to get ladies gear and what brands.

MrScootch

Argh, I can't decide!!!

I've seen a cheap CBF250 and am trying to decide whether it's best to do my IBT now, pick up something like that, just get on the road now and worry about upgrading to a big bike/license later as and when funds allow. - Have no worries, a nice easy cheap ride I can fling around and learn on without it biting back.

Or, hold off for the new regs and start on something like a Bandit 600 or an SV650. I didn't like the look of the SV at first but I'm warming to the faired version. - Bit of a wait but I'd have a bike I'd keep for longer and grow into but on the flip side would have more capacity to scare/bite a beginner.

I can drive but my biking experience is only a couple of hours on a CB125 - loved it, I was flying! Hardly any power but still put a big grin on my face.

neilbutler4

Hi all..

I'm wanting to get a bike licence.
I've had a full car licence for four years but without any bike or moped category. I have to do another theory test, right??

Does anybody have a link for a sample bike theory test? I can only find the car test online.

Also, how does a restrictor kit fitted effect insurance costs. i.e. lets say, would a CBR400 and CBR600, both restricted price differently for insurance?


Sorry if I've repeated any questions that have been asked before!!

WhiteMike

Having trouble gaining access to the screw on top of one of the terminals, I was wondering is anyone familiar with this bike and if so how would one go about removing the battery?

Please Kill Me

WhiteMike wrote: »

Having trouble gaining access to the screw on top of one of the terminals, I was wondering is anyone familiar with this bike and if so how would one go about removing the battery?

Is there not a bolt (6mm or 8mm) on the battery cover, loosen the bolt, fold down the cover then slide out the battery and undo the two screws? The missus has a CB400 and I never had a problem changing/removing the battery.

daenerysstormborn3

Please Kill Me wrote: »

Is there not a bolt (6mm or 8mm) on the battery cover, loosen the bolt, fold down the cover then slide out the battery and undo the two screws? The missus has a CB400 and I never had a problem changing/removing the battery.

Same as. It's a fairly simple battery set-up compared to some newer bikes.

WhiteMike

Please Kill Me wrote: »

Is there not a bolt (6mm or 8mm) on the battery cover, loosen the bolt, fold down the cover then slide out the battery and undo the two screws? The missus has a CB400 and I never had a problem changing/removing the battery.

Cheers Please Kill Me, turns out the battery just needed a little bit more persuasion and it pulled straight out.

Hotblack Desiato

neilbutler4 wrote: »

I've had a full car licence for four years but without any bike or moped category. I have to do another theory test, right??

Yes. Four wheels don't fall over, two wheels can the only real similarity is that they both have an engine. I'd a full car licence when I started too. It was no help to me apart from knowing the road signs.

Also, how does a restrictor kit fitted effect insurance costs. i.e. lets say, would a CBR400 and CBR600, both restricted price differently for insurance?

AFAIK no insurer will give discount for a restrictor kit - all are easily removed. Not all will give discount for a factory restricted bike.