Got my 1st Learner Permit... What next

iwantthat

Hi Guys

I have just aquired my 1st Learner Permit for bikes. I am 36 years old and want to start riding.

I have experience (about 6 years) riding bikes from my own country.

I would like advice what to do next.

Which bike to buy to start with?
Which insurance company?
etc.

Advice will be much appreciated.

zubair

Have you done your IBT yet?

iwantthat

No i have not... what is it and where to do it.

zubair wrote: »

Have you done your IBT yet?

GBX

It is Initial Basic Training:
Initial Basic Training (IBT) is a mandatory training course that teaches basic riding skills to learner motorcyclists.

http://www.rsa.ie/en/RSA/Learner-Drivers/Motorcyclists/Initial-basic-training-IBT-for-motorcyclists/


While you have ridden in your home country before, it is a requirement to ride legally here.

FishOnABike

Can your current licence be exchanged for a full Irish driving licence for the category of bike you want here? If not and you're an experienced biker that just needs to "tick the boxes" for an IBT to get your Irish permit, some training centres provide condensed schedule courses that fit it all into one intensive weekend.

two wheels good

Do you have a foreign licence?
Exchanging a foreign licence: Details
It's not just for EU/EEA countries.

ayux4rj6zql2ph

OP, best thing to do is to give Mick Finlay a shout, he's a moderator on this forum under the username LookBehindYou. He can answer all your questions.

iwantthat

Thank you guys. My take is that i have to do IBT. I have licence but it is not exchangeable here in Ireland. I will look for IBT providers now. But perhaps you guys can answer one more question.

In terms of first bike, what should i take. The end goal is to ride a proper bike and get the licence with most categories.

Sonics2k

iwantthat wrote: »

Thank you guys. My take is that i have to do IBT. I have licence but it is not exchangeable here in Ireland. I will look for IBT providers now. But perhaps you guys can answer one more question.

In terms of first bike, what should i take. The end goal is to ride a proper bike and get the licence with most categories.

Seeing as you have the 6 years experience, that opens up a lot of bike options to you from the get go, so best advice is to go and try out different bikes.

Most insurance companies will only insure you up to a certain engine size, around 750cc or so and above that the costs are either massive or they won't cover. For example, it's really hard to get insurance on a GS1200 with a Learner licence.

FishOnABike

This site
http://www.rsa.ie/en/RSA/Learner-Drivers/Motorcyclists/no-name-yet/
explains the process for obtaining a motorbike licence in Ireland.

If you're an experuenced bike and over 24 the Direct Access for Category A would be the way to go.