Back into bikes - Advice

username?!

Looking to get back into bikes now that my work commute has now disappeared for the year thanks to COVID.

I'm 30, hold a full B. Did hold an M and provisional A1 (125cc?) about 10 years ago but my licence currently only has B on it. Been riding offroad bikes for years so I'm drawn towards a supermoto style bike.

From my quick research, I'm looking for an A license, direct access as this will allow me to ride any CC bike as I'm over 24?

Looks like I need to do my theory test again for a bike, apply for a learner permit and then do a IBT and i'll be good to ride, which all the above are closed due to COVID.

Just looking for some clarification on the above and would I get insured easily enough aged 30, with a Learner Permit on something like a DRZ400 or 660 SMC? I've tried a few quotes online but initial results are all call for a quote. Would €1200 cover insurance on something like that in my circumstances?

Thanks for the help!

punisher5112

Try get full licence 1st if possible, do theory, learner permit and do ibt and use a school bike for test.....

1st year insurance is going to be high but try find a bike that's not up high on the loading.... Stay clear of sports bikes till after a year would be my bet.....

cantdecide

username?! wrote: »

From my quick research, I'm looking for an A license, direct access as this will allow me to ride any CC bike as I'm over 24?

Sure does. No more 2 year restrictions and so on.

username?! wrote: »

Looks like I need to do my theory test again for a bike, apply for a learner permit and then do a IBT and i'll be good to ride

The only way you can avoid the theory test is if you originally took the car theory test before August 2006. If you did, then you should be able to cut straight to the NDLS to get your cat A permit. If you took the theory test after 2006 then you will have to go back for the separate bike theory test.

username?! wrote: »

Just looking for some clarification on the above and would I get insured easily enough aged 30, with a Learner Permit on something like a DRZ400 or 660 SMC? I've tried a few quotes online but initial results are all call for a quote. Would €1200 cover insurance on something like that in my circumstances?

My buddy paid €500 fully comp on a V-strom 650 at age 37 but really there's no way for you to know until you enqure for yourself. They're open at the moment so just put on a pot of coffee and start calling.

As above, be aware that the bikes you're after are probably A2 bikes; if you take IBT and pass the full test on a cat A2 bike then all you'll have is a full A2. You should take IBT and full test on a cat A compliant school bike and buy whatever bike you fancy.

Mjolnir

username?! wrote: »

Looking to get back into bikes now that my work commute has now disappeared for the year thanks to COVID.

I'm 30, hold a full B. Did hold an M and provisional A1 (125cc?) about 10 years ago but my licence currently only has B on it. Been riding offroad bikes for years so I'm drawn towards a supermoto style bike.

From my quick research, I'm looking for an A license, direct access as this will allow me to ride any CC bike as I'm over 24?

Looks like I need to do my theory test again for a bike, apply for a learner permit and then do a IBT and i'll be good to ride, which all the above are closed due to COVID.

Just looking for some clarification on the above and would I get insured easily enough aged 30, with a Learner Permit on something like a DRZ400 or 660 SMC? I've tried a few quotes online but initial results are all call for a quote. Would €1200 cover insurance on something like that in my circumstances?

Thanks for the help!

Those bikes are relatively rare on the road here compared to the likes of uk and us. They are also a thief magnet that with permit and 0 ncb unlikely you'd get it for €1200. Best bet would be to ring and ask especially if you've "already bought it" .

Mjolnir

username?! wrote: »

Looking to get back into bikes now that my work commute has now disappeared for the year thanks to COVID.

I'm 30, hold a full B. Did hold an M and provisional A1 (125cc?) about 10 years ago but my licence currently only has B on it. Been riding offroad bikes for years so I'm drawn towards a supermoto style bike.

From my quick research, I'm looking for an A license, direct access as this will allow me to ride any CC bike as I'm over 24?

Looks like I need to do my theory test again for a bike, apply for a learner permit and then do a IBT and i'll be good to ride, which all the above are closed due to COVID.

Just looking for some clarification on the above and would I get insured easily enough aged 30, with a Learner Permit on something like a DRZ400 or 660 SMC? I've tried a few quotes online but initial results are all call for a quote. Would €1200 cover insurance on something like that in my circumstances?

Thanks for the help!

Those bikes are relatively rare on the road here compared to the likes of uk and us. They are also a thief magnet that with permit and 0 ncb unlikely you'd get it for €1200. Best bet would be to ring and ask especially if you've "already bought it" .

username?!

cantdecide wrote: »

Sure does. No more 2 year restrictions and so on.



The only way you can avoid the theory test is if you originally took the car theory test before August 2006. If you did, then you should be able to cut straight to the NDLS to get your cat A permit. If you took the theory test after 2006 then you will have to go back for the separate bike theory test.



My buddy paid €500 fully comp on a V-strom 650 at age 37 but really there's no way for you to know until you enqure for yourself. They're open at the moment so just put on a pot of coffee and start calling.

As above, be aware that the bikes you're after are probably A2 bikes; if you take IBT and pass the full test on a cat A2 bike then all you'll have is a full A2. You should take IBT and full test on a cat A compliant school bike and buy whatever bike you fancy.

I took my test in February 2006, was my 16th birthday for my moped so I'm 100% sure on it.

How can I find more info on that or how would I chase up skipping doing my learner permit again? Is that a ruling that came in?

cantdecide

username?! wrote: »

I took my test in February 2006, was my 16th birthday for my moped so I'm 100% sure on it.


How can I find more info on that or how would I chase up skipping doing my learner permit again? Is that a ruling that came in?

The original Theory test ran from 2001 to Aug 2006 and it included cars, tractors and bikes. Later, they broke the bikes onto a dedicated theory test. The fact that you have an unbroken record since then means that your theory test is still active and that entitles you to simply walk into the NDLS office and apply for a motorcycle learner permit... in the same way that you could walk in there and ask for a a BE learner permit without having to take the car learner permit again.

When you go in, you need to be ADAMANT that you have the "Type 1" theory test on your record that this entitles you to apply for a motorcycle learner permit. If you get resistance tell them you called the helpline and that's what they told you. It's not a new rule but not every NDLS employee would see this situation arise regularly enough especially when 99% of people looking for a biker permit will bring a bike theory test in their hand.

H_Lime

Christ, I'm so out of touch with all this stuff. I had a friend of a friend enquire about what's involved to get on two wheels these days and the best I could muster was "I believe its gone a bit mad these days" lol.

username?!

Thanks for all the info, as soon as the NDLS opens up I'll chase up my old theory test and see if I can get A put my on license straight away.

enrique66_35

username?! wrote: »

Thanks for all the info, as soon as the NDLS opens up I'll chase up my old theory test and see if I can get A put my on license straight away.

The new A learner permit (green one) will be a separate card from your full B licence (pink one) so means carrying two cards in the wallet until you pass the bike test. You can get them combined on the one pink card then.

galwaytt

H_Lime wrote: »

Christ, I'm so out of touch with all this stuff. I had a friend of a friend enquire about what's involved to get on two wheels these days and the best I could muster was "I believe its gone a bit mad these days" lol.

...it isn't really though:... my young lad is just gone 17 and been through and waiting on his test. God knows when that will happen now though - he should have had a date before the Covid.

H_Lime

galwaytt wrote: »

...it isn't really though:... my young lad is just gone 17 and been through and waiting on his test. God knows when that will happen now though - he should have had a date before the Covid.

Ah good, the conspiratorial side of me was wondering was it an attempt to deter folks from riding bikes.
What's your son gona get? Ya nervous about him on a bike?