MotorBike Licence (small bike/big bike)

delanest

Hey there,

Can anybody help me out here with some info.

I am currently 23. I have been driving bikes for 6 years. I have a full A1 licence, so I drive a 125cc bike (dragster). I wish to get a bigger bike, not sure exactly yet but say 400-1000cc bike. What do I have to do?

Can I ride any size bike on an A provisional ?/ What size can I ride on an A provisional?

I know there was some change with BHP being measured, how does this affect me?

Is there any truth in that when you are under 25 you must hold a full A licence for two years before you can ride a bike bigger that 125.

Thanks

Stephen

no, you're limited to bikes of 33bhp or less for 2 years after getting your full A. There's no restriction on cc's, just the power/weight ratio i believe.

seamus

Stephen wrote:

no, you're limited to bikes of 33bhp or less for 2 years after getting your full A. There's no restriction on cc's, just the power/weight ratio i believe.

Yep. <= 33bhp or 25kW according to my licence.

In theory there are some big bikes out there that qualify, but any bike shop will be able to tell you.

Be prepared for a bit of a shock. I'm assuming you got your original (A1) provisional before June 2001, which means that when you apply for a class A provisional, you'll have to sit a theory test. Ridiculous, but them's the rules. Your insurance will also take a jump, with your NCB being the only thing working in your favour.

delanest

thanks guys, yea I know about the theory test and it was a shock !

So a provisional A is no better to me than my current licence, that sucks.

Anybody know of any bigger bikes that are less than 33 BHP that I could ride?

Also how does the two year thing work, is their a stamp or something on your licnece ? Anyway I'll be 25 in two years anyway !

seamus

delanest wrote:

So a provisional A is no better to me than my current licence, that sucks.

Ah, there are loads of bikes bigger than 125 that you can use on an A licence. A lot of 250s would easily be under the limit. You can also buy a bigger bike, restricted, and then remove the restrictor when the two years are up.

delanest

what makes/models ?

Seamus, I can get a bike under 33bhp on my A1 licence so the A is not an advantage! (no ?)

seamus

delanest wrote:

what makes/models ?

Seamus, I can get a bike under 33bhp on my A1 licence so the A is not an advantage! (no ?)

No, cos you can only get an engine size of 125cc max on the A1. You're also limited to 11kW. The A licence allows to get a bike that's more than twice as powerful (during the restrcition).

fiacha

delanest wrote:

what makes/models ?

Seamus, I can get a bike under 33bhp on my A1 licence so the A is not an advantage! (no ?)

this should get you started. google will answer everything else !

delanest

Thanks lads, got exactly what I was looking for

a_ominous

delanest wrote:

Thanks lads, got exactly what I was looking for

Slightly OT, from what I've seen most 33BHP bikes are group 5/6 in Hibernian's insurance tables. Haven't got my Bike Buyers Guide to hand to check the Carole Nash group. Ring up your broker/insurer to get a quote on say a Honda Bros, factory restricted Bandit. Sit down first :eek: @23yo it'll be a shock. You might have to wait until you're over 25 for the insurance to be reasonable or acceptable.

Even more OT, only 4 days to go until the restriction comes off _my_ licence Roll on the weekend...

spunkymunky

delanest
Im in almost the exact same boat. 23, 125 virago and wanting to upgrade. Rang carol nash about a 400 susuki bandit restricted and they quoted me €1200. I was quoted €850 on the virago so its not really that much of a difference. I have a full A1 licence though. Even looking at the 600 if they'll insure me

delanest

Your quotes are about the same as mine, so I could actually get a restricted 400 bandit for the €1200 mark. That is resonable.

On an aside spunkymunky have you priced a restricted 400 bandit recently, aree they hard to come by ?

spunkymunky

tbh i havnt seen many about 400cc that is. Seen a lot of bikes 250-600cc at good enough prices. '97's for about 3000ish up to brand new 7000-8000ish.
The guy from Carol Nash said bikeshops will restrict them for about €300 so its not to bad.

delanest

cheers, by the way, that quote for 1200 you got, that was on a provisional A right ?

spunkymunky

Yeah it was but i dont think it was right. Was just talking to the boys there in CN and it was different. €1500 for a 250cc and €1700ish for 600cc restricted. Think the €1200 was based on a full A licence.

Wez

You could check out getting either a Honda cbr250 (double 'R' mc22 version is best) which is an amazing bike (see cbr250.com - I'm Wes) Or a Suzuki sv650. Both amazing bikes..

spunkymunky

Would be sweet alright but the guy i was talking to said that they dont really insure provisional licened drivers on sports bikes. Just not worth the risk