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

knucklehead6 wrote: »

Yes, I’m classed as essential.

That's a matter of opinion.

zubair wrote: »

That's a matter of opinion.

That's why i said CLASSED as it!!

Even my wife n kids wouldn't consider me essential!

IrishGrimReaper wrote: »

Might be an age thing as well.

When I was a first-time learner on my 125CC Varadero at 30 years old I could ride other bikes not belonging to me.

"The Policyholder may also drive a motorcycle not belonging to him or her and not hired to him or her under a hire purchase agreement.
Cover for such vehicles is restricted to third party cover only."

I enquired about riding other people's bikes when getting my quote (just curious, don't have anything in mind) -the jist of what he said was that if my own bike (125cc) was bigger then it would be a possibility, but not for the moment. I have the full A licence so it's not a licence issue, but there seemed to be a "like for like" vibe. This was Principal/Axa, so may not arise for other insurers. Also I was just getting TPFT, so maybe if go fully comp you'd get cover for other bikes. Anyway, wasn't really a factor (& I thought the quote was good) so I didn't press the issue. I'm mid 40s btw so not an age thing - maybe years of consecutive insurance/NCB could be a factor in whether they'll extend that cover.

Wouldn't it be great if there was clear guidance on insurance. "If you want to do X you'd first need Y & Z and it would cost you approx €q extra." You could then save some time on the torturous calls, quotes with & without blah blah blah.

My own contribution to this knoweldge is that multi-bike (getting insurance on more than 1 bike you own) involves getting cover on the main (most valuable) bike, and then adding on the 2nd or subsequent. Cost about €60 extra for me to add a 2nd bike (old 250cc). Any other Insurance tips people could share? Most of the specific insurance threads just talk about what it cost people to get cover, not of much use to the next man.

Taylor365 wrote: »

I never stopped working. Am i essential?

Work from home or front line because a lot of wfh aren't considered essential for some reason.
Now they are cancelling tests for people who's ibts are expired. Great crowd altogether.

ifeelabreeze wrote: »

Is €6000 enough to get started?
That’s IBT, gear, bike, insurance the works.

I was originally (I still am really) thinking of changing my car to something that’s a bit more fun but now I’m wondering if €6k is enough to get myself started on a motorbike.
I’ll be 24 this summer so I’d be going for an A licence

Keep the car mate there are times going out on a bike is suicidal and you'll curse not having a car.

I started with less, depends what you want really.
Ibt €550-€650
Gear €1k - 1.5k to get very well kitted out, you'd get by under €1k too.
Insurance depends on bike
Bike again depends, market is brutal at the min.

Still you'd be left with around €4k bike and Insurance.

Nice cruiser or naked bike will be relatively cheap to insure.

If you're looking for a sports bike you'll need to get a skills assessment and probably still looking at nearly €2k Insurance. They may even still refuse you cover.

Your car ncb doesn't count.

goblin59 wrote: »

6k is more than enough

I paid about €350 - 400 for gear
about €600 for the lessons (IBT)
€3500 for the bike
€800 for insurance (I was 30, so age probably lowered it)
and then I would recommend getting what ever bike you buy checked over if you are unsure about road worthiness as there isn't an NCT to show that at some point in the last year it wasn't a death trap so that could be between €100 - €300 depending on if they have to do any work or put new tyres on.


There are definitely days in Ireland where a car is better and safer.
I took my car off the road this year though in favour of using a go car for whenever I need one.

A bike really can't replace a car unless you live very central in a large town or city. Yes you can commute almost 365 on bikes but day to day living with just a bike is not easy. I'm an ATGATT bar local spins to the shops but even at that I'd wear boots, gloves, jacket and lid, by the time I'm leaving on the bike I'd have been there and back in the car.

When I first started riding I did it on a much smaller budget than you're talking about so running both is not impossible. But both bikes and IBTs were cheaper then. Now is not the time to buy a bike, prices are stupid, based on the average donedeal price my bike is worth more now than when I got it 2 years ago.

Hotblack Desiato wrote: »

A lot of people could go from a 2 car household to a 1 car + 1 bike household easily enough.

I went from car to bicycle when my commute was 15kms each way. Got fed up paying car insurance and tax for a car that was hardly used. Got a motorbike then for fun. Living and working inside the canals in Dublin you don't need a car unless you're ferrying kids about. On the odd occasion I needed a car I used GoCar.

My OH has sinced moved in though and she has a car that I'm insured on

zubair wrote: »

Agreed, debated doing this a few times. But we remain a 2 car 1 bike household, when you have kids 2 cars makes a difference.

Absolutely. We went from a one car household to debating the pros and cons of two car household vs 1 car/1 bike household.

Ultimately what decided it was that I wouldn’t be happy about putting the little lad in a second car that had been bought for Mrs KH6 for the same price a bike and gear cost.

So now she uses the car a LOT more than me but I still have it when needed. And I have the bike for commuting and doing what I need to do

Get a top box.

Most kids fit in a top box, but your MPG and cornering suffers a little.

Hotblack Desiato wrote: »

I am completely appalled that you would suggest such a thing















with no mention of drilling air holes.

I wouldn't recommend drilling airholes in your passengers no matter what age.

LollipopJimmy wrote: »

Had my test this morning, arrived up on time got the call outside as they are doing now, running through a covid questionnaire before coming out. All good, do the ROTR and technical checks then we test the walkie talkie, my ****ing earphones wouldn't work. I went through all sorts of hassle to get a set without a mic on them (according to the tester this doesn't matter anyway), he let me ask my instructor for a set but his walkie talkies have dual pin so that was that.

I'm out my test fee and the cost of the bike from the instructor.

Ah f**k that's a pain, would have thought they could at least let you try running to the shop to get a pair

I did the test twice, first time there was overlap on the radio with some taxi or delivery guys, pure balls, confusion reigned, tester no great help. #thesethingshappen

Jimmy Bottlehead wrote: »

If you'd managed to get the earpiece working and connected to him, he could have tried to Hold The Line.

I'm going to punch you in the face next time I see you

didn't need any of that earphone nonsense in my day lad *cough*

LollipopJimmy wrote: »

Had my test this morning, arrived up on time got the call outside as they are doing now, running through a covid questionnaire before coming out. All good, do the ROTR and technical checks then we test the walkie talkie, my ****ing earphones wouldn't work. I went through all sorts of hassle to get a set without a mic on them (according to the tester this doesn't matter anyway), he let me ask my instructor for a set but his walkie talkies have dual pin so that was that.

I'm out my test fee and the cost of the bike from the instructor.

Damn, that sucks!

Is there anyway they'll allow you credit on the test payment?