Starting out with a 125

Frostie · #1 27th February 2010, 11:18 PM

Hi lads and lassies

Im sure ye get threads of this nature the whole time but anywho,

I want to get into biking as a change from the cage!
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Problem is at the time I did my theory test for the car and bike I was given an A1 category under bikes but since then (over 3 years ago now) a new license (A i think?) has been introduced, so looks like il have to resit the theory test again. not so much of an issue.

Thing is I have use of an on road scrambler, Suzuki 125 i believe, but my question is would this bike be powerful enough to ride and get experience on? would it be possible to use this bike for the full test?

I was considering getting a restricted zx-6r and use that instead so i wouldn't be looking to upgrade in a few months.

I have riden bikes before on the "quieter" roads so it wouldn't be like it'd be my first time getting on a bike

So should I stick with getting practice on the Suzuki or should I be looking at other more suitable bikes?

Any useful advice welcome!

~~magnificentduke~~ · #2 27th February 2010, 11:21 PM

phone your local tax office, I don't think you need to repeat the theory terst. When you did it, you did the ABM category test. you obviously applied for an A1 provisional which has now lapsed. but you should be able to renew it. since you are now over 18, you will also be entitled to an A category so just get them to stick that on too.

125 is to small to do your A test on, has to be >150cc to get a full A licence. but you can always borrow a bigger bike for the test.

N11 EXPRESS · #3 27th February 2010, 11:22 PM

explain ur bike better cant be just a suzuki on road scrambler
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imagine telling quinn direct that
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free rider · #4 27th February 2010, 11:22 PM

Welcome to
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enjoy
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Ya need to feel comfortable with the bike ya ride
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Stick with the 125 for now and build confidence first. After that the sky is the limit a long as you are confident. start slow as any muppet can twist the troutle and go fast in a straight line.
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gary79 · #5 27th February 2010, 11:28 PM

If your still nervous, stick with the 125 ... if you think your ready to step up and can control a bigger bike, go for it.
Whatever you chose, good luck on the road
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Frostie · #6 27th February 2010, 11:41 PM

Thanks for the advice.

So I should probably look at bikes around the 250 mark?

I'd love the idea of a 600 Ninja but my head says no until I get more experience!
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~~magnificentduke~~ · #7 27th February 2010, 11:47 PM

Originally Posted by Frostie

Thanks for the advice.

So I should probably look at bikes around the 250 mark?

I'd love the idea of a 600 Ninja but my head says no until I get more experience!
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once you go above the roughly 250cc mark (even below 250 if it's sports bikes) you're looking at restriction. so anything above about 250cc you will have to limit to 33hp to comply with your learner permit. so drining a restricted 750 sportsbike is the same as driving a 25kw 125cc 2 stroke.

Adamt GT250R · #8 28th February 2010, 01:37 AM

To be honest ya'l b lucky to get insured on sumtin bigger dan a 400 these days without havin 2 sell a kidney to pay for d insurance mate
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, restrictors or not, i'd recommend gettin a 125, maybe a cbr if ur into sporty, or a varedero if ya like 2 cruise
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,den when ur used 2 drivin and comfortable after a few months get a Hornet 250cc, deyr a great bike, will go forever and ya can do ur test on 'em, easy as pissin 2 insure aswel
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FizzyCola · #9 28th February 2010, 02:03 AM

I have an NSR 125. It wouldnt bother me if i kept it for another 2 years.The only problem is you cant go for the test with it. Maybe look at a ninja 250. Im hoping to get one in the summer. When I checked for me a few months back insurance was the same on the NSR and the Ninja just that the ninja is an expensive little bugger to buy. Not too many around and in high demand.

CB_Phil · #10 28th February 2010, 02:18 AM

I rode a 125 vagina for 3years, takin her to cork, plenty o times in al waeter (from Dublin) & to the bottom of Wexford 2-up w/out any hassle. if you dont know any better its great, only when you start tryin bigger stuff do you get pissed off w/the power.
welcome to
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Raiot · #11 2nd March 2010, 02:12 PM

i was the same.started on my nsr 80 it was great fun but i wanted to learn more so heavier faster bike and got myself into the twisties in wicklow and then a 300 bike charity run taught me some skills. dont be afraid of big roads or city centre patience is the key man its helped me heaps.i went for a zxr400 for the second bike..lovely to ride eats corners and was very fast.remember your lifesavers!!!

gixxer600 · #12 2nd March 2010, 02:49 PM

if u held a provisional in the last five years you are entiteld to renew it without any theory test just bring old one back and get it up dated to a aswell
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Frostie · #13 10th March 2010, 10:22 AM

Originally Posted by gixxer600

if u held a provisional in the last five years you are entiteld to renew it without any theory test just bring old one back and get it up dated to a aswell
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Went into tax office telling them my situation and they said I'll have to resit the theory test as the categories have been changed since I sat the inital theory test!

Im sickened! €36 to do it again! and I have to get the newer edition CD (€20 probably) as well since they feel like bringing out a new set of questions on a regular basis!

What a money racket!
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bazz_3rd · #14 12th March 2010, 12:52 AM

That's a sickener.
I didnt have to do a new theory test for some reason despite going 4and a half years from getting a small cage license to getting a big cage one, they just stuck the A1 on the new Provisional.

Unfortuantely they didnt give me the A provisional until this January, so I have to wait until July to do my test which is a kick in the arse.

Anyway, if you think the Theory Test is a money racket, never do a CPC, you'll end up killing someone.

Michael McDowell Senior Counsel · #15 12th March 2010, 01:10 AM

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Frostie · #16 16th March 2010, 09:56 PM

Hey lads im still a bit confused as to which bike I should use for the test.
Iv heard that if you do the test on a small engined bike, 125cc or 250 maybe?, that youll be restricted to this size bike when you get the full license and it appears on your license as an A1 catagory.

Is there any truth to this?

The bike I have use of at the moment is a Suzuki DR 125 btw

~~magnificentduke~~ · #17 16th March 2010, 09:59 PM

Originally Posted by Frostie

Hey lads im still a bit confused as to which bike I should use for the test.
Iv heard that if you do the test on a small engined bike, 125cc or 250 maybe?, that youll be restricted to this size bike when you get the full license and it appears on your license as an A1 catagory.

Is there any truth to this?

The bike I have use of at the moment is a Suzuki DR 125 btw

to get a full a licence you need to do your test on a bike greater than 150cc
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less than this will only allow you to get an A1 category licence.

gary79 · #18 16th March 2010, 09:59 PM

If you do it on a 125 and pass you will have a full A1, which is only valid up to 125cc bikes. so you would have to do it again on a bigger bike to get the A. This is why folks start on 125cc bikes and borrow a mates/ hire bigger bike to sit the test so they can still ride their own yoke and have the full A license.

If your happy using the DR125 ... keep going .. apply for your test and when the time comes ask a mate can you use their bigger bike on the day etc.

CB_Phil · #19 16th March 2010, 09:59 PM

2fitty, any smaller & youll have a restricted licence. i reanted a CB250 from Irish school of motorin (600 wasnt exactly road legal in the stricktist sense
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) w/pretest for 250, got it back in insureance for gettin full.
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Frostie · #20 16th March 2010, 10:09 PM

Originally Posted by magnificentduke

to get a full a licence you need to do your test on a bike greater than 150cc
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less than this will only allow you to get an A1 category licence.

Originally Posted by gbx79

If you do it on a 125 and pass you will have a full A1, which is only valid up to 125cc bikes. so you would have to do it again on a bigger bike to get the A. This is why folks start on 125cc bikes and borrow a mates/ hire bigger bike to sit the test so they can still ride their own yoke and have the full A license.

If your happy using the DR125 ... keep going .. apply for your test and when the time comes ask a mate can you use their bigger bike on the day etc.

Originally Posted by CB_Phil

2fitty, any smaller & youll have a restricted licence. i reanted a CB250 from Irish school of motorin (600 wasnt exactly road legal in the stricktist sense
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) w/pretest for 250, got it back in insureance for gettin full.
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Thanks for clearing that up lads so il need to source a 150cc minimum when the time comes to sit the test!