Failed my L plate motorcycle course today

[Rybky]

No, I don't have a bike yet. Was holding off on buying one until I passed the course

I've been looking at getting a Ninja 250....reading says it's a good bike to learn on.

The Ninja is quite popular, just be careful about getting a faired bike though, if you drop it (and you probably will!) the fairing will take the brunt and they are expensive to repair, especially on Kawasaki's (generally parts are more expensive).

Also don't restrict yourself to a 250, on a learner license you can get up to a 660cc providing it is on the RTA's LAMS list (see their website). There are some good 500cc bikes, a larger engine tends to be more forgiving. I started out on a Kawasaki KLE500 and was so glad I did.

Adam

[ConR]

Cheers. Thanks again for the info mate!

[goodfella]

I did my lic course at Clive (under M4 fly-over) and we had cool instructors. I hadnt ridden in years (1st time was unlicensed but managed to live thru it) so the course was mostly a refresher for legality sake.

WRT 1st bike, as per Adam's post, I'd stay away from fairing bikes to start with... it will fall and plastics will break! I went with a Honda Spada, 250cc "naked" so no fairing to break. These are reliable and virtual unbreakable machines, I bought and sold mine for 3500 within the 1 yr so the overall ownership cost is quite low!

[Buller_Scott]

BTW, wrote this post about 30 minutes after getting home, so I've had some time to cool down a bit.

nah man, you need to keep the fire alive! like a klingon or some ****!

nah but for serious, what motivated you to get your bike license?

[Rybky]

Ahh yes, the trusty old Spada! The CB250 is a good first bike too.

I would highly recommend getting on to Netrider (Netrider Forums - Powered by vBulletin), lot of great advice and friendly people there. Some even run weekly learner sessions where experienced riders turn up and help out the learners. You can also find bikes for sale that will most likely have a history on the forums and will generally have been cared for well.

Adam

[ConR]

Thanks again for the info guys.

And Buller...I've always wanted to get it...I'm just the master of procrastination

For real though, I'm changing jobs, moving to the city for work. It's a pain to get to the CBD from where I live, so I thought, what better time to do it! Even took some extra time off before I started the new job to practice alot, get confident, and ride the bike to work. Things haven't gone to plan obviously...and I'll be stuck taking wonderful Sydney public transport to work now (hour bus ride).

Still though...I've started the process now, and plan on seeing it through. Still want to learn to ride a bike. It's just very hard to do so now with the course structure they've put in. I can't get my L's until I get more practice. I can't practice unless I go to an approved training centre. I can't use an approved training centre unless I pay them. You get the cycle here!!!

[Buller_Scott]

nah you'll be right... just find some redneck out at kenthurst who has a dirt bike trail around their house (i'd know- i sorta grew up there, parents still have a house there). that'll learn ya some bike skills!

i know what you mean- **** smelling other people's armpits in 40 degree weather this summer (read: you'd better get your damn license quick! lol).

keep at it- you'll get it.

[ConR]

Cheers mate. I have a good friend that lives in Kenthurst actually...haha. And he does have a dirt trail in his backyard. I've been out there on a quad bike a few times....fun times!

[brad]

If you want to make life easy, learn on a scooter. All you have to worry about is steering & brakes. Then buy a scooter off some trendoid that fell over in the first month & gave up.

I had an automatic minibike with a 125cc Victa lawn mower engine first, then another with a 150cc West Bend industrial engine; then an ISO Milano Diva 150 scooter (hand shift like a Lambretta); then a CB175 Honda; SL250 Honda; BMW R80 and an BMW R80ST with GS parts.

Alternatively, if you know somebody with a posty bike or a Honda XR75 & a big empty car park....... You'll work it out in less than an hour if the pressure is off.

[ConR]

Yeah, originally, I was going to do my course on a scooter. But then they told me if I did, I could never drive a manual bike, unless I did the course from the beginning on a manual.

Some of those scooters go like stink though. As long as it's not pink with flowers and a basket on the front, I should be ok

[Rybky]

Yeah, originally, I was going to do my course on a scooter. But then they told me if I did, I could never drive a manual bike, unless I did the course from the beginning on a manual.

Not true. On your L's and P1 licence (1st year) you can only ride a scooter if you passed the test on a scooter, when you get P2 you can ride a manual motorcycle, ref: Provisional (P1) and Provisional (P2) rider licence

Adam

[Buller_Scott]

If you want to make life easy, learn on a scooter. All you have to worry about is steering & brakes...

.... as well as being bashed and then subsequently disowned by your mates, for being a poof.

[ConR]

Not true. On your L's and P1 licence (1st year) you can only ride a scooter if you passed the test on a scooter, when you get P2 you can ride a manual motorcycle, ref: Provisional (P1) and Provisional (P2) rider licence

Adam

Hmmm. Interesting. I didn't know that. What about someone who doesn't have to do their P2's (over 25 and licensed, etc)? I would be going straight from P1 to a full license. Could I get a manual bike then?

[Rybky]

Hmmm. Interesting. I didn't know that. What about someone who doesn't have to do their P2's (over 25 and licensed, etc)? I would be going straight from P1 to a full license. Could I get a manual bike then?

Best to check with the RTA but I believe yes. There is only one license class for a full motorcycle license.

Adam

[brad]

.... as well as being bashed and then subsequently disowned by your mates, for being a poof.

I guess that could happen if your mates were a bit insecure about their masculinity. Stuff like that has never worried me. I do what I want.