I am looking at going down the motorbike/moped route now.
I was thinking about a 125 (after getting the relevant CBT). The only reason I would get that over a 50cc is that I would be able to go further for longer and faster (plus its close to a bicycle than a 50cc.
So does anyone know the exact route I would have to go down in order to get one (I mean training wise).
Insurance would be a lot cheaper as well as repairs, and I would be able to use it in winter when its too windy to cycle.
Do your CBT (you need a provisional obviously) then get a bike. You can sit your CBT on a scooter OR a 125cc geared bike - the CBT is valid for both however if you pick an auto scooter... you won't know how to use a clutch or change gears so worth doing it on the geared bike. Honestly... the only reason people get 50cc scooters is because they legally can't have a 125. They're dangerous, slow, annoying as hell because they're 2 stroke and generally not safe to be on. You can't ride them on a motorway but you can ride them on a dual carriageway. Makes sense? Of course not.
Seriously though, people do get killed riding them because they're *that* slow.
Get a helmet, jacket, gloves, boots and pants (and yes, you NEED them, coming off at 60mph will shred you like belt sandering your skin. Apparently for every mph over 30 you crash as, you lose 1mm of flesh. 60mph... yeah. You're down to the bone.).
If you want to take your tests then you need to be 17 to sit your A1 licence (up to 125cc but no Ls and you can carry a pillion and ride on motorways. I'd avoid motorways on a 125 anyway as they're just not quick enough).
After 2 years you can sit your A2. This allows you to ride up to 47HP bikes (or 93 if you restrict them but they cannot legally be more than double the restriction). If you have an A1 licence already, then you just need to sit a practical test. If you go straight in without it (i.e. on a CBT at 19) then you need to sit a theory test as well.
After another 2 years you can do your unrestricted A licence which lets you ride anything you can afford to insure basically. You need 2 years on an A2 licence to sit this, otherwise you have to be over 24. Again, if you're already on an A2, then just a practical test, but if you're 24 and doing it via direct access (the scheme that allows you to go from nothing to big bikes without anything in between) then you need a theory test pass as well.
125 bikes are still a bit wobbly in high winds and you do need your wits about you riding in sidewinds particularly. They weigh so little (around 120kg) that a stiff breeze is noticeable.
Oh, one more thing: You never, ever have to pass a motorbike test. If you wanted to you can just keep resitting the CBT but you're stuck on 125 bikes forever.
