to ask whether any of you have motorcycle licenses and drive one?

[Sureyouwill]

Particularly if you're a bit of a nervous Nelly?

It's kind of on my bucket list to own and obviously ride one.

How difficult was it learning to drive them? Passing the test etc.?

And how different is it to driving a car?

Its completely different to driving a car, you'll probably love it once you get your head round it. The CBT is really straightforwards, you do some theory, learn how to drive, and do maneuvers at a slow pace. Then you go out on quiet roads.
If you decide that you don't like driving in traffic then there are plenty of track days around the country. And its a very friendly and welcoming scene.

The controls are usually;
Left 'brake lever' is actually the clutch.
Right brake lever is for the front brake.
Right hand twist grip is the throttle.
Right foot operates the rear brake (does most of the braking).
Gears are in front of the left footrest and you use your left toe to change gear.

So to move off; hold down the back brake with your right foot. Pull in the clutch with your left hand and twist the throttle with your right till it bites.
Then gradually release the rear brake and clutch, and twist the throttle. Kangaroo jump across the car park, and try again

You have to be a lot more careful driving a motorcycle, you essentially have to anticipate cars not seeing you so you are ready to take evasive action.

It's not difficult to learn and the test wasn't overly difficult. You have the theory and then 2 practical parts. First practical part is at a test centre and you have to do things like an emergency stop, manual handling (pushing the bike from one position to another), doing a slalom type thing with cones and doing a turn in the road. The second part is going for a ride on the roads as you would in the practical car test, but with the examiner on a bike behind you. That is for your full license. You can do just your CBT in which your instructor just rides behind you and signs you off, but you can only ride up to a 125cc with a CBT. I started off with my CBT for a year and then got my full license.

I loved riding a motorbike, I get a great sense of freedom. On a summer day it is lovely to just go for a ride on a scenic route. I don't have a bike at the moment as I sold mine when I got pregnant, I look forward to the day I get another though!

I drive a trike on my car license, a lot easier than riding a motorbike (learnt to ride a motorbike when I was younger), not only that, women look cool as fuck on bikes and trikes

Motorbikes are great. I got my CBT at 17, then had to wait until after University to be able to afford to take my test and get a bike. Had one almost every since, with occasional gaps when stolen.

They're very different from cars. They're more like cycles, if you've done a lot of road cycling you'll have a lot of the extra "car radar" awareness that you'll need to ride safely.

Take an advanced course after you've had a few months practice - they'll train you for fun and safety, more than the normal test does, and it'll get you 10% off your insurance with most people.

Budget £1000 for clothing. Do not fuck around with the protective gear, get well fitting helmet, cover yourself in fabric or leathers, and always wear it. People riding mopeds without gloves on give me the fear.

I ride, I love my motorbike.
Riding is relatively easy, you just need to be aware of other vehicles and ride defensively because we are so vulnerable.

I passed my bike test six months before my car test, was a long time ago, just one road test and a few Highway Code questions, all done.
I’ve back packed solo with tent and motorbike round Turkey, pre children of course.
Owned dozens of bikes British and Japanese, always wanted a Harley, DH and I planned retirement road trips.
Sadly DH died and didn’t get his Harley.
I got one on his behalf, a trike as I have a bad back.
Do it, don’t buy cheap protective clothing.

Right foot operates the rear brake (does most of the braking).

Not when I learnt. I always was told to aim for a 75/25 front rear split, in favour of the front. But if I was riding at very low speed, 2 or 3 mph in a car park or similar, then rear brake only.

I have held a MC licence for a few decades and never had an accident. It is completely different to driving a car and a lot more risky. You have to be visible, to be able to predict and manage traffic flows around you, to plan for the unexpected, . The consequences of a collision are of course much worse if on a MC. I would say to you that if its something you want to try, go take a trial run or some trial lessons in the safety of a properly organised and authorised training centre. When i first started biking, the accident stats where horrific. You could ride upto a 250cc after passing a test which wasnt that hard,,or just ride round on L plates forever.

Its much stricter now. I trained with the RAC/ACU who used to do lengthy training programs mostly on Sundays and staffed mostly by volunteers /experienced bikers,,it stood me in good stead.

I learned to drive in rural Ireland, so a lot of speed, twisty roads, and random sheep/tractors/little old ladies coming out of the blue was typical.
I don't drive in London for the sheer lunacy of most drivers. You've the right of way and they just commit utter fuckery at the last minute. Everyone drives up everyone's arse, people pull out at the last minute, the aggression is something I've never encountered in my life, nobody is watching the road they're listening to SatNav and I just sold my car when I came over here!
If I did do my motorcycle test, I think I'd need someone to drive me to the countryside first before I'd drive lol.

If I did do it, I would take the advice of getting proper clothing and doing the advanced driving course.

Thanks for the advice. Lots to ponder on. Am not hitting the bucket yet!

Or kicking the bucket even

userschmoozer

When you're learning those controls, is there a driver behind you on the bike or are you let off yourself?

It's just that I can't learn by reading things. So I could memorise that and type it back to you in 10 minutes time, but it doesn't translate into action for me? I need to learn by doing things if you get me?

I was quite late learning to drive (28), and thought I'd never figure it out. A year of a 30 mile each way commute to work, dropping dd off at childminders and getting in for 8am, and I sort of became a raleigh driver.

I think I'd be slow to pick up the basics, but once I've got those, I'd be off. Driving in the city is another ballgame though.

I have a bike licence and drive in Dublin. Go for it...try the lessons and see if you love it - if you do it'll open a whole new world to you.

Do you do your theory test before you're ever let near a bike?
Do you need your own bike before starting lessons?

and I sort of became a raleigh driver.

I didn't even know Raleigh made cars, just bicycles.

Magicstar1 I think I know I would love it if I could get over the initial nerves. It's just something I really want to do. I can maybe grow a beard and start listening to Metallica too lol.

I have a licence but no bike any more.

Did the CBT on a hire bike, then did the direct access test on a hire bike.

Rode for a year and got in an accident where a car pulled into the road into me. After that I was just gun shy and rode a few more times but never felt as happy got rid of the bike. Now I've got a child I'm even more risk averse and can't see myself getting another bike no matter how much fun it was.

Rally driver then! Basically, my punto went around a corner on 2 wheels on one occasion so I decided I might need to slow down.

I'm an incredibly anxious driver, I gave up lessons because it just wan't working for me. Last year I thought I'd give the CBT a go to give me some actual freedom and it's made such a difference. I know that riding my bike is more dangerous but somehow I feel far more confident and happy when doing it. It's been a major breakthrough for me and it changed my life. I'm not yet sure if I want to take the full test or stick with my 125 taking the CBT every 2 years until I'm totally confident but, now that I'm mobile, there's so much less pressure.

One thing I will say is that you get what you pay for. Don't go with a cheap instructor with large classes - they are designed for people that just need to complete the CBT as a formality and they won't be that helpful to slower learners. Find a more reputable company with reviews by people like you. They will be more expensive but it's worth it and often they will have guaranteed passes so will keep going until you manage it.

My instructor said I was in the top 5 most nervous people she had ever seen but she kicked me up the arse all the way through it and I did it.

Always thought you were a motorbike RIDER not a Driver .

Riding is easy, it's all the dickheads around you who don't look properly that's the problem most of the time. Bit of defensive riding helps negate most of them though.

I'm not too sure about the UK, but it should be the same as here. You do your theory test first to get a learner's permit. Then you have to do CBT (compulsory basic training) with an instructor. They can lend you the bike etc. so no need to buy one until you're certain it's for you.
I'm in a FB group of all women in Ireland, UK and other places if you'd like to join? Beware though - Friday is Man Friday and the pics are a bit racy lol.