Will need to act fast!
16/01/2012
Will need to act fast!
I understand that there are to be some significant changes to the test structure in January 2013. This means that for an under 24 year old their only option would be to do a test on a 125 and then only be able to ride a 125 for 2 years. Then they would have to pay to do a further test to be allowed a 47bhp bike (most 500's are more than this). Then they have a further two year wait to ride a bike of any capacity.
I am significantly older than 24 so this should not affect me! However, my son is 17 in june. He currently rides huge distances on a beaten-up old 50cc moped and will move on to a 125 as soon as he can. Any cash that I have saved for my own test will have to go on getting him through his test before the changes. We live in rural cornwall and 62mph top speed on the flat is not quite enough with cars, busses and trucks all bursting to overtake with only inches to spare in high winds and I often feel vulnerable on my 125!
With a few private lessons (I have a great Training Centre near me), hopefully six months will be enough.
I'll do my DAS when he has done his test and has gloated in the way that only a 17 year old can, as he will be on a 33bhp bike and I will still be on a 125!
Please let me know if I have misunderstood the changes to the Licencing structure.
Kindest Regards,
Steve
You're pretty well spot on but not quite, from Jan 2013 :-
At 17 you will only be able to take a 125 test and only ride a 125.
But, after 2 yrs on a 125 OR at age 19 you will be able to take a test on a "400" and then ride anything up to 46bhp (provided the donor - pre restricted - bike wasn't originally more than 92 bhp; ie no R6's anymore)
Then after 2yrs on a 46bhp OR at age 24 you will be able to take a test on a "600" then ride anything.
For your son, you are right. Do it this year and beat the new rules, he'll get the current test on a 125 then ride anything up to 33bhp for 2 years, then anything he likes. A licence once earned can't be taken away.
Gloat away when you've got the full monty and he's still on the 33bhp.
By the way, this isn't known widely enough - spread the word!!!!!
Allthebest
Nigel
Thanks Nigel,
On the up-side at least the bottom will drop out of the market for the Kawasaki 250 Ninja that he really wants and he may be able to pick up a bargain. On the down side a lot of training centres are going to struggle to replace their training fleets all in one go and all at the same time.
My bosses daughter did her driving test last year in a Fiat Panda, now she's driving his Landrover Discovery! Just a thought....
Kindest Regards, Steve
It's an interesting world coming up. Maybe there'll be a new and growing market for 250's actually.
Think of all the new riders who'll only be licenced for up to 46bhp. I personally think what was our middleweight bike market (that dissapeared when they introduced 500cc DAS) will return. For a huge number of reasons (not least fuel economy) lightweights make sense and the new laws will sort of steer the market that way too.
Yes, you're right, training schools do face a tough time and it's becoming increasingly clear that there's no help on the horizon.
I hope your boy appreciates your sacrifice!
Nigel