A few questions about a learner's licence

**FreeridingNewZealand** · 10th March 2011, 16:02

Hey guys,

I'm looking at getting my motorbike licence later on this year (July) but I thought I would ask a few questions in advance.

- Where can you learn the basic bike handling skills? I understand it's illegal to ride on the road without a licence, are there any legal places to learn how to ride?

- I heard somewhere that they are changing the law which states you can have a bike under 250cc on a learners/restricted, to say it must be under 250cc and have a certain power - weight ratio, is this correct or just a rumor?

And more importantly...
What type of bike should I look at for my learners? I don't know if it helps, but I have allot of experience racing downhill mountain bikes, which involves breaking traction very often, jumps, drops etc.
I have also been told that since I have no experience riding motorbikes that I should look at a 125cc bike rather than a 250cc for my learners as a 250cc would be too powerful, but I have also been told 125cc bikes can struggle to get up hills, or maintain speed in a headwind? I'm quite interested in this bike:http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=359885029 Would it be suitable for my needs?

Cheers.

**Timmeh:P** · 10th March 2011, 16:27

Go for a 250cc. They aint that powerful. Unless you go for a smokey two stroker!

RS250.... mmmmmm

- I heard somewhere that they are changing the law which states you can have a bike OVER 250cc on a learners/restricted, to say IT CAN BE OVER 250cc and have a certain power - weight ratio, is this correct or just a rumor.

Long read... but if you skip closer to the end you get the idea: http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...r+weight+ratio

**sil3nt** · 10th March 2011, 16:32

Bandit is a good leaner bike. A 250 is not too powerful to learn on. Best thing to do is pay for a lesson before you sit the test. Its about $150 for both the lesson and the test. The test takes place directly after the lesson and is pretty hard to fail.

And why wait until July. Go for it now! (unless your too young).

**Rhys** · 10th March 2011, 20:25

I agree nice ezy bike to learn on

**patarch** · 10th March 2011, 20:43

thats a good looking bike too!!!

**GPXchick** · 10th March 2011, 21:23

Hi i just got my licence and a bike 1 month ago. WHY DID I EVER DRIVE A CAR. Do it you won't regret it. I had never ridden a bike before, met a great guy called Trevor Birchall He will come to you (he has many many carparks and estates at his disposale) and supply a bike GN125. You will instantly find this bike easy to drive, GET A 250cc I did and love it Ummmmmm not too much power but a 125cc will defo not be ENOUGH power i think. I love my new lifestyle i find reasons to go out for a ride, OOo look a lightbulb blew...........I'm off.

Trevor 021 701 466 09)266 0092
NZTA approved.

You pay $165 and get full training and then the BHS test and when you pass he has goodies like dvds mags vest and things.

Good luck

**CookMySock** · 10th March 2011, 21:25

The bandit will be fine. It's probably a little heavier than you are used to, so be careful to keep the bike upright - any large amount of weight on either foot will likely end in a scratched bike..

Suggest you buy the bike and had it transported up, and then get someone to take you and it to a large empty carpark where you can pootle around very quietly for hours and get used to its controls etc. Just dont whack into a car FFS coz that will get expensive real quick. Just get moving and get your feet up and figure out how it all fits together. After a couple of days of this you will have it sorted, then get in for your basic handling skills course.

Then get some proper training, or at the very least figure out how forcefully swerve it should the need arise.

**The Everlasting** · 11th March 2011, 15:18

Welcome.

The bandit will be just fine for your first motorbike.

**lone_slayer** · 11th March 2011, 15:44

Any 250 with a IL4 engine will keep you smiling till you get your full

**FreeridingNewZealand** · 11th March 2011, 19:56

Hey guys, thanks for the help, I've decided what bike I'm going to get.

**GPXchick** · 12th March 2011, 18:41

So what u getting?

**FJRider** · 12th March 2011, 18:48

Originally Posted by DangerousBastard

The bandit will be fine. It's probably a little heavier than you are used to, so be careful to keep the bike upright - any large amount of weight on either foot will likely end in a scratched bike..

Suggest you buy the bike and had it transported up, and then get someone to take you and it to a large empty carpark where you can pootle around very quietly for hours and get used to its controls etc. Just dont whack into a car FFS coz that will get expensive real quick. Just get moving and get your feet up and figure out how it all fits together. After a couple of days of this you will have it sorted, then get in for your basic handling skills course.

Then get some proper training, or at the very least figure out how forcefully swerve it should the need arise.

Stop it ... right now ...

You're starting to make sense ... and giving good advice ...