Interested in getting license need some As to some Qs

**sil3nt** · 4th May 2006, 22:33

I would love to get a bike license however i have no idea how to go about it. I obviously dont have a bike and have never actually been on anything other than a scooter. However my main concern is how do i get the practice required to sit the learner license? And how do i sit the learner license if i dont already have a bike? I know these are rather silly questions but i need to know the answers otherwise i dont know where to start

Also what is the minimum required gear to ride a bike? Im assuming its helmet, gloves and leather jacket?

Sorry if the questions are stupid but driving a car doesnt interest me much so i would love to get on two wheels

**Ixion** · 4th May 2006, 22:46

The learner test is theory only (on the road code) so you don't need to practice for that. BUT - before you can sit the learner test you must pass the Basic Handling Skills test. which is a practical test.

If you have no experience at all, there are several organisations which provide tuition and training, usually incorporating the Basic Handling test as part of the course. They will also provide a bike for you to be taught on. These courses take place off the public road.They usually cost about $200 - $300 but this varies depending on how much training you need (which in turn depends on natural ability and any experience with cars, pushbikes etc)

In Auckland there are several such providers, I am not sure about Hamilton, but I'm sure a Hamilton member will respond. I think that Passrite have a branch there.

Once you have your Basic Handling certificate you go along to AA , pass a test on the road code, and you have your learner licence.

Then it's a matter of finding a bike and some protective clothing. You must have a helmet by law, and jacket gloves and suitable footwear are very advisable.

Do a search on this site there have been many many threads about the minimum amount of "gear" for beginners. It is a subject upon which there is no agreement, some folk reckoning that even a beginner should be prepared to spend several thousand dollars on gear; other people (of whom I am one) arguing that a much more restricted expenditure is adequate when starting out.

Good luck and welcome. I have been riding now for 40 years and I still enjoy it as much as ever. I hope your motorcycling experience will be as long and as rewarding as mine has been.

**u4ea** · 4th May 2006, 22:49

welcome,first thing you need to do is go for your basic skills test,its a matter of going round cones,emergency braking and handling,i had trouble finding someone in my local area as aa had no specific list .i think they are private instructors wat can charge wat they want.i paid $40.bike must be road lagal and up to 250cc,next take that cert and 2?? forms of id to aa to book in for learners which is 10 motorcycle questions and so many car........you cannot ride anything over 250cc.after 6 mnths u can do restricted which is your ride.i ampleased your asking questions,keep it up,i am always asking questions ............why does does my bike feel like this,fkt shockie or sprockets,,,,,,,,,,,,,,safety first,,,,,,,,,,,helmet.gloves boots .and whatever is going to get between you and the road and hypothermia

**u4ea** · 4th May 2006, 22:52

......ixions onto it...........quiker typer than me........and ask questions........................

**kickingzebra** · 4th May 2006, 22:52

In hamilton, on avalon drive (over the road from my house bro) is Hamilton Motorcycle school. He runs basic handling tests every saturday. I have no idea what they cost, but I believe he supplies the bikes anyway.
If you have a mate with a farm, cane out there, and have a blat around where you can't really hurt yourself too much, or the bike, then, when you have figured out the clutch etc, do the basic handling test (very easy, if you can ride a pushbike, you should be OK) then the learners scratchie, then 6 months on a 250 with an L plate.
PM me if you need his contact details, and I'll walk down the road and look at the sign, although I suspect the phonebook has the info.

**Rosie** · 5th May 2006, 09:08

Welcome!
Go to the public library and get out a copy of the road code for motorcyles (not the car one, they are different). It has all the info about how you go about getting your licence, and all the questions you will be asked in the learner licence theory test.
A helmet, gloves and jacket is a good start, you can pick up some quite nice gear without paying an arm and a leg. Some shops do starter packages of a helmet, jacket etc for a reasonable price. Go around several shops and try on different gear and see what you like. This time of year you might also like to get a neck warmer and some kind of anti-fog treatment for your visor.
When trying on jackets, trousers etc, it's a good idea to sit on a bike to see how well they will fit while you are riding. My jacket feel enormous when I'm standing up, but when I'm on the bike it fits really well. It's also a good excuse to sit on the nice shiney new bikes in the shop.

**Squeak the Rat** · 5th May 2006, 09:15

All good advice above.

My 10c - I thoroughly recommend investing in as much training as you can afford. I've heard some good reviews about Hamilton MC School as per kickingzebra's post. If you get all the good habits up front you'll be a safer rider and you'll learn heaps quicker later. It can be a bit daunting just getting out on the road and giving it a go (but most people manage!)

All the best and welcome to biking!

**James Deuce** · 5th May 2006, 09:16

It's all here:

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/faq.php

**Quartida** · 14th May 2006, 11:09

Originally Posted by sil3ntwar

Sorry if the questions are stupid but driving a car doesnt interest me much so i would love to get on two wheels

Although I won't go so far as to say that no question is stupid, your questions certainly aren't. After all, better to ask a few questions now than to wonder later why you didn't ask them.

That's the good thing about KB: it's a place where people are willing to help you and answer all your questions.

I don't have a bike either but it's all good to be here, listening & learning.

**sil3nt** · 14th May 2006, 20:32

Forgot to say thanks for the replies guys. Just gotta get me a job and hopefully an FXR150 will follow shortly after

**kickingzebra** · 15th May 2006, 17:34

Great! Hope you go well!!

**Mr. Peanut** · 20th May 2006, 06:27

FXR150's are a great bike to start on, quite a few members have them.

**ZeroIndex** · 20th May 2006, 06:53

as kickingzebra said: Hamilton Motorcycle School (Ward Fisher).. He does basic handling tests and all sorts of other motorcycle training.. thats definitely the best place to start..

**wendy** · 22nd May 2006, 21:49

take a lesson at the organization first preferably just before your test (same day) it helped me doing it that way, i had never been on a bike or a scooter or driven a manual car, i found gears where the hardest part cause i didnt understand what gears where for or why they should be changed

. or find someone who has a bike and a large property who will let you use it.

good luck hope you figure it out soon