New rider - YQK

**YQK** · 9th April 2011, 17:26

I am looking at getting my motorbike license. How easy is it to obtain?

Will also be commuting to Palmerston North every day for work. Would a 125 be suitable for 55km each way?

thanks

yqk

**mrmeal** · 9th April 2011, 17:44

it all depends on how comfortable you feel on the bike

The 125 with a bit of weight on board can struggle up the hills. If you are going to commute daily that distance I'd recommend trying out some 250's.

License is easy to get, book yourself in for the basic handling test, this will prove you can ride in a basic fashion, so won't be a hinderence to others on the road (once you have passed your learners). If you have had zero time on a bike, you may want to enquire about a initial training session to help you acquire your Basic handling cert. Bike shops in your area will be able to help you get a contact to book through. Once you have your basic handling cert, rock on up to a test centre for your learners test, pay the coin, do the test and voila, you are on the road! easy peezy lemon squeezy!

then you'll be out hunting for a ride....

**YQK** · 9th April 2011, 17:46

So a 250 would be than a 125 for the distance in my first post? I thought you could only a bike up to 250cc.

I did have a 50cc scooter for a year before selling it.

**yod** · 9th April 2011, 17:48

Originally Posted by YQK

I am looking at getting my motorbike license. How easy is it to obtain?

Will also be commuting to Palmerston North every day for work. Would a 125 be suitable for 55km each way?

thanks

yqk

you need to do your basic handling cert, which you can do in Ashhurst I believe, as well as all the usual written test, that gives you your learners....

where you coming from? dannevirke? a 200-250 would be definitely be better on the open road, as already stated

edit: see here: http://www.nzta.govt.nz/licence/gett...ills-test.html

**YQK** · 9th April 2011, 17:55

I also found one for basic handling cert in Palmerston Nth

**bogan** · 9th April 2011, 18:11

reckon a 2fidy would be the go, and even some of them struggle a bit for open road stuff. mrmeal covered what you have to do to get the license pretty thoroughly

the basic handling skill was done on a scoot when i did it, so you'll have no problems there!

**YQK** · 9th April 2011, 19:24

So I could do the basic handling cert and get a bike after I have got the learners license.

How much would a used 250cc bike cost?

**bogan** · 9th April 2011, 19:29

Originally Posted by YQK

So I could do the basic handling cert and get a bike after I have got the learners license.

How much would a used 250cc bike cost?

yeh thats how I got mine. That's a pretty open-ended question, if you have good mechanical ability, you can get away with a cheaper older bike and just DIY the repairs and keep it in good condition yourself. However if you don't you'll want something with larger service intervals. Make sure to account for the cost of gear also, thats around a grand for decent stuff. Plus anywhere from 2-4k for a decent bike and you'll be sorted I reckon

**YQK** · 9th April 2011, 19:41

I'm not a mechanical genius, but would be prepared to learn.

**bogan** · 9th April 2011, 19:54

good attitude, I'm often available to help people get into bike maintenance, in return for the a beer or dozen

something like a spada would be pretty good to learn on I reckon

**YellowDog** · 9th April 2011, 19:55

Hey YQK, do yourself a big favour and save up for some proper tuition.

Getting a licence and riding is the easy part. Learning to ride the hard way (without tuition) can negatively influence your life expectancy.

You will need something bigger than a 125cc bike to comfortably commute 55km every day.

Good luck

**YQK** · 9th April 2011, 20:14

Originally Posted by YellowDog

Hey YQK, do yourself a big favour and save up for some proper tuition.

Getting a licence and riding is the easy part. Learning to ride the hard way (without tuition) can negatively influence your life expectancy.

You will need something bigger than a 125cc bike to comfortably commute 55km every day.

Good luck

I have considered lessons once I get the learners licence.

**YQK** · 10th April 2011, 19:40

Just another question. If I was to modify a Yamaha Jog with a few cc's.

Would I have to register the jog as a motorcycle?

**bogan** · 10th April 2011, 19:44

Originally Posted by YQK

Just another question. If I was to modify a Yamaha Jog with a few cc's.

Would I have to register the jog as a motorcycle?

yup, scoots are only 50cc or under 50kmhr or under and 2kw or under. Lots get away with pushing the later, but you'll get noticed if you push the speed up too much.

**YQK** · 10th April 2011, 19:47

Originally Posted by bogan

yup, scoots are only 50cc or under 50kmhr or under and 2kw or under. Lots get away with pushing the later, but you'll get noticed if you push the speed up too much.

So it would be best to get it done legally without running the risk of getting caught by the fuzz?