BHS test on a scooter?

[Osbornezo]

Hi all,

First time posting but been lurking for ages. bough a SYM Jet 4 50cc Scooter recently and am now looking into my bike license. Is it possible to sit the BHS test on my 50cc Scooter? If i pass and all my mum might help me out with a bike later this year.

Thanks in advance

[bosslady]

Of course, a scooter is totally the same as a motorbike.Answer is NO.

[Osbornezo]

Of course, a scooter is totally the same as a motorbike.Answer is NO.

But to ride a 125 or 250cc scooter you need a motorbike license so how does that work?...

[bosslady]

But to ride a 125 or 250cc scooter you need a motorbike license so how does that work?...

I am sure when I read about bhs etc scooters were a no no, but a look on Google to confirm is proving difficult, so I may be wrong. However all I could pull up was 5 year old info saying you could do it on a scooter more than 50cc. I'll keep looking.

[Osbornezo]

Yeah i think it has to be over 51cc. I'm hoping they can supply a scooter for me then

[bosslady]

Looked and looked and all I could find that seemed to OK scooters for bhs was this www.safelearner.co.nz I couldn't even find anything on any govt websites. Best option, ditch scooter, get bike.

[Osbornezo]

I saw on another site you cant but im sure they can supply one. Its silly though because with the BHS you wont get faster than 20 kph which is first gear anyway, thanks for your help

[awa355]

I saw on another site you cant but im sure they can supply one. Its silly though because with the BHS you wont get faster than 20 kph which is first gear anyway, thanks for your help

Makes sense, that you have to use a vehicle from the same rego class of licence that you are sitting.

Whether it has to be a geared model, I'm not too sure. My scooter is a 'twist and go' 100cc, rego class is G, so, in theory, you should be able to use a similar scooter to do the test.

A 50cc scooter carrys a different class of registration so wouldn't be elligible. ( I think).

A few years ago, if you sat your car licence in an automatic transmission car, you could not drive a manual transmissioned car. That has changed.

What speed you attain on your test is irrelevant. ( insofar as choice of vehicle goes ).

[FJRider]

Looked and looked and all I could find that seemed to OK scooters for bhs was this www.safelearner.co.nz I couldn't even find anything on any govt websites. Best option, ditch scooter, get bike.

I looked too. And found this from a training provider that explains it ...

All basic handling tests will be conducted on a fully geared motorcycle, unless you supply your own automatic motorcycle with a current WOF and Rego. Note: You cannot use a moped, pit bike or pocket bike.

NZTA have changed the rules on the use of automatic motorcycles being used for Basic Handling Tests. We are not able to supply an automatic motorcycle for use in basic handling tests. You can supply your own but it must be registered as a motorcycle not a moped.

There are two reasons:
First, if a rider passes the basic handling test on an automatic motorcycle, they are then able to get their learner licence and straight away ride a LAMS approved motorcycle. This is potentially dangerous as they may never have ridden one before or may be well below the minimum standard required in the basic handling test on a geared bike. Although a rider may pass the test on an automatic bike, this does not mean that they could even come close to passing on a geared bike. Second, it is unfair for one rider to pass the test on an automatic motorcycle, while another rider may fail the test because he completed the test on a geared bike, when he could have passed on an automatic bike.

It also raises the issue of safety and logic. Why would a rider want to pass the test on an automatic bike, then go out and buy a geared bike? If a rider does not believe that they can pass the test on a geared bike at speeds of around 20 kph, why would they think they are going to be safe to ride at road speeds well above that? At Mainland we are concerned about the safety of our clients, and highly recommend that all riders use a geared motorcycle to complete the test, as the learner licence allows you ride LAMS approved motorcycle up to 660cc.

[awa355]

I looked too. And found this from a training provider that explains it ...

The quote you show makes sense, to a point. The first paragraph says that you 'can' use an automatic bike if you choose. The referrence to NZTA implys that. I presume the writer is referring to a scooter over 61cc and carrying the G rego sticker. An auto is simply, not the company's policy.

His 1st reason is a bit flawed. Passing a test on a GN125 for example doesn't mean that rider is capable of ridng a LAM's bike of 600cc, and it doesn't mean than starting on a scooter means you arent capable of riding at higher speeds.

I would say that doing the handling test on a 250 Bourgman would be harder than on a GN125. We have all seen newbies, us included, who have stalled, bunny hopped missed gear changes etc. ( I did one of each many years ago).

The 2nd reason gives the arguement that an Automatic is an unfair advantage. It comes down to the rider ability to handle his/her machine regardless of the transmission type. You could use their argument for cars, trucks, tracked /wheeled machines etc.

The last paragraph is really his personal opinion. I do agree that if going for a bike licence, use a motorbike. If riding a 'Twist & go' scooter at some later time is your preferrence, then that's your choice.

[FJRider]

The quote you show makes sense.

It is the policy of those doing the test not to provide automatic bikes to do the test. They list their reasons. But the law requires a motorcycle (or vehicle registered as such) for the test.

A person CAN ride a GN125 throughout the license process and gain a full motorcycle license. Then legally ride any motorcycle they choose. Regardless of engine size.

Does THAT make sense .. ???

[bosslady]

The quote you show makes sense, to a point. The first paragraph says that you 'can' use an automatic bike if you choose. The referrence to NZTA implys that. I presume the writer is referring to a scooter over 61cc and carrying the G rego sticker. An auto is simply, not the company's policy.

His 1st reason is a bit flawed. Passing a test on a GN125 for example doesn't mean that rider is capable of ridng a LAM's bike of 600cc, and it doesn't mean than starting on a scooter means you arent capable of riding at higher speeds.

I would say that doing the handling test on a 250 Bourgman would be harder than on a GN125. We have all seen newbies, us included, who have stalled, bunny hopped missed gear changes etc. ( I did one of each many years ago).

The 2nd reason gives the arguement that an Automatic is an unfair advantage. It comes down to the rider ability to handle his/her machine regardless of the transmission type. You could use their argument for cars, trucks, tracked /wheeled machines etc.

The last paragraph is really his personal opinion. I do agree that if going for a bike licence, use a motorbike. If riding a 'Twist & go' scooter at some later time is your preferrence, then that's your choice.

Hmm I don't know, an auto is easier than manual transmission, by far, full stop really. I can't drive a manual car but can an auto of course.

[Maha]

Hi all,

First time posting but been lurking for ages. bough a SYM Jet 4 50cc Scooter recently and am now looking into my bike license. Is it possible to sit the BHS test on my 50cc Scooter? If i pass and all my mum might help me out with a bike later this year.

Thanks in advance

You get a geared bike supplied in the deal, no scooter.
How I did mine was, bought and paid for bike on a Saturday, did my BHS on the Sunday and passed, without ever being on a bike before, well the last time was unlicensed 30 years prior, so that doesn't count.

[awa355]

It is the policy of those doing the test not to provide automatic bikes to do the test. They list their reasons. But the law requires a motorcycle (or vehicle registered as such) for the test.

A person CAN ride a GN125 throughout the license process and gain a full motorcycle license. Then legally ride any motorcycle they choose. Regardless of engine size.

Does THAT make sense .. ???

That was probably why they bought in the 250cc limit. When was that?

Christ! it was so simple when I got my licence, got back from my practical test, the cop handed me the paper to take around to the council office ( they handed out the licence book) and that was that. I can remember the cop sayiing " You will soon learn"

[FJRider]

That was probably why they bought in the 250cc limit. When was that?

Christ! it was so simple when I got my licence, got back from my practical test, the cop handed me the paper to take around to the council office ( they handed out the licence book) and that was that. I can remember the cop sayiing " You will soon learn"

Simpler than simple.

My practical test (on a Kawasaki trail bike) was to go up one side of a traffic island on Tay street Invercargill to the first set of traffic lights. Do a U turn and go back the other way to the first set of traffic lights ... then return to the start point.

License approved .... now take this form ... (etc)

No L plate. Just learners or full.