BHP Suzuki Q

[Henriettaah]

Hello folks!

Complete newbie here. Having longed for a bike for a good fifteen years, been in heaven riding a bit of pillion, I am now hoping to finally get my first bike..

I have sat on a Suzuki GN250 for size, and it was very comfortable, with an excellent height for my leg.

I'm not clear on its BHP though, or the exact requirement for learners following your CBT.

Once the CBT is passed, does this enable the rider to use up to a 125, with 'L' plates? Is it the cc or the bhp which determines the bike allowed?

I've held a full car licence for nearly fifteen years, so does this mean in theory I can buy a 125 and go straight on the road with 'L' plates? (I understand it would be sensible to do the CBT anyway.)

Soooooo, I am also wondering if the GN250 bhp is only for when you have passed the standard motorcyle test giving a catagory A licence.

I feel as though I'm not making much sense here!

This quote shows what I am confused about regarding the GN: "Group A2: (Standard)- On a bike between 120 and 125cc. This will restrict the rider to 33bhp for two years"

I seem to think that the bhp for the GN250 is under 33.

Can anybody clarify things for me

Kind regards - a newbie baby bikerette

[Gadjet]

Welcome to the site. I believe you are required to take the CBT, regardless of other current license's held, but the other British member on this board can help you out far more than I can.

Keyoke? Nibblet?

[Kal]

I have sat on a Suzuki GN250 for size, and it was very comfortable, with an excellent height for my leg.

I'm not clear on its BHP though, or the exact requirement for learners following your CBT.

Once the CBT is passed, does this enable the rider to use up to a 125, with 'L' plates? Is it the cc or the bhp which determines the bike allowed?

I've held a full car licence for nearly fifteen years, so does this mean in theory I can buy a 125 and go straight on the road with 'L' plates? (I understand it would be sensible to do the CBT anyway.)

Soooooo, I am also wondering if the GN250 bhp is only for when you have passed the standard motorcyle test giving a catagory A licence.

I feel as though I'm not making much sense here!

This quote shows what I am confused about regarding the GN: "Group A2: (Standard)- On a bike between 120 and 125cc. This will restrict the rider to 33bhp for two years"

I seem to think that the bhp for the GN250 is under 33.

Hello!

Driving Licence 1990? I think that like my partner you are in a grey area which does allow you to slap L plates on to a 125 and go straight on the road.

As you already know Bikes being very different to cars I'd recomend that you take a CBT so you can get the basics of Bike handling down.

Besides I'd hate to think what you would be quoted insurance wise without a CBT.

Looney Plate riding is restricted by both cc and bhp. Most 125's dont develop enough bhp's to worry about, but a few of the more mental 125 Sports bikes have to be 'restricted' to be Learner Legal.

From a practical angle a full bike licence comes in two forms. Restricted, which used to be known as part one, and the Direct Access.

I am going for my licence later in the year. I've been enquiring with local bike instructors, they tell me that the courses and pass standard are identical. The difference is that part one is done entirely on a 125cc bike whereas the Direct Access is mostly done on 500cc bike once the basic skills have been mastered on a 125.

From a practical point of view if you pass the Part One course you are restricted to 33bhp for two years, at which time your licence will upgrade itself to unlimited bhp.

If you take and pass the Direct Access instead, which is only a little more expensive, you get unlimited bhp straight away.

You are right. Most 250cc bikes including Suzuki's GN250 develop less than 33bhp and I sometimes think that the licencing laws are written to be as confusing as possible.

Have I helped or confused more?

Welcome

[Henriettaah]

Many thanks for that reply!

I'm suspecting that the route I'd best take is the CBT, and then the Restricted Cat A test - would it take tons of lessons to be able to pass that one I wonder? Wondering if I'd be able to just take the test before getting a bike.

I guess we need a Suzuki lover to come and tell us the bhp of the GN250 - I don't even know if because it is a 250 it would be out of range until the Part A test is passed. Surely it would.

I was quite happily suprised at the insurance quotes I got - 3rd party fire and theft were under £200. I can put that down to being an 'old' fart (at 30 hee hee!)

Rambling out loud a little here, but have pined for two wheels for many a year and at last I seem to be able to grab the opportunity...

[Kal]

30 old??? Dont let my partner hear you say that - she'll be most upset!!!

With regard to how long it will take it all depends on how well you take to riding. Most riding schools will do you a deal when you take your CBT to offset the cost of the CBT against the Licence course if you choose to take at with them.

A part one should cost in the region of £300 for about 20 hours in the classroom and on the road. Some schools run a guaranteed pass course where you if you should fail the practical they will continue giving you lessons until you are ready to take it again with the only additional costs being bike rental and the DVLA's charge for a retest.

There is no problem with taking the test without having a bike - all schools have their own bikes and its usually best to use theirs.

Schools vary in instruction style. It might be good for you to get to local MAG meetings and ask around there about local schools - MAG is very friendly and helpful, especially to female riders.

Motorcycle Action Group:
http://www.mag-uk.org/index2.html

One thing I forgot to mention in my previous post is the Theory Test. There is a distinct possiblity that you will not have to take the Theory Test becuse of how long you have held your car licence. Bring it up with the school when you speak to them, even if you do have to face the Theory Test a school will coach you through it.

You are bang on with saying you'll need to have your part A to take the GN250 on the road - its cc alone puts it outside the limits for riding on L plates.

With a little help from goggle and wikipedi I've found where Suzuki keeps the spec's for all bikes they have manufactured, check the link below.

http://www.suzukicycles.org/All-Suzuki/ ... odels.html

Looking at it your love seems to develop 22bhp, putting it well under the limit for the Part 1/Part A licence.

Buy me a drink???

[Henriettaah]

Heh heh Kal that post was mint!

I rang a few schools this morning, the main ones in Sheffield which I've heard of via word of mouth, and what I found out you have pretty much put in your post

Yes, on average £95 for the CBT, with the basic fee - assuming I don't have difficulty taking to two wheels - to get to the A being about £300. So looking at about £350-400 for the lot.

And yes, one school I asked said the the 250 has a bhp of 26. So that means once I passed the A test, I'd be able to ride it without 'L's, doesn't it?

The theory test I asked one school about, who said that post-1991 anybody taking any type of new test, be it HGV, motorbike etc must take the theory now. I found on a web page: "You do not need to take a theory test if you already hold a full licence for another category of motorcycle or have passed a moped test since 1 July 1996".
Better get swotting then *lol*

[Kal]

And yes, one school I asked said the the 250 has a bhp of 26. So that means once I passed the A test, I'd be able to ride it without 'L's, doesn't it?

Like I say with a bit of arm twisting a lot of schools will include the cost of the CBT within the overall cost of the Licence.

The Theory is just the highway code stuff and something called Hazard awareness. I bought a cd-rom called 'Driving Test Success' to get used to the hazard awareness test and got some coaching from my local bike school as well. <loverly people who know they will get me as a customer soon-ish>

I am just about feeling able to take it on now.

Dont worry about the CBT, it isnt a pass/fail situation. The morning is all about the bike nd how to control it at low speeds, then in the afternoon you'll go out on to the road in the company of an instructor who will be in radio contact with you at all times

When you have passed your licence, even though you will be restricted, you wont be required to wear L Plates. The only difference between you and someone else with a full licence will be the bhp of the bikes you can ride.

Oh and should you find you want a Bike witha bigger displacement before the two years restriction expires you can buy restrictor kits for most bikes to bring them down to a legal 33bhp for about £150 inc fitting.

[Henriettaah]

'Restricted A2 Licence' Thats the one! Then after two years it's be full class 'A'.

[Nibblet99]

Places of interest are

The driving standards agency - a nearly useful website
http://www.dsa.gov.uk/Bikes.asp

and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency - lots of info in incromprehensible form
http://www.dvla.gov.uk/drivers/rdmcycle.htm

Both seem to suggest you still need to do the cbt course (this is well worth it regardless, as it teaches you what you need to know to progress at your own pace.

Also it is worth mentioning, when you do pass your test, your license goes to the 6 points for 2 years rule. This is on both your bike and car, so if you hit 6 points, you'll lose BOTH licenses, regardless of how long you've had a car license....

You've gotta love beauracracy don't ya - now I can't even get a number plate for a bike, if i break one, because the only household bill in my name, is a mobile phone (which is unacceptable)

[Henriettaah]

I certainly didn't know that Nibblet, about the 6 point rule on the licence thing. One hopes you are past the times of being clocked for speeding but its always possible you can get caught out..! I think my licence will be clear again next year.

I found this listing on eBay and its only ten miles away or so from here - Have to remind myself that once I've passed my test, there will be another come up close by!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... %3AIT&rd=1