Hi guys! I'm not sure if this is the right forum and section for me...I'm not a "Ducati newbie", I actually never had any motorbike at all! But I always dreamed to had one, and of course it must be a Ducati! I should start from scretch. From the driving license to the model choice. Is this the right place to ask for help? Does anybody want to help me with that? I can drive anything with four wheels (anything!), but I've never driven more than a bycicle with two and I'm Italian and I moved in London just some months ago. So I not only have to learn how to drive (and how to drive in UK) but also I need to understand how could works having a motorbike here, the costs, insurance and other stuff I may not know... Hope someone will spend some time helping me in realizing my dream
Hello and welcome What do you need to know? Best bet would be to hunt around for a training school. I learnt at North London Motorcycle in Burnt Oak Edgware. Great bunch of guys. The basic structure is you do a cbt (compulsory basic training) one day, which is just learning the basics of bike control on a private bit of tarmac. If you past that, you can go the quick route or the slow. The quick is basically the DAS course over a set number of days. This is two students to one instructor riding around all day. Its great fun and I really enjoyed it. Costs vary, but expect to pay around £500+ which includes the test fee at the end. The slow route is just like normal driving lessons. If/when you pass, the normal advice is to get a friendly 600 and away you go. You will need kit, the best you can afford which will include helmet, motorcycle boots, proper gloves, a back protector, biking jacket and trousers. Its best to get these from a shop in person and try the kit on, both on and off a bike. Once you're ready you'll want to move up to a bigger bike, but there is no rush to do this. Hope this helps. Any more questions, ask away. We're a friendly bunch on here
Thank you guys So it seems (as expected) that the first step is to start taking lessons. I think I will, without thinking too much I have a couple of more specific questions: (since I am a quick learner and a good driver) Do you think I could be able to take lessons, learn to ride, take the license and be on the road in 2 months? Let's say that I will go for a second hand Monster 696, how much do you think will cost the whole thing (insurance, taxes, motorbike and clothes kit -a very good quality one-) ?
I did it over a month (a few years back).. Never ridden a bike before... Came out the other side on an R6 so yes totally possible.... The only thing above that's been missed is the theory test... So the steps would be; CBT Theory (Q/A test on paper / video where you hit a button when you spot a hazard) Lessons Mod1 (avoiding cones / emergency stop taken at a test center) Mod2 (road riding test followed by an examiner) GOOD LUCK
Good you found the forum Ennlo - hopefully someone will be along who has passed their test recently who can explain in detail as I know there's a whole lot of new 'red tape' to absorb and get through now. I could be wrong but it appears that a few of the local 'Direct Access' training companies have called it a day as a result of this.
Done my final test a few weeks ago. I done the slow route but only took 2 months to complete everything. but I could ride a bike, but you need to know how to ride properly for your tests. I loved it all, just being able to ride a 600 on lessons was fun. But I'm old so I was able to do the A. When you pass it such a great feeling. Just go for it. The next day I rode home on an Evo. Life couldn't have been better. Good luck, you will enjoy it.
As someone above mentioned, clothing! Instructor centres can provide everything so need to spend money on kit while your learning. Clothing, helmets etc are expensive and you need to include this in the cost when buying a bike.
At a guess around five to six grand Four grand for the bike £500 - 1k for the kit £500+ lessons test etc. + insurance, tax, petrol etc
You will love it!! But as said above get your lessons then once passed don't be in a hurry for a big bike. There is plenty out there for extra tuition either on track or advance riding on the road.
It cost me over £1000 to get my license in 2011. That was with a CBT, then 2 days of training followed by module 1 then 2 more days of training followed by module 2. I could already ride a bike though. I'd recommend calling the school you want to use and ask them their advice for how long it takes their students to pass. This is what I did and passed first time. Worth investing in extra training before your test rather than rush, fail and need a second attempt. Then it will be subito! subito!!!!! Mi è costato più di £ 1000 per ottenere la patente nel 2011. Che era un CBT, poi 2 giorni di formazione seguiti dal modulo 1, quindi più di 2 giorni di formazione seguiti dal modulo 2. Potrei già andare in bicicletta però. Mi consiglia di chiamare la scuola che si desidera utilizzare e chiedere loro la loro consulenza per quanto tempo ci vuole per passare i loro studenti. Questo è quello che ho fatto e superato prima volta. Vale la pena investire nella formazione supplementare prima che il test piuttosto che correre, sicuro e hanno bisogno di un secondo tentativo. Poi sarà subito! subito!!!
