Learner/Newbie Sticky **All Learner/newbie/Starter Questions Go here!!****

Peppa Cig

Any recommendations for pre test lessons in Midlands?

Thanks

sm3ar

goblin59 wrote: »

unfortunatly I accidentally wiped my satnav the other day when messing about on the settings.
I had the full test route for there on it from when I did my test.
Was never asked to turn it off.

Was it similar to what was posted above by LIGHTNING?

Acquiescence

sm3ar wrote: »

Was it similar to what was posted above by LIGHTNING?

I think the few quid for a pretest on the route is money well spent.

There was a really unusual roundabout on mine (different county) that I would have taken the wrong lane into without having been told. I'd continue taking the wrong lane when not being tested from a safety standpoint but that's another story.

knucklehead6

Acquiescence wrote: »

I think the few quid for a pretest on the route is money well spent.

There was a really unusual roundabout on mine (different county) that I would have taken the wrong lane into without having been told. I'd continue taking the wrong lane when not being tested from a safety standpoint but that's another story.

Couldn’t agree more. Get the pretest. Get two.

goblin59

sm3ar wrote: »

Was it similar to what was posted above by LIGHTNING?

no, I think I came out of the park and turned Left.
They will have two or three routes though to stop lads just telling others where they went.

sm3ar

goblin59 wrote: »

no, I think I came out of the park and turned Left.
They will have two or three routes though to stop lads just telling others where they went.

Do you know anyone you would recommend to do the pre test with?

LollipopJimmy

sm3ar wrote: »

Do you know anyone you would recommend to do the pre test with?

I've been doing lessons with Paul Jenkins who works predominantly in that area

sm3ar

LollipopJimmy wrote: »

I've been doing lessons with Paul Jenkins who works predominantly in that area

How much his lessons?

LollipopJimmy

sm3ar wrote: »

How much his lessons?

Jenkins School of Motoring.

Give him a buzz and I'm sure he'll talk you through options rather than me give incorrect info

knucklehead6

sm3ar wrote: »

Do you know anyone you would recommend to do the pre test with?

Give Dalton Motorcycle training a shout too. I had my two pretests with him and couldn't rate him highly enough. Told me what i was doing right, told me what i was doing wrong, patted my head when he saw I was getting a bit disheartened and also kicked my arse when getting cocky!! A brilliant instructor

goblin59

knucklehead6 wrote: »

Give Dalton Motorcycle training a shout too. I had my two pretests with him and couldn't rate him highly enough. Told me what i was doing right, told me what i was doing wrong, patted my head when he saw I was getting a bit disheartened and also kicked my arse when getting cocky!! A brilliant instructor

Pretty sure I seen Dalton doing a pretest around the area too when i was going in to do my test.
He knew the testers as well, which is always a plus.

Peppa Cig

goblin59 wrote: »

Pretty sure I seen Dalton doing a pretest around the area too when i was going in to do my test.
He knew the testers as well, which is always a plus.

What part of Dublin is Eric’s yard/bikes?

Thanks

goblin59

Peppa Cig wrote: »

What part of Dublin is Eric’s yard/bikes?

Thanks

Havn't a clue.
Just seen him out at the centre when i was there.

I did my IBT with Christy out in ISM swords and then did my test 6 months later with no additional lessons / pretest.

I practiced a lot of the things they test on though out around phoenix park.

Bluefoam

Getting very frustrated, trying to book my theory test for over a month... Website says online booking would open today, but it hasn't.

Bike is sitting in front of the house but can't insure it without a license...

Bluefoam

... so after an hour on the phone, I was offered a test on October 20th...

It's a bunch of clowns that run the testing... Why should people respect the licensing laws if they are shown so little respect. I was basically told that they've done nothing to speed up the process and that I just have to put up with it...

IrishGrimReaper

Bluefoam were you asking to take the place of someone who's cancelled theirs?

Peppa Cig

Bluefoam wrote: »

... so after an hour on the phone, I was offered a test on October 20th...

It's a bunch of clowns that run the testing... Why should people respect the licensing laws if they are shown so little respect. I was basically told that they've done nothing to speed up the process and that I just have to put up with it...

Are you an essential worker?

Bluefoam

Peppa Cig wrote: »

Are you an essential worker?

I am considered an essential worker apparently... Not in health services, but ibdo enable other to run their businesses, so I have a letter for travel... should I ring them back and ask for an essential services slot?

Bluefoam

IrishGrimReaper wrote: »

Bluefoam were you asking to take the place of someone who's cancelled theirs?

I did ask that. There is no cancellation list. You have to go online and check each day to see if someone has cancelled. But the online booking isn't working, so can't do that.

sm3ar

Where do people generally keep their toll tag when driving. I don't have a windscreen myself. Would it pick it up if was in your pocket?

Jimmy Bottlehead

sm3ar wrote: »

Where do people generally keep their toll tag when driving. I don't have a windscreen myself. Would it pick it up if was in your pocket?

I keep mine in my car :pac:

knucklehead6

sm3ar wrote: »

Where do people generally keep their toll tag when driving. I don't have a windscreen myself. Would it pick it up if was in your pocket?

Pocket. Tested on the M4 both ways at Enfield. Works fine

zubair

sm3ar wrote: »

Where do people generally keep their toll tag when driving. I don't have a windscreen myself. Would it pick it up if was in your pocket?

Not sure it will pick your toll tag up when you're squeezing through the truck gates on the left.

The_Captain

In terms of gear for a new biker, I have clothes, gloves, boots, helmet, chain/wall anchor, cover.

Any recommendations for other equipment? Anything I'm missing out on that I haven't considered?

Tools? Disc lock?

flashinthepan

The_Captain wrote: »

In terms of gear for a new biker, I have clothes, gloves, boots, helmet, chain/wall anchor, cover.

Any recommendations for other equipment? Anything I'm missing out on that I haven't considered?

Tools? Disc lock?

Ear plugs

Jimmy Bottlehead

The_Captain wrote: »

In terms of gear for a new biker, I have clothes, gloves, boots, helmet, chain/wall anchor, cover.

Any recommendations for other equipment? Anything I'm missing out on that I haven't considered?

Tools? Disc lock?

Bike.

Bluefoam

The_Captain wrote: »

In terms of gear for a new biker, I have clothes, gloves, boots, helmet, chain/wall anchor, cover.

Any recommendations for other equipment? Anything I'm missing out on that I haven't considered?

Tools? Disc lock?

I just bought a tool roll... Bought some nice tools on Amazon, then replaced the existing ones in the toolbox and put the old ones into the tool roll and into the bike...

Mjolnir

The_Captain wrote: »

In terms of gear for a new biker, I have clothes, gloves, boots, helmet, chain/wall anchor, cover.

Any recommendations for other equipment? Anything I'm missing out on that I haven't considered?

Tools? Disc lock?

Disc locks are handy
By clothes do ya mean jacket and pants?
I'm not atgatt but I'd never leave without a jacket of some kind.
Decent heavy chain, and the bike style rubber tube locks together, won't stop then but will take them a minute.
Basic socket and screwdriver set.
Have chain oil and lube/wax on hand.
Bit of wd40 laying around never hurts haha.
Bluetooth headset for maps, music, calls.
Some form of decent phone mount.

Jimmy Bottlehead

The_Captain wrote: »

In terms of gear for a new biker, I have clothes, gloves, boots, helmet, chain/wall anchor, cover.

Any recommendations for other equipment? Anything I'm missing out on that I haven't considered?

Tools? Disc lock?

Rainproofs, a balaclava or neck wrap, tank bag is handy, first aid kit, a bungee cord or net (you can upgrade to Rok Straps in time).

And as said above make sure your clothes are proper bike wear. Not jeans and work boots.

Mjolnir

Jimmy Bottlehead wrote: »

Rainproofs, a balaclava or neck wrap, tank bag is handy, first aid kit, a bungee cord or net (you can upgrade to Rok Straps in time).

And as said above make sure your clothes are proper bike wear. Not jeans and work boots.

Don't use cheap, cheap bungees I've melted through a ton of them from heat and no friction

Cheepah

How are ye lads,

Wondering if anyone could give me some advice here.im 22 and I have a KTM Duke 125, and I'm in the process of applying for my first license there now. I'm split between going for the A1, and learning/doing my test on my own bike (or atleast another 125), or if I should apply straight for the A2, learning on my 125 and then just renting an A2 class bike for my test. I'm split because from my understanding, I can only progress up one license category through the module, so if I went with the A1, I would have to sit a second driving test if I ever wanted to progress to the category A license. But if I go with the A2, I'll be sitting my driving test on an unfamiliar, and more powerful bike to what I'm used to and would have learned on. Im hoping some more experienced riders could give me some advice and help me clear up the pros and cons to both sides of this.

Thanks a million lads, have a great day!

zubair

The_Captain wrote: »

In terms of gear for a new biker, I have clothes, gloves, boots, helmet, chain/wall anchor, cover.

Any recommendations for other equipment? Anything I'm missing out on that I haven't considered?

Tools? Disc lock?

A motorbike.

Mjolnir

Cheepah wrote: »

How are ye lads,

Wondering if anyone could give me some advice here.im 22 and I have a KTM Duke 125, and I'm in the process of applying for my first license there now. I'm split between going for the A1, and learning/doing my test on my own bike (or atleast another 125), or if I should apply straight for the A2, learning on my 125 and then just renting an A2 class bike for my test. I'm split because from my understanding, I can only progress up one license category through the module, so if I went with the A1, I would have to sit a second driving test if I ever wanted to progress to the category A license. But if I go with the A2, I'll be sitting my driving test on an unfamiliar, and more powerful bike to what I'm used to and would have learned on. Im hoping some more experienced riders could give me some advice and help me clear up the pros and cons to both sides of this.

Thanks a million lads, have a great day!

A2, get your full A2 at that stage you'll have over 2 years experience and can progress to full A.
Do some lessons on a school bike and rent one for the day of the test.
The bike will only go as fast as you let it, you'll get used to an A2 school bike over 1 or 2 pretests.

Hotblack Desiato

The_Captain wrote: »

In terms of gear for a new biker, I have clothes, gloves, boots, helmet, chain/wall anchor, cover.

Yep, don't forget the clothes, I did once and it caused rather a kerfuffle.

Jimmy Bottlehead

zubair wrote: »

A motorbike.

I got there before you!

zubair

Jimmy Bottlehead wrote: »

I got there before you!

Argh! Was too trigger happy to check the replies.

zubair

Mjolnir wrote: »

A2, get your full A2 at that stage you'll have over 2 years experience and can progress to full A.
Do some lessons on a school bike and rent one for the day of the test.
The bike will only go as fast as you let it, you'll get used to an A2 school bike over 1 or 2 pretests.

This. Apply for the highest license you can. And complete the IBT for that category so you'll have to rent a bike for it. But it will stand to you later.

sm3ar

flashinthepan wrote: »

Ear plugs

A voltmeter. I started off with no experience of bikes not knowing that batteries die a lot quicker than those in a car especially if you have phones/alarms etc hooked up to them. Check battery every so often with it to make sure you don't get stranded. You should get a 'trickle charger' too to hook up to the battery if you are not riding out for a few weeks or if you are not riding during winter months. I also bought a set of Allen keys and keep them under the seat Incase I ever need to check battery. I would get a GPS tracker too Incase it gets robbed

sm3ar

Cheepah wrote: »

How are ye lads,

Wondering if anyone could give me some advice here.im 22 and I have a KTM Duke 125, and I'm in the process of applying for my first license there now. I'm split between going for the A1, and learning/doing my test on my own bike (or atleast another 125), or if I should apply straight for the A2, learning on my 125 and then just renting an A2 class bike for my test. I'm split because from my understanding, I can only progress up one license category through the module, so if I went with the A1, I would have to sit a second driving test if I ever wanted to progress to the category A license. But if I go with the A2, I'll be sitting my driving test on an unfamiliar, and more powerful bike to what I'm used to and would have learned on. Im hoping some more experienced riders could give me some advice and help me clear up the pros and cons to both sides of this.

Thanks a million lads, have a great day!

Yes get the highest level you can. You'll be grand. You can still tip around even on an A bike nice and slow around if you want at end of day. The guys doing the IBTs have seen it all so will help you along fine on a higher level, I wouldn't be frightened of it

Cheepah

Thanks a million lads! Really helped the decision making process for me. I was anxious starting out on a bigger bike truth be told, but sure even getting the added training on an A2 bike, and going further into the deep end than I'd be on the 125 would probably be really beneficial regardless! Great to see such a helpful community for beginners, it's something I've wanted to get into since I could walk, so I'm really looking forward to starting!

Ye would hardly have any IBT recommendations around the Kells, Meath/Cavan area? I've heard CCs Unlimited in kells are quite decent, hard enough to find instructors around though, seems very word of mouth still. Thanks a million!

The_Captain

Cheers folks, that should have me sorted

Spooch

Looking to getting back on a bike after 4 years off. Tried to get a quote for a cbf600 i was looking at. Principal wouldn't give me a quote because the bike would be parked on the street overnight. Nothing I can really do is there?

knucklehead6

Spooch wrote: »

Looking to getting back on a bike after 4 years off. Tried to get a quote for a cbf600 i was looking at. Principal wouldn't give me a quote because the bike would be parked on the street overnight. Nothing I can really do is there?

Can you not keep it in your house? A friend keeps his bike in the kitchen overnight

sm3ar

Cheepah wrote: »

Thanks a million lads! Really helped the decision making process for me. I was anxious starting out on a bigger bike truth be told, but sure even getting the added training on an A2 bike, and going further into the deep end than I'd be on the 125 would probably be really beneficial regardless! Great to see such a helpful community for beginners, it's something I've wanted to get into since I could walk, so I'm really looking forward to starting!

Ye would hardly have any IBT recommendations around the Kells, Meath/Cavan area? I've heard CCs Unlimited in kells are quite decent, hard enough to find instructors around though, seems very word of mouth still. Thanks a million!

Have you insurance got out of interest? Or have looked at quotes?

Cheepah

sm3ar wrote: »

Have you insurance got out of interest? Or have looked at quotes?

I've been shopping around for a few quotes, the lowest I've gotten so far has been Liberty with 1,500 for fully comp. Fairly steep but fair enough for a 5 grand bike and a first time learner. Considering my car insurance is still 1,200 on my 3rd year and that's only worth 3 grand. Other companies have been quoting as high as 2,500+. Doesn't seem to be many insurance companies around from what I've seen...

zubair

Spooch wrote: »

Looking to getting back on a bike after 4 years off. Tried to get a quote for a cbf600 i was looking at. Principal wouldn't give me a quote because the bike would be parked on the street overnight. Nothing I can really do is there?

What value did you give them for the bike and what security will you use? Principal wouldn't quote me initially because my bike was worth over 7k but would be parked off the street. Eventually they rolled over on it, when it was escalated to a manager. Never had an issue insuring the bike since that conversation.

Just add, personally I'd be wary of parking on the street overnight. Are you in Dublin?

IrishGrimReaper

Cheepah wrote: »

Thanks a million lads! Really helped the decision making process for me. I was anxious starting out on a bigger bike truth be told, but sure even getting the added training on an A2 bike, and going further into the deep end than I'd be on the 125 would probably be really beneficial regardless! Great to see such a helpful community for beginners, it's something I've wanted to get into since I could walk, so I'm really looking forward to starting!

Ye would hardly have any IBT recommendations around the Kells, Meath/Cavan area? I've heard CCs Unlimited in kells are quite decent, hard enough to find instructors around though, seems very word of mouth still. Thanks a million!

William O Donoghue - Cavan Motorcycle Training on facebook. Not operating with the restricitons atm I think but he does it from just outside Virginia in Cavan.

sm3ar

Cheepah wrote: »

I've been shopping around for a few quotes, the lowest I've gotten so far has been Liberty with 1,500 for fully comp. Fairly steep but fair enough for a 5 grand bike and a first time learner. Considering my car insurance is still 1,200 on my 3rd year and that's only worth 3 grand. Other companies have been quoting as high as 2,500+. Doesn't seem to be many insurance companies around from what I've seen...

Is that with it parked in a shed?

zubair

Cheepah wrote: »

I've been shopping around for a few quotes, the lowest I've gotten so far has been Liberty with 1,500 for fully comp. Fairly steep but fair enough for a 5 grand bike and a first time learner. Considering my car insurance is still 1,200 on my 3rd year and that's only worth 3 grand. Other companies have been quoting as high as 2,500+. Doesn't seem to be many insurance companies around from what I've seen...

You might be doing yourself a disservice by valuing the bike at 5k. Unless it's brand new its probably worth less, and the sneaky insurance company will take your valuation, accept it, and come the day they have to pay out will ignore it and pay out based on the market value from their assessment.

Cheepah

zubair wrote: »

You might be doing yourself a disservice by valuing the bike at 5k. Unless it's brand new its probably worth less, and the sneaky insurance company will take your valuation, accept it, and come the day they have to pay out will ignore it and pay out based on the market value from their assessment.

It's a 2020 model but I am buying it new yeah. I've done a bit of testing on liberty's site there, since the general value I've seen of the bike going is around 4,000, I put the value as 3,999 which did knock the insurance price down to 1,400. That's with the annual KM as 2,000, a gps tagging device and locked in a garage connected to the house, in the middle of nowhere. Also have myself down as a 22 year old fully employed clerical officer.