L-plate 125ers...

Calling all you L-plate 125 riders, are you aware the test is changing next year? Currently, if you take your test on a 125, you'll get a full bike licence , but are restricted to 33bhp for two years. Next year, taking your test on a 125 will give you a full licence only enabling you to ride a 125! For life. So in other words, there will be no point taking your test on a 125 unless you only want to remove the L-plates. Also, bear in mind, Direct Access minimum age is rising to 24. If you're thinking of taking your test, you might want to think about it sooner than later. We're probably going to have a busy summer/autumn. Please don't be one of those muppets that leaves it until December to book a course, because chances are you won't have much luck... ::)

Let me get this right.....

At 17 you can only ride a 125 until you become 24 and can take a full test.....

Scum! >:(

This is going to kill trade slightly if this actually happens... >:(

24???

So you can join the army at about 17 and be killed for a lie but you're not allowed to ride a bike until you're 24?? :o


24 :-?

ridiculous. I presume the reason for the rise in direct access age is to cut down on accidents, but any fool knows that you can be as dangerous on a 125 when you're at the age where you're immortal than you can be on a 1000cc once you've grown up.

Hardly a way of stimulating the economy :(

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Originally Posted by Dabz

ridiculous. I presume the reason for the rise in direct access age is to cut down on accidents, but any fool knows that you can be as dangerous on a 125 when you're at the age where you're immortal than you can be on a 1000cc once you've grown up.

Hardly a way of stimulating the economy :(

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Don't tell the goverment that or they'll ban all motorcycles!!!

So a youngun will be able to drive a 400+ bhp car (if they can affrord to insure it or not bother with insurance at all) but can't ride a 125cc+ bike. This must have come from Brussels

bout time we took this goverment by the balls,and told them enough is enough,let the whole of uk bikers get together and rid into london ;D

didn't they do that last year? :P

lets do it again when the olympics start ;D

and show the entire planet how much of a pain in the asshole bikers can be?...

Bloody hell, changing again!! Have ordered my mate to get his butt into gear and get the test booked. Im sure he'll be in contact soon Mark. Cheers for the post

bloody rediculous. >:(
Is this definitely going to happen Mark? :-?

Can't ride a bike above 125 until you are 24...what will those euro twats think of next. :o :o

Good info, as usual they are taking away our freedom to choose, control over compromise, its what suits them best >:(

Does that mean next year between the ages of 17-24 you can only ride a 125? So if you pass your test on a 125 do then have to re-take your test at 24 to enable you to ride a bigger bike?

Perhaps Boy racers in cars should be restricted to drive a car no bigger than a 1.0ltr engine

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Originally Posted by Dabz

and show the entire planet how much of a pain in the asshole bikers can be?...

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Yea why not??

There will be an intermediate licence for 21 to 24 year olds, whereby you take you're test on a bike bigger than 400cc, with between 33bhp and 47bhp, and be restricted to bikes of 47bhp. To step up after that, you'll have to take another test (or possibly and assesment). This will replace the current A2 licence. It's all cobblers, and yes it comes from Brussels (or Berlin), and is all part of the Third Directive. >:(

More paper work & red tape for you to go through. :(

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Originally Posted by python

bloody rediculous. >:(
Is this definitely going to happen Mark? :-?

Can't ride a bike above 125 until you are 24...what will those euro twats think of next. :o :o

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Yep - read it in motorbike paper a few days ago.

my gf holds a CBT at moment.......she is 27 and was loking to do big test this summer.....does this affect her?

Does this affect those of us who are restricted now and under 24?
I will be 24 by the time my restriction comes off

This latest pending legislation reinforces my view that the powers that be are engaged in a witch-hunt against the motorcycling community. To me it’s clear – catch em when they are young - the more obstacles erected to discourage teenagers from choosing two wheels and consequently, motorcycling accident rates will fall.

As a minority group I don’t believe we carry much clout at the ballot box. Unfortunately, in my personal opinion, some form of long-term concerted non-violent direct action is the only way to put a stop to this witch-hunt. Of course such action will p*ss off large sections of the general public and probably cause resentment, but what is the alternative when you are backed in to a corner?

This new legislation will not have an effect on me personally, but do we do nothing when our way of life is under threat or make a stand to protect motorcycling for future generations?
:-/

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Originally Posted by Mark_Able

...(or Berlin), and is all part of the Third Directive. >:(

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Sounds more like part of the Third Reich...

I agree with Ken in that long-term concerted non-violent direct action is the only way that anything may be achieved. Politically we're minnows, we don't have many friends who will fight our corner for us and the government aren't doing anything noticeable to stem the tide of repressive legislation against motorcycling in general.

We should follow the lead of the FFMC in France and make a nuisance of ourselves with proper actions that will make people sit up and take notice. Who cares about making ourselves unpopular? We aren't popular now anyway so we have nothing to lose but our liberties. Action must be properly organised on a sound basis against legislation that is actually going to be implemented, unlike the recent half-arsed slow ride on the motorways against hi-vis stuff that wasn't being considered by the government in the first place. With the Olympics in town this summer there will be a lot of attention on the UK and the powers that be won't want the boat rocking so it's motorcycling's best opportunity to make a stand and try to prevent the pastime being denied to anyone under the age of 24. Who remembers how much fun they had in their teens and early twenties? I do and it was great, I had very little money but I lived for my bikes and wouldn't have missed it for the world.

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Originally Posted by monday21

This latest pending legislation reinforces my view that the powers that be are engaged in a witch-hunt against the motorcycling community. To me it’s clear – catch em when they are young - the more obstacles erected to discourage teenagers from choosing two wheels and consequently, motorcycling accident rates will fall.

As a minority group I don’t believe we carry much clout at the ballot box. Unfortunately, in my personal opinion, some form of long-term concerted non-violent direct action is the only way to put a stop to this witch-hunt. Of course such action will p*ss off large sections of the general public and probably cause resentment, but what is the alternative when you are backed in to a corner?

This new legislation will not have an effect on me personally, but do we do nothing when our way of life is under threat or make a stand to protect motorcycling for future generations?
:-/

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Agreed. The goverment seem to fail to realise that motorcycles are a part of the traffic solution not the problem. All motorists should be encouraged to ride a bike as it decreases the cars on the road, decreases the amount of fuel used and gives them a better understanding of the road.

It is a fact that most car journeys are one person travelling less than ten miles.... surely a sccot can do this for a third of the fuel (and a third the emissions) and take up two thirds less space?

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Originally Posted by Scotty

With the Olympics in town this summer there will be a lot of attention on the UK and the powers that be won't want the boat rocking so it's motorcycling's best opportunity to make a stand and try to prevent the pastime being denied to anyone under the age of 24.

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I couldn't agree more. It's my understanding however, that this has already been set in stone so I don't think we will be able to change it.

And you won't be able to get into London to make a nuisance. Our delivery fleet has received notice that London is being completely re-routed, the road markings all being re-painted and everything, and it's being made pretty much one way. Even many of the traffic lights are being removed/locations changed to make some kind of slick system to deal with the increased traffic. It's costing them millions to do, and will cost more millions to undo! We've been told we will have to find new delivery routes etc to get supplies to our customers. It's a logistical nightmare!

It's all going to be extremely heavily policed as well, with the police having 'new powers' following the recent riots... Exactly what that means is anyones guess, but I'm sure it's open to interpretation....

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Originally Posted by NiteW4tcher

my gf holds a CBT at moment.......she is 27 and was loking to do big test this summer.....does this affect her?

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If she takes her test this summer, it won't affect her. But be prepared for the training schools to be busy, so book early, is my advice. ;)

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Originally Posted by Hazel-nut

Does this affect those of us who are restricted now and under 24?
I will be 24 by the time my restriction comes off

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Hazel, it won't affect anyone who has already passed their test. You'll still go unrestricted from two years after passing. It affects anyone taking their test next year. :(

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Originally Posted by Mark_Able

[quote author=Hazel-nut link=1329167936/20#20 date=1329256724]Does this affect those of us who are restricted now and under 24?
I will be 24 by the time my restriction comes off

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Hazel, it won't affect anyone who has already passed their test. You'll still go unrestricted from two years after passing. It affects anyone taking their test next year. :([/quote]


Thanks mark!im glad it doesn't affect me but I do think it's a bit harsh to stop you being allowed to be restricted!its the perfect way to work your way up to a bigger bike!

Its bloody disgusting,just a sneaky way of legislating us off the road,if they banned us all together there would be uproar,but if they cut off the supply of young motorcyclists,so the numbers get smaller and smaller,their hopling we wont notice.....
What would be easier for your average 17 year old,one test and drive any car they want(insurance allowing) or take possibly 7years and several tests before being allowed to ride any bike....!!!!!!

The whole thing should be argued on the grounds of the environmental benefits of bikes if nothing else....

I have a funny feeling this will kill the motorcycle industry off completely :(

Any youngun is going to think, stuff it I may as well have a car instead at 17 yrs old :o

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out --
Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out --
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out --
Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me -- and there was no one left to speak for me.




If you drop a frog in a pot of boiling water, it will of course frantically try to clamber out. But if you place it gently in a pot of tepid water and turn the heat on low, it will float there quite placidly. As the water gradually heats up, the frog will sink into a tranquil stupor, exactly like one of us in a hot bath, and before long, with a smile on its face, it will unresistingly allow itself to be boiled to death.


They are boiling us slowly :(

None of you are giving young motorbikers any credit, I'm sure if they REALLY want to ride a bike they'll do it no matter what, yes it's a shame it's not going to be easy for them, but there's not much in life that comes that easy.

Even the most ardent bike fan will feel demoralised, trading up from a 'ped at 17 to get on a 125 and then be faced with the prospect of having nothing bigger to ride, even if they passed their test the very next day, for another SEVEN YEARS! :'(
Only one thing for it - go racing! That should be a sufficient antidote to seven years of 125 tedium on the roads... 8-)

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Originally Posted by Swanny

24???

So you can join the army at about 17 and be killed for a lie but you're not allowed to ride a bike until you're 24?? :o


24 :-?

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+1

A 12 inch nail in the biking coffin. Whatever yardstick you choose to use this is blatant discrimination against the biking community.

If we were ethnic Albanians we could sue the arse of these anti-biking bureaucrats all the way to Strasbourg.
>:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:(

Why have bikers been persecuted by The EU? :-?
Seriously, what have we done to deserve being singled out as pariahs? :-?
The draconian measures being meted out on the Motorcycling community in Europe, is, IMHO, totally unjustified.

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Originally Posted by JackieD

None of you are giving young motorbikers any credit, I'm sure if they REALLY want to ride a bike they'll do it no matter what, yes it's a shame it's not going to be easy for them, but there's not much in life that comes that easy.

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Agreed. But there is no good reason that it should be any harder than it already is! We are becoming an increasingly beurocratic nation, and this is just another manifestation of this. The current system works, why change it?