New style bike test - scrapped

Originally Posted by mcgrimes

Idiots in cars kill bikers, idiots on bikes kill themselves.

And plus the addition of the Mod 1 test did not increase the skill of bikers. Ive seen idiots fly by, were as i struggled with the manual handling procedure due to my size. Do i consider myself to be a road worthy biker? I certainly do.

The mod 1 only ever acted as a money maker as far as i could see it: £15 for 10 minutes.

That is a fair point, I did say in theory, never claimed it to actually be true. No matter what test you do, your either going to be "road worthy" or not.

It was created as a money maker, but in reality is costing huge amounts to remove the new test.

Originally Posted by -Ralph-

If new riders are limited to 33bhp and a certain power to weight ratio, I don't see why new drivers shouldn't be limited to a certain bhp and power to weight ratio.

Certainly makes much more sense than a limitation of engine size; but even then, as has been said before, the likely hood of dying in a 100hp car is the same as in a 70hp car.

Infact, if my car had 500hp, id drive it much more carefully.

Originally Posted by -Ralph-

If new riders are limited to 33bhp and a certain power to weight ratio, I don't see why new drivers shouldn't be limited to a certain bhp and power to weight ratio.

I dont see that changing what most new drivers drive anyway as they are generally severely limitted by the insurance companies. I dont see a limit being realistic when most new drivers have 1.2 maybe a 1.4, how could a limit be imposed on them?

I think the world of motoring is already surrounded by enough stupid laws.

After all, 16 year olds have two choices of vehicles to drive; a 50cc scooter, or a tractor?

Originally Posted by mcgrimes

I think the world of motoring is already surrounded by enough stupid laws.

After all, 16 year olds have two choices of vehicles to drive; a 50cc scooter, or a tractor?

Yeah but tractors dont make anywhere near a stupid enough noise for a 16yr old.

I passed on the mod1/2 system, and I have to say the only beef I have with Mod1 is the slow walk bit.

FACT, some examiners take the p1ss and walk at a pace which is FAR too slow. Witnessed when I did mine, we had 2 examiners, and everyone (inc the trainers) were saying "keep your fingers crossed you dont get that dude".

That day, 2 or 3 people failed on the walking pace ride, all with that same examiner.

That part needs to be regulated better, timed or something instead of relying on someone's judgement of the right walking speed, so its fair.

Otherwise, can't complain too much, I passed

Originally Posted by thefallenangel

It's not just the bike test that needs looking at it's an even bigger picture, just like how the hell can you pass a test in a 107 and go drive a Nissan Navara the next flipping day?

I don't see the problem with that. I passed my test in a BSM Mini 7 days after my 17th birthday, two weeks later I was driving around in the firm's LWB Transit van with a box trailer on the back.

It wasn't dangerous, in fact it taught me better driving skills and widened my capabilities.

When I passed my bike test 2 days previously I arrived and did the test on a Kawasaki KE100 trail bike and rode out of there with a pass certificate on my mate's almost brand new Honda CB900F. Again, it taught me to respect the vehicle I was in control of and learn how to ride properly.

Originally Posted by Lozzo

I don't see the problem with that. I passed my test in a BSM Mini 7 days after my 17th birthday, two weeks later I was driving around in the firm's LWB Transit van with a box trailer on the back.

It wasn't dangerous, in fact it taught me better driving skills and widened my capabilities.

When I passed my bike test 2 days previously I arrived and did the test on a Kawasaki KE100 trail bike and rode out of there with a pass certificate on my mate's almost brand new Honda CB900F. Again, it taught me to respect the vehicle I was in control of and learn how to ride properly.

Shame the majority isn't like that

[timwilky]

Originally Posted by andrewsmith

But the Great British insurance industry all but stops the said 17 year getting anything more powerful than a 1400cc vehicle.

My daughters first drives after she passed her test was my ST220 mondao, she did about 400 miles in her first weekend in it, once we got her car insured for her after that weekend, it was written off within 2 hours. Electrical fire. the car hadn't been used for 9 months, out the garage a mile up the road and flames. Worse part I had to cancel my protected no claims to add her to the policy.

[yorkie_chris]

Originally Posted by hongman

Shame the majority isn't like that

I'm not sure I agree.

If you're thrown in at the deep end then you are likely to approach it with some trepidation and care, whereas if you take a small step (a "safe" one), like a 33bhp bike, or a 1.0l car you are likely to take liberties.