Rider moving to NW UK from Charlotte, NC

Originally Posted by burner

Not true. It can be done.

Is there anyone on this website who succeeded in passing the test on
an SVS?

Originally Posted by Cronos

You should also weigh up the pros & cons of bring a US spec bike over here. Firstly there's the cost which ain't going to be cheap. Secondly it'lll have to be fit for UK roads and to pass a UK MOT. I don't know what differences there are, but again this could involve cost.

I'd say off hand that the only thing that'll need to be changed will be the headlight, so that it dips the right way(ebay ). Everything else should be fine. I think US bikes have their headlights wired ON, but so do some recent models here.

Originally Posted by Professor

Is there anyone on this website who succeeded in passing the test on
an SVS?

I did mine on the BMS loan CB500 (the shame of riding a Honda) but anybody who wants to watch me do the same U-turn on my SVS is welcome to watch.

Originally Posted by burner

I'd say off hand that the only thing that'll need to be changed will be the headlight, so that it dips the right way(ebay ). Everything else should be fine. I think US bikes have their headlights wired ON, but so do some recent models here.

The headlight unit is quite expensive: the official Suzuki price is £182.31+ VAT
for an SVS K3. And on ebay there are not easy to find, and when you
manage to find one it usually turns out that it has some defects.

I know this from personal experience. Last year I scratched the lens
on one of my headlights while parking at work + later added to the damage
by covering the headlights with very sticky black tape during a funeral.
In the end I decided to bite the bullet and bought a new headlight unit
paying the full price.

[Viney]

Originally Posted by gabby

All, Thanks very much for all of your replies and suggestions. I really appreciate your help. And no, I am not trans-sexual! You must not have too many female riders over there..... All that said, it sounds like the drivers test should be lots of fun too. We should be on the south side of Manchester, so hopefully that will keep us out of too much city traffic. Hope to meet you next year on the roads. Gabby

Remember, our roads have bends in them

Remember, our roads have bends in them

yeah lots of em, but i think theres more potholes in the roads than there are bends

What's with this MOT thing? Checking the angle of the headlight dip, you must be kidding! Selling a bike with the original exhaust, just to pass MOT once a year, again, you must be kidding! Really, are you guys serious??? Confused in rural North Carolina.

Oh yeah, I am not below riding a Honda, really. What is the deal with loaners to pass the test? Actually, I will ride just about any brand motorcycle, but I am not sure I can go from my 1000cc bike here to a 125cc learner permit without feeling cheated! Gabby

[timwilky]

Originally Posted by gabby

What's with this MOT thing? Checking the angle of the headlight dip, you must be kidding! Selling a bike with the original exhaust, just to pass MOT once a year, again, you must be kidding! Really, are you guys serious??? Confused in rural North Carolina.

All vehicles (cars/bikes) over 3 years old are subject to an annual test( MOT or Ministry of transport) What is actually checked is well defined but includes for a bike

(cut for gov site)
Lights - condition, operation, security, and correct colour of headlamp(s), rear lights, indicators and reflectors. Also the headlamp(s) will be checked to see if the aim is correct

Steering and suspension - condition, security and operation including: forks, mountings, controls, bearings, etc

Horn - correct operation and the right type

Exhaust system - complete, secure, correct type and not too noisy

Side car - includes checks on: attachment, suspension, wheel bearings, wheel alignment, lights and tyres

Wheel alignment - correct alignment of front and rear wheels

Frame - free from cracks, damage, distortion or corrosion which is likely to affect steering or brakes

Wheels and tyres - wheel condition and security, tyre condition, size and type, and tread depth

Brakes - condition, operation and performance (efficiency test),and brake controls

General items - condition and security of final drive, footrests and seat.

Originally Posted by gabby

Oh yeah, I am not below riding a Honda, really. What is the deal with loaners to pass the test? Actually, I will ride just about any brand motorcycle, but I am not sure I can go from my 1000cc bike here to a 125cc learner permit without feeling cheated! Gabby

so long as you take your test within your first 12 months you don't need to do it on a 125, you could simply turn up on your normal bike. so long as it is greater than 35kW. As you would have to go through the cbt (1 day training not a test) as a requirement for the test you would have been exposed to a riding school. They are mostly geared up for providing DAS (Direct Access Scheme ) which is designed to train you to an acceptable level to pass the bike test. I know my local school advises people on taking their cbt, how much extra training they require to pass the test. Thier costs normally work out about £100 a day to include bike hire/ insurance/ instruction etc. but I am sure most would reduce the cost to provide instruction only whilst you used your own bike. Normally when you sign up for a DAS course it would also include the bike hire whilst you undertook the test.


However, the best way forward is wait until you get over here. Meet up with a few of us and let us advise you of the bike schools, laws etc at the time. Seriously their are a few goverment imposed restrictions over here in our lives. Personal view,some good some bad.

Good
Drink/drug driving
Driving whilst using cell phones (Still a problem)


Bad
National speed limit is 70mph on motorways. Harks back to the 60s. should be at least 90 as thats what most people actually do if they have clear road ahead.
control of licencing hours (When you can buy alchol)
private ownership of firearms. (Cost me when my legal guns became illegal overnight)
Safety cameras (speed cameras used for revenue collection purposes)
Inland revenue (just been hit by a tax assessment, ouch)

[Ratty]

Gabby

Do you know where abouts your moving to? There are some notorious districts south of Manchester if you are going to be close to the city. Much better further out. There are a few of us from that area on here if you are looking for advance info on the area.

Ratty