Motorcycle license advice

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WPD

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Hey guys

I'm planning on doing my motorcycle license in the next month or two. The motorcycle I'm planning to use is a 150cc Motomia Enzo.

Thing is, this bike does not have a killswitch. From what I've read, checking the state of the killswitch is a item that specifically forms part of the pre-trip inspection. Obviously I wouldn't want to get there only to be failed for arriving on an unroadworthy bike.

Or am I just being paranoid? Anyone have any experience with this kind of thing?
 
Not necessary, my CBR 150 also did not have a kill switch and I didn't even mention it. Passed first time.

EDIT: If you want to be on the safe side just mention the kill switch even though you don't have one so the instructor knows you know. Funny story about how that works haha.
 
From what I can tell there only seems to be two stations close to me that do motorcycle testing; Bellrail and Parow. I'll probably go to Bellrail.

EDIT: That's Cape Town, BTW :)
 
I did mine on a gomoto freedom.same as yours except i had drum brakes.nice bikes to do the test on.just a note.my bike didnt have a 'press to stop' indicator.you had to flick it off yourself.check on yours.goodluck!

the bike test is really easy.your nerves are your biggest problem.out of the 13people that did it when i got mine,only 1 failed,because she let her nerves get the better of her.did not check blindspots etc.try go for a lesson before hand at billy de beer. Hes in belville. (Google: biker safe)
 
As others have said the test is quite simple and down to the point.

I had a short lesson or two with a friend showing me what the instructors look for and on the day of the test I was nervous and forgot to mention some stuff like making sure the bike is in neutral, I always park my bike in neutral and not 1st gear so it's not something I really check, having a friend who can help you go through a small mock test really does help.

Otherwise all in all just relax and be calm, the test is quite easy, I often think instructors look more to your body language when driving then the actual test to determine how comfortable you are at driving.
 
All in all the test does appear pretty straightforward. Certainly much easier than the car test.

Thanks for all the tips. I'll be sure to look up some help to try and do a mock test beforehand.
 
samr1wp said:
so you need a 400cc minimum ?
Click to expand...

From what I remember anything anything bigger than a 125cc is fine.

For example did the test with a CBR 150, can now ride any bike I want.

How exactly it works with a scooter bigger than 125cc I'm not sure.
 
The differentiator between scooter and superbike is 125cc. If you do your test on 125cc's or less, you get a code A1 license which means you can only ride up to 125cc's. If you do your test on 126cc's, you qualify for a code A license which allows you to ride any size motorcycle engine.

As to the killswitch, during the inspection simply point out to the tester that your bike does not have a killswitch. There are 2 other things that my bike doesn't have that I can't remember right now that I need to mention to the tester during the inspection. I highly recommend going for a test lesson on a track before the test. Just to get the sequence of events down for the test and to practice making the turns and stopping and not rolling (ever).

Also, beware the stop street line!! Even when you are not doing the left turn/stop/left turn test, you need to treat that line as a stop street. So even if you are just manoeuvreing your bike into position for another test, DO NOT LET YOUR WHEEL CROSS THAT LINE without stopping and pulling off.. even if you're coming from the opposite direction.

Stupid tester failed me for letting my wheel touch the stop line from the other side while I was maneouvering into position for another exercise. Grrrr.
 
AniV said:
The differentiator between scooter and superbike is 125cc. If you do your test on 125cc's or less, you get a code A1 license which means you can only ride up to 125cc's. If you do your test on 126cc's, you qualify for a code A license which allows you to ride any size motorcycle engine.
Click to expand...

I'm wondering about an actual proper scooter, no manual gear changes. There's 125cc, 150cc and much higher cc scooters.

How can they give person riding a 150cc scooter a code A licence and they don't even know how to change gears properly?
 
AniV said:
Stupid tester failed me for letting my wheel touch the stop line from the other side while I was maneouvering into position for another exercise. Grrrr.
Click to expand...

Jeez, that really sucks. Thanks for the heads up.

KalMaverick said:
I'm wondering about an actual proper scooter, no manual gear changes. There's 125cc, 150cc and much higher cc scooters.

How can they give person riding a 150cc scooter a code A licence and they don't even know how to change gears properly?
Click to expand...

AFAIK, passing out with an auto transmission limits you to an automatic on your license. But passing out on a manual >125cc will allow you to pretty much get on anything.
 
That's also what I thought.

So someone must not get confused and think they can take a 150cc scooter and do the test with that and then be able to drive anything.
 
There's a chap called Billy (PM me for his cell number) who runs a motorcycle training school and also does a special a "pre passing out" lesson - well worth the couple of bob it'll cost you. He is an ex TP so he knows what to look out for and takes you through all the actual things you will do in the test.

Well worth it (personal experience)

Heh, at the time I went to pass out (couple of years ago) there were no bookings in the Greater Cape Town area so I rode to Saldanha Bay to go pass out - was a lekker ride :)
 
Did my licence on a 650 V-Strom Suzuki - it is physically a big bike and it was not hard to pass at all. The oke before me passed his licence test on a 1800cc Suzuki Boulevard, with the oke after me failing on his 125cc Vuka - he actually fell over making the second turn at the far end of the ground (after the Stop) as the bike was unstable at slow speed.

So, a small bike does not necessarily mean an easier time on the testing ground. It has to to with your confidence as a rider on the bike you have. If you pass the test on a Honda VFR1200-FD, you will only be certified to ride bikes with automatic gearboxes, such as a scooter. To get a license for a manual bike, you need to do the test on one.
 
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AfricanTech said:
There's a chap called Billy (PM me for his cell number) who runs a motorcycle training school and also does a special a "pre passing out" lesson - well worth the couple of bob it'll cost you. He is an ex TP so he knows what to look out for and takes you through all the actual things you will do in the test.

Well worth it (personal experience)

Heh, at the time I went to pass out (couple of years ago) there were no bookings in the Greater Cape Town area so I rode to Saldanha Bay to go pass out - was a lekker ride :)
Click to expand...

you know the price for lessons

i need to get my learners 1st lol ...but will try soon if i know whats it goign to cost
 
lcbxx said:
So, a small bike does not necessarily mean an easier time on the testing ground. It has to to with your confidence as a rider on the bike you have.
Click to expand...

This! I was used to riding my 1000cc Fireblade,friends tried to convince me to take a scrambler to maneuver the course easier,after 5 mins I decided this is BS and went back to the blade. Passed 1 time.

Whatever bike you take,make sure you are comfortable riding it
 
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