Query: scooter/m'bike : quickest route to mobility

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Mon 16 Jun 2014 13:59
Query: scooter/m'bike : quickest route to mobility - HandCart

Hi everyone,

Just wondering if someone can cut to the chase on my query?:

If there’s a lad who is 18 years old and wants to be able to ride a motorcycle or scooter of less than 125cc, and get mobile as soon as possible, what certificates does he need to acquire these days?

I’m finding it hard to find a straightforward answer via the internet..

At this moment he has NO form of car or motorbike licence, not even provisional.

In order to jump through the fewest hoops possible in order to get mobile, would the machine have to be less than 50cc? Would it have to be automatic clutch?

And other such questions.

It’s not clear yet whether the lad will be having to commute 6 miles across a city, or 24 miles to another town, along a single-carriageway A-road. I appreciate that a 50cc scooter would probably be less than ideal for the latter journey, but let’s treat that as a secondary consideration for now.

Thanks in advance

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Mon 16 Jun 2014 16:08
Query: scooter/m'bike : quickest route to mobility - RobJP

He gets his provisional.

He then MUST pass his CBT before riding on the public highway.

If he then wants to get his full motorbike licence, then he must pass the full theory and practical within 2 years of passing his CBT. If he doesn't, then the CBT expires, and he will have to pass it again to ride on the highway.

EDIT : whether a moped or sub-125cc motorbike, the requirements for him are the same

Edited by RobJP on 16/06/2014 at 16:10

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Mon 16 Jun 2014 17:28
Query: scooter/m'bike : quickest route to mobility - HandCart

Thanks Rob - I think I'd just about worked it out the same by now.

I reckon he'd be best starting off with a twist-and-go, but also in my opinion it'd be better if he could have a motorcycle-style machine rather than a scooter, because I can't see a scooter's small wheels being too stable on today's potholed roads. However, such machines seem very rare.

But hey ho, we'll see. Apologies for diverting things to two wheels. ;-)

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Mon 16 Jun 2014 20:27
Query: scooter/m'bike : quickest route to mobility - Happy Blue!

Piaggio do a form of trike. Very clever suspension design so it acts like a proper bike except doesn't tip over when stationary.

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Tue 17 Jun 2014 22:23
Query: scooter/m'bike : quickest route to mobility - kerbed enthusiasm

Old Honda 90 or new Peugeot Vox. Larger wheels than a normal scooter.

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Wed 18 Jun 2014 17:05
Query: scooter/m'bike : quickest route to mobility - SteveLee

I agree - try to steer clear of the small wheeled machines - life on a small underpowered two wheeler is dangerous enough without having the ability to handle potholes.

That said the thelf of manhole covers is on the rise for "some reason" (we all know why) hit one of those and it's hospital time for you big or small-wheeled.

I'd get a standard four stroke motorbike - Suzuki GS125s can be picked up cheap - dead reliable - with 80-100mpg.

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