Safe Speed Forums

Hi All,

I promised to get back to you with news of how the test went (see my earlier post, "Bike Test advice, please?"). If you want to take your test on an imported bike, then the following could be of use to you....

My original worry was that my 125 Virago was not fast enough to take the 'Standard' category bike test - your bike should be capable of at least 100kph (about 62 mph I believe) for this test, according to the DSA website. The Virago 125 doesn't quite make it (mine is 56mph flat out). As it happened, the tester raised no objections, and having chosen a test centre where there are no roads with speed limits above 60mph I was OK.

However, the problem I did have was with (yes, you've guessed it) the speedo. Mine was calibrated in kph. I checked the info on the DSA website, and because it isn't completely clear I also rang them up to get further information. Yes, they say, you CAN use a convertor (ie, a little gearbox-thingy from Motrax which fits in line with the speedo cable) but then your clock must show that it is reading in mph, not kph. So, I put the mph sticker (supplied with the convertor) on top of the glass and booked my test (kph-only speedos are not allowed; full stop!)

Imagine my frustration, then, when the tester refused to conduct my test because of the sticker on the glass. It was, he said, "an overlay", and overlays are not allowed (as the DSA website clearly says). So, you CAN use a convertor, but you CAN'T use a sticker on the glass. Crazy! The only acceptable options are either (a) change the speedo to an mph or mph/kph unit (in which case you don't need the convertor), or (b) cut the speedo open and put an mph sticker straight onto the dial, ie, UNDER the glass. I chose the latter option, and meanwhile complained to the DSA about their ambiguous information. They agreed to give me another test date FOC. (I passed, by the way, with just 5 riding faults.)

I hope this little nugget of information will be of use to those of you out there aiming to take a test this year. Don't be fooled by the DSA saying that you CAN use a speedo convertor: unless you are prepared to cut your speedo open to put an mph sticker inside, you CAN'T !!!

Best wishes, one and all.

Alternatively you can hire a bike for 30 quid for the day including insurance or you could attach a GPS with a speed readout in mph.

Lastly you can glue a piece of perspex over the readout.

Or (given the fact the examiner wont actually be riding your bike) go to a scrap yard buy a speedo from a motorbike and tape the wires together in the wiring loom (he'll probably never realise).

Personally I think I'd rent a school bike for the day. Although you might need it for two days just to get used to it.

whatever you decide, hurry, the test is about to get harder... again

Has this always been the case ?

I sat my test ok back in the early 1990's on a late 1970's Honda C90. There was no way on earth the wee C90 would hit 60mph unless you had a fat mate on the back going down a really steep hill.

The test routes in my area could involve going on a 70mph dual carriageway or a 60mph single carriageway trunk road.

This was right before the laws changed, i managed to get my full bike licence on a C90 scooter

Even back then a lot of the 125's my mates were driving would be lucky to hit 60mph in somecases.

when I took my test in the late 80's My old CB100 was faster than the shiney new 125s because of the 12 bhp limit

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Re vera, cara mea, mea nil refert

both bikes would only get you an A1 licence now - which is pretty much useless as it restricts you to a 125cc bike forever.

From memory the bike has to be over 120cc now. to qualify for an A - restriction cat 2 or 35kw/47.5bhp to get an unrestricted A licence.

Only 2 years, after which you can ride anything (if you are over 21)

I did my test on a 125 Virago back in '98...no probs. As far as I am aware there has been no change to the catagories.

The only issue was the long wheel base which meant I had a wider road to do my u-turn in.

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Speed camera policy Kills

I'm pretty sure an A1 license is forever... and is why hardly anyone bothers with it. It was introduced when they came out with the 2 years on 1 year off rule for CBTers. Which meant that those who were permanent learners on their Honda C90s would effectively be banned after two years.

from DSA...

A light motorcycle (category A1) is defined as a solo motorcycle between 75 and 125 cc, with a power output not exceeding 11 kilowatts (kW) (maximum 14.6 brake horse power (bhp)). Please see note 1.

A standard motorcycle (category A) is defined as a solo motorcycle between 121 and 125 cc, capable of exceeding 100 km/h (62.1mph). Please note that the BMW C1 motorcycle is not a suitable machine for a practical test. Please see note 2.

Vehicles used for the accelerated access and direct access scheme can have an unspecified engine capacity of at least 35 kW (46.6 bhp), with an unspecified speed.

looks like you are right...


however the Virago meets the 62 mph rule according to the manufacturers specifications so you could do you A2 on one.

http://www.bikez.com/motorcycles/yamaha_xv_125_virago_2000.php

Mine was a UK spec bike so no speedo problems. I must admit I had never heard that one.

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Speed camera policy Kills

Yep, I realised now that we were talking about slightly different things...


Category A restriction 2 is still for 2 years and then anything (as you say) although you can ride any bike once the two years is up.

So technically you can be 19 on an unrestricted bike if you passed Cat A when 17.

When I referenced the A1, I was referring to the CB100 and C90s mentioned

My advice is simple.
Use a reputable training organisation, use their bikes and advice, when you take your test be as smooth as you possibly can and demostrate really good bike control. An examiner following you sees everything, if you want him to relax and feel confident with you then make sure you are smooth and in control.Do that and you can get away with a number of mistakes that a nervous, twitchy, wobbly or unsure rider wont!

I seem to remember seeing little Km/h to mph converters for sale in various catalogues, such as M&P. These are basically a wee gearbox that screws into the speedo connection. You then screw the cable into the other end of the converter instead of the speedo. Worth a look perhaps?