Howdy All

I've just moved to Melbourne from NZ and have begun the process of getting my motorcycle license.

Not entirely sure why but the concept of being independantly mobile in a short period of time really appealed to me and there are training courses out there - one of which I shall be undertaking soon enough

The next big thing is actually obtaining a bike.

My understanding is I can go as far as a 250cc - the big question is: Has anyone got one or connections to one?

I realise (ho)motorcyclists aren't taken to likely in car forums but any help is greatly appreciated.

Ta, Sean

Hey Mate,

I think they have a system in victoria whereby you are allowed to ride a bike up to 660cc as long as it is under a certain power to weight ratio. Well that is what it is in NSW anyway. I got my full liscence here.

If you are after a bike, I have a BMW 1985 (i think) R65 that is for sale. It has about 50 000kms, a freshly recovered leather seat, koni rear shocks, and a very nice exhaust system (sounds fantastic). It is a naked bike, but I have a large front touring fairing and also a bikini faring. If you like the cafe racer style, I can chuck in some clip on handlebars, blinkers and taillight that I bought but didnt put on. I am after $3900 for it and could possibly ride it to Melbourne for you for the cost of petrol.

Cheers, Ian

edit: the reason for selling is that I bought a ducati

I thought in nsw you could go up to 400cc.

Well atleast that's what a mate of mine rides and he is on his l's.

Not sure about victoria though.

Trav

G'day Bro, Yes thats correct you can get up to a 250cc bike on a learners. There are conditions though. Such as until you have passed both your written and a few practical tests you can only ride in company with an open licenced rider. After passing all the written and practicals you can ride without company but still only 250cc.Once you have passed all that you must keep alive for a period of time (I think 12 months) then you can go for your open and maybe kill yourself on a much larger bike.
For my first bike I bought a honda"POSTIE" which I still ride. They are cheap to buy, keep and register. Mine costs $5 aweek for fuel and I ride it heaps. You could pick up a good second hand bike with some rego for just over a grand.Good luck.

In NSW there is the "LAM"s scheme (learner approved motorcycles) which means learners can ride bikes on a certain list. The maximum is 660cc. I rode the above bike for a year and a half on my P's and L's and it is a 650. The approved bikes are based on power to weight ratio of less than (i think) 150kw per tonne.

You sit a course and a computer test to get your l's. Then you can ride completely by your self (no supervisor or whatever). P's is another course. Full liscence you just pay.

I think Victoria's system is simliar.

Just trying to clear it up a bit

ok. in victoria right now. you can have any 250cc motorcycle until you've had your P's for 12 months.

this includes 250 2 strokes which are the fastest learner bikes.

but july next year victoria are employing the lams systeme (this is going to drop the arse out of 250cc market) where you can ride bikes bigger then 250 if the power to weight ratio is right.

sadly this removes the 250 2 strokes out of the learner legal bike.

i have a 250 2 stroke and its wicked fast. even beats BA xr8's which i was shocked

yeah that the go in vic. learners for a min of 3 months then p's for 12 months. both have riding tests and the l's also has a written test.

i had never ridden a bike, did a two day course which included the test and walla was legal. i now have a full licence, but sold my gsxr 750 recently. depends what sort of bike you are after but i reckon don't go all out on a 250 coz they are only required for a year and a bit and you will very soon get bored of their power

Hey guys thanks for all the feedback

Upon speaking with a fellow kiwi it looks like my disqualified restricted (probationary) license will change over to P plates over here with no trouble at all *fingers crossed*

If this does work out I'll be putting my pennies away to hopefully get into a 1200 of some sort - would love another sunny but really I just want something with an A-series in it cause I sure do miss mine when I had it back home :( boy did it scream...

once again thanks for the feedback and will keep you all posted.

Ta, Sean

Well no luck getting license swapped but I do now have my Motor Cycle learners so if anyone does have a bike rego/RWC for around $2k drop me a P.M or SMS 0404 003 852. Looking for something for mainly suburban use with occasional highway work as my partner lives in Aspendale so it'd ahve to be able to sit at 60 mph comfortably.

Ta

Sean

Do you guys have P plates on your bikes?

Over here in WA you sit a comp test to get your Ls. And when your ready you can take the prac test and get your 250cc lic. Then after 1yr you can go for your big bike lic.

I wish WA had the LAMs sceme. Then i could ride all the oldschool bikes (like Dads 1963 Triumph Thunderbird 650).
Ive currently got my Ls... kinda not to keen on riding tho. Only got my Ls coz bith parents have had bikes for yonks!