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[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

I agree that retesting may be beneficial for those that haven't ridden for 20yrs etc. Weighed against th cost of  bike and all the gear, £500ish isn't that dear for some training and a test.

However, clearly the current test is flawed, as we all know of middle aged men who have never ridden, taken the intense course, passed, bought an R1 and quickly killed themselves.

Yep. .....because the old reflexes ain't what they were.

Works both ways though. A good friend of mine passed his test on a Honda  CD 175 twin (single carb slug) Then immediately went out and bought a brand new Suzuki GS1000. Back in 1978 this was just about the fastest missile on the planet. Less than a week later died in an accident involving a car.

He was still seventeen.

[TheBoy]

I agree that retesting may be beneficial for those that haven't ridden for 20yrs etc. Weighed against th cost of  bike and all the gear, £500ish isn't that dear for some training and a test.

However, clearly the current test is flawed, as we all know of middle aged men who have never ridden, taken the intense course, passed, bought an R1 and quickly killed themselves.

Yep. .....because the old reflexes ain't what they were.

Works both ways though. A good friend of mine passed his test on a Honda  CD 175 twin (single carb slug) Then immediately went out and bought a brand new Suzuki GS1000. Back in 1978 this was just about the fastest missile on the planet. Less than a week later died in an accident involving a car.

He was still seventeen.

But youngsters now are limited to smaller machines once test is passed for a while...

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

I agree that retesting may be beneficial for those that haven't ridden for 20yrs etc. Weighed against th cost of  bike and all the gear, £500ish isn't that dear for some training and a test.

However, clearly the current test is flawed, as we all know of middle aged men who have never ridden, taken the intense course, passed, bought an R1 and quickly killed themselves.

Yep. .....because the old reflexes ain't what they were.

Works both ways though. A good friend of mine passed his test on a Honda  CD 175 twin (single carb slug) Then immediately went out and bought a brand new Suzuki GS1000. Back in 1978 this was just about the fastest missile on the planet. Less than a week later died in an accident involving a car.

He was still seventeen.

But youngsters now are limited to smaller machines once test is passed for a while...

Yes, TB. It's all changed since those heady days when we were allowed to take our (one part) test on a 30 BHP....100 MPH,  250 cc machine. These days I think you have to be at least forty before being allowed to ride a poxy 125 cc bike with only 12 BHP.

[Lazydocker]

Re-testing should be implemented for all entitlements It would get a lot of the oblivious idiots off the road

[YZ250]

Wondering though, is there a legitimate case for re taking a test after an entitlement has laid dormant for x amount of years ..?

ESP given born again biker syndrome. Of which I'd be one if I rode on the road again

I still remember the day I took my mates ZZR1100 out for a spin after a long break from big bikes. I entered a tight left hander, leaned in nicely, misjudged the speed I was doing, backed off slightly (yeh yeh, a sin I know), the bike sat up and I ended up on the wrong side of the road. Thankfully nothing was coming so I got away with it but it shows how easy it can all go wrong.
The other thing that surprised me was the sheer power and how easy it is to do power wheelies, sometimes unintentionally. 
Without mentioning speeds, it becomes concerning when the scenery is moving faster than your eyes are adjusting. 
Still have the Moto X for fun though. 

[AndyRoid]

But youngsters now are limited to smaller machines once test is passed for a while...

They can ride any size bike they like Jaime, it's the BHP that's the restriction as far as the law is concerned.

A good idea in theory, but once you have the piece of paper confirming your 600RR is only putting out 33 BHP, the only way it can be proven that the owner hasn't removed the restriction is to put the bike on a rolling road (not really feasible for a roadside check).

[TheBoy]

But youngsters now are limited to smaller machines once test is passed for a while...

They can ride any size bike they like Jaime, it's the BHP that's the restriction as far as the law is concerned.

A good idea in theory, but once you have the piece of paper confirming your 600RR is only putting out 33 BHP, the only way it can be proven that the owner hasn't removed the restriction is to put the bike on a rolling road (not really feasible for a roadside check).

True, but my point being its a step in the right direction.

TBH, without looney plates, unless you pull the rider (who can claim to be anyone), its all a bit unknown anyway.

I work in Milton Keynes, and I suspect a sizable proportion of drivers there have never passed any test (thats valid in the UK), but that doesn't stop them driving...

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

But youngsters now are limited to smaller machines once test is passed for a while...

They can ride any size bike they like Jaime, it's the BHP that's the restriction as far as the law is concerned.

A good idea in theory, but once you have the piece of paper confirming your 600RR is only putting out 33 BHP, the only way it can be proven that the owner hasn't removed the restriction is to put the bike on a rolling road (not really feasible for a roadside check).

How the hell do you make a Honda CBR 600 produce a pathetic 33 BHP, when the full power model kicks out closer to 120 BHP?.

 Are they all being ridden with three plug caps pulled off.......

[albitz]

Restrictors in the air intakes in the inlets.They look like a big washer with a hole in the middle.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Kawasaki-ZZR-600-carburettor-model-Restrictor-Kit-33-BHP-25kw-certificate-/221261926395?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts_13&hash=item33843d0ffb

When I bought my current cbr600 it had the wrong ECU fitted.The previous owner had lost the keys and it would have cost around £1000 to have it sorted by Honda,or that was what he was told. A "mate in the trade" got him a set of keys,transponder & ECU cheap and fitted it to the bike.The bloke was a very inexperienced nervous rider,so didn't realise it was electronically limited.
It took a lot of elimination,but I finally tracked it down to the ecu,and knew someone who could get hold of one very cheaply for me.
I will never forget the grin the first time I opened it up and instead of stopping at the usual 8k rpm it lifted the front wheel and sailed on to the redline and around 100bhp.
The bloke who got the ecu for me said that the other one was from Switzerland  (or somewhere similar) where they make them restrict bikes to around 45bhp.

[Shackeng]

Re-testing should be implemented for all entitlements It would get a lot of the oblivious idiots off the road

I would have to learn what all the road signs mean then!!!

[BazaJT]

Hmm,I take the points made about re-tests.Maybe that would be the safer bet,although I only want a commuter type of thing.Something like an older 400/500cc,not some road burning rocket ship.It would be mainly for going to work after we complete the house move this week,otherwise it goes from a 5minute walk to a 35 minute one.

[YZ250]

Hmm,I take the points made about re-tests.Maybe that would be the safer bet,although I only want a commuter type of thing.Something like an older 400/500cc,not some road burning rocket ship.It would be mainly for going to work after we complete the house move this week,otherwise it goes from a 5minute walk to a 35 minute one.

You shouldn't need to though, if they hadn't cocked up. Damned annoying. 

[sassanach]

when I last renewed my licence(hgv)I simply ticked the "lost" box on the form and kept my old one.