Two or Four Wheels...? Getting my full bike licence in 7 days | 4K 

I started riding on the road in 1981 with an AP50, passing my test the next year on a GT250X7. It scares me today the way 40 somethings get a full licence after 7 days and instantly gain access to 200 hp. We all had our learning accidents at slow speed, good luck trying that on an R1 or similar. Enjoy it Joe, but try and walk before you run. Forget you 4 wheel years of experience, they count for very little

Gives me a sense of nervousness when someone a bit older gets into bikes, especially someone who has a background of fast cars. I’ve been on bikes from an early age (currently riding an S1000RR) and a couple of years ago got a close friend into the bike scene, at the time he had a 750bhp skyline and was a very competent driver. Anyway, did his DAS and of course got himself a sports bike. We went out on a few rides and it was obvious his driving skills didn’t translate on to the bikes so we did a track day and gave him as much advice as possible. A few months later I got the call to say he’d been killed in a bike accident, the inquest ruled out other drivers and sadly it was excessive speed and lack of experience. Best advice anyones given me regarding bikes is there’s no substitute for experience.

Great video Joe and congratulations again on passing your test. I couldn't agree more in how learning to ride and once passed how much of a better overall driver you also become, you see so much more and are aware of so much more too. Looking forward to the first ride out 😊

Well done and congratulations. Did something similar a couple of years ago. The sense of achievement was off the charts for me and opened up a whole new world of enjoyment which can compliment my car and track obsession.

best thing i ever did back in 2000, i was 26 and wished i had done it sooner, as you say, makes you even more aware on the road. well done on passing

Delighted for you, Joe. Biking adds so much. Exciting times ahead.

Congrats Joe! Direct access is so comprehensive. I did mine at 17, that was 16 years ago now! Welcome to the club 🙂

Thank you so much for doing this video and for airing it…congratulations in passing your test and for being an encouragement…I have always wanted to get into Motor Bike riding and had always wanted to know how to go about it both correctly and from a novice starting point…I really enjoyed your pointers as well as your evolving perspective of being always aware of your surroundings and how far ahead you need to be seeing…almost the same requirements for a World rally Car driver and truck driver. Was also amazed and encouraged by the fact that in seven days you had it under the belt…somehow thought as a novice it would take way longer…great stuff…great content…thanks again Joe👍

Welcome to the two wheel world. You will love it, there are few things more exciting and more enjoyable. As someone who has been riding bikes for 30 years in various countries including the UK I really wish people in the UK would embrace motorcycling on a much larger scale and stop being scared of them. Being a bike rider also makes you a better and more aware car driver.

Congratulations !!

Well done Joe, great move. I've got a 718 Cayman GT4 and a small collection of bikes. Bikes are in a different level for me... wait till you get on track :)

Nice one Joe! I got my licence back in 2009 when the two-module system was first introduced. Like you, I enjoyed it immensely, and really noticed how it made me a better road user whether I was cycling, driving or on the bike! I really think that they should introduce the hazard perception and awareness elements to car licences too. And like you said, while I like and enjoy fast cars the acceleration and sensation on a bike is something else! I have a Triumph Street Triple 765RS which I took out earlier and had a blast. 😁

Congratulations on your motorcycle license. I am also thankful to my parents to delaying getting my motorcycle license because riding requires a huge amount of discipline, self control and being alert at all times. I fell of my bike due to a lapse of self control. Riding a motorcycle is one of the best feelings. Keep safe

Joe brilliant content as ever! As someone who like you started on a bike later in life I'm glad that is the case...I now use my bike for commuting into London most days and cannot agree enough just how much more of an aware rider/driver your become after being a biker! Congrats on your license and enjoy!!!!

Congratulations!

Thanks for posting this! really helped me feel more comfortable about taking the test

I got my first motorcycle age at 38 and immediately realized that I didn’t know to ride well enough to be reasonably safe. So I signed up for a two day California Superbike School at Watkins Glen, which was transformative. I went to the school to get proper training with no intention to race and ended up racing for the following two decades. My recommendation is to get some real instruction rather than aim for track days. Having sampled several schools in the USA my top pick remains CA SBK. I’m sure there are excellent schools in the UK. You need this, even if you never intend to race. Track days can be sketchy with riders of different skill levels, some taking weird lines, and different bikes with sometimes scary closing speeds.

Excellent Joe. Congratulations. I totally understand your relationship with bikes and delaying engagement with them. I went on a similar journey myself. Your comments about being a much better car driver now as a result of motorbike training are so spot on. Anyways, 2 wheels or four wheels, stay safe man. Rubber side down 👍

Welcome to the bike pride! Even riding bikes for 25 years - it still brings a smile to my face just commuting 10 minutes to work in the morning.

I jumped on a motorbike for the first time aged 54. You quite literally described every experience I had , even down to being a "better car driver" bravo sir.

Superb video, very informative as someone who looking to get his full bike licence

Great Video & congratulations Joe👏👌👍

Congratulations on passing your test. Very interesting vlog and for those sitting on the fence about getting your bike licence, I would very much agree that it's a great idea. And it makes you a far better road user, be you on 2 wheels or 4.

time to get some knee skid plates for those corners 🏍congrats

Congrats Joe

And CONGRATULATIONS dude 👍

Fair play to you, speaking as someone who failed their own bike test first time around.! I agree with what you said about the observation skills taught to bikers helping you to be more aware of what's going on around you and be a better car driver as a result - in fact, observation is perhaps the biggest part of the IAM bike and car system/test too... I find it helps me remain more relaxed when making progress as I can anticipate better and stay smoother Look forward to seeing your bike track day videos too :)

Congrats on getting your licence! I'd love to see some bike reviews in the future.

I'm so glad you recognized that even with excellent road presence experience under your belt Joe, you've already become a better car driver as a direct result of riding a motorcycle - it's really so true! I've been riding on the road every day since I was 16 yrs old. And when I started driving a car, some five years later, I was amazed how anyone driving a car could ever have an accident, such was the simplicity. Well, cars are fun, and until my Rivian arrives, I still have an M2C myself. But I can tell you that 40 years on, still nothing comes close to riding a motorcycle when I want to enjoy travelling!

Well done Joe! I was a proper car enthusiast until i got my motorcycle license this year. Now i find the experience of driving a little bit numb to be fair, and now see cars as my transportation and motorbikes for fun haha! There is nothing quite like the thill and performance on tap when on two wheels, and im glad youve experienced firsthand!

Well done Joe, enjoy the ride!

Congratulations Joe. Totally agree. I’m in my 50’s been riding for four years. It has also transformed my car driving… vision, anticipation, awareness. Just did BMW track day at Phillip Island in M3/M4 my awareness from bikes helped immensely at well over 200kmh in G80 on circuit. I’ve learned from MotoJitsu and MCRider that you must NEVER stop practicing your bike skills and it’s so true you need to get out there weekly to improve.

I got my bike license a few years back well worth getting your full license 👍🙂 I'm glad I did it when I was older as well 😂

Well done Joe!!

Roadcraft and observation really improved when thinking like a biker. Great video Joe - as always - I’ll have to buy a bike now too!!!

Passed my test this year after having a driving license for 18 years (I did mine through BMW rider training as well), as a fellow 6ft 4" person, you will now have the joy of finding bikes that fit you hahaha, massive congrats sir!

Congratulations! Found this very interesting, before beginning my direct access course soon. I too decided against a bike licence when younger, a younger me had an insatiable need for speed. I've already bought a bike, a Honda VFR 800 VTEC. There's no guarantee I'll pass right away, but it's waiting for when it does happen.

Congratulations Joe! Welcome to the two wheel club 🙂

I’ve been riding big bikes for almost 50 years, and I can assure you the novelty and excitement never wear off! Your learning starts for real now, so take it easy. Stay safe, and don’t take liberties: bikes will bite back!

Congratulations Joe 👏 well done. I passed with Ian and his team a few years back. CBT day 1, MOD1 day 3, MOD2 day 5 and as you say what enjoyment to be on two wheels. Buy something and get out there! I’d then suggest taking the IAM Advanced (or something equivalent) next because you’re now trained to the minimum standard and it really is worth taking it to the next level. Wish you many years of safe riding. 👍

Nice one Joe, i passed for my 40th. i raced MX back in the day and glad i waited. nothing can describe the freedom of a bike and the way they get up the road. just don't take chances and expect car drivers to not see you.

Great video and I agree. I’ve had many great bmw cars.. the 335is and M235i were amazing, but my 2014 R9T that I’ve heavily modified is the absolute purest pleasure! The G05 x5 B58 is pretty good as the daily

Great Joe, I've got a 1250 GS fir my commuter bike. Love it.

Congratulations Dude

Well done Joe, I love your passion. I want to be at your first bike track day. Please …… it will be fantasists.

I hated bikes when I was at going but passed my bike test 20 years ago and it changed my life more than I ever imagined, the people I met through riding has seen me travel the world. Nothing feels like riding bikes fast. Now the learning really starts, Enjoy and stay safe.

Congratulations on passing Joe, was great to meet you, hopefully I’ll have my full license soon.

Good video. Thanks. Experience on the bike will teach you that sunny days are your enemy. Overcast is better for seeing clearly and hot is distracting. Hope you have years of enjoyment after this.

I spent 30 years on two wheels and loved every minute. Gravity always wins though and as I got older I decided I no longer wanted to risk injury. Now I spend money on cars. Just got a new Veloster N and am loving it. I plan to take it to some of my favorite bike roads.

Well done to you Joe on passing your full bike license. Been riding for about 50 years now and yes riding a motorcycle requires a much greater skill set than that to drive a car as you now realize. If I had to pick one thing that car driver's don't tend to worry about too much on a day to day basis is the very poor quality of the road surface which dramatically effects your safety as a motorcyclist. Always watch this, particularly gravel, especially on bends as this is lethal. Good luck and happy riding.

Best fun you can have with your trousers on lol Well done mate ride safe 👍

Congratulations. I’m also a fan of MotoGP, BSB and WSBK but never owned a motorbike. I’ve been looking into getting a bike license and live with 30m of Royston so going to give this a serious look.

Joe, Massive congratulations on passing your bike test, 7 days flat of training must have been exhausting, now the fun starts, cars are so much fun but bikes are a different level, I am 37 years in on 14 bikes with 5 years racing Enduro, it really is the best fun you can have with your clothes on 😉 Once you get a bit more experience you really should try a bit of gentle off road, your mountain bike experience will stand you in good stead, you will love it, I am 9 BMW's in and ride a Ducati Multistrada. Love your channel, great videos delivered with passion 👏 Stay safe . M.

Glad to hear you're on two wheels! There's nothing else quite like it.

Well you know what they say, 4 wheels moves the body, 2 wheels moves the soul! I've had my full bike licence since 18 and now at 33 have a trusty 1200 GSA. I think more than age its mindset to not get carried away, I've had more powerful bikes but found them harder work to go slow and not enjoying them on the road. Going to the GS it just does everything, maybe the 'M340i touring' of the car world. Look forward to hopefully more bike content soon Joe!

Bang on!!!! you will love it ;)

well done joe, to pass in 7 days is alot to take in for sure and to ride a 1250GS after passing.

Well done Joe.

1:20 - I remember my parents at 17 didn't want me to get a motorbike license, they wanted me in a car. But I went ahead and did it anyway, did pass my car test until 5 years ago! I still own and ride multiple sports bikes and I own 2 BMW cars, absolutely love cars never thought I would but motorbikes will always be my #1. The freedom, social aspect, smells, feeling the wind it's something incredible. I am with you about the blessing in disguise though, I was pretty lucky but I did have one nasty crash that was no fault of my own and it's left me with lasting injuries, I can still ride since it's been years since the crash and I still love to ride, people think I'm crazy. But yeah I was lucky at 17 owning a GSXR750 without the restrictors in doing 180mph all the time, treating the road like a track that I didn't seriously hurt myself and now I'm old enough to realise the dangers. So bleeding in disguise for sure!

Awesome news Joe! I have my bike license too and there's nothing like in-gear acceleration of bikes and riding through Twisties. Recommend a naked bike or my favourite bike was my BMW s1000Xr 2018 model, which is great for tall people, has superbike performance and can tip into corners. It's better than the second gen too which is too refined.

Congratulations on passing your test. I am now in my late 50's and like you wish I had done this sooner but probably safer in a car in my early years. I didn't drive until my late 20's but have made up for it with the miles I have done and the cars I have owned and driven. I have owned a couple of small bikes up to 125 but not done a test. I did my CBT recently and now looking to do my theory soon. I was apprehensive about bigger bikes but sat on a Bennelli 350 recently and that allayed some of my misgivings. I took my 19 year old son with me to do his CBT having never even sat on a motorbike and he also passed. I hope he doesn't get a bike for now but I hope like you it makes him a better driver as he seemed to be forgetting his basics and speeding up a bit more than he should. I have always maintained my road awareness in my cars is heightened due to my road and motocross experience. This film was so interesting and relevant to me. Thanks and ride safe.

My parents did the same to me and I stopped at a Honda MTX125 (with Italian 180 conversion on) but I got mine years later which I've never really used.

Watching Cadwell park BSB today 👍👍👍

Good luck, Joe. You'll never look back ✊🏻

Congratulations Joe..

I'm 18 and really want a bike licence but just like Joe's parents they also are saying "no it's too dangerous" mabe in another 10 years 😂

Just be careful on the road Joe. Don't forget motorcycling is just as diverse as bicycling. I don't know how it works on the UK, but off road riding with adventure bikes is fun as hell. Off road riding also helps your onroad riding. I went to Colin Edward's Texas Tornado Bootcamp a few times and it was immensely fun and made be a better overall rider.

Stay safe Joe.

Good lad. Love my cars, but there is something special about being on 2 wheels. I’ve got a 1250gsa and doing the Alps, South of France and then MotoGP at Aragon in Spain in a couple of weeks time. My advice on motorcycling is just to have the mindset that everyone is out to get you, learn to read the road, and keep it smooth. They are far less forgiving than cars, but the rewards are far bigger (I could change my mind if someone wants to donate me a Gt4RS though).

Joe I only got my full bike license 4 years ago and this year decided to do my first track day on a bike. It’s absolutely addictive, I’ve slashed 14 seconds off my best time around brands hatch in just 3 track days, I’m going to try squeezing one more in before the end of September. You will absolutely love it. Let us know when you book your first track day, brands hatch evening for £99 is all you need to start with 👍

Congrats Joe, would be good to see you test ride some bikes. Maybe consider teaming up with another experienced rider for some tours and remember to ride sensibly and safely.

Congrats Joe. Bit posher than the gs500 I passed on. Sounds intense but a well constructed course.

Well done Joe! I bumped into you at Valentia Motogp on the paddock walk, it was great to see we both admire Valentino as we peered into his garage hoping for a wave or a smile! Good luck with the bike path, merge the 44 teeth and Joe Achilles, you guys could be the alternitive Top Gear we are all looking for in the motor world at the moment! Best, John McGuinness

Brilliant video should do a bike series also

I had a gs1250a and did 30k on it commuting. Incredible machine. Not the quickest, best looking or agile machine but a genuine do it all bike and for tall lads it’s the bees knees.

Good man Joe. ..Yeah dude I want to get my ass on one of them I used to ride in my late teens and early twenty but then I crashed and never went on them ever again but for a while now I have been looking at the idea and checking up on it was looking for an old mucker just to get me used to slippery conditions and controls but here in Ireland they are very expensive the days of 300 quids are well over ...

Great Joe.i love cars but I'm not wealthy.bikes give me access to incredible performance for little financial cost.a 5k hyabusa run through the gears can't be matched by almost any car.195 bhp 250kg weight.do the maths.epic.but oversteer is to be avoided on the road!

Congrats Joe, appreciate what you said about going to be doing some track days etc but even after passing your test, now is when you really start learning so have you decided what bike you are going to buy to drive on normal roads ?? Also when you send off your license to DVLA take photocopies of all the paperwork etc as they have a tendency to lose documentation.

fantastično

The biggest thing you need to watch out for is not really your mistakes, but others !!! If you've got to remember ONLY ONE thing about riding, is watch out for idiots, before they will have seen you coming ! Anticipation is key !

Awesome!!!!!! This is a step I was hoping you were going to take. Get some AIRBAG GEAR. I started started riding 12 years ago in my 30s and have done 83k miles in that time and I cannot indorse great safety gear enough. I haven’t had any accidents but I love, love, love the confidence I get from great gear. Oh, one more thing. Just go get the bike you want, straight away. You know what power and speed is and you’re past the immaturity stage. Just go get it. I mean it. You’ll have respect for it, and you’ll walk away with a newfound pride for doing it. I started out on a brand new VFR1200F Honda, and, if I had to do it over again, would do it exactly the same. Welcome to the fray!!! Enjoy and stay safe!!!!!

Been riding for 44 years now, Spain and Portugal tour awaits next month. You will be stunned by the performance of today's superbikes. Enjoy.

Congratulations, as a biker myself, don't let your new skills go dormant, go and get some bike hires or ask your friends at BMW for a long term loan...... also passing your test is only the start of riding a bike... especially on the road....

You can’t beat the feeling and bike riders make better car drivers. I’d look at further training starting with Bike safe which is run in conjunction with the police. Good luck and enjoy

Fair play Joe! HGV license next?

Hi Joe, Did you manage to get a lift in the end after the Silverstone Moto GP? Congratulations on getting your bike licence the best thing I ever did, but I am glad I waited until I was 30 before taking my bike test.

Nice one Joe. I did my full bike licence at 40. Like you, any earlier and I may not have been around today to type you this message! What bike you thinking of getting as your first? Do you like naked or faired bikes? Adventure/Trail or Sports?

Welcome to the wonderful world of motorcycling - the most fun you can have with your clothes (appropriate gear) on!🤣

Your best vid. I did my A1 6 years ago. Bike licence training is amazing. A £19k gs adventure beats a six figure m car for experience any day. Being a biker makes you a much better car driver.

Idea for a video... call up Chris and ask to try and ride a few of his bikes to find which ones you like so you know what you will buy yourself now!

Nice one! Not really into bikes but hey :)

Some people go and do their one day cbt course and that’s it they think it’s too hard and not for them. Once you have experience and some decent control and understanding of the controls of the bike and once you get away from the 125cc bikes it becomes much easier. A 125 is like driving an 95 Vauxhall corsa. Shit brakes skinny tyres not much oomff…1000cc bikes is like a bmw m5 s class merc of a difference. The most important thing you can do as a rider is predict typical mistakes other road users make. Stay well back and when you approach a junction keep well back from the car infront. I’ve seen it a few times where drivers see the car indicate left so they just pull out because the bike was so close and hidden behind the car they were not seen and were left injured and lost their no claims bonus because of tail gaiting. Be seen use your lights and drivers in grey and black cars use your lights when it rains. It’s not because it’s dark it’s about other road users seeing you. 👍🏼

Hi Joe I have had a bike licence since I was 17 and now 59 .my last motorcycle was a fireblade the best thing for a track day is Ron hallam race school and learn how to go fast on a bike .I will put money ìt its the best fun you can have with your clothes on!!!!!!!!

Riding a bike is totally different then driving a car, be cautious and very careful, but for 75% it's other 'slow' traffic that can get you in trouble, I always drive defensive.

What bike have you got your eye on Joe?

M1000RR incoming for trackdays!

I would like to see you driving the Yamaha MT07

4 wheels is Totally different to 2 wheels. Despite the obvious. Everything is not what it seems. So be safe!

Sharing my own potential bike license story. My mom never agreed to me getting a bike license. She passed on when I was 23 and several years later I was thinking of getting my license. While I was at a traffic junction with my dad and was about to tell him, 2 bikes crashed at the junction and one of the riders went superman. A month later, same junction same accident. After a few months during Chinese New year, I noticed one of my cousins did not come and realized he just got into an accident which seriously injured his leg which he eventually amputated. Think mom was trying to keep me alive.

Hi JOE.hOW MUCH WAS IT FOR THE 7 DAY COURSE PLS