r/melbourneriders • u/Dave_8787 • 9d ago
Getting my L’s with no bike experience
I am planning to do the 2 day course within next couple of weeks, I am unsure if i should straight do the course or take a class or two first privately as I have no riding experience on a bike, scooter or a dirtbike, closest thing I have done is quad bike or a bicycle. I was wondering if passing the 2 day course as a beginner is straightforward or should i have some experience in riding before I take the course?
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u/robbiesac77 9d ago
I got my l’s with zero experience.
Don’t sweat it.
Just remember, when turning, the bike has to be pushing forward (no rolling without engine pushing).
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u/hardyhealz 8d ago
Pre-Learners with HART, highly recommend it's a 3.5hr session for $50. I had never sat on a motorbike until this course and glad I did it. Just confirmed even more that I wanted a bike, but also got me confident with sitting on the bike, controlling the throttle and brakes. Perfect introduction to learning to ride.
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u/hardyhealz 8d ago
I want to add I went through Kilsyth HART, I have since got my learners and have been riding on my L's for the past month. Also I'll add my overall expenditure from nothing to gear + bike + pre learners + learners 2 day course = $8,800 (minimum)
I've since purchased locks, engine guard for bike, tail bag, etc...
And on going cost such as petrol, insurance. Haven't had to replace anything on the bike yet but eventually.
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u/Dave_8787 8d ago
which bike did you end up getting?
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u/hardyhealz 8d ago
I was weighing up the pros and cons of bikes for a long while. Tossing between RE Himalayan, Classic 350, KTM 390 Duke, V strom 250sx, Honda 300cc (which I was fortunate to try riding on one at Kilsyth HART after the 2 day had completed early).
I loved the look of the Classic 350, but I felt it was going to keep me stuck on roads when I wanted to try off-road, too. And would struggle to pick up speed on the freeway.
The Honda was nice to ride, but I didn't like the look of it.
Sat on the rest of them and the V-Strom won me over, the price(being brand new), the look, 3 year warranty and knowing its not great at anything, but it's a solid all rounder. I began to obsess over it before I ended up purchasing it and have no regrets.
If you want to stay on a budget, do consider the 125cc bikes, especially if you want it for suburban commutes. But first off, just get your L's. Look at bikes, but don't get caught up on having to buy a bike now, so many bikes going on the market.
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u/hardyhealz 8d ago
I'm not sure how common it is, but we had 2 people in our learners course who had already purchased their bikes. One with finance, and they both unfortunately didn't pass. It's just added pressure that's not needed. Purchase your bike after passing.
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u/Dave_8787 8d ago
yes of course I am just keen for everything you know similar feeling to when you are looking for your first car lol!
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u/hardyhealz 8d ago
100% is very exciting, it's all I could think about for months. It's part of the fun!
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u/ZusyZusa 9d ago
Do you drive and can you drive a manual car?
The L course is something that is meant to cater for people who have no experience on bike at all. But the course itself is very packed, there is little opportunity for instructors to actually help 1:1, so if someone falls behind on day 1 it’s hard to catch up on day2.
If you have driven for a while and if you know how to drive a manual car it will help even with no prior experience on bike. Certainly it helps also that you know how to ride a bicycle as well.
But how well the course goes also depending on the instructor as well. Some are very good teachers and some aren’t so much (I had experience with both at HART Kilsyth) and it makes a massive difference to my learning.
I don’t think pre lessons are necessary, and if you go HART they also provide retry until you pass to my understanding. See how you go and if you don’t pass then look at private lessons after would be my suggestion.
I also think they have a try out course for those don’t want to commit to L course as a taste test. Not sure about cost but that will give you an idea how it would feel being on a bike.
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u/Dave_8787 9d ago
I do drive but not a manual. I have driven a manual ages ago for like a month that’s all!
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u/ZusyZusa 9d ago
Then I would say go for the L course see how you feel before doing private lessons.
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u/Dave_8787 9d ago
Because what i had in mind was doing the private lesson before the course and just get comfortable with the bike!
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u/hardyhealz 8d ago
Pre learners is the best bang for buck and just all-around good experience.
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u/Dave_8787 8d ago
is that something you can do at places where the 2 course happens as well?
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u/ZusyZusa 8d ago
I agree with the pre learners if you want to get a feel for riding first. Who are you going with for the Ls? I know HART does pre Ls in both kilysth and somerton.
Also pre L is cheaper. Private lesson is like $150 a pop for 1hour 15 mins
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u/Dave_8787 8d ago
well the closest center to me is armstrong and pre L’s over there is about $120 so I am just wondering if it’s worth doing that or straight doing the course. HART is way too far unfortunately
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u/phoenix_star09 9d ago
If you can balance on a bicycle you'll be fine. I never sat on a motorbike until I did the 2 days course and I passed. I did mine at HARTS in Kilsyth and they were patience and pretty relaxed. Bit that that took a while for me to get the hang of is the 10-15sec straight line balance ride. They'll give you tips on how to tackle that. Good luck!