Motorbike in HK

Kennedy:


I presume you already know how to ride a bike...


With reference to your queries:


1. visit the motor vehicles department and enquire about the motorcycling licence before you sign up for lessons or anything like that. they have a very detailed website and they'll have the addresses of their offices nearest to your location.


2. if this is going to be the first bike you'll own, i'd reccommend that you settle for something in the 150cc to 250cc range. sellenger's given you good advice - don't buy a sports model for starters. they're usually quite uncomfortable and a bit of a pain to handle unless you've got a fair bit of experience. i'd say start with a smallish cruiser and work your way up. avoid spending above HKD 20,000 for your first bike in this size range.


3. you'll need to rent parking space if you live in the more crowded urban areas on the island. if you're in the new territories or in the less crowded parts of kowloon you should be able to find a space on the street.


best of luck and ride safe.

FYI, the ONLY place I have found in HK that will teach you and get you your motorbike licence is the HKSM. I eventually had to phone them up to get any real kind of info and the entire process does take a long time.


Total cost with them is about HK$8520 which includes all the variosu fees, licences and test forms and who knows what.


If you want to try to phone, ask for Fanny Wong at 2118-5501. She speaks enough English to be understood I think!


But understand that this will take several months - possibly 6 or more!


I want to do it myself too, but wife about to drop no. 2, so have to put it on hold for the moment!!

Just so you know, the HKSM wont tell you that the whole course is NOT mandatory. The first sections is to enable you to get your learners but the additioanl 20 hours or so is not and you can (if you know how to ride and are a compitent rider) just book your own exam. Now unless you are a good rider i wouldnt do this as they exam is tricky plus the 20 hours or so is good experience. Just to let you know.


I dont agree with the 250cc limit. My wife did her licence and her first bick wass 883cc which she handled with ease. I think it depends on your size also and for me i prefer a little more power as it makes getting out of tight situations easier. Of course you dont want to get on a monster but you could easily go to a 400cc or even a 750cc. Dont be confused by the numbers as a slightly bigger bike with a little more weight may ride better than a light machine. You ride the bike, it does not ride you so if you are on a 750 you dont have to open the throttle and race it but you have the power when and if needed. I also think that you would get bored in a short time on a smaller bike and upgrate so why not start with somehting you can keep for a longer time.


Check out www.bike.com.hk and www.ibike.com.hk


Best of luck.