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FAQ: Riding a Motorcycle in Hong Kong *READ THIS FIRST*

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  1. #371

    Join Date
    Aug 2020
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    Thanks for the reply. Lazy me was hoping there may be a shop which would take used tires.


  2. #372

    Join Date
    Jul 2016
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    241

    Thanks for all the people contributing to this thread, lots of useful info here.

    I've just passed the test for the Learner license. I wonder what is the most effective way to get prepared and upgrade it to P?
    HKSM charges non-Cantonese speakers 6.8k HKD to prepare for the 2nd part on top of 3k for the 1st part, and the exam date is 8+months. I find that's too much for what would be given, and I don't want to encourage their language-discriminatory fees by paying them.

    As I understand, alternative is possible: get own bike, use L plates, do few private classes, and book the exam for the 2nd part myself. Has anybody tried this route?
    Maybe there are some references on who can help with private classes? HKSM is not doing that as far as I've understood.


  3. #373

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    I'm afraid booking the exam by yourself will give you an even later date. You pay they price for their connections to get a good appointment


  4. #374

    You don't have to take the classes, you can ride with an L license directly -- however the 8+ months of wait are kind of standard during these Covid times, HKSM or not. Lots of deliveries involve higher demand for motorcycle (understand: scooter) licenses.


  5. #375

    Bike for the test

    Great thread @Akael! Glad to see it's still going after many years!

    There seems to be a lot of confusion about which bike you can or can't use for the test (part C). Of course it has to be at least 125cc, in good condition, etc... However some say you can't use anything above 200cc.

    I just bought a Honda FTR223 to practice and go around with my L plate. Still don't know if I can use it for the test. If anyone has the answer, that would be great!


  6. #376

    Join Date
    Jul 2016
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    241

    May I add few data points for those browsing this thread.
    Driving schools.
    For English speakers currently there are only 2 options: HKSM, and maybe Lee Kin(I didn't ask them).
    Learning motorcycle.
    If you're onto scooters only, you can do all learning and exams on them. I've opted for motorcycle, since not sure if scooter license can be added to International Driving Permit.
    You can select 2 types of courses:
    1) Mandatory only. Its cost seems fixed, not depending on Language or school. Would be ~3200 HKD in any school. You have to book in school directly, cannot be booked in sales offices through the city.
    After passing part B You can get Learner license, buy and ride bike on L plates, and do part C exam on it.
    You can schedule part C exam yourself via Transport Department. If you're on HK Island, it means you'll have your exam in Causeway Bay (So Kon Po driving test centre).
    Scheduling via TD will give you 2-3 months faster exam date, since HKSM is quite fully packed.
    2) "All included". Part B + part C. Costs ~10-11k HKD in HKSM.
    If you've signed up in HKSM, you'll be doing both part B and part C in Ap Lei Chau.
    It's also possible to continue preparing for part C in Lee Kin school, even if you did part B in HKSM.
    Additional classes.
    I personally opted for 4 additional self-practice hours in HKSM (+1400 HKD), and that really helped to prepare for part B properly.
    In HKSM self-practice for part B you'll have to share space with 5-8 other riders, depending on your luck. It means that you'll be queueing up and having only 1 person practicing at a time. So you're paying for 1h and going to spend 40-50 minutes seeing others doing their exercise.
    Lee Kin has some options to prepare for part C. You also can have a look at advertising near So Kon Po driving test centre.
    For part C I've purchased my own bike, since I believe I'm a slow learner and otherwise would spend a fortune on additional classes, and not guaranteed to have same bike for the exam.
    Gear.
    For getting helmet in HK you can explore Motomart (seems they have everything except for Zeus brand), and whatever comes in "motorcycle shops" on google maps.
    For other gear, consider Amazon and Taobao. If using Taobao, pay attention that motorcycle jackets there would have chinese sizes. E.g. chinese "XL" is european "L". I got my scoyco chinese "XL" jacket there, and very happy with it.
    Insurance and other expenses.
    If you're getting bike on L plates, insurance costs quite a lot. You'll have to commit to 1-year insurance. "Sabrina" mentioned in this thread quoted 4.8k, and "Racing Max in Sham Shui Po" (258 ap liu street, tel. 2388 3848) costed 3.9k.
    It's not possible to have shorter insurance, or get any partial refunds, or upgrade it to "P" later.
    You might also need to renew Vehicle Licence while owning the bike. Its annual cost is 1314 HKD for motorcycles and seems can be done online with "iamSmart" app.
    What is the fastest way?
    I believe the fastest way is: book only part B with either HKSM or Lee Kin (see where it's faster). And then self-book part C with TD.
    Practice/learn at Lee Kin or other instructors if you don't want to get your own bike.

    chuckster007 and HKRider like this.

  7. #377

    Question

    Quote Originally Posted by GotIt:
    For part C I've purchased my own bike, since I believe I'm a slow learner and otherwise would spend a fortune on additional classes, and not guaranteed to have same bike for the exam.
    Thanks. What bike did you get?

  8. #378

    Join Date
    Jul 2016
    Posts
    241
    Quote Originally Posted by DonkeyFarm:
    Thanks. What bike did you get?
    Honda MSX125 aka Honda Grom. I believe it's quite popular with learners. Said to be "forgiving" bike, just 125cc.

  9. #379
    Quote Originally Posted by GotIt:
    Honda MSX125 aka Honda Grom. I believe it's quite popular with learners. Said to be "forgiving" bike, just 125cc.
    Yes, very popular! I have seen a lot of MSX125 with L plates. A fun bike too! But too small for me. Do you know if using a bike over 200CC is allowed for the test?

  10. #380

    Join Date
    Sep 2013
    Posts
    118
    Quote Originally Posted by DonkeyFarm:
    Great thread @Akael! Glad to see it's still going after many years!

    There seems to be a lot of confusion about which bike you can or can't use for the test (part C). Of course it has to be at least 125cc, in good condition, etc... However some say you can't use anything above 200cc.

    I just bought a Honda FTR223 to practice and go around with my L plate. Still don't know if I can use it for the test. If anyone has the answer, that would be great!

    Those FTR223s are nice. Where did you buy it? how much?
    I've had a bike license for a few years but I've been afraid to pull the trigger. The roads here are so confusing!

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