Tiesto
Member
Registered: 6th Jun 02
Location: Hinckley, Leicestershire
User status: Offline
|
Right phoned up today to book the DAS course (finally got the money together) and was told it would be better for me to ride about on a 125cc for a few months first then go for a DAS once ive gained road experience.
Did my CBT about a month ago. And been driving for 4 years.
Anyone who rides bikes would you recommend this route or go straight into the DAS as he seemed to say the 500cc bikes would be too much for a beginner like myself 
Seems to make sense but dont want to get a 125cc if i can help it...
|
Dean_W
Member
Registered: 13th Dec 05
Location: Downham Market, Norfolk
User status: Offline
|
If your confident then go for it. All you'll have to get used to is the power and handling of the bike really. Plus looking out for silly car drivers.
|
Toph
Member
Registered: 19th Nov 00
Location: Merseyside
User status: Offline
|
if the instructor is any good he/she should be able to get you competent on any size/power bike. it does make more sense to just use your CBT that you already have and buy a cheapo 125 and learn the road as a rider rather than a driver. but if you book a direct access course you should get a discount, but its not cheap as they will make you do around 7 x3 hour lessons plus your test (maybe wrong on the total hours) i did a bit on a 125, did 3 lessons and my test plus i carried over the insurance on to my proper bike now which also helps. andi sold the 125 and got my money back.
|
Planty02
Member
Registered: 5th Mar 05
Location: Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent
User status: Offline
|
quote:
Originally posted by Toph
if the instructor is any good he/she should be able to get you competent on any size/power bike. it does make more sense to just use your CBT that you already have and buy a cheapo 125 and learn the road as a rider rather than a driver. but if you book a direct access course you should get a discount, but its not cheap as they will make you do around 7 x3 hour lessons plus your test (maybe wrong on the total hours) i did a bit on a 125, did 3 lessons and my test plus i carried over the insurance on to my proper bike now which also helps. andi sold the 125 and got my money back.
Most direct access courses ive seen have been 4-5 days, so basically a whole week rather then x amount of lessons.
Ive heard somewhere that bike tests are being changed in October and will rocket in price so if you intend to do direct access I sugest trying to find more info on the proposed changes asap.
From a financial point of veiw you might not have time to fanny about on a 125 for a few months
|
Tiesto
Member
Registered: 6th Jun 02
Location: Hinckley, Leicestershire
User status: Offline
|
I was told it would be same price, but it would be harder to get a test booked as can only use one test centre per region where you have to do manouvers off road. e.g. emergency stop, u-turn etc etc.
|
Toph
Member
Registered: 19th Nov 00
Location: Merseyside
User status: Offline
|
why would you do part of the test off the road?
i did my uturn and emergency stop in a side street as part of the test. only time i did any thing off raod was in the carpark of the test centre where they ask you to beep the horn and show them how to check the oil.
you could also just book your own test and tell the instuctor that you have a test date and need to get to scratch in "X"ammount of time. was about 5 weeks wait for mine. instuctors book the dates in advance even without knowning who is going to be on the test until closer to the date.
|
Tiesto
Member
Registered: 6th Jun 02
Location: Hinckley, Leicestershire
User status: Offline
|
The new test event will contain two elements. The higher speed exercises and other exercises will be tested on safe off-road sites and take about 10 minutes to complete. The accompanied on road element of the test will follow, consisting of a road ride covering a variety of road and traffic conditions and will also include normal stops, hill and angle starts. Candidates who have demonstrated riding skills of a dangerously incompetent level during the off-road part of the test will not be permitted to proceed to the on-road element
These new standards include:
- at least two exercises carried out at slow speed, including a slalom
- at least two exercises carried out at higher speed, of which one exercise should be in second or third gear, at a speed of at least 30 kph (approx. 19 mph) and one exercise avoiding an obstacle at a minimum speed of 50 kph (approx. 32 mph)
- at least two braking exercises, including an emergency brake at a minimum speed of 50 kph (approx. 32 mph)
http://www.dsa.gov.uk/Category.asp?cat=405
Great 
|
Daimo B
Member
Registered: 20th Mar 00
User status: Offline
|
DO your DAS, and do it now (before oct).
Cost will go from around £600 - £1000, and out of 200 test centers only 60 will remain open.
Trying to get the missis to book hers before as well.
Get a full license, then if your sensible and not a gonad, you can buy a bike which isn't a SS600+ and kill yourself.
Just becuase you have a car license, doesn't mean you go out and buy a 500bhp ferrari as a first car............
|
Daimo B
Member
Registered: 20th Mar 00
User status: Offline
|
As for the test itself getting harder, im ALL for that as theres too many unskilled muppets on the road giving bikers a bad name with their tracksuits and t-shirts and wheelies in pedestrian zones......
Will make people think more about if they REALLY want a bike license.
|
Graham88
Member
Registered: 16th Apr 07
Location: South East Kent Drives: E46 M3
User status: Offline
|
The DAS course should teach you everything you need to know to pass, once you've got that you can gain the experience.
Definetly need to do it asap if people want to get it done.
Plenty of people go into it with no experience of bikes.
Monday: CBT
Tuesday: Riding a 125cc around
Wednesday: Riding a 125cc around
Thursday: Riding a 500cc around
Friday: Riding a 500 around until your test time
That's the great thing about it, is you're done within a week. Mine was 4 days as I already had my CBT and I was on a 125 for all the days as I was only 17 though.
|
Tiesto
Member
Registered: 6th Jun 02
Location: Hinckley, Leicestershire
User status: Offline
|
quote:
Originally posted by VXR
Just becuase you have a car license, doesn't mean you go out and buy a 500bhp ferrari as a first car............
Not that fucking naive 
|
K17STY
Member
Registered: 13th Dec 02
Location: West Lothian
User status: Offline
|
well really you could just because it goes fast doesnt mean you need to!
|
Marshall
Member
Registered: 10th Nov 05
Location: Boston, Lincs Drives: 1.4 Sport & 2.2 astra
User status: Offline
|
I have no bike experience whatsoever, could i go straight into a direct access course? Do i need my own leathers, helmet e.t.c
Im not really fussed about getting a bike straight away, but have a bit of free time this summer and would like to get it done before the changes in october (£).
is there a website for booking/more info?
|
Marshall
Member
Registered: 10th Nov 05
Location: Boston, Lincs Drives: 1.4 Sport & 2.2 astra
User status: Offline
|
just read that i need a theory test first. is this the same as a car one with hazard perception e.t.c just based on bikes insted?
[Edited on 27-06-2008 by Marshall]
|
Bram
Member
Registered: 25th Mar 02
Location: Derby
User status: Offline
|
I pick up my 125 next week, want to get a good 6 weeks riding in before booking a couple of lessons and doing my test.
Tiesto, did you do your CBT on a scooter or something from the centre?
|
Warren G
Member
Registered: 14th May 06
Location: Kent
User status: Offline
|
i need a faster bike, 400 is just too slow
i done a 3 day course, costing £350
done it on a 125 as i was only 17, direct access a1 or something i think
so 2 years after i past my test after being restricted to 33bhp, i can now ride anything
|
Tiesto
Member
Registered: 6th Jun 02
Location: Hinckley, Leicestershire
User status: Offline
|
quote:
Originally posted by Bram
I pick up my 125 next week, want to get a good 6 weeks riding in before booking a couple of lessons and doing my test.
Tiesto, did you do your CBT on a scooter or something from the centre?
Did CBT on a 125 Bike provided by the test centre, was a Yamaha not sure on model.
[Edited on 27-06-2008 by Tiesto]
|
Bram
Member
Registered: 25th Mar 02
Location: Derby
User status: Offline
|
Had you ridden bikes before? I've only been out on field bikes, never ridden on the road before
|
Tiesto
Member
Registered: 6th Jun 02
Location: Hinckley, Leicestershire
User status: Offline
|
quote:
Originally posted by Bram
Had you ridden bikes before? I've only been out on field bikes, never ridden on the road before
Nope never ridden before nor have a clue about much on bikes. Basic knowledge on gears and thats it.
Would recommend it though just to give it a try.
|
Andy_S
Member
Registered: 24th Mar 02
Location: Manchester
User status: Offline
|
I had never rode before, complete learner. took lessons on a 125, then moved up to a 500 and passed my DAS. First bike I bought was an R6, my instructor told me I'd be fine on it, and I was. If you take it easy and just give yourself time and not try to hit 160 straight away you'll be fine. The R6 lasted about 6 months, till I wanted to go faster! If your love is superbikes, then if you get a 250 or 400, you will want to upgrade within 4 months! not worth it, buy a 600 trust me!
|
