Woodman

Straight to DAS isn't for everyone. Many ride a 125 for a while and when they have mastered that they do the course.I messed about on 125s for years before deciding to do my test.When you are comfortable with a 125 jumping on a 650 doesn't really feel that different. Well unless you crack open the throttle and rev it high.But you wont be doing that on the course

I dunno, in the old days I just bought a bike off a mate, took it somewhere quiet and practiced changing gears and using the brakes. Hour or so later I went out into the world

When I worked hard ,paid cash , had no mortage or loans I couldn't even get a HMV card lol I couldn't get a bank account even when I tried to change banks. But bike shops seem to give finance to anyone

Am assuming whoever runs things down there is stupid! But it is a pain in the arse and one reason I dont go down that often tbh! From Matlock Bath you can go as fast as you like till the cameras just before you go up towards the cat and fiddle. Don't think there are any cameras between. Being as I'm a crap rider I don't really go faster than 50 up that last bit anyway lol Anyway, if anyone wants to do it again I'd be up for it.

I'd wait because its an expensive do and theres no need to pay out twice when you are so close to been able to do the A1. You may keep the 500 for a few years but eventually you'll want to get the unrestricted licence and that will mean going through it all again. I've had a 600 3 months and I'm already thinking about getting a 1000cc.Not really because its not fast but I just want lazy low down power.

Glad it's a bit more costly.. Makes people do proper training and learn the skills needed to control these bikes. Last thing i'd want is to see a 17 year old get himself an R1 and 5 minutes later crash it.. that's a nice bike what a waste. You have a point but I rode 125s for 8 years on and off before passing.In the old days people tended to stay on 125s longer beause they were more fun back then. You can do DAS and show an examiner you can ride nicely round the streets but having only 3 or 4 days experience on a bike and then you can still be let loose on that R1 having never been over 60mph on a bike.

When I was younger I used to jump on friends big bikes and give them some stick. I think once you've nailed riding a 125 you can jump on a 600 and nothing much will change apart from more weight,better brakes and not giving it as much throttle when setting off. But you'll need to spend a bit of time on the bike to get used to it.Because mod 1 on a bigger bike is going to feel a bit different. So really you need to go to a training school to book a 2 or 3 day course which includes practice sessions and the 2 tests. Sucks that it's expensive these days cos when I passed I just did it on a 125 and that got you a full licence.

Try and chill out more. I remember when I was learning on a dirt track and kept missing gears and stalling when I set off. Not everyone picks it up in a few hours but eventually you'll get it.

It feels like an achievement now. Years back I did my part one and it was a lot easier but never got round to the part two where the examiner just passed you regardless I passed a few years ago and I was swatting for the theory which I'd never had to do before, spent 8 hours bored on the cbt and then wobbled my way round some cones in a far tougher part one than I remembered.And to finish it off I did my part two followed by two examiners in a car. There's a lot of money riding on it these days too,which adds pressure. So yeah congratulations to anyone who has recently passed.

Was a while ago but I think I was more worried about the theory than the other tests I spent weeks with apps and videos so I didn't cock it up. I think its because its the first step and you just want to get it over with but really its probably easier than you think it is.

I wasn't sure of a few things but most of that was cos I was over analysing stuff. But its better to ask these things and be as prepared as you can. To be honest I just rode in a safe but maybe not textbook manner and passed first time. Its normal to think things like signal,check? or check,signal? and try and ride like a robot but from my experience if you show you are aware and doing obs then they will see you as a safe rider and pass you. Just do what you think you need to do.Don't try and do fake obs because you think its needed. When I set off from lights I just did a quick left right shoulder and set off.Dont sit there ages doing mirror mirror shoulder shoulder I always indicated to show my intention and then a quick shoulder check.No need to shoulder check indicate shoulder check again.Maybe check mirror first. I cant tell you the correct textbook way to do things,just that the way I did things worked for me.

I kept telling myself about distance and indicators as they were the two main things I kept forgetting. Just try and ride as you think you should,instead of getting too hung up on robotic gestures. The examiner should appreciate a natural and safe ride more than a "must do this because its what the instructor wants" ride. If you need to do it,do it and if you don't,don't. Worked for me anyhow.

Mod 2 is easier. I had a 3 hour lesson before mod 2 and I was getting too close to cars in front,road positioning was so so and the instructor seemed to correct me quite often. But on the test the only mistakes I made were getting up a cars arse once at a junction and kept out of a lane I could have gone in. I found it less stressful than the lesson. Try and get some more training in if possible and try and chill out on the test and remember you can always take it again.

I think you're not reading this right (first of all there's no reference on UK citizenship) https://www.gov.uk/driving-nongb-licenc ... nomic-area Yeah I think I put any other country and didn't see the eu country option. So really you could actually do the test in spain etc if you were fluent in the language? Probably easier to do the test here than learn a new language

https://www.gov.uk/driving-nongb-licence https://www.gov.uk/driving-nongb-licenc ... er-country From what I can see even as a uk citizen you will have to pass the GB tests to continue driving /riding in the uk on a non GB licence after 12 months.

If it could save you money then it wouldn't be a bad idea. Yes the UK test is probably tougher but tbh the uk one isn't that hard or I wouldn't have passed But I'm almost sure you can only drive/ride on a foreign licence for 12 months.Then you would have to apply for a provisional and take the uk test.

Similar to what I did except I got the full licence from taking the test on a 125. I did 3 hours training, I didn't do any mod1 stuff at all but the mod 2 training really helped. As you say mod 1 is tricky if you don't know what to expect.I'd never seen the course and I didn't get to speed on the first run of each manoeuvre.Just about scraped through in the end. Pressure was on for me too because I only had time for one mod 2 before the law regarding passing on a 125 changed. Congratulations anyhow.Its worth it for no more CBT's and to get rid of the L plates. At least you'll know what to expect the next time.People say its not worth doing the A1 but imo its good experience and as you've passed there is no reason you cant pass on a bigger bike.

Doing the A1 is good experience and great if you pass first time.Or at least the mod2 first time, you can afford a mod1 slip up. Otherwise it will cost you more than the cbt. Tbh the mod 2 is easier than mod 1 imo.Mod 1 you really do need a practice session which you wont get going it alone. I passed by the skin of my teeth first time with no practice.Nerves and unfamiliarity didn't help and I had to do the swerve and emergency stop twice. Its worth a go and at least when you do the A2 you'll feel more comfortable because you know what to expect.

I got the app on my phone and just kept doing the questions till I was getting 48 and 49 regularly. I got the hazard perception dvd off amazon and just did practiced that a lot.There were a few online ones too that helped. Don't over think the hazards.I thought you had to press for every little thing but really they are obvious ones and you only need to press a few times per clip.

I had a 125 for 12 months before I put in for my test.I only did it because my girlfriend put in for hers or I'd have tootled round on the 125 until my cbt was ready for expiring. It depends how desperate you are for a big bike. Personally I enjoyed my 125.I kept it about 8 months after passing my test before buying a bigger bike. If you can get a cheapish one that you wont lose too much on it wouldn't be a bad thing to buy one.

The guy I had looked really stern and he came in with a lad who had just failed. I passed and tbh he was business like but not as grumpy as he first looked. This wasn't St Helens btw but just to say that don't get worried if the instructor looks like Bronson from Grange Hill

I love mine. Got renthal bars on mine which imo make the bike even better.Its light for a 600 and handles like a dream. Looks much nicer in the flesh than in photo's Bit snatchy at low speeds but you get used to it. It pulls well low down and goes as fast as I need a bike to go.Its not as harsh as some bikes I've rode which don't pull as well from 4k but then go stupid at 9k but its still got a good kick. They seem to be overlooked but for 2k give or take a few hundred they are good value for money and are of excellent build quality.

When you do it, its pretty obvious. You can press the odd time just to make sure but don't go mad

Can you get tyres that last 8k

Once the weather starts improving and you are out and about more often it will become second nature to you. This isn't the best time of the year to be a biker. Nothing beats going on a long ride when the weather is nice.I often go to the coast which is about 80 miles on nice twisty roads. Did it a couple of times on the 125 and those miles help you become a better rider.