KnightRyder

It’s a mixed bag of opinions, I’ve been toing and froing between the 2, I definately will not be getting a bike to ride as fast as the speed of sound, just for fun at weekends etc, I have no desire to be the next Rossi. I just want to be the best prepared and skilled rider I can be. Was just going to book a CBT this week and buy a cheap 125 until next spring and then do the DAS, then I thought just do both next spring and save for an SV650

Thanks for your replies, still mulling it over. I don’t know what the standard way, if there is one, is to learn.

Just to put the other point of view, getting a few months experience on the road before MODS 1 & 2 isn't nesessarily a bad idea....it allows you to develop the muscle memory you need to ride any machine and you're learning to read the road, gaining confidence and experience. It will also give you a chance to experience things like ride planning in a less pressurised environment, if that makes sense. When you've got people who've obviously been down the DAS route wondering whether to buy the XYZ 1000 or the ABS 900 but.......they can't change gear without having to think about it? And if they can't change gear without having to think about it, are they really ready for the outside lane of a busy motorway during the rush hour, or a fast A road with a series of tightening bends in quick succession? Don't think so.

And it's not just gear changing. Throttle, brakes, lifesavers, stopping, starting - all should be instinctive. You should be able to do this stuff without thinking about it. If you are still having to think about it, then I would venture to suggest that having in excess of 100 Bhp between your knees while you're thinking probably isn't a great idea. I know some people will vehemently disagree with this somewhat conservative philosophy, but over the years, I have seen:

1. A person on a Monster "threepenny-bitting" round bends (for those of you born after 1971, think 50 or 20 pee-ing it round bends.). During the pre-ride walk round, I had had a look at the chicken strips on the rear tyre. There were none - it had been run right up to thd edge so I assumed (yes, I know!) that the rider knew how to take a bend. Turned out the rider had just bought it 2nd hand but was unsure as to " how far you could lean it over". They were scared of it.

2. Someone who was riding, IIRC, a Hornet. They had developed a habit of starting off, running up the box and leaving it in top as long as possible. Riding it like a giant automatic scooter - except it wasn't, snd the bike didn't like it.

So what I'm saying is that sometimes, it can be good to progress up the horsepower path in a natural, progressive and developmental way rather than going big and complex as fast as possible - 'cos most people can't cope with it.

Just my 2p worth.

S23

I’m a bit older and wiser to jump straight onto a 1000cc bike, I’d probably buy an SV650 and have it a while before considering buying another bike at whatever power. Thanks for your 2p

The choice in your title is not mutually exclusive. You HAVE to do the CBT before any further training. Once you have done the CBT you can ride a 125cc bike with L-Plates for up to two years before retaking the CBT, no M-ways and no pillions. Depending on your age most people over 24 years of age tend to do the DAS, if they can afford it, as it allows you to go directly to a larger engined bike, which most find more satisfying and often easier to ride.

Finding a good instructor is a good idea.

Thanks for the comment, yeah I know CBT is compulsory no matter which route anyone goes down but it’s regarding doing CBT and then learning on a 125 for a while then taking DAS or CBT then straight to DAS, I wasn’t sure if learning on a 125 for a while is more beneficial or just wasting money.

Thanks for the comment, yeah I know CBT is compulsory no matter which route anyone goes down but it’s regarding doing CBT and then learning on a 125 for a while then taking DAS or CBT then straight to DAS, I wasn’t sure if learning on a 125 for a while is more beneficial or just wasting money.

Does doing a CBT then learning on a 125cc bike for a few months prepare me better to pass DAS and overall become a better more skilled rider or does it not make any difference to doing CBT then straight to DAS? I don’t wanna rush just to pass, but not sure if buying a 125cc tax insurance etc will be wasted money when it might not make a difference. Any thoughts on this would be appreciated?

Btw, forgot to mention last year I had some taster sessions on a 125cc with a riding instructor, 1st lesson I wheelied the bike and fell off on a grass verge, luckily but the bike landed on my leg and the instructor laughed, I had a couple more taster sessions but I didn’t get the impression the instructor was too bothered about being there, never seemed to learn anything really and I think he got me riding the bike too quick to figure out where things were on the bike. So I stopped and not bothered since as my other local riding centre closed down, recently found a new riding centre and looking to book my CBT, I’m a complete noob to riding but wanted to do this for years and never been put off doing it, only money and finding a good riding instructor close by has stopped me.

I know this is an old post but just read it and was wondering what ever happened? As I’m having the same predicament, can’t decide if I should buy and old YBR125 and learn the basics, after CBT or go straight into DAS?