Aaron

I was looking at the Ninja250 too. Then after a couple of sessions on the 500cc for the DAS, i realised that it's really nothing to worry about. As long as you got control of that clutch you'll be fine. Bigger, heaver bike was WAY easier to ride than the 125. Then i also noticed that the insurance for the er6 (650cc) was actually the same, or cheaper, than the 250 (for me at least), so i bought an er6f. Just rode it home (at 55mph all the way :s Damned running in....) about 2 hours ago. Definately more powerful than the 500cc, but still nothing to worry about having spent some time on the 500. If you're worried about the power, being new, then maybe do the DAS and you might be surprised by the confidence you'll gain. If it comes down to cost then that might be different. But I don't think the price difference between the 250 and er6 is enormous.

Was your 'off' at the practise center due to poor choice/use of brake? Just asking because it makes me nervous when i read stories of people falling off

You have to do the DAS tests on the larger bike. Typically a 500cc. You're not allowed to ride that many HP on your own, so you then have to pay for an instructor to accompany you. If you live half an hour from the mod1 test center then thats an hours worth in travel. plus 20 minutes of test/paperwork, plus the 20 minutes at least of spare time (getting there early so you dont miss it and waste all that money). Add on a few minutes either end where you actually turn up, say hi, warm up the bike, get your gear on and set off. That's 2 hours worth of 'tuition'. In reality my travel time was nearer 40 minutes each way. I had to book a whole 4 hour session (that's the only way they came) but that meant i had enough time for about an hour of practise first. Module 2 is getting on for an hour of test time, for which you still have to pay for bike hire, accompanyment, etc. Plus the time you take to poodle over there, etc (Module 2 i could do in my home town). That's more of a rip off because you're unlikely to actually spend 4 hours on a bike, but i kinda understand it because you're still stopping someone else from booking a whole morning/afternoon session. I think it would be nice though, if after the test, you could use up the remaining time practising overtaking tractors or something you've not done much of so far. Anyhow, it's essentially the fact that you can't ride that size of bike on your own that makes it expensive.

I just passed DAS on Friday. I'd never even sat on a motorbike before, so i did a 6 session course like this: 1 - CBT 2 - 125cc 3 - 500cc 4 - 500cc 5 - Module 1 6 - Module 2 Cost was £750 (4 hour sessions, bike, damage waiver, gear, test fees) I failed Mod1 first time (£150 to try again) I failed Mod2 first time (£204 to try again) So in total i guess I spent about £1100 learning. Just spent £250 on a helmet + £170 on textile jacket/trousers. £80 on gloves. Yet to buy 'proper' boots. £411 on comprehensive insurance from Caroll Nash (I'm 29 and passed test few days ago ). So, you should be able to save some cash, having ridden before, but beware how much it *could* cost if you have to retry any tests. Being a DAS course you can't just rock up on your own bike and pay 15 quid for a quick module1 retest. I also think £204 for mod2 retest is a bit of a rip considering that, depending the time of the test, you could only be on a bike for less than 2 hours. I managed to get some overtime so i'm not sad anymore about the extra cost : ) I'll be doing the overtime with a smile, looking forward to getting out on another ride.

Failed Mod2 Examiner said it was a good run, apart from the failure: Approaching one of those traffic calming things that block off your half of the road so you have to give way. Didn't see oncoming car because of cars parked behind the sticky-out bit. As I moved into the center of the road, where i'd have just started be be able to see the oncoming car, another car started reversing off a driveway which took my attention. By the time I then noticed the oncoming car I made the decision that I was already committed and went ahead. The oncoming car, which I think was going faster than i'd estimated, had to slow down and I failed Positive side is that i'd have failed that in a car also, so there's no problem with my riding, as such. Negative side is £204 Next time i'll be extra careful when my view is restricted. Better to get a minor fault for hesitation than a serious fault for being too hasty.

Hi. Just passed Mod1 , eventually, after being postponed a few times due to the snow. I won't post the whole experience as it's much the same as everyone elses, but I thought i'd mention a couple of things: 1) 'Swerve test' - It's easy peasy and totally not dangerous at all. The amount you have to swerve is tiny and tbh, someone who can't achieve it shouldn't be thinking about riding on the road just yet anyway. I'm talking here about the general principal of the swerve. If you hit a cone or miss the speed, something it's not a big deal. Better luck next time. It seems to me that everyone who's hurt themselves has either locked the back wheel or grabbed a handful of front, mid-swerve. You get quite a long space to stop in anyway, and today a guy before me only got a minor for not stopping in the box completely (i got a minor for locking the back wheel briefly while trying to stop in the box). So chillax, stay away from the brakes during the swerve, and it'll be a breeze 2) Take your time. I failed my first Mod1 beginning of December because I rushed myself and got all nervous and flustered at being examined (it's a big deal to fail when a retest will cost £150 if you have to travel and aren't doing it on a 125). I put a foot down (quite heavily) on the slalom. My solution this time, knowing how easy the test is after already seeing it the first time, was to gently talk to myself before each maneuvre "ok, relax. Nice and casual....". It slowed me down and gave me time to think and not get flustered. The examiner isn't going to rush you. You can afford a few deep breaths before each maneuvre. Anyhow, thought to reiterate what others have said before might help someone who's a bit nervous in general, and about the dreaded 'SWERVE TEST' !!! in particular. Mod2 on Friday!

Thanks for the input : ) Now i just need to actually get a test date that doesn't get cancelled. There was me thinking that learning in winter would be quicker as everyone wants to stay in the warm :s

Ta.

Thanks guys. I changed my mind about waiting, and have managed to get hold of a bike (sign papers this weekend) and saved some cash. They'll hold onto it for me 'till i pass my test. I've got, maybe, a dumb question so I thought the newbie section is a good place to go ahead and ask I've been reading about breaking/running in a new engine. Sounds like the user manuals tend to just say stay below so many revs for so long, but lots of people are saying to put some strain on the engine. I'm guessing that means that really one should cycle between alot of throttle and closing the throttle, while still staying below the suggested rev limits? Further to that, all the articles say to use non-synthetic oil during the break-in period. Is it typical for new bikes to contain mineral based oil to start with? or should i change it to be sure? Figured i'd ask the dumb questions here rather that at the dealership in order to minimise my vulnerability to being ripped off as much as possible : ) Cheers.