Help needed !

[JaseW]

I've done a fair bit of research on various forums and alot of people say that riding bigger engined bikes are more steady on the road than 125s . I was going to do my CBT and ride a 125 for a while then do my DAS. I'm unsure what to do now . I'm not the smallest guy in the world and am thinking I should do my das as the bigger bike would be better for me. Although i have no biking experience at all.

What's your opinions?

Can anyone recommend a training company in Peterborough - I've looked at a few - prices seem to vary and to whats included.

Thanks

Jase

[Korben]

A bigger engined bike is more stable mate...

I was like you when I first started. I had never ridden a bike. Did my CBT on a Saturday and started my DAS training the very next day. Passed my full bike test by mid afternoon that Wednesday. Riding the bigger bike was sooooooo much easier.

Not sure about a bike school in your part of the country. Someone from your neck of the woods will be along soon to give you recommendations hopefully.

[sam64]

hi yes they do say bigger bikes are more stable. Got myself a large 125 honda varadero as iam 6ft 15 st going to ride this untill more conferdent then take das. Its whatever you feel it ease with.

[Guest]

I did my cbt on a scooter ... omg that was the most unstable thing ever!! Having a bigger bike, with wider tyres makes it a lot more stable

[oldgreg01]

You need to do the CBT on a 125 anyways. Why not do that and see how you get on. You might breeze it and want to go straight in for the DAS or you might prefer to get some more 125 experience first.

Also, not sure if all training schools do it but at the one I went to, if you went for the DAS but couldn't manage a bigger bike they kept you on a 125 and you did the restricted test instead.

[chiz]

I found the bigger bike a lot easier than the 125, the extra poke is a real advantage on mod 1 too.

It's good for your self esteem as well, when I did my first couple of lessons on the SR125 I felt like a learner, getting out on the CB500 made me feel more like a biker.

No disrespect to the 125ists out there.

[JaseW]

I've booked my CBT as I was advised to try that first by the learning centre then move on to my DAS. If i like it !

Can't wait - my first time on a bike !!!!

Thanks for your input .

Jase

[Guest]

Good luck, keep us informed!

[Guest]

I've done a fair bit of research on various forums and alot of people say that riding bigger engined bikes are more steady on the road than 125s

 

Most definately you will feel more stable on a bigger bike. The only problem I can see with graduating from a 125 straight to a bigger bike would be the big weight difference.

I rode a 125 on L plates for six months and took my test on it. I have graduated up slowly onto a 250 and now a 650. Many people seem to prefer to go the DAS route and move straight up to a bigger bike. If you are a bigger build you might be better going the DAS route.

[JaseW]

Passed my cbt !

Instructor talked me out of doing my DAS.

I ended up on a twist and go scooter - its all in the my cbt experience thread.

So the plans have changed - I'm now going to use the money I've saved to buy a 125 to gain experience on and figure out the gears.

Then do my test later.

thanks for your input folks.

[JaseW]

I've had a think about this again - I'm going to do my test .

I looked at a 125 it's too small for me.

Jase

[chiz]

Good man, you know it's the right thing to do.

[2fast2soon]

Just out of interest, what was the instructors argument against the DAS?

I did the DAS immediately and am thankful I don't have to ride a 125. CBT plus two days DAS on them made me realise how... hmmm, how do I elegantly put this... it made me realise how sh*t 125s are.

[JaseW]

I was having trouble with the gears . I don't think we had time to go through it.

He said i'd be better to build up experience. Just his opinion i suppose.

It threw me a little.

But having thought about it - i need a larger bike.

Jase

[chiz]

I was having trouble with the gears . I don't think we had time to go through it.

He said i'd be better to build up experience. Just his opinion i suppose.

It threw me a little.

But having thought about it - i need a larger bike.

Jase

 

Sounds like he was after an easy day.

[lingy3]

You need to do the CBT on a 125 anyways. Why not do that and see how you get on. You might breeze it and want to go straight in for the DAS or you might prefer to get some more 125 experience first.

Also, not sure if all training schools do it but at the one I went to, if you went for the DAS but couldn't manage a bigger bike they kept you on a 125 and you did the restricted test instead.

 

I done cbt on 50c ped,so after that its ,125 (restricted ) or ( 500) das

[2fast2soon]

I was having trouble with the gears . I don't think we had time to go through it.

He said i'd be better to build up experience. Just his opinion i suppose.

It threw me a little.

But having thought about it - i need a larger bike.

Jase

 

I'd sack the trainer off, he sounds a bit lazy.

I practiced gear changes at home without a bike. Just trying to get the order right so it went into muscle memory, throttle off, clutch in, click with the foot, ease clutch out and twist throttle smoothly on again. You'll get the hang of it quite quickly.

Do the DAS. For one thing, with a bigger bike you'll not need to change gear as much with the big torquey engine if gear changes really are a problem for you... Good luck.

[JaseW]

I had read about gear changing on a motorcycle .

At the CBT i just could n't get my head around where neutral was - seem stupid now i think about it.

This is what i'd do

Down first - easy

Up second - ok?

Then in my head i'm thinking down one is neutral ? so i'd go down two for first !

Thats what I was doing wrong .

The instructor said, before the above , think about the gears like holding your hand in front of you (top of hand to your face)

Thumb is first

Gap is neutral

first finger 1st

2nd finger 2nd

and so on .

Thats what confused me I think , prob did n't help I was nervous (first time sat on a bike)

I'm sure I've got it now. It was the neutral first thing.

I could get the clutch and when i did change to the right gear It was ok.

Cheers

[Guest]

You're not alone.

When I got my first Honda 50 cc moped way back in 1976 I rode round screaming the balls off it in 1st gear for 2 days.

Then I realised the gear shift wasn't in the throttle but by the foot gear change lever. Helps if you read the bike manual and also got some help off my mates, Could only happen to me. or could it?

[2fast2soon]

I still think having neutral between 1st and 2nd is stupid, there's probably some reason to it?!?

Never heard the thumb, gap and fingers explanation before - I suppose its right. I asked a mate before I went on the CBT, he explained it as first is bottom, up half a click for neutral then the rest are above. Its just getting used to it. On my CBT the instructor had me move over to the side (the thicko area ) and practice starting smoothly while the scooter boys did turning. I soon caught them back up though after I managed to find the biting point.

PS - do the DAS!

[alol74]

I still think having neutral between 1st and 2nd is stupid, there's probably some reason to it?!?

Never heard the thumb, gap and fingers explanation before - I suppose its right. I asked a mate before I went on the CBT, he explained it as first is bottom, up half a click for neutral then the rest are above. Its just getting used to it. On my CBT the instructor had me move over to the side (the thicko area ) and practice starting smoothly while the scooter boys did turning. I soon caught them back up though after I managed to find the biting point.

PS - do the DAS!

 

Just did my Module 1 on CB500. Hell, it is a real machine, especially after my XR125... I still love it, but... 500cc is sooooo much nicer, and the voice... the voice of 500cc is beautiful Anyway, I'd definitely support those who say 500cc is easier than 125. Totally. But 125 gives you so much needed experience that when I did my 500cc training, there was no question about what gear I'm in... Generally, the foot should find the gear itself, no counting, just listen to the engine... btw... on the bike I did the test its sooooo easy to get in neutral that I actually had to check the "N" light every time I changed gears between 1st and 2nd.... My 125 never goes in neutral unless I want it to