Best Time to Buy First Bike

[Guest]

Hi Everyone,

I'm new here, and new to biking. I've been reading up on the CBT and DAS (I'm 28). I'm a little confused on when I should look at buying a bike?

Would you recommend buying one after the CBT and before the DAS? Or just after I've got a full license? And in that case would I use a bike from the training school to practise for the DAS?

Sorry for having so many questions but as I said I'm very new to all this.

[scoob]

I could be wrong here but:

It really depends if you want to do DAS on a 125, is yes then I would say get a bike, practise a bit.

This will mean you're restricted to 33 bhp for 2 years.

If however you want a full Cat A license then you will pretty much need to use the schools bikes as you cant legally ride a big bike without an instructor (with radio comms) also I doubt you could get insured for a big bike without your full license.

But I'm only a newbie so I could be wrong, I'm sure 1 of the forums more clued up guys will put you 100% right.

Either way, good luck with it. The feeling is amazing

[Fast Eddie]

If you're looking to get a big bike straight away I'd wait until after you pass your test. Depending on what you are looking at even something like my SpeedFour will not be as good for the mod 1 part of the test than the school bikes (less steering lock).

You'll likely have some issues from a test ride point of view at a dealer (many want you to have had license 12 months +) but if you go in and are serious they'll probably be flexible, but with out your license you'll have no chance unless you can wrangle 10 mins round their parking lot.

[MattB]

If however you want a full Cat A license then you will pretty much need to use the schools bikes as you cant legally ride a big bike without an instructor (with radio comms) also I doubt you could get insured for a big bike without your full license.

 

True. You would not be insured to ride your own bike without passing your test, anyway how would you get it there, what would you do with it each day after training?

Use the school bike, you really have no choice.

[Guest philgale]

If you see the bike you want buy it now, if not wait till you do. I bought my bike and left it in the garden while i did my DAS couldn't ride it but didn't stop me sitting on it making broom broom noises and pretending

Makes no odds when you buy it, if its the bike you want buy it. its better to have it sat at home ready for when you want it, i enjoyed coming home ringing insurance paying it and then going straight out playing. would of killed me having passed a test then having to wait till i found a bike.

[Remy]

I did the A2 test on a 125 (DAS is for 500cc), but had already bought a 650 bike I wanted. It was insured by my hubby who rode it till I passed, I just sat on it occasionally at home!

If it's the DAS you are going to do I'd just get the training and test done with on the school bike, it poses complications and the risk of damage if you want to do it on your own. Unless of course you have seen a bike you like, and are prepared to look at it till you pass - you can of course do lots of cleaning and polishing

[OhJay]

It really depends if you want to do DAS on a 125...

You can't do DAS on a 125 By definition

It depends what you're planning on doing as to when or what bike you get.

If you're doing DAS (passing your test on a big bike and instantly allowed to ride anything) then you have to use the school's bikes for lessons and your test, it will be the only thing you're insured to ride until you pass your test.

If you're going to do a week long intensive course then it doesn't matter but if you're looking at getting a bike to practice for your test on your own then it will have to be a 125. Do your CBT on the school's bike and then you can ride yours to your heart's content.

There's nothing to stop you buying a bike now and having it sat in the garage until you pass your test but you will have to SORN it since you can't be insured on it (and every vehicle that has tax have to have insurance).

If you're buying a 125 from a dealer then quite a few will offer a free CBT with it anyway

[Guest]

Thanks for the replies everyone. Think I'll hold off for a bit then.