Best Route - you will have heard this many times before!

[Guest]

Hey all,

Firstly; massive apologies for asking the question you are all sick of hearing but I don't have anybody to talk to at home who will discuss this logically with me for obvious reasons (Mother thinks I will kill myself)

I will be turning 24 on July 6th and have had a keen interest in getting a bike for a while now but thought it was best to wait until I have reached this age so I qualify for a non restrictive licence, I believe this is true right?

I have absolutely no experience on a bike other then I raced a Motocross when I was younger, however, fully aware this is a completely different ball game.

Is it worth me purchasing a smaller 125 to learn the ropes? any advice welcome..

Cheers

Edited May 10, 2015 by Anonymous

[Tango]

Welcome to TMBF mate.........

Personally I wouldn't bother with the 125.......do your DAS and get something a bit bigger......just MHO of course......

[Guest]

Welcome to TMBF mate.........

Personally I wouldn't bother with the 125.......do your DAS and get something a bit bigger......just MHO of course......

 

Thanks buddy.

Would I not need practice in the interim? or is the DAS like the Car test alternative where you just rock up do a few days practice then sit your test?

[Tango]

Normally you'd do the DAS with a training school........who provide a suitable bike to sit the tests on......

[Bonniebird]

A lot of people do DAS on some sort of intensive package including CBT, practise then MOD1, more road practice then MOD2. Theory must be completed before taking tests.

[al_stu]

Just go straight to DAS.

Imo its safer. Point out the 125 stuck doing 50 while a lorry is squeezing past on a dual carriageway and then you'll realise why I think so!

[soll]

Just go straight to DAS.

Imo its safer. Point out the 125 stuck doing 50 while a lorry is squeezing past on a dual carriageway and then you'll realise why I think so!

 

i have a 125 and at 60 on a dual carriage way you catch up cars doing 55ish and your not truly fast enough to overtake and you have to slow. it takes an age to build up speed.

[Guest]

Great - thanks all.

Looks like DAS is the way to go!

I'm going to open up a whole can of worms here by asking what is a suitable 'first bike'?

[Glorian]

Aim for a 600cc bike, big enough imo without being heavy and hard to control. I would recomend something like a (newer than mine) 600 GSF bandit, or a FZ-06. But what ever is right for you. It also depends on your riding, if you commute a lot, something comfortable that provides protection from wind and raid (as much as it can anyway) is helpful, however if you plan on going out only when it's nice and sunny to tear up the twisty roads something more sporty perhaps?

Definately do your DAS though and go straight for something big, Easier to control than small bikes especially when it's windy!! Also you'll have bigger tyres than a 125 tends to have which makes cornering tonnes easier!!

Good luck anyhow. If you're in essex/suffolk/norfolk area i know a good school.

[Guest]

One that you feel comfortable on

I got the GSXR 600 as my first bike, that'll last me a couple of years (or just until I want something bigger )

[Guest]

Thanks all - thought me asking the most common question on here would go down like a lead balloon but you've all been extremely helpful

[Glorian]

Thanks all - thought me asking the most common question on here would go down like a lead balloon but you've all been extremely helpful

 

Just don't mention nodding.

Oh shit...

[Guest]

Thanks all - thought me asking the most common question on here would go down like a lead balloon but you've all been extremely helpful

 

Just don't mention nodding.

Oh shit...

 

Ha-ha, knew someone would pipe up

[mpl]

Thanks all - thought me asking the most common question on here would go down like a lead balloon but you've all been extremely helpful

 

Just don't mention nodding.

Oh shit...

 

Actually since I have had my bike (10 days) practically every biker I have passed has nodded. I probably stood out as a newbie cos at first I was just doing a straight nod but everyone appears to nod to the side!

Anyway back to the OP- I hadn't been on a bike for over 30 years and then almost exclusively 50cc. I took an intensive DAS starting on the 28th March and passed my Mod 2 on the 17th April. This was my only experience of riding a big bike (5 road sessions inc getting to and from tests) and I have gone straight to a BMW F800ST. Bit nervous and wary at first but I am quickly finding my feet on it.

The only time I rode a 125 for my training was the off road segment of the CBT and remembering what it was like, I wouldn't ever want to ride one on the road that's for sure.

[Dav3y]

All I can add is get your Theory and CBT booked ASAP. This will leave you setup for the DAS with a shorter cheaper course as you will already be prepared to go straight to MOD1. They are both requirements before MOD1 anyway.

As for a bike, I did my DAS on an XJ6N and on then passing went and brought an XJ6F as I liked the bike and wanted an upright. All I can say here is try and sit on a few and see how comfortable you think you would feel on it. A 600 is a perfect first bike for a year before moving on if you feel the need.

[Guest]

All I can add is get your Theory and CBT booked ASAP. This will leave you setup for the DAS with a shorter cheaper course as you will already be prepared to go straight to MOD1. They are both requirements before MOD1 anyway.

As for a bike, I did my DAS on an XJ6N and on then passing went and brought an XJ6F as I liked the bike and wanted an upright. All I can say here is try and sit on a few and see how comfortable you think you would feel on it. A 600 is a perfect first bike for a year before moving on if you feel the need.

 

Cheers, CBT booked in for 1st June.

What's the best material for revising the Theory test?

Many Thanks.

[runningman]

There's a very good app you can download for a few quid....Motorcycle Theory Test +Hazard by Deep River Development Ltd. Keep doing the questions over and over again until you know them all. You'll ace the test.