clairebear88 Posted September 6, 2009 Posted September 6, 2009 Hello I am 21, have done my bike theory test, have had a full driving licence since I was 17 but have always had quads/tractors on the farm and recently got an off road ts 125 a few years ago. I completed my CBT yesterday and although it was my first time on the road with a bike, apparently my road positioning, checks, observations etc are spot on and so are gear changes etc...but my problem is basically clutch control on the slow parts- figures of 8, u-turn etc. Tbh I was expecting problems here!But anyway my plan was to go straight on to do the DAS- as I figured that with previous experience I might be ok (especially as some people go completely from scratch) but the instructor says I am not ready for this- fair enough- but he is sure that with three days worth of training I would pass the A2 no problem. He reckons I would crack the slow movement control problem on the first day. I dont mind being restricted for two years- but I dont want to stay on a smaller bike forever lol So Im wondering- is it best to go from a 125 to a 250/400 restricted and then, probably after my restriction is up, get a 600 (quite fancy a bandit/fazer )?The reason I ask is he says that a lot of people scare themselves with a bigger bike straight away and he told one of the other lads that if you stall a big bike you'll be sitting on the floor next to it! Thanks for reading this and any advice given Quote
houltmac Posted September 6, 2009 Posted September 6, 2009 I am no expert rider or anything, so take what I say as my personal experience.You have one up on me because it sounds like you have 4 years car experience (I have none) and you were really good on your CBT (I was as good as could be expected, but not that good). I went back the next 3 days after my CBT, doing 1 more day on the 125 then 2 days on the 500. On that last day I passed my Mod 1 and tomorrow I take my Mod 2 on that same 500.Going from 125 to 500 was scary before I pulled away, then I found the 500 easier (especially at slower speeds) because it's easier to balance. You will get the slow speed stuff sorted in a couple of hours if you spend time on that in particular as I did. Don't be afraid to drag the back brake if necessary.From what you have said I would go straight for the DAS; it's not the huge deal some people seem to make out and my instructor even said he thinks it's easier (due to the balance of a heavier bike).As I said, I don't even have a licence yet so what do I know. That's just my experience. Quote
YamahaWolf Posted September 6, 2009 Posted September 6, 2009 I reccomend that you go for the DAS. You will be much safer on a bigger bike and they are not as scary as people seem to portray. You will find that you are a little nervous on a bigger bike at first but after time with an instructor and practice you will be fine, if you go for the restricted I think that you may regret it. Quote
Dana_leigh Posted September 6, 2009 Posted September 6, 2009 Go for the DAS, I started learning from scratch and had issues with clutch control. It took me a week to pass my CBT but once I had that sorted, getting on a 500 was much easier. Clutch control needs to be mastered but once that is done your sorted. I found the 500 to have better balance and feel more 'stable'. When out in the wind I felt more secure and control was no different.I spent an extra couple of hours after my CBT out on the 125 to make sure I mastered the clutch, then straight onto the 500. I dropped it twice, both at a standstill, which hurt my pride more than my body, but it happens.Go for the 500, its not such a bigger deal and if I can do it, anyone can!!! Quote
ricky_v Posted September 8, 2009 Posted September 8, 2009 if you do go for the A2, and your patient enough, then just ride around on a 125 during restriction (although the longest ive seen from a person is about a month (apart from myself ))250cc tend to be <33BHP anyway, therefore dont need to be restricted, but there not as common as their 125/400 counterparts.remember, the only difference between having the dreaded "=<25KW" printed on your licence and not having it printed is the size of bike you take your test on, nothing else Quote
Guest Posted September 9, 2009 Posted September 9, 2009 Have you thought of having a lesson on a 500 to see how you get on, personally I think you will be very pleasantly surprised for all the reasons given above - I found the 500 easier as it felt more grounded and was less twitchy. I've heard lots of instructors say they think a bigger bike is easier to learn on, but the only person whose opinion really matters is yours, so maybe have a lesson and see what you think?? Quote
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