Motorcycling

ian103

I have been thinking about getting a motorbike, what is the best way to learn - to do a CBT and get a 125cc bike for a while (not what I really want) or do a direct access course. this saves the cost of the 125 bike but I guess the practice would be useful. Not sure it makes any difference but I passed my car test in 1983.

pendulum

What kind of bike do you see yourself riding after you pass your tests?

I've just been through all this. I went the 125cc way. I must admit that the 33bhp restriction for 2 years (which you get if you take your tests on a 125cc) is already annoying me slightly; the restricted CB500 I have just bought has plenty of grunt off the line (feels like a supercharged rocket-ship compared to the 125), but is a little slow accelerating after 60mph due to the limiter; so some country lane overtakes are off. Having said that, it'll help the points stay off my licence and stop me from going faster than I really ought to. Probably a good thing, and in 2 years, it'll become unrestricted automatically.

I think time on the 125cc will make you safer and get you a better understanding; and you should be able to sell the bike for what you paid for it, but DAS is a valid option if you want to get it done and dusted quickly with no hassle at the end - just a Full Unrestricted licence and you can hop on any bike you like.

Most people 21+ and being a car driver too would probably do a DAS. I bucked the trend.

Trebor16

There is nothing to stop you doing the CBT and then getting a 125 and driving it around for a few months to get some experience before taking your test. Once you have some experience taking the direct access test will be an easier transition with your riding experience gained on the 125. If you buy a decent secondhand 125 you should be able to sell it on without losing too much on it.

The new test structure comes into effect on the 19th January 2013 but as you are over 24 it won't affect you, so if you decide to take your test in 2013 you will still be able to do direct access but you will be doing it on a bike of at least 595cc.

ian103

Thats my dilema, common sense says go the 125 route and get some road sense but then I think a bigger bike may be better and more fun.

pendulum

DAS will be more fun.
Believe me, it's no fun sticking L plates on a 125cc and having to endure all the idiot car drivers who treat you like you're not a legitimate road user because you're "only a learner" who's "not even on a proper bike"; plus it does feel woefully underpowered a lot of the time.

IF you weren't a car driver, I would definitely suggest 125cc route. I think a DAS course would be crazy.

But you're a car driver, you already have a lot of road sense and experience...
Full licence done and dusted for a few hundred quid, then maybe treat yourself to an advanced course... DAS is looking good TBH!

Even when I was contemplating between the two, I never did truly make my mind up, and I still don't really know what would've been best for me It's a tricky decision!

Trebor16

ian103 wrote: »

Thats my dilema, common sense says go the 125 route and get some road sense but then I think a bigger bike may be better and more fun.

You would only be talking a few months at most on the 125 and then take your direct access test and then the fun can begin, which would be enhanced by the experience gained on the 125.

Rolandtheroadie

Trebor16 wrote: »

You would only be talking a few months at most on the 125 and then take your direct access test and then the fun can begin, which would be enhanced by the experience gained on the 125.

Which is why it's a bad idea. I changed bike after 18 months (midway through the years insurance) and my current insurer wouldnt touch me for my new bike without a minimum 2 years NCB.

So I had to cancel the policy and take out another one. Paid a years insurance for the 6 months with all the fees.

Then theres the whole buy then sell again. Even IF you get every penny back, you've still to put out the time and effort to do so.

Do your CBT and see what the instructor advises.

Trebor16

scotsman4th wrote: »

Which is why it's a bad idea. I changed bike after 18 months (midway through the years insurance) and my current insurer wouldnt touch me for my new bike without a minimum 2 years NCB.

To suggest it's a bad idea because an insurer wouldn't insure you on your own bike is nonsense. You can't put a price on experience and one thing with learning to ride a motorcycle is that one size does not fit all. Some may get on ok with doing their CBT and then going straight into a direct access course. Others won't and may need more nurturing and time to get up to that level. The age of the person wanting to learn is another factor and it becomes harder to learn a new skill the older you get for most people.

Perhaps if you had done your research with your insurer before buying your replacement bike you would have avoided the situation.

scotsman4th wrote:

Then theres the whole buy then sell again. Even IF you get every penny back, you've still to put out the time and effort to do so.

Is that a major problem? It's hardly the end of the world.

scotsman4th wrote:

Do your CBT and see what the instructor advises.

Now you have gone from saying it's a bad idea to get a small bike for a few months to seeing what the instructor advises. A good instructor should hopefully be honest and give a fair appraisal of what might be the best route for an individual, but be wary of others who will just be looking to fill a place on their next course regardless of what is best for an individual.

Rolandtheroadie

When I take out insurance I dont check with my broker for something that may never happen.
Just like when I decide I'm buying another bike I dont feel the need to check with my broker to see if it's ok with them.

Then theres the whole buying/selling bit. It's easier to buy something than it is to sell it.
Major problem? Could be. Depends how much you need the funds for DAS/lessons/new bike.

Finally, I still think the small bike's a bad idea, what I wrote was more to do with the instructor recommending DAS or lessons. I didnt even consider they would recommend a 125 first.

Trebor16

scotsman4th wrote: »

When I take out insurance I dont check with my broker for something that may never happen.
Just like when I decide I'm buying another bike I dont feel the need to check with my broker to see if it's ok with them.

Then I guess you won't learn from the mistakes you made in the past. It's not about checking if "it's ok with them" but to see if they will cover you on the bike you plan to buy and how much it will cost you to make a mid term change to your policy, rather than buying the bike first and then seeing if they will cover you or not.

scotsmna4th wrote:

Then theres the whole buying/selling bit. It's easier to buy something than it is to sell it.
Major problem? Could be. Depends how much you need the funds for DAS/lessons/new bike.

It also depends on how much you buy the bike for in the first instance. If someone is going to struggle to buy a cheap secondhand 125 then they are certainly going to struggle to come up with the funds to do their CBT, theory, module 1 and module 2 tests and pay for their training. But there are too many possible variables that could come into play for individuals to be able to say "yes, it's a major problem" or not.

scotsman4th wrote:

Finally, I still think the small bike's a bad idea, what I wrote was more to do with the instructor recommending DAS or lessons. I didnt even consider they would recommend a 125 first.

Again, it depends on a persons needs and to say getting a 125 is a bad idea across the board doesn't take into account individual circumstances. For some doing direct access will work, but not for others and time on a low powered machine learning the basics is often beneficial for them.

Arg

f someone is going to struggle to buy a cheap secondhand 125 then they are certainly going to struggle to come up with the funds to do their CBT, theory, module 1 and module 2 tests and pay for their training.

It depends what you mean by cheap. If he passed his test in 1983 he should be able to ride a moped to give it a try.