Bike Test Advice Anyone?
Discussion
Hi,
I have a serious desire to take my bike test. I am over 25 but have never ridden anything (legally). I can ride a little but i was just wondering if someone could explain to me the best thing to do.
I understand I would have to do a direct access to go straight in but is this best/wise? What does it entail? I understand it is really difficult too.
Also can anyone recommend anyone in the birmingham area? Sutton Coldfield to be exact.
I have a serious desire to take my bike test. I am over 25 but have never ridden anything (legally). I can ride a little but i was just wondering if someone could explain to me the best thing to do.
I understand I would have to do a direct access to go straight in but is this best/wise? What does it entail? I understand it is really difficult too.
Also can anyone recommend anyone in the birmingham area? Sutton Coldfield to be exact.
I dug this up off Google www.motorcycle-training.f2s.com/home.htm which explains the options. I'm 32 and did DAS three years ago, no previous experience, and passed first time. It takes a fairly intensive 4-5 day course but this will take you from training in a playground on 125cc bikes, to full road training on a 500cc bike. It helps enormously if you're already road aware i.e. a driver. I seem to remember that you may need to take the theory test before you can get on a bike.
It cost me around £500 for the course and test, but you will need to budget around that amount again to get some decent kit, and of course more to buy your chosen bike and insurance.
It cost me around £500 for the course and test, but you will need to budget around that amount again to get some decent kit, and of course more to buy your chosen bike and insurance.
I did it this year. Definately do it mate well worth it.
DAS Summary
Part 1 CBT (Compulsory Bike Training) you do a days training as CBT on a 125 or less. Fairly easy you drive round a car park between cones and stuff in the morning then out for a ride on the roads in the afternoon.
After that you can leagally drive upto 125 on roads with L plates for upto 2 years. But if you want bigger (like me) then:
Full licence Direct Access:
Theory test. You apply for the theory test and thats split into two parts. You have multi-choice questions you have to get 30 out of 35. Then you have a second part under hazard perception test in which you have yo click the mouse button when you see a hazard developing. If you revise and look at the video/web this isn't too bad.
Practical Test
You have to take it on a 500cc or higher. Most bike schools have bikes for hire as part of the course. I did 2 Days and then the test. Failed first attempt due to examiner being a pr@t (See below if you want*). So I had to then try and get a another test took 4 weeks so I booked another day before took it a second time and passed.
* How I failed my first test.
Riding on a 40mph limit dual carriageway. You know the kind where everyone does 50+. I pull up at a set of traffic lights in left hand lane behind truck, cars in right hand lane. Start going to find truck is making really slow progress. So I check mirrors cars rushing past, keep looking, cars rushing past. I Indicate to see if anyone is genorous. Of course instructor in car behind me doesn't indicate to help me! Loads of drivers still going past me at 50, simply no gap. Eventually truck makes it to 40mph So now I can't overtake so I cancel indicator. I fail: because get this "I didn't use bike power to overtake the truck" I was gobsmaked the only way I could have used "bike power" was to break the limit or force traffic behind to slow both fails and the second is dangerous IMHO. Not a happy bunny was even contemplating appealing until I read that the appeal cannot change a decision so that really useful
anyway passed the second time with a more realistic tester 
DAS Summary
Part 1 CBT (Compulsory Bike Training) you do a days training as CBT on a 125 or less. Fairly easy you drive round a car park between cones and stuff in the morning then out for a ride on the roads in the afternoon.
After that you can leagally drive upto 125 on roads with L plates for upto 2 years. But if you want bigger (like me) then:
Full licence Direct Access:
Theory test. You apply for the theory test and thats split into two parts. You have multi-choice questions you have to get 30 out of 35. Then you have a second part under hazard perception test in which you have yo click the mouse button when you see a hazard developing. If you revise and look at the video/web this isn't too bad.
Practical Test
You have to take it on a 500cc or higher. Most bike schools have bikes for hire as part of the course. I did 2 Days and then the test. Failed first attempt due to examiner being a pr@t (See below if you want*). So I had to then try and get a another test took 4 weeks so I booked another day before took it a second time and passed.
* How I failed my first test.
Riding on a 40mph limit dual carriageway. You know the kind where everyone does 50+. I pull up at a set of traffic lights in left hand lane behind truck, cars in right hand lane. Start going to find truck is making really slow progress. So I check mirrors cars rushing past, keep looking, cars rushing past. I Indicate to see if anyone is genorous. Of course instructor in car behind me doesn't indicate to help me! Loads of drivers still going past me at 50, simply no gap. Eventually truck makes it to 40mph So now I can't overtake so I cancel indicator. I fail: because get this "I didn't use bike power to overtake the truck" I was gobsmaked the only way I could have used "bike power" was to break the limit or force traffic behind to slow both fails and the second is dangerous IMHO. Not a happy bunny was even contemplating appealing until I read that the appeal cannot change a decision so that really useful
anyway passed the second time with a more realistic tester Do the DAS, I did mine about 6 months ago, and took a week off work and it was really good fun although a lot to take in.
If you are a driver it will help loads. I am 26 and been driving since 17 and I have no doubt that it helped me. If I had to do all the highway code as well I think it would be too much in 4/5 days as well as all the road positioning etc.
I did mine with MOTAG in Reading and the guys that taught me were very friendly, encouraging and a real world motorcyclists with years of experience.
It is a pain having to sort out the theory test but I haven't looked back since passing.
Do it, you will love it.
If you are a driver it will help loads. I am 26 and been driving since 17 and I have no doubt that it helped me. If I had to do all the highway code as well I think it would be too much in 4/5 days as well as all the road positioning etc.
I did mine with MOTAG in Reading and the guys that taught me were very friendly, encouraging and a real world motorcyclists with years of experience.
It is a pain having to sort out the theory test but I haven't looked back since passing.
Do it, you will love it.
have a chat to rmt
10 Imex Business Park, Kings Road,
Tysley, Birmingham
I trained with them from their redditch base, very helpful guys, will totally tailor the training to suit your needs/concerns and timetable.
I took the 4 days off work, and just hung out each day at their offices, drive down by car, take your own leathers + helmet ideally.
Say hello
to simon for me if you go!
10 Imex Business Park, Kings Road,
Tysley, Birmingham
I trained with them from their redditch base, very helpful guys, will totally tailor the training to suit your needs/concerns and timetable.
I took the 4 days off work, and just hung out each day at their offices, drive down by car, take your own leathers + helmet ideally.
Say hello
to simon for me if you go! 
Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it
I did it this time last year and have had great fun since. Started off on a GPZ500 and about 4 months ago got a Speed Triple. Few trackdays and lots of summer blasts have been brilliant!
I did it this time last year and have had great fun since. Started off on a GPZ500 and about 4 months ago got a Speed Triple. Few trackdays and lots of summer blasts have been brilliant!
I did my DAS in July and bought an R6, all I can say is highly recommend it, the bike is the most fun although I must admit I'm glad I'm later 20's now as if I'd got it when I was 18 I'd be dead by now.
Was supposed to be buying a tuscan late last year but business pressures put that on hold for 12-18 months so did the bike test to have some fun in the mean time, definately a good option, always puts the biggest grin on my face!!
Insurance is about £750 and i live in London (outer but inside M25) so it's a bargin, it also returns about 40-50mpg instead of the 12-15 I get from my integrale which is nice.....
/R
Was supposed to be buying a tuscan late last year but business pressures put that on hold for 12-18 months so did the bike test to have some fun in the mean time, definately a good option, always puts the biggest grin on my face!!
Insurance is about £750 and i live in London (outer but inside M25) so it's a bargin, it also returns about 40-50mpg instead of the 12-15 I get from my integrale which is nice.....
/R
ScoobyZoom said:
Really want a ducati 748. Good first bike or too much?
Erm . . . would you hand a Caterham R500 to an 18 year old who'd just passed his driving test? Just as an example, like
To a certain extent, new riders can of course ride any bike if they're careful. However it makes sense to have a first bike that is more forgiving than out-and-out sports bikes, easier to learn on and get experience without scaring yourself. Compared to a car, any 600cc+ bike will be fast - I mean fast. Big first bikes that are often recommended are SV650s and 600 Hornets and Fazers.
Agree with Whoozit, got a CBR600 as my first big bike it is plenty fast enough and will be for a while I think. Its also farily forgiving which I believe the Dukes aren't. You want something that can react mid corner without moaning and has a good power curve ie smooth not schisophrenic (spelling!!!)
ScoobyZoom said:
Hi,
I have a serious desire to take my bike test. I am over 25 but have never ridden anything (legally). I can ride a little but i was just wondering if someone could explain to me the best thing to do.
I understand I would have to do a direct access to go straight in but is this best/wise? What does it entail? I understand it is really difficult too.
Also can anyone recommend anyone in the birmingham area? Sutton Coldfield to be exact.
my mate who lives in mere green just recently passed his das I will ask him where he did his training he passed first time after never riding before so it must be ok,
Whoozit said:
ScoobyZoom said:
Really want a ducati 748. Good first bike or too much?
Erm . . . would you hand a Caterham R500 to an 18 year old who'd just passed his driving test? Just as an example, like
To a certain extent, new riders can of course ride any bike if they're careful. However it makes sense to have a first bike that is more forgiving than out-and-out sports bikes, easier to learn on and get experience without scaring yourself. Compared to a car, any 600cc+ bike will be fast - I mean fast. Big first bikes that are often recommended are SV650s and 600 Hornets and Fazers.
Bought an SV as my first bike - cheap as chips and now makes a much more pleasing sound with Renegade pipes on. She's nice and easy to ride and slow-ish for a big bike (only as quick as my Chimaera 500
) but still plenty fast enough to get me into bother. Insurance on a 748 for new rider would be off the charts, so unless you're minted I doubt you'll get one as a first bike. However there's nothing to say you can't have one later with more experience and lower premiums.
Steve.
>> Edited by Steve_T on Friday 19th September 15:20
ScoobyZoom said:
New CBR600 with centre exhaust? They nice?
Are you onabout the RR there? If so then it's probably even more lethal than the Ducati would be.
I got a standard CBR600F for my first bike and I can't say a bad thing about it. In fact it was probably one of the better decisions I've ever made
If you are interested mine is currently for sale in the classifieds here
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