Just booked my DAS

[Ambleton]

Hi All,

After riding around my fantastic little 125 commuter scoot on L plates for 4 years on CBTs I've decided to bite the bullet and do my DAS. The rising cost of doing a CBT (now £190 here) is one reason, but also the L plates do attract the "i'm better than you" driver, despite having driven for 16yrs, built/own various classic and kit cars etc. It's like a red rag to a bull.

It is quite funny how knobbish a lot of drivers are, flying past you and then getting stuck in traffic or at lights as I filter past at walking pace to the front

Having driven open, classic cars for as long as I've been driving, cycling and scooting has done a decent job of preparing me for the "every road user is a psychopath" mentality and "expect all outcomes" eventualities.

Initially I'm happy with the little scoot. Its nippy enough, frugal (95mpg), easy to park and manoeuvre, loads of underseat space and starts on the button every time....

I have absolutely zero desire to dress up as a power ranger and climb aboard a crotch rocket... but...

The draw of a classic (50s,60s) 300-500cc single is definitely something I can see myself buying into. Ariel, BSA, Matchless, AJS, Norton, something like that.

I need to finish a 1958 Austin A35 im restoring first though...

Ive already got my motorbike theory test done and out of the way, and a colleague has leant me "Motorcycle Roadcraft" to read.

So, two questions really.

1- any hints, tips or advice?
2- when the time comes (and I can see it in the stars), what classic singles would be good for a taller rider?

[carinaman]

Is that the family heirloom A35 that belonged to your wife's father?

[Ambleton]

carinaman said:

Is that the family heirloom A35 that belonged to your wife's father?

That's the one... had some unexpected health issues last year that needed some fairly major surgery (plus complications) that somewhat put a pause on it...

Will be back on it again in earnest very soon I hope!

Eta- it's 3 generations in now...

Edited by Ambleton on Monday 18th May 22:40

[Time4another]

Always considered the mod 1 as the same manouveres as the CBT, just on a bigger bike. If you can quickly master the slow clutch control stuff, you'll be fine. Don't overthink it. Your riding experience so far will give you an advantage on the mod 2 also.

Best of luck!

[8IKERDAVE]

My wife and also good friend are both going through this process at the moment.

My wife got herself a cheap 125 and has been bimbling around on that for around a year. She has done her Theory test and has lessons booked.

My mate didn't bother with the 125, he just wanted to get it done and get onto a bigger bike (he did used to race motocross and ride trials bikes so is not exactly new to bikes)

My wife tells me of the lack of respect from other road users with the L-plates on. I genuinely think once she has passed and is on something meatier without the dreaded L's she will be safer. It's a long time ago since I rode with L plates and I was 17/18 at the time so was probably blind to the dangers. The roads are also much busier some 28 years later as well but they do seem to attract a complete lack of respect from other road users.

[Linksmas]

2) does it have to be a classic single? Royal Enfield, Triumph, Honda and BSA all have modern classics. Look old, but have waterpoof electrics, push button start and headlights that illuminate the road.

[Time4another]

8IKERDAVE said:

My wife tells me of the lack of respect from other road users with the L-plates on. I genuinely think once she has passed and is on something meatier without the dreaded L's she will be safer. It's a long time ago since I rode with L plates and I was 17/18 at the time so was probably blind to the dangers. The roads are also much busier some 28 years later as well but they do seem to attract a complete lack of respect from other road users.

My wife is cutting around on 125 on L plates just now, mostly with me on my bike. She tends to follow, not iwlling to lead yet but have had a few instances where I've dropped in behind her to fend off someone tailgating.

[Ambleton]

Linksmas said:

2) does it have to be a classic single? Royal Enfield, Triumph, Honda and BSA all have modern classics. Look old, but have waterpoof electrics, push button start and headlights that illuminate the road.

Yeah, that doesn't really interest me.

Gimme a carb, cable, choke, straight pipe and the patpatpat machine gun fire noise and I'll be happy as a pig in muck.

[8IKERDAVE]

Time4another said:

8IKERDAVE said:

My wife tells me of the lack of respect from other road users with the L-plates on. I genuinely think once she has passed and is on something meatier without the dreaded L's she will be safer. It's a long time ago since I rode with L plates and I was 17/18 at the time so was probably blind to the dangers. The roads are also much busier some 28 years later as well but they do seem to attract a complete lack of respect from other road users.

My wife is cutting around on 125 on L plates just now, mostly with me on my bike. She tends to follow, not iwlling to lead yet but have had a few instances where I've dropped in behind her to fend off someone tailgating.

It really exposes their vulnerability doesn't it when your wife is being bullied by tts. Most of the time I find it's when she is in a 30mph zone and just doing the speed limit. It's as if they think that is the top speed the bike will go and they must get past at any opportunity.

[mobile chicane22]

if you want reliability then a modern classic single such as the honda GB350S is the way to go.

loads of non power ranger gear out there which should protect you well in the unfortunate event of a spill

[Ambleton]

8IKERDAVE said:

It really exposes their vulnerability doesn't it when your wife is being bullied by tts. Most of the time I find it's when she is in a 30mph zone and just doing the speed limit. It's as if they think that is the top speed the bike will go and they must get past at any opportunity.

The amount of times I've been overtaken at 30 in a 30 zone is ridiculous. Usually on a blind corner and/or into oncoming traffic.

I genuinely think the CBT should be part of the process of learning to drive (if able

[Krikkit]

Ambleton said:

1- any hints, tips or advice?

Get yourself a copy of the Mod1 training layout, some football cones and go and practice in a car park once you're comfortable. U-turns, slalom, all that slow-speed handling isn't to be taken lightly even from an experienced 125-er.

Otherwise relax and enjoy it! Big bikes ftw.

[carinaman]

Sorry to learn of your health problems and complications Ambleton. The A35 restoration was pretty hardcore.

Good luck with your motorcycling adventure.

[Ambleton]

carinaman said:

Sorry to learn of your health problems and complications Ambleton. The A35 restoration was pretty hardcore.

Good luck with your motorcycling adventure.

Ah its okay.

The entirity of last summer i was basically a vegetable for 3 months. Three hospitals and two ambulance transfers. They ended up rearranging some organs and cutting/shutting and replumbing my upper GI. st happens, no point getting upset about it (although I will need some more surgery at some point).

Not ideal with a 6m old baby though! My wife was STRESSED.

The A35 was certainly an "all or nothing" job. Im only just about now getting to a stage where im happy to lie on the floor and roll about under cars and my last surgery was on 18th July last year.