30 year old biker wannabe!

[maxpayne]

Yep,

You've read it right folks. Maybe its some sort of sign for an impending early mid-life crisis, or the chrome looks too good... whatever the reason, I have suddenly decided that I need a bike!

So, question is, should I go for the intensive course?
If I pass the CBT, can I ride something more than 125 CC? Can I start learning on something more than 125 CC?
What bike should I go for? (The Honda Shadow looks soooo good baby!) I have to say I'm more inclined towards the cruisers rather than the sports ones, because I might just be a weekend rider...

Taking advice from "A Duffer's Guide to Getting A Licence + Newbie Biker Links" it seems that the advice is to go for a cheap bike in the beginning... however, come on guys, I'm 30 and how ridiculous will I look on a moped?!

Please help!!!!!!

[Hetzer]

How many gold sovereigns of the realm do you have?
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"There's the horizon! Ride hard, ride fast and cut down all who stand in your way!"

[DaveW]

How is anyone going to know how old you are with the gear on?

The CBT allows you to ride a bike upto 125cc/14bhp with L plates (moped without L plates if you have car licence). But you won't be allowed on motorways or to carry passengers. Oh and a CBT is not really a test, more a days training to get you on the road - you would have to be a really muppet to fail it and the school not issue you with a certificate.

If you have the cash (normally around £450) I'd take the DAS course and get a full licence as after a while especially riding on the open road you will want more power. The DAS Direct Access Scheme is for over 21yr olds aiming to get the full licence (A) without power restriction period of 2yrs and is the same test as restricted licence (A2) except you take the test on a bigger bike with more than 46bhp.

I passed my DAS last year and bought myself an R6. I have some previous bike experience, but I think if you have self control and should have maturity at 30, then a 'big' bike shouldn't cause a problem.

If you like cruisers then you'll like my neighbours, he has just got a Triumph Rocket - 2.3litre engine!!! One of the pistons is bigger than the whole of my engine in my R6 which is a 600cc.
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Yamaha R6 '05 model, upside down forks, radial brakes, Blue flame can, dubble bubble and clear turn signals - as they say in America

[maxpayne]

Err... the Triumph sound too big A man gotta think of the environment and fuel efficiency too you know

Sound like the DAS the perfect package for me... how difficult is it to pass?

Cheers.

[maxpayne]

[Kal]

I was more or less in your position.

I had a Honda CG125, and from time to time I did feel a little rediculous on it but then I'd go out ofr a thrash and be grining so much that I didn't care anymore.

There are 125cc Cruisers, there is one from Kymco, one from Hyosung and Kawasaki do the Eliminator. Somehow the Eliminator seems to be about 300 notes cheaper than the other two at the moment.

Personally I would recomend you get your early riding in on a bike a 'standard bike' with a bench type seat like the CG or the <shudder> YBR

This is because they are fairly cheap to run, absoultely bomb proof, have neutral handling (for a bike) and the seat allows you to choose your riding position - something that cannot be underestimated.

If you really can't be talked into spending sometime on a 125 then you are entitled to do your DAS. You will be required to successfully complete the Theory (inc. Hazard Peception) and gain a CBT. Speak to your local school, many of them will perform the CBT as part of the course if you book the whole thing through them.

Once you've passed I would suggest a naked/standard/commuter 500 for at least a year so you can get the basic skills squared away before moving on to a more specialised machine.

I blogged my DAS day by day when I was on the course, the lnk is in my signature.
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Kal...
I Like To Hoon It Hoon It I Like To Hoon It Hoon It I Like To Hoon It Hoon It Ya Like To (HOON IT!).
1984 GB250 Clubman,1983 CB250N Superdream, 1999 GPZ500S

[DaveW]

[oggy1610]

Hi, was just reading all the posts and thought that I could offer some advice myself. I have just recently done an intensive 5 day DAS course ending yesterday with the test. I passed with 4 minors and I'm 37 and had never riden util I took my CBT in May this year. In between CBT and DAS I got a 125 to practice on and that really helped.

In terms of doing intensive or a number of lessons it is really down to you and how you like to learn. Doing it intensively was best for me as I like to learn that way and like to correct faults quickly and progress onwards but it is very tiring so you should consider this.

In terms of passing the full license it really is as easy or as hard as you want to make it. Go into it with an open mind and approach it with a positive attitude and you will succeed. One more thing though, only consider it as a first step and think about taking it further by doing an advanced course later on.

[oggy1610]

Hi, was just reading all the posts and thought that I could offer some advice myself. I have just recently done an intensive 5 day DAS course ending yesterday with the test. I passed with 4 minors and I'm 37 and had never riden util I took my CBT in May this year. In between CBT and DAS I got a 125 to practice on and that really helped.

In terms of doing intensive or a number of lessons it is really down to you and how you like to learn. Doing it intensively was best for me as I like to learn that way and like to correct faults quickly and progress onwards but it is very tiring so you should consider this.

In terms of passing the full license it really is as easy or as hard as you want to make it. Go into it with an open mind and approach it with a positive attitude and you will succeed. One more thing though, only consider it as a first step and think about taking it further by doing an advanced course later on.

[maxpayne]

Lessons looks like the way to go. And yes, I also keep on forgetting to turn on the indicator on a car lol.

[maxpayne]

That's the sort of encouragemnt I need! What bike did you get at the end if I may ask?

[.....]

DAS+Sportsbike=Win

[DaveW]

I'd check with the school as only some do it in lesson format. If they only do intensive courses and suggest a course over the phone then they are more interested in your money.

I did all my lessons at weekend so no time off work except for the test day.
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Yamaha R6 '05 model, upside down forks, radial brakes, Blue flame can, dubble bubble and clear turn signals - as they say in America

[DaveW]

[Kal]

Not cress and celery Dave.

My local school does DAS as a intensive 4 day course as a default.

At the end of the day whether you do months of lessons or a weeks training you don't really get any real road experience - its all about getting you through the test.

Road experience only comes when you are putting in the hours on a bike, whatever the size it is.
____________________
Kal...
I Like To Hoon It Hoon It I Like To Hoon It Hoon It I Like To Hoon It Hoon It Ya Like To (HOON IT!).
1984 GB250 Clubman,1983 CB250N Superdream, 1999 GPZ500S

[oggy1610]

At the moment I still have the 125 which is the baby Honda Varadero XL125 V. I chose this as it's size was similar to that of a 500cc so my thinking was that if I mastered U-Turns on it I would on a 500cc. Didn't quite work out that way but definately helped.

In terms of my next bike well very undecided between an SV650 or CBR600F as one of my posts in the forum will tell. Would like to get something sorted soon but have to wait until the house I'm buying is sorted first. Gonna be hard waiting 3 weeks but that's what I have got to do.

Glad I have helped you and good luck with whatever you decide.

[maxpayne]

Really appreciate it!

I'll try go for CBT and see how things shape up. Right now I'm not in country now, but in India... maybe I can get some lessons here, I'm sure I don't need a license or anything like that to ride a bike here

[alig]

Experience counts for everything. After you complete your cbt, take time out on the 125. It can be a little painful at times with the lack of power, and the occassional group of lads having a laugh at you, but it essential time in the seat. You`ll know when your ready for the das. As others have said, it can be easy if you have adapted to moving on two wheels and is such a thrill when you get your first big bike. I now ride a ZX6R 2007, after several months on my training bike, a CBR125. I absolutely love it, and wish I`d done it years ago. I`m 45 now !!!!
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I lost two wheels, only to find two better wheels !!
ZX6R 2007

[deanoet]

Just got into biking myself. Passed the CBT on wednesday and picked the bike up yesterday.

CG125, feels so fast, stop laughing at the back, and is a nice machine. (shiney too, at the mo )

Plan is to book a DAS as the company i did the CBT with (Coastal Bike Training) are booked up till september, use the CG125 in the mean time and see how it goes and get the practise in.

When done, keep the CG125 for round town. Bought it new as i plan on keeping it till it falls to peices and i have to pay someone to take it away.

If i really get into it and enjoy the rideouts i may get a bigger weekend "toy". Cant beat the 100mpg on the CG125 for cheap to run.

A lot depends on my Driving Instructoring, if i do okay out of it i will have a bit of free cash, plus i can dump my private car and get the weekend "toy" with the cash saved

At the mo i am loving it, tootling around town at 30mph, just going with the flow, keeping well within my limits and not pushing my luck. Fastest i have been was on the CBT and that was 55MPH...

Waffly, but that is my plan.
I am 27 years old. Finally trust myself on 2 wheels.


Before the CBT i had only ridden a twist and go off road, and I was okay on the training. Bit wobbly at first, but that soon irons itself out. Was crapping it with gears, as i had no idea how they worked, but they make sense and are easy.
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CBT Passed 18th July 2007 : Previous Bikes> CG125 : Current Bike> Hornet 600 : PASSED DAS 30th Oct 2007
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[Kal]

[deanoet]

[weput]

Well guys... i got my bike on saturday (6 days riding ) and i already did over 150 kms on it...

today i did my first wheely (drove with the back wheel only) for around 10 seconds and was fucking great... almost fail off of course...


I already feel the lack of power on open roads but besides that... i love my little machine. (but since my bike is new i can't take the engine to the red line... so i'll decide if the lack of power is real when i'll get close to red!)

My conclusions is that time on a 125 is a must if you had no experience with a motorcycle... simply because the weight factor.

is different to handle a 250 pound bike than a 350 pounds...
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Suzuki EN 125-2a <---- crashed (not guilty...)
Suzuki GSR 600