43Yrs, an worried!

[GPS777]

Due to a supposed mid life crisis, when I return to the UK I have it in mind to do my DAS course and get a 600 sports bike. I have never even been on a moped, and am a bit anxious about whether or not Im a little late to start. I said the same thing about sailing and scuba diving and am now an intructor in both, so probably just looking for encouragement. My question is, after i have done an intensive DAS course, can anybody recommend and other courses or training, cheers Ian

[Rico]

I'll be 39 next month and only did my CBT 2 months ago. I don't think I'm too late to start, but I think I missed a lot of good riding... Pass now and you still have 27 years of riding before your license runs out, and then you can renew it on a rolling basis.

The IAM offer an Advanced Motorcycling Test, and a local IAM group should be able to offer assistance in training for it. For example, an IAM group local to me is Morecambe Bay Estuaries Advanced Motorcyclists, and they offer courses.

[Kal]

Loads of stories on here about middle-aged folk finally getting around to getting a bike. It's not too late to do anything new until they nail the lid down on your box.

What I will say though is that a 600cc sportsbike isnt the best learner machine.

If you were a friend of mine I would lean on you to pick up a 500cc commuter for the first couple of years to get the basic skills in on before going to the supersports.

I'll give you three quick reasons.
supersports are badly balanced, which is to say they are incredibly well balanced to change direction quickly.
The brakes are designed to stop them from 160+mph in a reasonable distance.
The throttle moves through exactly the same twist distance as a 50bhp machines but is controlling 160bhp

All of which means that heavy handed typical new rider inputs - and bikes are ridden with the entire body - typical new rider unintentional inputs can have very unfortunate consequences.
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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

[druidsam]

im 46 and did DAS 2 years ago,when i passed my test i bought a Yamaha thundercat (hardly a sports bike by modern standards) i loved the bike so much i still have it ,and have never dropped or came off it.Its been said before,but your never to old to learn something new and its one of the best things i have ever done.



.................Sam
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trust me! I'm a druid
https://www.bikerforum.co.uk/

[fazza59]

Go for it, I am 48 and started my DAS yesterday. You will not regret it.
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Current - Yamaha R1 - Yamaha XJ600N - Kawasaki GPZ 500S (project? Maybe )
Pics of my bikes

[BanditBitch]

[LeeR]

I restarted riding last Oct, did a 2-day DAS in March and turned 40 in Jan. It's a blast you'll love it, I think it's one of the best things you can do at "our" age especially as although we continue expanding our minds it's rare we enhance our physical motor skills. I found it a really good challenge to get all the necessary coordination together.

I've enrolled on the BikeSafe course and am awaiting my date.
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My claim to fame: Austin Vince nicked my pen...

[Nufkamp]

I came back to bikes aged 46 after a 23 year break. Just go for it feller, but be aware that every other road user bar you is a homicidal maniac with the sole purpose of eliminating anything on two wheels

Learn well and ride safe.

[5v3d3b0]

Go for it. It's not hard to learn.
BUT GET THE BIKE RESTRICTED. Do us all the favour. We have enough BCF casualties already, and those have been experienced riders. Treat a bike with respect, or it'll stab you in the back when you least expect it.
If you have the cash for a 600cc sport bike, you also have the 100 odd quid to restrict it to 33 bhp, which believe me: WILL feel very fast if you've never been on a bike
On a bike 40 mph feels like 80mph in a car.
I know it's already been said, but you'll have over 100bhp in a couple of inches of twist. You accelerate too hard and you might find yourself on the backwheel, and if you've never been on a bike, you will not control it...

[deanoet]

[repiV]

[LeeR]

Also as my route followed the 125cc - 650cc - 1000cc sequence it's been enjoyable to learn each machine as I've encountered them. I can't believe I found 50mph on a local bend a scary challenge on the 125cc last year. Now I'm riding a 1000cc on the same bends at 60mph and it feels like I'm doing 40mph. Each bike has been different (obviously) and it's been fun to work them out in turn.

I've been riding my 1000cc for a week now and had to take my 650cc to the mechanics yesterday to fix an oil leak before I sell it. Well it felt like a 125cc compared to the new one, I was chucking it around and ragging it, a laugh a minute. In many ways I'll be sad to see it go but I can't go backwards now, I think a 1400cc is next...
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My claim to fame: Austin Vince nicked my pen...

[kaz32]

Hey there , well mate if your saying that you picked up those other things , diving etc.... pretty fast and well then you might just be one of these people that pick up things and get well at them when you put your heart in soul ijn to it and i think that is what biking is about as well, but getting back to the point if you have your heart set on a sports 600 and you feel that you can handle it , theres no reason why you shouldn't go ahead and get one but , just be extra cautious when playing around with the throttle , but as mentioned before if your not in it for the looks and super performance , why not get a fazer,bandit or an sv650 they are all really nice bikes and someone i know has a full power sv650 and that flies of the line man , so don't think at all that these are slow bikes But i hoped that helped and why don't you go to a dealer and have a sit on a few bikes see how you feel man , here's a few names for you , Yamaha R6 , Suzuki GSXR600 , Honda CBR600 F , Honda CBR600RR(not for the feint hearted btw) , Honda CBR600 F Sport , Kawasaki Ninja ZX6-R etc etc .... and when you sit on a 600 and think " WOOOOWEEE " and think its to much , there's a reasonable market for sport 400's which look fantastic , here's a few names for you , Honda CBR400 , Honda VFR400 , Honda RVF400(newer , Fancie VFR) , Kawasaki ZXR400 and also Suzuki GSXR400 etc,etc ... so let us know when you've decided and your only 43 still young , just recommend you to get on a bike A.S.A.P ,thanks.kaz

[5v3d3b0]

The reason I'm confident that I can ride a 750 is because:
1. I have already ridden geared 50 - 125 cc bikes for 2 years. Hence I know how clutch etc works.
2. This year I rode: Honda VFR 800, Ducati 916, Suzuki GSX 600 all without problems. I konw city and track are different, but I can be confident that if I've ridden a 130bhp sport bike without problems, a 106bhp semi sport bike is a piece of cake, and I'm still a very sensible driver. (I don't even thrash the rs much)

[GPS777]

Thanks, everyone for the helpfull advice, Having read through some other threads, im now starting to move the goal posts to something a little more sensible to start with, bang in loads of training and then go from there. Agian Many thanks for your efforts

[lazlo52]

This thread is making me feel positively ancient. I'm 55 and start my DAS tomorrow. I used to ride a 125 back in the 80's but used a car for the intervening period. Thought it about time I get a licence.
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I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy every minute of it!!

[Tim_H]

just passed my DAS, and 41 next week . - the DT has to go though.

[Bendy]

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

[Dazbo666]

I was 35 when I did my CBT / DAS etc...
and the ONLY regret I've ever had about getting in to biking is that I should have done it sooner
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1st bike (Sept'06 - May'10) : 1991 GPZ500S / Current bike (since Nov 2009) : 2003 Suzuki Bandit 600N
Word of the day : DILLIGAF

[gvb]

Hi, Sounds as though you are well capable of learning and staying safe. Go for it and enjoy your riding but mind them people in tin boxes, they don't like bikes. Don't worry about age, I'm 61 and riding an FJR1300, loving every minute of it.


Cheers,
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GVBYAM

[kaz32]

[anthonyr]

I would say get the bike you want to start with. I'm 33 just did my CBT and DAS without owning my own bike.
Got a cbr600 as my first bike, ive found its very easy to ride and all the power comes in about 6krpm, up to then its pretty tame.
Mate of mine was also in the same situation and bought a zx6r as first bike. We both have been sensible although both bikes have been dropped in the first couple of weeks!

[alig]

Like many have already said, only wish I`d done it years ago. Never rode a bike before december when i took my cbt. Took das in may, passed first time and bought a brand new zx6r. I`m 45 and love the new challenges of two wheels. The throttle goes both ways. When it`s safe to do so, open clear motorway for example, I`ve experienced 150mph + and all I can really say is wooohoooo.
Ride within your limits and road experience and go for it.
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I lost two wheels, only to find two better wheels !!
ZX6R 2007