General Advice

[maccidees2002]

Hi All
First post so might as well just get stuck in.I know you get all theses questions constantly as I've spent a long time read through this sections but would really appreciate peoples advice and experience to help with my situation.
Ok I have been wanting my bike license for a very long time but family commitments and finances have always got in the way I'm now 34 so not as young as most going for there test but i'm now in a situation where I can do this finacially and comitment wise.
However I also now live abroad in Portugal.
In order for me to have my bike test validated on my uk license I need to pass my test in the uk so at some point in the next 12 months I intend to come over for a week and I'm hoping to do a DAS course but over a 4/5 day period.
What are peoples opinions on this option and what / how is the best way to go about it.
I have silly blonde questions as well which are things like I am only 5,2 will this be a problem.
any help and advice would be great the only bike experience I have besides being a passenger is a couple of months riding on a twist gear vespa! I have held a full uk license since 1993.

any advice would be great and thanks in advance for any help.

[fiveus]

I think your going about it in the correct way as long as your old enough to do your das

Where abouts are your planning doing your das.Might be an idea to look up trainning schools in that area. And give them a ring.

Your height is fine bikes come in all different sizes.So sit on a few and find one that feels right

a helpfull link for you

https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CCQQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.begin-motorcycling.co.uk%2F&rct=j&q=motorcycle%20trainning&ei=dmM7TcT1BoTLhAewrJiLCg&usg=AFQjCNEp3xeCa62rUNIRfmPAjwLMESqAHQ&cad=rja
good luck with your trainning

[The Shaggy D.A.]

First tip, it's "advice", not "advise".

Second tip, your height doesn't matter, your inside leg does.
____________________
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[maccidees2002]

[Rogerborg]

[maccidees2002]

Just want to say thank you for all your constructive ADVICE and since I came on here for Advice on a bike test rather than a FUCKING spelling and grammer Lesson. I shall leave you lovely people to yourselves!!!

Thank you Fiveus shame others are not similar

[MattJ]

No advice but all I can say is that you are a brave man for wanting to ride a bike in Portugal, the drivers over there are lunatics from what I've experienced.

[621andy]

I did the same thing last year.

I'm based in Germany, but work worldwide, and only have limited time to do anything!

I did my DAS with BMTC in Bristol, and can only say good things about them

However, be warned; you'll need to do the bike theory test, before you can do anything else! I was lucky, and managed to get a date that fitted with me being in the UK, at 0730 in the morning. I'd already booked a course with BMTC on the proviso I passed my theory before turning up. Luckily all went to plan( look online for sample questions, plusnthere's plenty of info on here)

Schools tend to block book test dates, so there's more chance of you getting a chance to do it all the bits during your week, although I ended up running out of time to get mod 2 done, and had to go back over in october for a bit of training and the test, but manged it with a half days training and a quick hour before the test.

It IS possible to do it in 4-5 days, but if the test times don't fit in, then be prepared to go back and finish things off. The main problem is having to pass each stage before moving onto the next.
I basically did the CBT on a 125, and then did it all again on a 500. Did Mod1 on the 500 and found it all much easier as the bike is more stable and has the power to get up to speed on the swerves and emrrgency stop.

The only problem as far as I can see is your shortarseness
But the 500s most schools use seem fairly low. However at 6' 4" it's difficult for me to judge

Oh, and you'll need a UK address. I ended up using my grannies retirement home, as I don't have a current UK address. It's a bit dodgy, but there doesn't seem to be a way round it. Doing the same course in Germany was prohibitively expensive, and it still worked out cheaper to fly over, hire a car and do the mod 2 separately!

If you want any more detailed info, then PM me...

Good luck...

____________________
'93 Africa Twin RD07, C-90,MTX-125,H-100,XL-125, a 125UAG(CG copy!)

[Dazbo666]

You'd need to arrange your theory and CBT first...
after that, yes you can do your DAS in 3-5 days with very little experience.

I've been driving for a number of years before I was in a position to go ahead with my bike test, and at the age of 35. on the morning of my CBT I'd never even sat on a motorbike, but still managed to complete my DAS and pass the test 1st time

( to Simon, Stefan and Tony at Cardiff Motorcycle School)
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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

[fireyphoenix1...]

[quote="Rogerborg"]

[blurredman]

[maccidees2002]

First want to say I'm glad I checked back this morning thank you all for the advice , especially about the theory test I'll have to try and get it timed right.
I Might go back and do theory and cbt and then go back later and hopefully do mod 1 and 2, Its the theory that bothers me most as if i'm shown how to do things i.e riding the bike I get it quicker than reading etc
I'm definately doing it regardless of how long and how many failures as its something I've always wanted since my dad did his.

[Paxovasa]

Get practising the hazard perception part of the theory, as that is the part that catches most people out.

I used the 3 click method and passed first time.

The 3 click method is:

1. Click when you see a hazard.
2. Click when it develops.
3. Click again, just in case you were too quick with your first click.

When I say it develops, that means you have to brake or change direction because of the hazard.

Finally, good luck.
____________________
Suzuki GSF600 K3 (in the fastest colour, black).

[Jodie]

Hi and welcome Maccidees.

Get learning your theory asap, I started doing the free one online and then bought a cd rom from the local supermarket as I found the hazard perception hard to get grips with.

Order one off ebay, you will soon master it. It's well worth putting in the effort.

It is not hard if you have practised, so if you're confident with it you may be able to fit it in with your weeks direct access.

Good luck and don't let some people on here put you off coming on

[maccidees2002]

Thank you all I have done 2 of the hazard perception tests this morning and got a 4 and a 3 so will be practising lots on them and the theory.
Practise makes perfect as they say!!! also hoping to get on my friends bike this week coming but I'm away for the weekend so may be difficult.

[Clanger]

[whitedevil]

Also be aware that if you fail the mod1 you have to wait 3 days before you can try again, and if you fail the mod 2 you have to wait 10 days to try again.
So if you're planning 2 trips do the theory, cbt and mod 1 on the 1st trip.

Oh and good luck

[Oldie]

Firstly check to see if Portugal is designated for driving licence exchange purposes. If it is, you don't have to come back to the UK to sit your test.

Check out the MCN website (Learners section) and probably the DSA site as well.

[AJ9000]

I paid about ten quid for a months access to 70 hazard perception clips and all the test questions (couple of hundred).

Theory-test.co.uk was the site. Sometimes the clips were desparately slow, but that might have been my computer.

Nonetheless, I found it a great help, other than don't overdo it; it is of no benefit when you watch a clip where you know where the hazards are!

Good luck!

[maccidees2002]

I'm All booked to come over to the uk in March for my das. A friend over here is a bike mechanic and is lowering a drz so I can have a practice doing gears , clutch control and slow riding before I go.
So until then I am practicing the theory and hazard perception cd.

[fiveus]

[fireyphoenix1...]

nice one mate
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2014 Aprillia dorsoduro 750 factory.

[SweenyT]

Hi and welcome.

Don't let the crazy people on this site put you off, it is a great forum especially if you need advice, guidance, let off steam or whatever.

If I remember right on the actual theory test you can have the questions read out to you as well which may make it easier. I know you can on the practice CD/DVD. If anything give the test centre a ring beforehand to check if you feel it will help.

To the grammar/spelling police, so what if he's dyslexic, no-one would never have suspected if he hadn't said and as long as people can understand what's being written then whose business is it anyway. The amount of spelling and grammar mistakes that people make on here on any given day makes it kind of pointless don't you think? All I can say is I've found all of the dyslexic people I've met have been extremely intelligent and knowledgeable. Finally, thank goodness for spell check as I rely on it and I'm not dyslexic. Right that's me off my high horse

Good luck with figuring out the gears and on your tests etc in March.
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Current ride - 2005 Suzuki GSX-R600 K4 - 2x 2014 Honda NC750s long term courtesy bikes - 2003 Fazer FZ6 written off as idiot reversed into me - 2009 YBR125 - still have from new

[maccidees2002]

Hi All

Thanks for the replies will let you know how I get on even if its not good news!! but fingers crossed and lots of practice and hopfully everything will be fine!

[Clanger]