Opinions please - redo CBT, redo DAS, or go for A2 license

[Intruder_Andy]

Hi all, i recently took and failed my 3 day DAS course then re-booked mod1 and failed it again.

Both times I had trouble with the rear brake (too much) on e stop (1st time) and swerve (2nd time) and really could do with a couple hours practice on a 500 before taking it again i feel so I can get used to the bike/brakes.

Here's the problem though, my CBT runs out on the 3rd of september and funds are tight so am wondering how to proceed.

I have a 125 which is on the road so I can either redo CBT, go for A2 on my 125 or leave it for a while, save up and redo DAS.

What do you guys think?

Andy

[Teflon-Mike]

Tough Call; Mod 1 can be a bit of a bugger.
DAs is effoff exzpensive; and if you are riding already, most of what you are paying for is basically instructor time to fulfill hgela req' for you to be under radio supervison on the DAS bike while practicing.
BUT, cant 'practice' the balence & control of a DAS bike for DAS Mod1 on a 125.... everything ELSE pretty much... but not that.

Either way, with test dates the way they are at the moment, and barely a WEEK untill your CBT expires, you aren't going to get either DAS or 125 'Standard' tests done in that time, & you'll be lucky to get a course THIS week-end, basically to repeat CBT!

So, I think you can pretty much BANK on having to repeat CBT.

(You are forgiven! I shout loudly at 'perpetual L-Platers, repeating CBT having TRIED to get tests, is 'OK'... you at least tried)

That accepted, then; I think, if pennies are short; go 125 all the way; esp if you have your own bike.

You have HAD training; so all you would be paying for is expensive DAS bike practice time....

And at however much they charge for a repeat Mod1, with bike hire, could get expensive.

If you self book your Mod 1 on 'Standard Bike', its £15.50... cheaper than a lesson; and just DO IT over and over, booking repeats if you fail as soon as you get home from fail.... till you get it.

Then you can do Mod 2.... again, for just £75 avoiding hire and instructor fees.

You get the same licence, just 2yr 33bhp restriction.

But once 'done' it's done, isn't it?

You could then, if you find pennies, try going for Accelerated Access... which could work out overall no more expensive than carrying on trying to do it DAS style...

(Possibly cheaper if you got a 'restricted' SV650 or GS500 or similar, and simply turned up for AA Test, slapped L-Plate and 'swapped' ECU over to make it 'full-power' for the test!)

If you fail AA tests... effit, restriction lapses in good time anyway!

BUT, you wont have been banging your head against a wall, paying an instructor big money to watch you, and 'not' get you 'fast track' licence, which is what a DAS course is supposed to be..... I mean, waiting three days each time MOD 1 has to be repeated ISN'T fast, and counting down on another CBT cert, unhelpful, innnit?

So go 125, get it out the way, cheap-style...
____________________
My Webby'Tef's-tQ, loads of stuff about my bikes, my Land-Rovers, and the stuff I do with them!
Current Bikes:'Honda VF1000F' ;'CB750F2N' ;'CB125TD ( 6 3 of em!)'; 'Montesa Cota 248'. Learner FAQ's:= 'U want to Ride a Motorbike! Where Do U start?'

[snikks]

I can echo what Teflon-Mike said, having just done pretty much this myself. Passed Mod 1, attempted Mod 2 several times, then decided to get some training. Found a "shortened" DAS course that was cheaper than the full thing, not much more than a few days training, and said to myself, if I pass, great, if not I've had the training and can carry on with my 125.

Lo and behold I failed that Mod 1, so went ahead with another Mod 2 test straightaway on my 125 and passed. I can confirm that it feels just as good passing that way as any other way, and if I get sick of the restriction I can always look into AA in the future.

If I'd pressed ahead with DAS it would've meant waiting until I got paid again, still being on L plates now, and another massive fork out I can't really afford.

Instead, I'm picking up a restricted Fazer 600 on Saturday morning...
____________________
- CBT: 02/01/11 Theory: 26/04/11 Mod 1: 19/05/11 Mod 2: 19/08/11
- 2007 Honda XL125V Varadero (Sold), 1999 Yamaha FZS600 Fazer (Sold), 2001 CBR600F

[Rogerborg]

Tef's being very mellow today. I guess Snowie's been round...

Anyway, I fully agree. You'll have to re-do the CBT (ask if you can get a cheap refresher on your own bike), then pass A2 on your familiar bike. That'll take the financial and performance anxiety pressure off, and you'll have A license, with no more tests required. Then get your (restricted) Big Boy Bike and upgrade your license if and when circumstances, time and funds allow, again doing it yourself on your own bike.

Oh, and forget the rear brake during the Mod 1 speed tests. The examiner can't see if you're actually using it, and you've got plenty of room to stop without it, so all you're doing is giving yourself a chance to lock the rear.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[Intruder_Andy]

Cheers for the replies guys, the only issue I have with doing the A2 on my own bike is the fact that my bike is a big heavy cruiser which I don't think would be very good for doing the slalom/slow manouvers on.

I'm gonna be rebooking CBT anyway and think I'll do one more MOD 1 on a 500 with practice session beforehand (£155).

If I pass then gr8 if not I'll be going the A2 route.

Andy

[Oldie]

For me, getting rid of the L Plates was the priority. I just hated them and felt that they encouraged cagers to take the piss.

I ended up doing DAS, but A2 is absolutely fine, especially if you're young. Plenty of fun to be had on restricted bikes, and it will pass soon enough.

Good luck with whatever route you go down

[SweenyT]

[allotriophagy]

Can't the place you did your DAS with give you a new CBT? I thought DAS courses included CBT. Just something to check, I guess.

[MadCatLady]

That sounds a good idea as they know you there. Would you have to do a full day repeat CBT or as they know you, and put you in for Mod 1, would it be more of a short session? In other words, to assess you are still safe to be on the roads and they are happy with your riding.

[Sload]

[Teflon-Mike]