Resend my activation email : Register : Log in 
BCF: Bike Chat Forums


DAS - where did you do it?

Reply to topic
Bike Chat Forums Index -> New Bikers Goto page 1, 2, 3  Next
View previous topic : View next topic  
Author Message

SwitchItUp
Derestricted Danger



Joined: 15 Aug 2011
Karma :

PostPosted: 21:12 - 17 Aug 2011    Post subject: DAS - where did you do it? Reply with quote

Anyone do intensive/fast track DAS? If so, where and over how long and what did it cost?

And....did you pass?
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail You must be logged in to rate posts

pinkyfloyd
Super Spammer



Joined: 20 Jul 2010
Karma :

PostPosted: 07:26 - 18 Aug 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote

I done a 4 day DAS course with Silverbikes in Havant near Portsmouth. Passed mod 1 with no minors and passed mod 2 on the 3rd attempt.

Without the extra tests it would have cost me around £500 but because I had to throw another 2 test fees and bike hire it cost me closer to £800.
____________________
illuminateTHEmind wrote: I am just more evolved than most of you guys... this allows me to pick of things quickly which would have normally taken the common man years to master
Hockeystorm65:.well there are childish arguments...there are very childish arguments.....there are really stupid childish arguments and now there are......Pinkfloyd arguments!
Teflon-Mike:I think I agree with just about all Pinky has said.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website You must be logged in to rate posts

footlong8
Borekit Bruiser



Joined: 18 Jul 2011
Karma :

PostPosted: 09:47 - 18 Aug 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote

i went with camrider in harlow. i wanted an intense/fast track DAS course but they talked me out of it. apparently the pass rates arent as high!?

either way - whoever you choose ask about a guarenteed pass scheme and how much it is.... it might be worth thinking about? Wink
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

footlong8
Borekit Bruiser



Joined: 18 Jul 2011
Karma :

PostPosted: 09:48 - 18 Aug 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote

i went with camrider in harlow. i wanted an intense/fast track DAS course but they talked me out of it. apparently the pass rates arent as high!?

either way - whoever you choose ask about a guarenteed pass scheme and how much it is.... it might be worth thinking about? Wink
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

footlong8
Borekit Bruiser



Joined: 18 Jul 2011
Karma :

PostPosted: 09:49 - 18 Aug 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote

i went with camrider in harlow. i wanted an intense/fast track DAS course but they talked me out of it. apparently the pass rates arent as high!?

either way - whoever you choose ask about a guarenteed pass scheme and how much it is.... it might be worth thinking about? Wink
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

footlong8
Borekit Bruiser



Joined: 18 Jul 2011
Karma :

PostPosted: 09:53 - 18 Aug 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote

i went with camrider in harlow. i wanted an intense/fast track DAS course but they talked me out of it. apparently the pass rates arent as high!?

either way - whoever you choose ask about a guarenteed pass scheme and how much it is.... it might be worth thinking about? Wink
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

pinkyfloyd
Super Spammer



Joined: 20 Jul 2010
Karma :

PostPosted: 10:11 - 18 Aug 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote

Footlong went with them 4 times he liked it so much. Laughing Laughing Laughing
____________________
illuminateTHEmind wrote: I am just more evolved than most of you guys... this allows me to pick of things quickly which would have normally taken the common man years to master
Hockeystorm65:.well there are childish arguments...there are very childish arguments.....there are really stupid childish arguments and now there are......Pinkfloyd arguments!
Teflon-Mike:I think I agree with just about all Pinky has said.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website You must be logged in to rate posts

footlong8
Borekit Bruiser



Joined: 18 Jul 2011
Karma :

PostPosted: 10:13 - 18 Aug 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote

yeah sorry about that.... 6 times if you count up all the mod 1's and mod 2's! Wink
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

nant
Nova Slayer



Joined: 09 Aug 2011
Karma :

PostPosted: 10:21 - 18 Aug 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote

Did my CBT a year ago. Then started a 4 day DAS course end of june. With premier rider school based out of wembley. Passed mod 1 and mod 2 first time. Brilliant training facilities. Thats from having very little experience on motorbike to a full license!
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

SwitchItUp
Derestricted Danger



Joined: 15 Aug 2011
Karma :

PostPosted: 17:35 - 18 Aug 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote

Good info cheers!

Trying to work out where is cheapest for DAS - the cheaper the upfront cost, the more gear tokens left over for shiny bike action!

Good point about the pass guarantee - £99 in some places but that's a damn sight cheaper than shelling out for loads of tests...or doing 4 full courses foot long style Laughing just kidding mate, that amount of duplicate posts had to be worth a pisstake or 3!
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail You must be logged in to rate posts

Louise
World Chat Champion



Joined: 22 May 2006
Karma :

PostPosted: 19:12 - 18 Aug 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote

Did mine before Mod 1/2 - But 1st Castle in Portsmouth were excellent & would highly recommend if close Thumbs Up
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail You must be logged in to rate posts

allotriophagy
Borekit Bruiser



Joined: 28 May 2011
Karma :

PostPosted: 19:32 - 18 Aug 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote

I did my DAS at Mallory Park with Circuit Based Training and had a fairly grim time - spent most of the three days being shouted at. I was in a group with a few other people who were all much better than me. I originally signed up for three days, which was £780. Then they added £120 or something for Mod1/Mod2. Then they charged another £240 for the day I had to come in for the Mod1 (they wouldn't book me in for Mod2 so I expect that would have been another £240).

I passed the Mod1 with a minor (missed a shoulder check) but one of the other guys failed and so couldn't go on for his Mod2. Luckily I was able to get the spot and have a try and managed to pass with nine minors.

If I had to do it again, I'd probably go with something more local (it was a 70 mile round trip on my 125cc) and do a few lessons a week for a month or so. Would have saved a lot of money. But I don't think I am that bad on my bike - never get beeped at by other drivers, never had an accident, generally feel confident.

If you're rich and are a good rider already, I'd recommend it. If you're a bit shit, probably better to find somewhere a bit more touchyfeely.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

swampy
World Chat Champion



Joined: 04 Aug 2004
Karma :

PostPosted: 20:21 - 18 Aug 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote

Louise wrote:
Did mine before Mod 1/2 - But 1st Castle in Portsmouth were excellent & would highly recommend if close Thumbs Up


+1

Jon and Maggie at First Castle are excellent. Passed Mods 1 + 2 with 1 minor overall.
____________________
"I hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, violence or insanity to anyone, but they've always worked for me." Hunter S Thompson
"Faster, faster, faster, until the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death..." Hunter S Thompson
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail You must be logged in to rate posts

mattress
Scooby Slapper



Joined: 16 Jul 2011
Karma :

PostPosted: 08:45 - 06 Sep 2011    Post subject: Mallory Park - Circuit Based Training Reply with quote

I did it there too and although I passed, I have to say that it was truly awful.
The instruction was non-existant, there were too few instructors, the premises was a dilapidated portacabin, the bikes were absolute wrecks (unlike the pristine ones shown on the website) and the riding gear that they provided was fit for the bin (along with the bikes).

I assumed that a large part the training would take place on the circuit but there seemed to be an event on all but one of the four days! So, the little 'training' that was done on the circuit was did rather aimlessly - the instructors didn't seem to give a toss.

The day before the test I spoke to another guy doing the course and said that I 100% believe that the instructors have absolutely have no idea what our strengths and weaknesses were and what we need to do to increase our chances of passing! Incredible but true!

Anyway, the pass rate was 40% in my group! They didn't seen too bothered as they could see an opportunity to extract even more money from us!

I find it difficult to accept that I was duped into believing all that they claim on their website. The claimed approval from MCN and Bike magazine still grates with me now and was probably the deciding factor towards paying the rather large amount of money for the abysmal course.

My advice to anyone is to talk to people and find a good, reputable motorcycle trainer in you local area and get some decent, dedicated training on a bike that won't break down throughout the week. Don't be tempted by these cowboys.


allotriophagy wrote:
I did my DAS at Mallory Park with Circuit Based Training and had a fairly grim time - spent most of the three days being shouted at. I was in a group with a few other people who were all much better than me. I originally signed up for three days, which was £780. Then they added £120 or something for Mod1/Mod2. Then they charged another £240 for the day I had to come in for the Mod1 (they wouldn't book me in for Mod2 so I expect that would have been another £240).

I passed the Mod1 with a minor (missed a shoulder check) but one of the other guys failed and so couldn't go on for his Mod2. Luckily I was able to get the spot and have a try and managed to pass with nine minors.

If I had to do it again, I'd probably go with something more local (it was a 70 mile round trip on my 125cc) and do a few lessons a week for a month or so. Would have saved a lot of money. But I don't think I am that bad on my bike - never get beeped at by other drivers, never had an accident, generally feel confident.

If you're rich and are a good rider already, I'd recommend it. If you're a bit shit, probably better to find somewhere a bit more touchyfeely.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

Rogerborg
nimbA



Joined: 26 Oct 2010
Karma :

PostPosted: 09:35 - 06 Sep 2011    Post subject: Re: Mallory Park - Circuit Based Training Reply with quote

mattress wrote:
Anyway, the pass rate was 40% in my group!


The national average pass rate is nearly 70% for both tests. 40% is a bad joke.

You seem pretty put out by this - BUMPing 3 threads, hi, nice to meet you - so I assume you've complained to the DSA about them, right?
____________________
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
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

oMIKEYo
Derestricted Danger



Joined: 31 May 2011
Karma :

PostPosted: 10:53 - 06 Sep 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote

Did mine in gateshead.

Mod 1 - first time pass no minors
Mod 2 - second time pass, 2 minors (1 minor 1 major on failed one)

Passed on the 30th Aug Smile
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

mattress
Scooby Slapper



Joined: 16 Jul 2011
Karma :

PostPosted: 11:57 - 06 Sep 2011    Post subject: Re: Mallory Park - Circuit Based Training Reply with quote

Rogerborg wrote:
mattress wrote:
Anyway, the pass rate was 40% in my group!


The national average pass rate is nearly 70% for both tests. 40% is a bad joke.

You seem pretty put out by this - BUMPing 3 threads, hi, nice to meet you - so I assume you've complained to the DSA about them, right?


Roger,

Yeah, I was certainly a bit miffed and I passed both tests! I felt really sorry for the guys who failed as I could see it coming a mile off, yet incredibly, nothing corrective was done about it.

Complain to the DSA? You know what will happen - they'll act all professional and interested in the clients when the DSA inspector comes around!

The condition of the equipment (and establishment) was what initially got me.....I still can feel the embarassment when we had a 10 minute practice on the Mod1 circuit in Leicester and all the other riding school students were there on brand new bikes!

I paid around £1200 for three days training and the tests (both started before 11AM on the fourth day). Rather stupidly, I equated high cost to high quality. Like I said above, the lure of the circuit and the endorsements from two respected motorcycling publications really did draw me in.

Oh, another nice touch was their 'Guaranteed Pass' option. For the princely sum of £399, if you failed your test, you could come back and have unlimited training to enable you to pass both sections - or at least have three attempts. 'Not bad', I thought, 'very decent of them'. There was one slight hitch with this.....you had to stump up the money by 1pm on day one of the course! Bear in mind that we probably didn't get on a motorcycle until around 11am!! So, after two hours you had to decide if you wanted to take the gamble! How on earth you are supposed to gauge your chances after less than a couple of hours in the saddle? I must admit, I was tempted but the thought of losing £399 if I happened to pass was a bit too much. I am sure though, that if I had paid the £399, I would have had a bit more interest from the instuctors!!

Unfortunately, for me, I cannot learn from this experience as I happened to pass but hopefully I can warn others before they fall into the same, sorry trap.


Last edited by mattress on 12:06 - 06 Sep 2011; edited 1 time in total
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

allotriophagy
Borekit Bruiser



Joined: 28 May 2011
Karma :

PostPosted: 12:04 - 06 Sep 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote

I was also attracted by the professional-looking website and the testimonials. I still wonder what would have happened if the other guy hadn't failed his Mod1 so I could get his Mod2 spot - they'd have wanted me to pay for a few extra days at £250 a pop, I bet.

It's in the past for me now, at least.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

mattress
Scooby Slapper



Joined: 16 Jul 2011
Karma :

PostPosted: 12:12 - 06 Sep 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote

allotriophagy wrote:
I was also attracted by the professional-looking website and the testimonials. I still wonder what would have happened if the other guy hadn't failed his Mod1 so I could get his Mod2 spot - they'd have wanted me to pay for a few extra days at £250 a pop, I bet.

It's in the past for me now, at least.


Undoubtedly, they would have wanted your money.

It was awful to watch the major sucking up to the guys who failed in an attempt to get them to come back. The head 'instructor' even said that the failures were the best of the group and the ones that he would have put money on to pass!! Yes, they fell for it!

As you said, the nice website and testimonials (are they even true?) does pull you in. I still shudder in anger when I see the MCN and Bike logos at the top of page one though!

Same as you, I can put the godforsaken place behind me now. Others have not been so lucky.


P.S. What did you think of their bikes?? Did you have a go on the actual Mod1 test circuit in Leicester?
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

Aquila
Two Stroke Sniffer



Joined: 01 Aug 2011
Karma :

PostPosted: 13:57 - 06 Sep 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote

Did my DAS with Bike Sense in Cambridge.
They have >90% first time pass rates, and there's a good reason for this. They really are good. From what I've heard, students who don't manage to pass their tests from other schools in Cambs tend to switch to Bike Sense after they've sort of exhausted all other options. They will also regularly hire the MPTC to practice the Mod1 test, which apparently is not true for all schools around here.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail You must be logged in to rate posts

Wibbles
Borekit Bruiser



Joined: 21 Aug 2011
Karma :

PostPosted: 14:05 - 06 Sep 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote

pinkyfloyd wrote:
Footlong went with them 4 times he liked it so much. Laughing Laughing Laughing


I am doing my DAS at the same place :o
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website You must be logged in to rate posts

allotriophagy
Borekit Bruiser



Joined: 28 May 2011
Karma :

PostPosted: 14:16 - 06 Sep 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote

mattress wrote:
P.S. What did you think of their bikes?? Did you have a go on the actual Mod1 test circuit in Leicester?


The bikes were...well, I am not sure since at that point I'd only ever been on three different 125cc bikes. Most had mirrors taped on/dangling off a bit, fair few dents and scuffs and scrapes. To be expected from learner bikes, I guess. I tried a few different bikes (can't recall which ones now) until I found one which had decent brakes.

After passing my mods, my bike ran out of petrol on the way back and then the battery went flat trying to start it up. The instructor was absolutely furious. Pushed the bike to a petrol station, where I had to pay £10 for a set of jumper leads (rather than him going the few miles to the park to get something like that), which still didn't work.

There were two girls on a bike at the petrol station at the same time and I had a chat with them whilst the instructor swore at the bike. They didn't have much nice to say about Mallory Park either and talked about the awful condition of the bikes. I gave them the jumper leads as a gift and rode pillion back with the instructor. Very Happy
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

J4mes
World Chat Champion



Joined: 18 Mar 2011
Karma :

PostPosted: 14:27 - 06 Sep 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote

^^^ smooth..... Laughing
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

mattress
Scooby Slapper



Joined: 16 Jul 2011
Karma :

PostPosted: 14:43 - 06 Sep 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote

allotriophagy wrote:
mattress wrote:
P.S. What did you think of their bikes?? Did you have a go on the actual Mod1 test circuit in Leicester?


The bikes were...well, I am not sure since at that point I'd only ever been on three different 125cc bikes. Most had mirrors taped on/dangling off a bit, fair few dents and scuffs and scrapes. To be expected from learner bikes, I guess. I tried a few different bikes (can't recall which ones now) until I found one which had decent brakes.

After passing my mods, my bike ran out of petrol on the way back and then the battery went flat trying to start it up. The instructor was absolutely furious. Pushed the bike to a petrol station, where I had to pay £10 for a set of jumper leads (rather than him going the few miles to the park to get something like that), which still didn't work.

There were two girls on a bike at the petrol station at the same time and I had a chat with them whilst the instructor swore at the bike. They didn't have much nice to say about Mallory Park either and talked about the awful condition of the bikes. I gave them the jumper leads as a gift and rode pillion back with the instructor. Very Happy


Laughing Laughing Sounds about right! The extensive use of gaffer tape is unbelievable. My bike was a fairfew years old (R reg.) and had been hammered. The mirrors were different, neither for the bike and they were held on the stalks with tape. The side panels were covered in tape. The tank, part of the fairing, all indicators. You can imagine the state of it?!

You actually expected the bikes to be wrecks? I must be naive because I didn't. I am truly amazed that any of them had MOTs at all. Most broke down regularly, had clutch levers that were hanging off, poorly set-up throttles/tickover (constant stalling), awful brakes, etc. In fact, one of the guys who failed his Mod1 was told by the examiner to get the rear wheel sorted out immediately as it was hugely misaligned and may well have contributed to him failing(?)!! One of the other guys who failed his Mod1 had a bike that stalled whenever he gave it anything less than a fistful of throttle. He stalled three or four (or five) times during his Mod1.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

allotriophagy
Borekit Bruiser



Joined: 28 May 2011
Karma :

PostPosted: 15:22 - 06 Sep 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote

mattress wrote:
You actually expected the bikes to be wrecks? I must be naive because I didn't.


I'm not sure, really. I wasn't expecting pristine brand-new bikes but they were very poor condition compared to the bikes where I had done my CBT.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts
Old Thread Alert!

The last post was made 14 years, 177 days ago. Instead of replying here, would creating a new thread be more useful?
  Display posts from previous:   
This page may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. By clicking on an affiliate link, you accept that third-party cookies will be set.

Post new topic   Reply to topic    Bike Chat Forums Index -> New Bikers All times are GMT
Goto page 1, 2, 3  Next
Page 1 of 3

 
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You cannot download files in this forum

Read the Terms of Use! - Powered by phpBB © phpBB Group
 

Debug Mode: ON - Server: birks (www) - Page Generation Time: 0.10 Sec - Server Load: 1.42 - MySQL Queries: 16 - Page Size: 141.31 Kb