hi, just starting out das

[wattsy]

hi. after a few years of wanting a bike, i have finally bitten the bullet, saved some bucks and booked my bike training. i did my cbt about a month ago, and had a great time doing it too! this was the first time i'd ever ridden a motorbike, and only the third time i'd been on one, so it did feel quite alien.

i've passed my theory again about a month ago, having faild first time around on the BS hazard peception now is time to begin the das course, and i can't wait!

i have an hour or two with my instructor this afternoon, just to get familiar with the 500, then we start propper on sunday morning. both mods are booked for next week, so just plan to concentrate, enjoy, learn, and LISTEN to as much as i can, and keep my fingers crossed!

anyway, been a lurker for a few weeks now, and just thought i'd introduce myself. i'm always happy to take onboard any advice and criticism (constructive) so i'll keep you posted with my progress.

craig

[ajbsmirnoff]

good luck fella.

watch out for the kittens !

[kiddakidda]

My advice would be don't try and rush it like I did and book your Mod 1 & 2 on the same day.

As other forum members have pointed out, Mod 1 is easy to pass and easy to fail.

A dab of the foot on the ground during the slow excercises is an instant fail.

Go and enjoy it and update us when you have your Mod 1 and then your Mod 2 certificates.

[Rogerborg]

Nice one, enjoy yourself and don't worry about the tests, there's nothing inherently hard in them.
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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

[Kingstondavo]

Best of luck with it - Nothing wrong with doing both Mods on the same day, gives extra incentive to get through Mod1!
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Current Ride - 2010 Hornet 600

[kiddakidda]

I agree with you but you also risk losing £100+ for a silly mistake. It's the Op's choice but I suggest keeping them a least 3 Days apart to allow for a cancellation. Either way good luck

[dannymassive]

Hi and Welcome! I too did both my MODs on the same day......was extremely nerve wrecking initially, but as soon as the MOD1 was out of the way it was a breeze. Plenty of practice of the slow speed manoeuvre's and you'll be fine. Good Luck and keep us posted! Any idea's of what bike you're going to get when you pass?
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Previous Ride's - '01 Aprilia SR125 (Sold) '08 HONDA CBF600n (Sold) '96 CB500 (Sold) '01 FZS 1000 (Sold) '06 CB1300SA (Sold) '07 CB600F Hornet (Sold) - '93 Suzuki Savage LS400 (Sold) '98 Honda VTR1000 Firestorm (Sold) '05 CB600F Hornet (Sold) '01 FZS1000 Fazer (Sold) 2016 Harley Davidson Street Bob SE (Sold) '02 Kawasaki ZX9R (Sold) '98 CB600F Hornet (Sold) '04 Suzuki Bandit 1200s (Sold) '13 Yamaha FZ1-N

[wattsy]

thanks for the advice. mod 1 is two days before mod 2. i agree, if you mess up mod 1 it's money down the drain. to be honest, i dont really need more focus or incentive to pass my mod 1, i really can't wait to get on the road.

craig

[dungbug]

Nothing constructive to add other than best of luck with the training & enjoy riding. Looking forward to hearing how you get on chap.

[wattsy]

well, i had a couple of hours 'finding my feet' on the 500, and loved it.
i did drop the bike as we left the car park mind confused on where the instructor wanted me, and went to squeeze the brake, except, it was the clutch! doh! in my defense it was more a gentle lowering than a drop, but ho hum.

the good news was it didn't really damage my confidence, and from that point on i just kept smiling away to myself, and having a good laugh at my instructors commentary of other road users

he was overall very pleased with my riding, which is good, because so was i but being new, you have no frame of reference, so was nice to know it was looking good.

he explained that we have three sessions on the mod 1 curcuit before the test (sunday and monday), which is great for my confidence, in so much as i'm not going in cold.

in terms of bikes, i really want a zx6r in green. love the colour, and the looks/size of the bike, also pleased to hear my instructor say how much he liked owning his.

roll on sunday!

craig

[sidewinder]

Good on you.Just listen to what the instructor says .And you will do fine.And good luck.

[crackfinder]

Good luck and have fun
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Yamaha FZS600 Fazer (gone but not forgotten). Current - Kawasaki ZX6R A1P

[Bassworm]

Good luck mate. I'm starting my DAS course on Monday so I'll be just behind you.

[dungbug]

Sounds like you had a good training session, well done chap.

[_Troy_]

Good luck for tomorrow mate.

I have a green zx6r (jealous? ) and it is quite a step up from a 500. I'd be warned that it is quite a different animal altogether actually, and as a first bike it may not be best. Oh and depending on your age, the insurance is bloomin' expensive. I'm 24 and pay around £700, but that's because I'm an idiot who chose a stupid bike
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Current bike: ZX6R J1
Previous bikes: CLR 125 | GS500 | ZX6R G2 | SV650

[harscot]

[wattsy]

thanks for all the comments, just an update really, after my second day of training, i have my mod 1 tomorrow morning. i'm feeling ok for it, though after yesterday, i kept making silly mistakes on my u turn, today went really well, and though there is still room for improvement, i feel much happier about it.

my instructor is great, and very good at praise, and also nice and gentle on the criticism. a real natural teacher.

my generel observation so far is that this is a greulling course, with long days on the bikes, i feel quite knackered by the time i'm done at 3.30 ish. fortunatley both tests are in the am! it really is good fun on the bike, and having poped out in the car when i got home today, you just miss so much of the road and enviroment around you. my observation has gone ballistic, and as i said, theres more to come!

so all i need, is some kind weather, a good nights sleep, and to stay calm.

i'll update when i get a chance.

craig

[ElliotReidMD]

A good instructor must make a huge difference. My instructor, Neil at On Yer Bike, was great. Fair criticism when required and plenty of praise. Made it all so easy.

Good luck on the mod 1, you know you can do it so go and do it.
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Current Bike: Kawasaki Versys

[dan_flash]

+1 on having top instructors.

You'll blitz your Mod1 by the sounds of things. Don't even need to wish you good luck, do we

Only bits of advice I can give for Mod1;
1) Take steady breaths between each task and take your time.
2) Trust the tarmac - even if it's soaking it's still super grippy.
3) Tuck the feet in! You don't want to become a cone-kicker.
4) Observation. It's a caged playground containing one person with a clipboard but they insist on some role-play-type-action, so always always always do the shoulder checks/life savers/etc as you would on a public road.
5) On the 50 metre wheely test, just make sure that you keep the revs up and don't let the front drop.

What, nobody told you about the Mod1 50 Metre Wheely test?


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Yamaha XJ600S, Volvo v40.

[wattsy]

hi, thanks guys. I PASSED! lots of pacing up and down before i started, went in, and smashed it. i picked up 1 minor for being clocked at 49 kph for my hazard avoidance (details)! then had a really good day on the bike after too!

i'm begining to feel like i'm riding a bike now, rather than just following instructions, and it really does feel great. bloody knackered now mind

time for some pancakes and a good nights sleep, then a full day on the bike tomorrow.

thanks to all those who have posted, it's nice to have some support.

craig.

[crackfinder]

Congratulations
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Yamaha FZS600 Fazer (gone but not forgotten). Current - Kawasaki ZX6R A1P

[_Troy_]

Congrats! That's the hardest/easiest to fail part out of the way.
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Current bike: ZX6R J1
Previous bikes: CLR 125 | GS500 | ZX6R G2 | SV650

[ElliotReidMD]

Nice one. I had exactly the same, 1 minor for 49 on the avoidance.

That obviously means you'll get 5 minors on your mod 2 and pass
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Current Bike: Kawasaki Versys

[mike_wall15]

Well done mate!

What I find interesting is that you're doing it the exact opposite way to me... you see, I haven't had a single lesson, did my tests on a 125, bought a 600, got used to it restricted, and am now taking tests on that...
I think most people do it your way to be honest, at least it gets it done quicker.

Say you'd failed the mod1 today, then would you have lost out on the cost for the mod2?
Would your training have gone into the 2nd week?

Nobody ever seems to post these sort of comments, so would be really interested to find out.
Part of the reason I did it my way was to reduce cost you see...

Good luck for the mod2

Mike

[wattsy]

good point mike. to be honest, i don't know? i've taken a week off work for this, so not sure where it would leave me? that said there was a fuck up with the bookings today and the other chaps mod1 wasn't named? therfore couldn't take his test today. he is booked in tomorrow in a cancellation spot now though. spaces do seem to come up, but i really don't know the answer. my instuctor just hasn't let us think failing is an option, and as he says he only trains us to pass.

maybe it's the reason he said i'd need five days? i have heard him on the phone telling people they only need a couple of days etc, though it still comes down to the day really doesn't it?
when i pass my mod2, whenever that is, i'll ask him, as it obviously happens. right now though thats not a thought i want

craig