Lessons

Mantzy · Spanner Monkey Joined: 30 May 2004 Karma :

Alright, now i've only been riding for 4 months now but have booked my theory test next week. Once i pass that, which i don't think will be too much of a problem seeing as I can drive too and did the Hazard Perception in my last theory test, I'm going to book my DAS. Now here is the problem. Do i do the intensive course which costs a fair whack and just get the test over and done with (which is my current preferred option - what with all the problems with the driving licence which took over a year thanks to the DSA) or should i go the cheaper option of having just a couple of lessons and taking the test. I really don't know. I think i'm a good rider but I know i'm not the best in the world and would never claim to be. If i go down to the training centre i know they will probably say "Have 100s of lessons and give us your money" but slightly subtler than that.

How do you know? Any help would be great.
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Current Bikes: 2010 Triumph Sprint ST 1050
Previous Bikes: 2002 Sachs XTC, 1999 Kawasaki ZX6R, 2004 GSX-R 600 K4, 2006 Yamaha XT660X

sychosis · Crazy Courier Joined: 21 May 2004 Karma :

I really couldn't afford to do the intensive course, so I myself am doing lessons.

I have done two so far, and got another one sunday, I was told last week, that if I ride this week the same I should be put next week on a 500 and they'll das assess me.

I've been riding for 12 months so have picked up some bad habits, the lessons are to help me get rid of these and get me to a test standard.

To be honest I think that if you have lessons and are a quick learner you may end up paying less than the course.
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Bikes owned: Aprilia RS 125 GP1 2003 (Now sold), Suzuki GSX-r600 1997 (streetfightered), https://www.bikepics.com/members/sychosis/
psy?cho?sis (si-ko-sis),n. pl. psy?cho?ses (-sez) ,A severe mental disorder, with or without organic damage, characterized by derangement of personality and loss of contact with reality and causing deterioration of normal social functioning.

stryker · Brolly Dolly Joined: 30 Aug 2004 Karma :

When I did my DAS intensive it was handy as spending the day with the instructor we did some serious miles and I learnt many a invaluable lesson while in his company. So as I'd had no previous bike experience I think the intensive was worth it, I mean how much do you value your life?

Mister James · I want to believe! Joined: 10 Aug 2004 Karma :

Agree with stryker there, I dont think you can compare normal road riding with the DAS for effectiveness.

It's good to ride on your own as it builds confidence in being on the road, but you do build up these bad habits, I know I certainly did.

We had two people come in for training during my 4 day course, who had been riding a while, and both realised that 1 day wasn't going to be enough, despite their previous experience. TBH it's just not worth the risk, to my mind.

sychosis · Crazy Courier Joined: 21 May 2004 Karma :

I was only saying that it is good to have lessons, as I really don't rate intensive courses, they don't give you enough road experience of other drivers/riders out there.
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Bikes owned: Aprilia RS 125 GP1 2003 (Now sold), Suzuki GSX-r600 1997 (streetfightered), https://www.bikepics.com/members/sychosis/
psy?cho?sis (si-ko-sis),n. pl. psy?cho?ses (-sez) ,A severe mental disorder, with or without organic damage, characterized by derangement of personality and loss of contact with reality and causing deterioration of normal social functioning.

stryker · Brolly Dolly Joined: 30 Aug 2004 Karma :

Oh sorry I see your point. I personally had been driving 11 years before I got my bike license. I really feel the fear for people who have bikes as a first vehicle. If I'm totally honest I'd say I took many years to become competent at reading the road and planning ahead. Its something that only comes with experience.

That is one thing I agree with the government on. Young/new road users ARE not aware of just how inexperienced they are.

sychosis · Crazy Courier Joined: 21 May 2004 Karma :

Same here I passed my car test in 1993. I passed my CBT 28/9/03 so have had 12 months experience on a bike on the road. To be honest I wouldn't recommend the DAS to anyone, seen too many people think cause they've passed they are good drivers, maybe on a pad or airfield but on a real road.
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Bikes owned: Aprilia RS 125 GP1 2003 (Now sold), Suzuki GSX-r600 1997 (streetfightered), https://www.bikepics.com/members/sychosis/
psy?cho?sis (si-ko-sis),n. pl. psy?cho?ses (-sez) ,A severe mental disorder, with or without organic damage, characterized by derangement of personality and loss of contact with reality and causing deterioration of normal social functioning.

Mantzy · Spanner Monkey Joined: 30 May 2004 Karma :

I totally agree with all of your comments. Experience comes from time on the road. I've been driving on and off for the last few years, admittidly only on L plates with someone next to me but still, its all experience. Hence why I failed the first driving test I had as I'd picked up bad habits as well. I know riding a bike is different from a car but must admit I'm not wanting to burn it up down the road as I've kinda got past that stage in my life (where are my slippers?) and I know i have some bad habits riding too, but also some good ones that i worked out myself after I got on the road post-cbt (eg changing down gears when slowing down as it helps with engine braking too - may sound obvious but on my cbt i was nervous and didn't really do it).

Still think that doing DAS intensively may be the best option if only to have more experience with a 500 before the test. Last thing I was going to do was get my test and then go buy a 1000cc, personally thinking i think they should still have a restriction after DAS to a maximum of 90bhp or something for 6 months after the test, though it may be a bit nannystate-ish. Either way, i'm going to get a 400 post test
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Current Bikes: 2010 Triumph Sprint ST 1050
Previous Bikes: 2002 Sachs XTC, 1999 Kawasaki ZX6R, 2004 GSX-R 600 K4, 2006 Yamaha XT660X

Bendy · Mrs Sensible Joined: 10 Jun 2002 Karma :

Personally, I generally only recommend intensives to people who are already road users. I did one and had no problem cos I'd been a car driver for years, but I think learning the road and the bike in a few days is putting a lot of pressure on yourself.

I'll always remember my CBT, I was paired up with a cocky 16 year old who'd been riding his ped around the garden and was 'well confident' on it. For the carpark part of the day, he was finding everything terribly easy, but when it came time to get out on the road he was all over the place. Cos, of course, he'd never been on the roads before while us cagers were completely used to it and unfazed by lanes, signs, lights, traffic...

Wave2k · G's Stalker Joined: 06 Apr 2004 Karma :

i rode my RS125 for 4 months then did a 2 day course
passed
courses are much better than lesson, well worth the d0sh
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Ducati 1299 Panigale
2009 Corvette C6 z51
RS125->CBR400->RXS100->GSXR750K2->Ducati749S->CBR600RR5->TL1000R->DRz400->RSVR1000->Honda VTR SP1->CBR400->GSXR1000K6->Honda H100->CBR600RR3->Ducati1299

stryker · Brolly Dolly Joined: 30 Aug 2004 Karma :

Yeah, DAS is way better if you have your road sense. I think a lot of time is wasted in short lessons as you're kind of getting back into it each time.

sychosis · Crazy Courier Joined: 21 May 2004 Karma :

Well as I said lessons are better for me, cause one I really can't get the time off work, two don't have that kind of money in one go, and three I can practise practise practise before my next lesson.
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Bikes owned: Aprilia RS 125 GP1 2003 (Now sold), Suzuki GSX-r600 1997 (streetfightered), https://www.bikepics.com/members/sychosis/
psy?cho?sis (si-ko-sis),n. pl. psy?cho?ses (-sez) ,A severe mental disorder, with or without organic damage, characterized by derangement of personality and loss of contact with reality and causing deterioration of normal social functioning.

stryker · Brolly Dolly Joined: 30 Aug 2004 Karma :

In your circumstances, its ideal then. I didn't have a bike on my "L"s so I had to get it all done in one go.

sychosis · Crazy Courier Joined: 21 May 2004 Karma :

Well the DAS would have been better for you as you had already had road experience from your car.

But as always it's up to the individual.

And Mantzy, they will more than likely say do the DAS
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Bikes owned: Aprilia RS 125 GP1 2003 (Now sold), Suzuki GSX-r600 1997 (streetfightered), https://www.bikepics.com/members/sychosis/
psy?cho?sis (si-ko-sis),n. pl. psy?cho?ses (-sez) ,A severe mental disorder, with or without organic damage, characterized by derangement of personality and loss of contact with reality and causing deterioration of normal social functioning.