Routes to A license without DAS course

[SamWise72]

I have a busy job, and 2 kids who are my sole responsibility at the weekends. I've got my CBT and am covering lots of distance (130 miles a day on days I'm in the office) on my 125. I'd like to take the A license, but due to the factors mentioned above, DAS is difficult (I'd have to take several days holiday; I can do it if I have to, but I only have 20 to start with).

I know I read, practise, and take my test on the 125, but I don't really want a restricted license. Have I got any other options?[/list]

[mjn51]

I did DAS over a couple of weekends, it does not need to be consecuitve days !ok the tests themselves are on weekdays, but is the same whatever route you take.

[Efes123]

Short answer = No.

You could either hire or borrow a larger bike to do the tests on. It's not impossible, but it is a pain in the arse. Apart from the bike, you'll need insurance, and a way of getting the bike to and from the test centre.

Personally, I don't fancy your chances of passing on a larger bike if you haven't riden one before. I'd just take the tests on the 125, 33bhp isn't too bad. There's always the chance that your restrictors will fall out
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Honda Goldwing GL 1000 Current love
Honda VT500 ED - SOLD
Projects Suzuki GS125 Done, then stolen - Kawasaki GPX750R SOLD - Honda VF750S SOLD

[angryjonny]

I assume you mean "intensive course"

DAS is simply the taking of your test on a >46bhp machine. Doesn't matter how long it takes you to get there.

As you cannot ride anything more than your 125 without an instructor/examiner present your options are (1) break the law or (2) involve an instructor.

I've never seen bike courses offered an hour at a time like car lessons - one reason I'd assume is that the instructor cannot bring the bike to you so you have to go to them - to make this worth *your* while you'll usually do half a day minimum, or a full day at a time.

However, first thing I'd suggest is ringing round all the schools in your area and seeing if such an option is available. You might find someone willing to offer lessons an hour at a time, though this is really the wrong time of year to be starting thinking about doing evenings.

[SamWise72]

I was hoping my local schools would let me break it up into full days, but the one I called said no, and said that all schools would say the same. I can probably wangle a day here and there either from the kids or even from work (it's in their interest for me to pass) but not 4 days.

[thepuma]

If you pull your finger out now you could do it yourself by January on a 125. Then you can get a big bike restricted for 2 years.

Theory tests can be done on Saturday. Mod1 is just 15 mins and mine was done at 8.15am so went straight to work after and got in just before 9am. So the ONLY time off you'd need would be for the mod2 and they start early as well so technically you may only need an hour or so off one morning.

Simply put, you could pass all your tests and only need to book just one hour off work.
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YBR125 (SOLD) - CBR250R(SOLD) - CBR650F(SOLD) Current - Street Triple
765 RS

[SamWise72]

True! Truth be known I'm sure I could pass on the 125 much quicker than that. I've been driving a LOOOONG time, and I've put nearly 1000 miles on the bike in the first couple of weeks. Little bit of brushing up, and some practise for the Mod 1 swerve tests, and I'd be good to go. Trouble is, I don't really want a restricted license.

[angryjonny]

[P.addy]

Nothing wrong with a restricted licence.

Going from no licence to full power bike will take around 2 years of general riding around anyway. You'll be used to it in no time.

[SamWise72]

I'll try some more schools. I'm not planning to go from 125 to something super powerful, but for the distances I'm doing every day, a BMW K75 RT would be just right; nice big fairing, heated grips, enough go to make motorway runs a pleasure without being terrifying. I suppose I could do the test DIY and get a GPZ500 in the short term, but 2 year still feels a long time even when you're 40.

[thepuma]

[SQL]

do your restricted then do your accerelated access

[thepuma]

Would a restricted SV650 not suit you?
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YBR125 (SOLD) - CBR250R(SOLD) - CBR650F(SOLD) Current - Street Triple
765 RS

[SamWise72]

Nowhere near enough fairing for my liking I suppose I could look for a restrictor kit for a K75.

[Firkit]

The place I did my CBT does lessons in two hour blocks, that's the route I plan to go as the intensive route doesn't appeal to me. Did an intensive course in the car 20 years ago and that was enough to convince me I want to break it up a bit this time round and have time to digest what I'm learning rather than just cram in the bare minimum to pass the tests.
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Previous bikes: Dreadful Chinese "Suzuki" 125, '91 Kawasaki KH125, '83 Suzuki GSX550
Current bike: '97 Yamaha Thundercat

[PH1L_T]

I was in very much the same situation.

Took my test on a 125 then restricted my bike.

Restricting is easy to do with the washers in the carbs - takes an hour! The only problem I had was collecting my new bike.....can't ride it home...legally!

Compared to your 125 a 33bhp bike will be plenty fast enough for you to commute on.

Go for it

Phil

[SnowTigeress]

[SamWise72]

I imagine restricting a bike with fuel injection is a little trickier?

[thepuma]

[SamWise72]

This much, approximately.

https://www.anymotorcycles.com/img/BMW_K75RT_90.jpg

[Rogerborg]

[SamWise72]

That's not a bad idea. I'll try some other schools, see what can be wangled, but if not, I'll go with the self taught 125 route, and then consider such options. A restricter kit appears to exist for the K75.

[thepuma]

[SamWise72]

(Frankly, I could get a GPZ500 or something, ride it for a few weeks and do Accelerated Access, and probably sell it for what I paid for it, rather than spend the £100 on the restricter kit)

[SamWise72]