Hi

[freestyler_onli]

Just a quick word to say hi.

Since 17 i've always wanted a bike, but couldn't afford it. Now i have enough money to get my dream bike- a Ducatti 916 + insurance and so on for a good few years to come.

However, i haven't taken any kind of tests yet. My cousin says that when i turn 21 (one months time) i can take a direct access course for more powerful bikes. Could someone tell me a bit more about this and the restrictions/requirements involved?? Ta.

[Ste]

You're best off reading through this thread as it explains all about the different license.

In short, if you're under 21 you can do you restrcited test and for your first two years after that the bike has to be restricted to 33bhp and after that any power bike, and if you're over 21 you can do your DAS test and ride any sized bike immediately.

[instigator]

Sorry but throw the idea of getting a ducati out of the window, thats just silly.

Get a mito instead. Oh, and read what ste said....

[freestyler_onli]

Right ta guys. I'll have a read and possibly change my mind about the Ducati.

[freestyler_onli]

Right thanks-that's most helpful!

Heres the story: Im off to Police College on Feb 14th. Unfortunately, My 21st lies on December 14th,so theres only a few weeks before i leave. Ideally, i wanted to go through the whole process within the 2 month period-maybe a bit short time, but thankfully im a quick learner so hopefully i'll pass things 1st time.

I already have my provisional and i was about to book my theory test anyway.

If i read correctly, once i have passed my Theory and Hazard Perception, and then passed the CBT, i can apply for the Direct Access Test. Once passed, i can ride any bike regardless of restriction?

My cousin knows a great deal more than i do but as he's not always available i thought i'd come on here and ask advice with you guys.

Although i've only had 2 post replys-both were helpful, informative and made me think!

Nice one.

[Ste]

[freestyler_onli]

WOW!! Even better! There are some nice people about. I'll have a butchers.

[freestyler_onli]

Lovely! That's exactly what i was looking for.

One question. When you/anyone took their CBT's what knowledge, if any, did you/they have about bikes and their maintenance/aspects of riding a bike beforehand???

I only know, well, i'll go in 'blind' as it were. Is there anything you recommend reading up on/learning before i apply for the course?

[Ste]

I did my CBT having never sat on a bike before, so have plently of others. The idea behind the 3-4 day DAS courses is it takes you from never having sat on a bike to having your full unrestricted license so going in 'blind' will not be a problem. Basic Highway Code knowledge and basic general roads knowledge is needed, in the CBT they often ask you what a couple of road signs mean.

[freestyler_onli]

Phew- that's a relief. My sister recently sat her car licence process so she bought these CD ROM's which cover Theory and the Highway Code etc...

I'll have a look at those and to be honest, im pretty clued up (ish). One question i have:

Stopping Distances- surely they're not the same for cars as for bikes???

[THCi]

Depends on the road conditions, speed, size of bike (think weight, a Triumph Monster III is about the same weight as a small car), the tyres, brakes.

If its drums all round (as the origional stopping distances were based on a Moris Minor with drums all round) the distance will probably be huge. But if its a sports bike with dual disk front, and a disk on the back. Its gonna stop pretty quick.
____________________
Past: GZ 125 K4 Marauder, VL 125 LC Intruder, FZS 600 Fazer. Present: GSF 600 N K3 Bandit, GSX-R 600 X(soon)
"We're not gonna die. We can't die, Bendis. You know why? Because we are so...very...pretty. We are just too pretty for God to let us die."

[Bendy]

[freestyler_onli]

Lol-that's the kind of advice i like.


I've been taking mock theory test online and on the CD-ROM and not once have i been asked about stopping distances

So, it's not all bad.