Full motorcycle license

[Ottocle]

I've been riding on my cbt for 5 months now; daily commuting on dual carriage, ordinary roads and through the city streets of London. I'll probably continue to do so for another 4 months. Would I be ok to take the the 2 day DAS from there or will I need more time with instructors/ getting used to a bigger bike etc.

[c_dug]

It's probably worth a brief session with an instructor at least just to iron out any bad habits that you will have undoubtedly picked up by then.

That said, you wouldn't be the first to do your tests without further lessons and plenty have passed too.
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I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock.

[Ottocle]

Thanks c_dug. So what would you recommend - 2 days or 3?

[Rogerborg]

It entirely depends how quickly you take to the bigger bike. If you're confident and get in some practice for the mod 1 stuff on your 125, then 2 days should be enough to get you settled in on the 600+ bike.
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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

[buaan]

I recently passed my DAS so can let you know how I got on.

Firstly I'm glad I didn't book on to a 2/3 day course where the tests are pre-booked. Problem is if you fail the mod 1 you can't retest for a week (i think) meaning you will loose the expensive mod 2 test fee.

I would book a 1/half day taster session to get used to the bigger bike. Ideally you would need to try out the mod 1 layout and also get out on the road. If the instructor says you are spot on then sign up for the two day course?

I failed my mod 1 because I trained on those little football-type discs rather than cones. Seeing the cones at the test centre took me by surprise and I went too wide around them.. foot down.. fail. Having booked the tests separately I didn't loose out but the whole process took longer due to the retest - it took just under 2 months from CBT to DAS Pass.

If I had a CBT/125cc prior to DAS in hindsight I would have practiced slalom and figure of 8 using some cheap 2 litre water bottles from the supermarket; spaced them out to match the test layout and had have some practice. I used some bottles to replace the shitty discs when I did the morning practice on my second mod 1 test day - It did the trick as it was all in my head anyway... fear of the conessssss.

Hope this helps,

B

[ficedula]

[MC]

I did a 3 day DAS (2 days training with both tests on final day) with a years experience on a 125, and although I passed, I should have done a longer course. My problem was with Mod 1 tho (the low speed stuff). See if the school offer an assessment, also do practice figure of 8, u turns etc. on your 125.
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Yamaha MT-03 '08 (crashed)
Honda XR-125L '04

[buaan]

[thewhyoffry]

I passed my mod 2 a couple of weeks ago. (11 months CBT riding, dual carriage ways etc also.) I booked myself in for 3/4 days (tues-fri) with Mod 1 on the Friday. The plan was, Tuesday, see how I got on cancel Wednesday if I didn't need it (I wanted it regardless in the end.) Thursday then mod 1 Friday. I am really glad I took the 4 days because I think 3 would have been just too short. It is the slow speed stuff that takes some getting used to, road riding as long as you don't do anything stupid is a piece of cake. Ended up passing mod 1 on the Friday and booked mod 2 in 1st appointment on the Monday. My thoughts were get mod 2 booked in as soon as I pass mod 1, not before so I do not have to cancel mod 2 and add more pressure on myself.

Either way, good luck!!
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The why of fry

[Baffler186]

length of time on a 125 can either help or hinder you; I spent a year on a 125 and I think it was too long, as I got so used to the 125 and also picked up bad habits which you cannot transfer to a bigger bike without coming unstuck. Therefore took me (probably an extra day) to get used to the slow control of the bigger bike. If I could turn the clock back, I'd probably have done DAS after 5 or 6 months.

[G30]

125 helped me considerably. I wouldn't say go straight into the tests, though. Have a little while with the bike first. After 10 mins I was completely fine with it and after a couple hours it was like I'd been riding it for ages.
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KTM RC390 -- Kawa ER6f -- Yam YZF R125 -- Yam YBR 125

[Ottocle]

Thanks for all of your replies. I appreciate them.

[i.p.phrealy]

my DAS was over 3 separate days.
day one (Wednesday) was general road riding, but my instructor had got the actual MOD1 course for an hour to practice on.
day two (Friday) more road riding, then my Mod 1, which I passed with 1 minor.
day three was a fortnight after day one, half a day riding, then my mod 2, passed with 4 minors.
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it is impossible to lick your own elbow...
and if you just tried you need professional help.
Finally allowed a big bike 19/03/14!

[Ottocle]

I.p how long have you been riding for?

[MC]

[Ottocle]

Yeah, I'm 6 months in and pining for more power!!

Looking at upgrading to either a:

- suzuki bandit 650
- honda cbf600
- yamaha fazer

Before one day getting my beloved Bonneville.
Any recommendations between the 3 or any other midrange bikes?

[MC]

Did my test on the 650 Bandit, found the bike really heavy. Also the gearbox (at least on the one I had) was stupid, when you went into neutral you had to let the clutch out slowly as it would often jump back into 1st. Apart from that I quite liked the bike, brakes, power and handling all alright. Not ridden the other 2.
____________________
Yamaha MT-03 '08 (crashed)
Honda XR-125L '04