Advice Sought on the Best Route to Gaining a Full Licence.

[Dave70]

Firstly, a bit of background.

I've been riding for over two years now and covered around 30,000 miles in that time, mostly in the IoM, where I failed the test by screwing up the U turn, even though I had successfully practiced it over and over. Apart from that though, I'd have passed with flying colours but, que será será.

Now I'm back in the UK and I'm looking towards doing my test here but, things are a bit different in the UK, test wise and I'm unsure which would be the best route to take in my situation and money is a bit of a concern too, so I'm hoping to get through it a cheap as is practically and reasonably possible.

Also worth noting that the Manx test doesn't have the Mod 1 part, so obviously I've never practiced it. Although, you are required to do an emergency stop and the U turn. (Both are done on the road). I've never ridden anything bigger than a 125 before either.

I was initially thinking of taking the DAS route but, they do appear quite expensive and I don't think I'd need all that amount of training tbh.

My reason for thinking this is that I had a fair few lessons back on the Island and have ridden a fair few miles and I feel quite comfortable with my actual road riding.

All that I think I need is to get some practice riding a bigger bike and to practice Mod 1 on said bigger bike. I'll have to use a riding school to achieve this but, is it really worth paying for a DAS course? I'm over 24 btw, so I'll be looking towards a fully unrestricted licence.

Also, I nearly forgot to mention that I will have to re-do both my CBT and theory tests again, as my Manx certificates for these are not valid towards gaining my licence here, even though I can legally ride on UK roads with them. (Am I correct in believing that you can do your CBT here on a bike bigger than a 125? If so, do many schools do this, because if I can, I could kill two birds with one stone by getting used to a larger bike and completing my CBT).

So I'm basically looking for any helpful advice on what my best course of action would be.

Thanks.
____________________
There ain't no devil, there's just god when he's drunk.

2012: R125 killed by white van. 2016 R125 killed by 30,000 miles of redline. Current: 2016 Kawasaki ER6f.

[Commuter_Tim]

[MC]

Yes you can do your CBT on a big bike, but it's down to the school. They might give you one if your going to be doing a DAS course with them, or to try to get you to do a DAS course with them

Might be worth looking at doing individual lessons, if your road riding's good. Thing's even on a short 3-day DAS it does go quite quickly, as it's a lot to pack in.

Financially assuming you don't have any issues individual lessons will be the way to go, and it means you don't have to commit to a DAS course with a school then find out they're rubbish.
____________________
Yamaha MT-03 '08 (crashed)
Honda XR-125L '04

[esullivan]

Most schools will assess you -- let you ride around some cones in a parking lot -- and then give you an estimate on the number of days you'll need. I'm going to guess three or four days -- the first day would have to be the CBT, on a 125, then one day to get used to the bigger bike, then mod 1 and mod 2 on separate days (usually a week or so apart), with half of those days practicing and the other half testing. You'll need to sort out the theory test beforehand, though.

I did something vaguely similar to you -- I took a full-week DAS course, but put my foot down on the u-turn and failed. After licking my wounds, I bought a 125 and rode it for months and several thousand miles and then did another abbreviated three-day course. The first day was road riding, getting used to the bigger bike (a Suzuki Gladius) and a few practice runs on the mod 1 course (where I actually binned the Gladius the first time I tried the emergency stop...). The second day involved meeting in the morning for some practice, then on to the centre to actually do the mod 1. The last day was a couple of hours of practice on the roads, around the area the test will be conducted, and then the test. I passed both without minors. You'll probably find the same. It'll be easy.
____________________
Current: '14 VFR800X Test passed 31/10/12.
Previous: '12 NC700S, '11 CBF 125, '04 SH 125.

[Rogerborg]

Got your theory booked?

DAS "course" means nothing. It's X amount of training and use of their A-class bike for the tests, is all.

You'll really have to negotiate this with the local schools, it's entirely up to them.

The other option is to get yourself a Big Boy Bike and DIY it.

Or you seem like a decent chap, is there anyone local willing to sort you out with a bike for "private road" practice and with insurance of course the tests?
____________________
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

[Taught2BCauti...]

I did my last CBT on a 600, but of course, you are limited to a 125 afterwards. The instructor told me not to bother with lessons, just to do a Mod1 practice session with them, and an assessment ride before booking Mod2.

I know at least two schools that have dropped 125cc machines from their stable, doing all training (including CBT's) on 600cc bikes only.

It will be up to the instructors on the day though - they won't let you loose on a machine if they don't feel you are safe
____________________
Honda Varadero XL125(V8)
www.TheFutureIsHere.eu

[Wednesday Biker]

Look around for places that do 2 or 3 day DAS.
I read that some places do them and I assume a 2 day is basically a short bit of training in the morning and then off for the test.
I passed on a 125 back when you could but I know the bloke I had a lesson with did tailored courses for experienced riders.

[DrSnoosnoo]

Dave,

I'm not too far away - you could always use mine for "private road practice" - it's a bit heavy for u turns but it can be done I'm sure.

Then Bikesure do the L platers insuring big boy bikes for your MOD2?

Just pay for the air in the tyres and get me a pie
____________________
I'm Sam; Northern, Ginger, Lover
Did have: '95 ZZR600 '83 CG125 '97 ZZR1100 '15 Hypermotard 821 SP Do Have: '10 ZX10R

[Dave70]

[DrSnoosnoo]

Would you want to do it over the winter?

I'm currently in the process of writing my thesis but come spring I should be free for weekends and stuff and if I don't get a job sorted for the end, I'll have lots of time haha.
____________________
I'm Sam; Northern, Ginger, Lover
Did have: '95 ZZR600 '83 CG125 '97 ZZR1100 '15 Hypermotard 821 SP Do Have: '10 ZX10R

[Dave70]

Not too sure when tbh, still getting funds together and I'll have to take a UK CBT and theory test, as they won't accept the Manx ones I have.

Must admit, I don't envy you having to do your thesis though but, at least you'll get it out the way with before the decent riding weather arrives.
____________________
There ain't no devil, there's just god when he's drunk.

2012: R125 killed by white van. 2016 R125 killed by 30,000 miles of redline. Current: 2016 Kawasaki ER6f.