Cheapest way to pass DSA

[chupacabra]

Hello All,
I'm planning to pass DSA this summer and I've been wondering what would be the best way for me to do it. I've been riding Vespa 125cc in London for 4 years now, I've had full driving licence for 15 years since I was 17. I want to do the full motorbike licence by October or I will have to renew my CBT. I already finished reading 3 books; "Official DSA Guide To Riding, Essential Skills", "Official Highway Code" and "Know Your Traffic Signs" and I'm going to do the theory test next week.
My question is; in my case, how many days course should I take? I'm on the very tight budget now and I would like to spend as little as possible. I've seen that 2 days course is around £450, 3 days - £550, 4 days £730 and 5 days is £830.
My only concern is that I don't have experience riding geared bike, so I'm thinking about renting a geared motorbike for £150 a week, practise on it for one week and than maybe take 2 days course. Or maybe once I feel comfortable using manual gear I could just go straight to exam?
Is it worth paying for geared bike and practise or shall I just go for the course? How many days course would you recommend for me? Or maybe I should take just couple of lessons with an instructor?

[pinkyfloyd]

[Rogerborg]

No idea, chap or chapette. We haven't seen you ride.

I'm with pinky. Unless you're planning to do the 'A' tests on your own big bike (possible but very problematic) then find a training school and get assessed.
____________________
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

[chupacabra]

[chupacabra]

[pinkyfloyd]

[Rogerborg]

^^^
Note that pinky represents the best of instructors. Shop around, don't settle for some shouty rageaholic.
____________________
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

[chupacabra]

I did pass my CBT on geared bike and I didn't have any problems with it. Like I said I'm on the tight budget so I don't want to pay more than necessary and I really don't want to pay more than it's necessary.
I feel very confident on the road so I don't think I will need to pay almost £300 for extra 2 days.
I think I will go to the learning centre where I passed my CBT and see what they say (probably they will be pushing me to take a longer course). I ask if they have that gear conversion course, if it's cheap I would be interested in it. Also I think I'm going to pass on renting a geared bike.
Thank you very much for your help

[Rogerborg]

Best of luck. There's no universal right or wrong way, just the best way for you.

Actually, there's nothing stopping you from booking and sitting the tests on your scooter. The content is exactly the same, and it's the cheapest way to practise under actual test conditions.
____________________
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

[chupacabra]

[hedgehugger]

You can, but you would be limited to automatic and 125cc.

[RE8ELD0G]

I just passed mine after riding for 7 months on a CBT.
It took 1 assessment lesson 2hrs at £60.
1x mod 1 lesson @£60
Mod 1 test and bike hire - £65
Mod 2 test and bike hire - £135.
so total was £320.
____________________
Its a fine line between an cuddle.......
And holding her down so she cant get away..!!!
Honda Varadero XL 125

[Rogerborg]

[chupacabra]

[chupacabra]

[Val]

Find good DAS training school - that is the cheapest way.

For example:

https://www.facebook.com/ExcelerateMtc?fref=ts

There is no point to discuss on the forum how many days you will need, given the fact that only good intructor can answer that AFTER accessing you on a geared bike. You may be a natural and need only say 3 days training. Or not.

If you do not find decent school and intructors you will fail few times and will pay lot more money.

By the way there is a big difference between different schools bikes they will use for training and tests, which may make your training easier or not.

Try to find good school local to you with excellent feedback from previous riders.
____________________
Adrian Monk: Unless I'm wrong, which, you know, I'm not...
Yamaha Fazer FZS 600, MT09, XSR 900

[chupacabra]

[ADAMH0]

How much would you get if you sold your Vespa? Would it provide enough cash to enable you to buy a geared 125? If so, then you could have your own geared 125 and gain the experience without paying to hire a bike.

[chupacabra]

[Wednesday Biker]

I'd do the 3 day course.
Cheaper option than faffing about renting a bike and then doing the 2 day.
But it might be best to save up more money because trying to do it cheap could end up costing you more money.

[bugeye_bob]

couldnt you do the gear refresh thing off road or private land ?
A mate must have a geared bike you can get your hand back in on.

[chupacabra]

[chupacabra]

[Wednesday Biker]

I think you'll need 3 days at it.
If you do 2 days and hire a bike for 150 it will cost 50 quid more.
If you have private lessons and get taken to the test centre its still going to cost you probably 350 with the test fees but you might not be as prepared.
The cheap way to do it is if you were at test standard already and needed no lessons, only a chaperone and bike hire.
Bike hire isn't included in the two fees £15 and £75.

[Copycat73]