Soon to be biker(hopefully)

[smuggler1986]

Hi guys,
I'm new to the forum, and not even new to bikes yet, lol.
I'm 29, passed my bike theory just before christmas, and am looking into taking a DAS course sometime within the next 3 months. I'm fairly confident about road sense and knowledge etc. just a bit nervous about bike control though, maybe i'm thinking too much about it.

Anyway, was just looking for anyone's experience of taking a DAS course. Was it worth it? Was it too much to take in for just a week riding, or was it just right?

[Hefty]

Welcome to BCF

Your CBT will be first, that will cover your controls. Effectiveness of the tuition depends muchly on the training school. Where are you located?
____________________
'13 Honda CBF125 // '99 Suzuki SV650s // '98 Honda CB600F Hornet

[smuggler1986]

Thanks.

Oh yeah of course, I forgot about the CBT. I'm in Oxfordshire.

[Rogerborg]

Ahoy. Let's be clear, "DAS course" doesn't really mean anything. DAS refers to Direct AccesS to a full, unrestricted licence, i.e. the tests, not the training.

To answer your question, I can't, I was self taught and am still learning.

What I will say is that different training schools and instructors will offer different courses and styles of training. Some folk want to cram it and be done, some do a day a week for months before they're confident going for the tests.

It's entirely a matter of personal preference, and a lot of it will depend on how well you get on during the CBT.

On that matter, don't assume that it's a 1 day course. It's as long as it takes to reach the required standard. Check about costs for repeat sessions and don't put down any money for a training course until you've done the CBT.

All this sounds a bit of a chore, but it is worth it in the end.
____________________
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

[Hefty]

Some people finish the CBT & decide they're happy on a 125cc with L-plates, & do that for a year or so. Especially if they're just looking for a cheap commuter for work. As Borg says, it will depend a lot on your CBT, maybe book that as a standalone (as opposed to an all in one package most schools offer) & see how you get on.

I think most of the information overload comes on the CBT itself, when the bike controls are completely alien to you.
____________________
'13 Honda CBF125 // '99 Suzuki SV650s // '98 Honda CB600F Hornet

[Silver_Fox]

Lordy I was sure glad to finish the CBT and get home and nurse my headache. Helmet too tight? Information overload? Who knows....

The only thing stopping me doing the whole thing in 5 days was the price. £1100 at Cadwell Park race circuit I think it was. I passed in the end for £600 point to point over 3 weeks (would have been quicker if not waiting for test slots). My 2p? Get it done and be happy it's sorted for summer. The nights are longer already. Time's a wastin'

[Duffman]

I found the CBT day exhausting mentally and physically. I slept well that night! Also i did the DAS training over 4 days, i found the instructors excellent and they would regularly pull over and discuss a particular situation, i.e. positioning, road surface, observation etc. or just a chat on how I felt i was doing. Coming from being a car driver for over 20 years i thought i could read the roads well, on a bike its a lot different.

One thing i would recommend, at the end of a tiring day i didn't look forward to riding the next day, especially at CBT and early DAS days so I'm glad i took days / weeks off in between and got myself looking forward to it again. I took up riding for the enjoyment so that (and my safety) is of paramount importance to me.
____________________
MT-09 2015 ABS

[Andy_Pagin]

What you get out of motorcycle training largly comes down to the quality of the instructors. It would be a good idea if you posted details of the school(s) you're thinking of using since it's a near certainty that other BCF'ers have used them.

I did a course aged 45, and didn't find it too tiring, that said I'd been commuting by bike for a year so all the right muscles were already geared up for it.
____________________
They're coming to take me away, ho-ho, hee-hee, ha-haaa, hey-hey,
the men in white coats are coming to take me away.
Yamaha Vity -> YBR125 -> FZS600 Fazer -> FZ1-S Fazer

[smuggler1986]

Thanks guys, some good tips there, especially about the DAS not being a course, but the route. It's so simple, yet overlooked.
The name of the firm is Oxfordshire Motorcycle Training, in case anyone has heard or has used them.

[BTTD]

I did my CBT on a Saturday, then hired a 125 a week later from a learning center for another days practice. I found it a lot easier on the second day practicing bike control in my own time and by the end of the day was getting a bit bored with the 125. Decided to move straight on and took a few days off work and did my 3 day DAS course and test.
That was 16 years ago, I've no doubt the tests have changed a little so the training might be more like 4 days. I dunno.

Good luck with it.

[Silver_Fox]

Trying to find a 125 to hire now is near impossible. I contemplated that route

[JoeDaStudd]

[Silver_Fox]

My partner and I are a little over the 19 age limit but thanks

[faffergotgunz]

Did my Das training in Swindon. Took my time over about 6 weeks, day here, half there. Super psyched for it every lesson. Wouldnt want to do it all in a week feck that.
____________________
Sent from Samsmums mobile using Tapanarse