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dranac23
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Joined: 07 Apr 2016
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PostPosted: 11:40 - 07 Apr 2016    Post subject: Brand New Biker Reply with quote
So I have decided to finally go ahead to get a CBT, full license & my own bike. (Already have a driving license)

Once i do my CBT, how long would you suggest I ride around on a 125 for before doing my full test?

Thanks
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NJD
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Joined: 11 Mar 2015
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PostPosted: 11:47 - 07 Apr 2016    Post subject: Re: Brand New Biker Reply with quote
dranac23 wrote:
Once i do my CBT, how long would you suggest I ride around on a 125 for before doing my full test?


Never. Really, don't do it if you don't have to.

Do your CBT and see how you get on. If you like it and want more then book your training / tests as time and funds allow and then thank yourself in the long run for avoiding the whole tiddler lark.
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Andy_Pagin
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Joined: 08 Nov 2010
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PostPosted: 12:00 - 07 Apr 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote
Assuming you're old enough to go for a A2/A licence then there's no advantage to spending time on a 125. The only reason they even exist are because of the restrictions on young riders. Go for the full licence as soon as you can.
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Yamaha Vity -> YBR125 -> FZS600 Fazer -> FZ1-S Fazer
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dranac23
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Joined: 07 Apr 2016
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PostPosted: 12:38 - 07 Apr 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote
Well i only wanted a 125 to get used to a bike, I want to go up to a 600.

But yeah I am 26 but I have very little experience on a bike. If i went for a full test i would surely fail due to lack of experience on maneuvers etc?
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Rogerborg
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Joined: 26 Oct 2010
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PostPosted: 12:50 - 07 Apr 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote
In order to get a full A license, you typically go via a training school.

Wobbling around on 125 is fun, but it doesn't really get you anywhere in the end. You have to do it all again on a 600+ bike eventually, so why not do it up front and get your training done when it can benefit you the most?
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
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NJD
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Joined: 11 Mar 2015
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PostPosted: 12:51 - 07 Apr 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote
dranac23 wrote:
Well i only wanted a 125 to get used to a bike, I want to go up to a 600.

But yeah I am 26 but I have very little experience on a bike. If i went for a full test i would surely fail due to lack of experience on maneuvers etc?


If you explain from the moment that you turn up on your CBT to the instructor that you're interested in doing your training / tests from the off then they'll keep an eye on you during the CBT and at the end of the CBT will inform you how many days of training they think that you'll need before they're willing to book you in for your tests. Training schools will not allow you to book tests with them before they've had a good look at your riding. Likewise they wont let you on a bigger bike until they think that you're ready. For the most part (as in my case at the local school) it was recommended that for my first ever day of full license training it would be a 1/2 day on a 125 and then the second 1/2 of the day on a bigger bike, it all comes down to you in that regards, but on the whole and to summarise you'll be more than ready by the time you actually sit your tests regardless of what your current level is. Mostly it just comes down to funds.

Also sticking with the training school up to and until you've got your full license without riding the roads on your own is a bonus for the school because you wont have any bad habits embded in your riding that takes both time and more money to remove and ride how the examiner wants you to on the tests.

Don't think too much into it for now and enjoy the CBT and take a look at what A bike the school uses while you're there, have a sit on it and see how you feel about it. Also use the CBT as your way of marking the instructor and school's attitude from the moment you arrive and say good morning as to what their attitude and level of teaching is. Donating a hundred pounds for a CBT is not really all that much for a one or two days time with them but I'll say that when you're investing hundreds into a business to get you a full license you need to make sure that the school is right for you. If you find that they're not then there's bound to be recommendations on here when the time arises dependant on your location.
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DrSnoosnoo
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Joined: 28 Mar 2012
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PostPosted: 12:54 - 07 Apr 2016    Post subject: Re: Brand New Biker Reply with quote
dranac23 wrote:
..how long would you suggest I ride around on a 125 for before doing my full test?

Thanks


No time whatsoever after the CBT. In my case. I went zero to hero in a matter of weeks.
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Did have: '95 ZZR600 '83 CG125 '97 ZZR1100 '15 Hypermotard 821 SP Do Have: '10 ZX10R
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Aceslock
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Joined: 12 Dec 2014
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PostPosted: 13:01 - 07 Apr 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote
Andy_Pagin wrote:
there's no advantage to spending time on a 125. The only reason they even exist are because of the restrictions on young riders. Go for the full licence as soon as you can.


I have to disagree with this statement....... I done my CBT in Aug 14 & got myself a 125 to learn on as i had very little experience on 2 wheels, apart from a moto x bike when i was 8. (40yrs old Aug 14).

I then crashed my 125 going around a bend because i was looking at the speedo to see how fast i was going, not realising that the bend would come as quick as it did Embarassed

Spent a week in hospital with a punctured lung, badly bruised ribs & ego. If i had done this on a 600 i would be deaded.

Having said that, i would have had more training prior to riding a 600 through DAS, so probably wouldn't have crashed either. But...... I am glad i did in a way because it has taught me the dangers of riding on the roads & the focus you need to control the bike. Its not like driving a car where you can switch off to daydream land.

The couple of months after the crash riding my 'repaired' 125 i had was extremely beneficial to me for my DAS.
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DrSnoosnoo
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PostPosted: 13:08 - 07 Apr 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote
Aceslock wrote:
...I then crashed my 125 going around a bend because i was looking at the speedo to see how fast i was going, not realising that the bend would come as quick as it did Embarassed

Spent a week in hospital with a punctured lung, badly bruised ribs & ego. If i had done this on a 600 i would be deaded.

Having said that, i would have had more training prior to riding a 600 through DAS, so probably wouldn't have crashed either. But...... I am glad i did in a way because it has taught me the dangers of riding on the roads & the focus you need to control the bike. Its not like driving a car where you can switch off to daydream land.

The couple of months after the crash riding my 'repaired' 125 i had was extremely beneficial to me for my DAS.


So you're saying that everyone should do what you do prior to DAS? We should all go out with the minimum required training to be on the road and crash before it's worth getting an actual licence? If anything, your example strengthens the argument that people shouldn't be out on the road with just a CBT.
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Did have: '95 ZZR600 '83 CG125 '97 ZZR1100 '15 Hypermotard 821 SP Do Have: '10 ZX10R
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Aceslock
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Joined: 12 Dec 2014
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PostPosted: 13:21 - 07 Apr 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote
No, what i am saying is practicing on a tiddler for a month or two will prepare you for your test better......

Crashing was my fault entirely, however like you say it would be beneficial to have more training other than CBT before you are left to your own devices on our roads
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Sold: Yamaha YZF 600 R Thundercat. Sold: ZX636R
Current bike: R1 14B (Beast)
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NJD
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Joined: 11 Mar 2015
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PostPosted: 13:35 - 07 Apr 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote
Aceslock wrote:
No, what i am saying is practicing on a tiddler for a month or two will prepare you for your test better......


It could. On the other hand you're left to your own devices to ride how you see fit and gets you from point a to b in one piece, of which isn't always the correct or safest way with such limited road knowledge. Also this route will drain the funds quickly and prolong to time it takes to do all the training / tests any rider needs to get their full license.

As above some schools (as mine did) recommend spending further time on a 125 before you get on the saddle of something bigger. I'd much rather do that for a few hours under instruction that trust myself out on the roads. I mean, I survived doing it solo and all and I make it sound worse than it is but in the subject of what route is better and I'd recommended it would have to be to get the full license first without owning a bike and then to make your choice afterwards.

OP might decide that a 125 is suitable for their needs once a full license has been gained but I'd much rather OP made that choice after having a full license and gaining sufficient road knowledge rather than vice versa. An insurance contract, owning the bike itself and the funds required to start out is a lot of commitment to then turn around and find out you want something else.
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DrSnoosnoo
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PostPosted: 13:36 - 07 Apr 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote
Aceslock wrote:
No, what i am saying is practicing on a tiddler for a month or two will prepare you for your test better......

Crashing was my fault entirely, however like you say it would be beneficial to have more training other than CBT before you are left to your own devices on our roads


I'm not trying to sound argumentative but I disagree with practice on a tiddler. If you leave the CBT and go out practicing by yourself, you are far more likely to "learn" bad habits and roadcraft. This will need unlearning during further training.

You go on a "low powered" big bike for initial training anyway. You have a little go offroad to understand the weight difference and then hit the road. But you are being followed by an instructor who can tell you straight away what can be improved so you only learn the right stuff. At the end you are fully licenced to be on the road. I'd argue people should be "tested" to MOD1 and 2 standards during a CBT so at least they have a licence to ride that bike properly. If you aren't riding to that test standard, you're not allowed to ride it without a Red L plate, that's, effectively, the only difference.
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I'm Sam; Northern, Ginger, Lover
Did have: '95 ZZR600 '83 CG125 '97 ZZR1100 '15 Hypermotard 821 SP Do Have: '10 ZX10R
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Aceslock
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Joined: 12 Dec 2014
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PostPosted: 14:31 - 07 Apr 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote
DrSnoosnoo wrote:


I'd argue people should be "tested" to MOD1 and 2 standards during a CBT so at least they have a licence to ride that bike properly. If you aren't riding to that test standard, you're not allowed to ride it without a Red L plate, that's, effectively, the only difference.


This statement i agree with totally. 3 hours on the road with no other experience on a motorbike is insane when you think how dangerous it actually is.....

I just preferred the practice prior to my DAS to get used to handling a bike, cornering (which i fucked up on Shocked ) slow maneuvers, u turns etc which i believe helped me 100% to pass 1st time. Otherwise it could have got costly.

Plus the fact that i could get out on the road and enjoy my 1st experience on a roadbike without having to face tests just to see if it was for me before committing to doing DAS & buying a big bike....
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Baffler186
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Joined: 31 May 2013
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PostPosted: 15:25 - 07 Apr 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote
Pros and cons, but if I had my time again I would have gone straight from CBT to DAS training in the same week if the school offers it. A year on a 125 gives you a year of cheap motoring, but also offers you a year to pick up bad habits and to get lazy.
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M.C
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Joined: 29 Sep 2015
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PostPosted: 20:59 - 07 Apr 2016    Post subject: Re: Brand New Biker Reply with quote
dranac23 wrote:

Once i do my CBT, how long would you suggest I ride around on a 125 for before doing my full test?

Within a few months you'll be wanting something bigger. That's not to say time on a tiddler's wasted, personally I feel I needed it, but the problem's now you can't use a 125 to get your big boy license (rules changed back in 2013), so it's a bit of a dead end.

Do your CBT, see how you feel. If you pick it up quickly and as others have said, express an interest in doing a DAS course to the instructor, that might be the best route.

Also I agree with both sides of the debate above. Ideally you want more training after your CBT (it's not enough IMO), but you can take CBT plus or similarly named courses. 125's/light bikes are easier to bring back into line when things start to go wrong, I can think of a number of times where I would have crashed/possibly died on a big bike (when wobbling around on L plates).
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Rogerborg
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Joined: 26 Oct 2010
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PostPosted: 21:43 - 07 Apr 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote
Quick way to sort it out. Do the CBT, tell them that you're considering going straight on to A training, and would like a quick go on a big bike to see if you get on with it.

A couple of minutes should help you make up your mind.
____________________
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
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dranac23
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Joined: 07 Apr 2016
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PostPosted: 09:56 - 08 Apr 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote
Thanks for all of your opinions guys. I'm think of just going to get my CBT done, see how i do & take it from there.

Great help Smile
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