next step after cbt and theory

[midsguy6942]

hi all new member here . my other half reckons im having a mid life crisis :D . im 46 years old never been on a bike in me life 1 day i woke up and thought im gonna do my bike license .im a car license holder so 2 weeks ago i booked and achieved the cbt . today i took and passed my theory . so my dilemma is should i go and book a direct access course for mod 1 and mod 2 or concentrate on mod 1 ? as stated ive never driven a motorbike before and i found on the cbt that there was loads of info to try and digest , road position , correct signaling , etc . any advice welcome and thanks

[Ste]

DAS everytime.

The longer you're wobbling around with L plates, the more likely you are to become a statistic.

Oh and I expect that most DAS courses will concentrate on mod 1 first.

[midsguy6942]

[quote="Ste"]DAS everytime.

The longer you're wobbling around with L plates, the more likely you are to become a statistic.

Oh and I expect that most DAS courses will concentrate on mod 1 first. [/quote]
thanks for the reply .
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if its got tits or tyres its trouble ..

[Rogerborg]

I'm not entirely sure what you're asking or if you're clear on the routes available. Module 1 is just the precursor to Module 2, it doesn't get you anywhere by itself.

You have two real options open to you:

1) Buy a 125, insure it, and cane the nuts off of it until you feel confident enough to do your training and tests on a 600cc+ bike.

2) Do your training and tests on a 600cc+ bike.

I'm fiercely ambivalent. I got a 125 and had great fun larking around on it for a year, but that was when you could get a full license (eventually) by passing the tests on your own 125.

That window has closed. To get a full bike license, you'll have to do the tests on a big bike sooner or later.

The secret is that big bike are easier to ride. It seems counter intuitive, but as soon as you get them moving, they're more stable, less prone to stalling, abd typically have better brakes and suspension.

If you got on with your CBT instructors, I'd suggest that you drop back down and see if you can blag a quick go on a full-fat 'A' bike. It should very quickly help make up your mind about which way you want to go.
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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

[M.C]

[Rogerborg]

[M.C]

[Rogerborg]

[rubyhorse2]

i rode about 18 months on a 125 and then did a 2 day course and got a GSXR.

I definitely think a prolonged period on a 125 helped me, though i guess depending on the individual this could be the opposite. Not having silly power meant i assessed overtakes more cautiously, rode pretty sensible (most of the time) and eventually felt very confident riding on the roads.

that was just me though. Totally agree that bigger bikes are easier to ride, but i think some time on a 125 is good for everyone.

[M.C]

[Rogerborg]

OK, a decent instructor. There must be a few.

[Ste]

[Rogerborg]

Exactly so. What possible benefit is there in postponing getting trained? MSX afterwards for lulz if you like.
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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

[louisella]

I went from CBT to DAS - granted there was nearly a two year gap in between however once I got my CBT I didn't ride at all. As a result, my first day of DAS was more of a CBT refresher because there had been the long gap.

The school I learnt with didn't seem to put people on the 600cc until two days before their test so everything beforehand was on the 125cc - to be honest, I found the 600cc much easier on many levels particularly for doing the Mod 1 stuff.

From speaking to different people, it seems to be swings and roundabouts - pootling around on a 125cc will build up muscle memory so by the time you go onto a bigger bike you won't have as much of an issue remembering what your hands and feet should be doing however there is the risk of picking up bad habits which will likely need undoing before your test.

Like someone else has mentioned, it may be worth seeing if your CBT school can let you have a try on a bigger just to see how you feel. It might help you decide whether you want some more practice on a 125 or happy to go to the next stage.

[mudcow007]

my two pence...

I decided spur fo the moment that i needed my bike license, did CBT, bought a shagged CG125 which had/ has about the same amount of power as a dead seagull.

This i found quite dangerous, as i coudlnt out run/ accelerate cars etc plus the little wheels struggle on pot holes...brakes where crap, fast forward a year an got my full license & bigger bike - better brakes, comfier to ride (im 6ft 1)

I struggled on the CBT riding the CG so i did my CBT on a 600 Bandit

me personally, would go straight to DAS. 125s serve a purpose, but at the end of the day, they are like fat burds - bit of a giggle, but you dont' want your mate seeing you on top of one

[someotherguy]

I planned to go down the "CBT and fucking about for a year on a 125" route.

I could only stand the L-plates for 4 months, and did my DAS. I'm still riding a 125, but the training was well worth it. I think L-plates are inherently dangerous - they tend to induce a rage effect.

If I were doing it all again, I'd have just gone for DAS at the outset

[TbirdX]

I'm 49, never ridden on the road until this year (raced motox 25 years ago so not completely new to bikes).

Bought a DT125RE (comfy with a 2t due to racing), did my CBT and have been having a blast on it ever since.

The reason I didn't go straight to DAS was because I wasn't sure road riding would be for me, given that I didn't want to shell out the big money for the training/test.

I figured a year to 18 months and I'd know if I will stick with it. Having done 4 months I'm now starting to get very rude thoughts about racing again, but, I'm still loving the 125 so far.

Quite happy with it.

Each to their own
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VFR800X - CFMoto 450MT - TTR250

[Baggins]

Mid life crisis you say - I'm 56, did my CBT in November last year, bought a 125 in February this year, did my theory test a couple of days ago - and get on a big bike tomorrow for first time as I start my DAS.

I am loving my little 125 - was ideal for me to build confidence and balance - practice low speed stuff to death. I am hoping that helps me when I move up to the 600.

Each to their own but I feel I really benefitted from that 125 - which I intend keeping as a great little commuter even when I buy my bigger bike.

[winz]

I'd say go straight for DAS. Bigger bikes are so much easier/nicer to ride.
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