DAS through the winter

[Louthepoo]

Hi, new to the forum and thought I'd kick straight off with a question I was thinking about.

I've been riding a Honda S-Wing for 5 years but now fancy a bigger bike. What I was wondering was what it's like doing a DAS through the winter? Has anyone done it? I've seen the figures and the pass rate is higher in the summer but I don't fancy waiting that long.

Cheers, Lou

[Mishka]

I did my DAS start of dec then Mod 2 on the 17th dec.

Weather wasnt hugely bad just the normal kinda bit nippy kind no heavy rain just sometimes wet road surfaces, I had no issues but not sure if its raining hard they'll stop the training as it seems daft
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[wilbo]

I did mine in March this year so whilst not quite in Winter, it was generally cold and wet for quite a bit of it. I saw it as a positive as if you are going to have to ride in those conditions at some point, you may as well train in it too.

[GSTEEL32]

Winter is the best time for DAS. Any sh!tty conditions will significantly alter your test conditions verses summer. As such, you ride slower, giving you more time to think about what your doing.

Also, if its really chucking it down, with reduced visibility, you will not be expected to "make progress" in the same way as a summer test.

Ironically, as mentioned, I think learning in the winter makes you a better rider in the summer .....

Don't crash though, obviously.

[NJD]

[Mark_F]

I did mine over winter (mod 1 December 2012 and mod 2 January 2013) and there were no significant problems for me (though be aware that tests may be rescheduled due to ice and such).

[Rogerborg]

30th March 2010, Scotch weather.

https://3.bp.blogspot.com/_URv-xJYdM20/S7JO_iBoZ-I/AAAAAAAABeQ/aHseFRLqie8/s1600/DSCN1218.JPG

I passed my mod 2 in Glasgow that day.

Any more questions?
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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

[Louthepoo]

NJD I can't add the link but if you type into Google 'motorcycle riding test data by test centre' its the top answer. It's data from gov.uk. It can be categorised into age, time of year etc

[Val]

[tom_e]

To be fair if this winter is like last year then you've got until late January before it actually gets cold enough to cause any issues.

[Derivative]

Wlobal garming, winter is summer now.

The bonus of doing it near winter is that you'll likely be able to pick up bargain bikes. I've always found prices lower at the end of "the season".

[Wonko The Sane]

[Alpineandy]

[Teflon-Mike]

[Alawson68]

Did my bike test under the old 33hp system in December 12. Not too bad, had just the one 8 hour lesson a couple of days before, freezing cold, a bit depressing but character building.
Passed my test a couple of days later in the snow, plus point was I had the whole test centre to myself, all day, as everyone else (car and bike) had rung up and cancelled
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2016 KTM Duke 390

[Baffler186]

Just make sure you've got good gloves, don't expect the school to have good ones. Also check what their policy is with cancellations due to poor weather. However, I was told that they (test centre) only cancel tests if it's icy/dangerous or significant snow on the ground.
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[mkjackary]

It is usually a lot cheaper/less busy in the winter. I payed for 1 tutor, 2 learner lessons (at a reduced winter rate), but ended up getting it one on one because they couldn't find another person.

[Alpineandy]

I'd guess that it could end up quite expensive as you'd really need to buy decent gear.
My mates lad did it in summer with cheap boots, gloves jacket and bash hat.
In the deep winter his gear would have been completely inadequate.
He's just looking for decent gear now to get for his birthday in early October...
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[DVSA Derek]

I wouldn't let the time of year put you off. We are not normally a country of extreme weather, and I have seen days just as good for riding at this time of year through to December / January as there are in the spring / summer time.

A couple things that could work in your favour are better lesson prices and if you are worried about the expense of winter gear, don't - the schools will provide it.

Hope that helps..
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[sinedtomuch]

Did my mod 1 + 2 in early December, its was freezing cold, roads were covered in salt and grit and did I mention it was freezing cold?

Suppose decent gear would of mitigated the coldness, I was wearing jeans, trainers and a jacket I borrowed from the riding school. Looking back this was a mistake but hey, I spend my what was little income back then on getting my tests done than getting fancy gear.
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[bigdom86]

do schools generally discount DAS in winter as not as many people do them? as in London all the prices seem to be the same year round. still trying to justify the cost to myself after 2 years on L's....

[Shinigami]

did both my tests in winter (also did my cbt in torrential rain rush hour manchester traffic, i love punishment)

if weather takes a turn for the worse you may find tests cancelled etc, I had my mod 1 delayed by a couple of weeks due to turning up and then being told they couldn't do it due to ice on the test area

apart from that there's no reason really to avoid doing DAS in the winter
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[Louthepoo]

Thanks for the replies, I've ridden through most of the winter except bad ice and snow but not on anything heavier and more powerful than the S-Wing. I've got all decent gear already and have only recently just been able to justify the outlay on doing my DAS.
In reference to the pass rate it's clear if you see the figures that is a pass rate as a percentage of people taking the test not just the amount of people doing it, there's a higher pass rate percentage in summer than winter.
I've phoned a few places up and is the same price for winter lessons as summer as they have less people taking the lessons.
I'm going to look at reviews of the training centres then just book it as soon as i can.

Thanks, Lou

[Teflon-Mike]

[carpe_diem]

Shurely if you're planning to ride in the winter you'll need decent gear anyway, not just for the test?
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