Another newbie...going for DAS next spring.

[F1.ash]

Hi all, I've decided to learn to ride while I still have sufficient years to enjoy it as a new interest. It's something I've always been interested in doing but never actually pursued. Well, now I've decided that there several things I want to learn to do while I can and could expect some good years doing them, and this is one of them.

Well ahead of the planned DAS course next spring I'd like to get some reading done and maybe get hold of a current hazard perception test DVD. Can anyone recommend some titles for these? I've had a look around and seems that there's a whole raft of books etc to choose from. I suspect that there might only be one or two really worthwhile/necessary titles to consider. Any tips appreciated.

Bit of background on me...I'm 48, been driving for 30 years and have an IAM qualification. I'm hoping that my roadcraft might not be too far from where it needs to be save for the bike specific elements.

Once qualified I have my eye on a Versys 650 or similar. Tried a Versys at Motorcycle live and really liked it.

Looking forward to getting started

[Rogerborg]

Good on you, and the Versys is a perfectly reasonable choice of bike. Or a V-Strom, Tracer 700, Tiger 800, and I hear that BMW even do a few similar bikes.

Motorcycle Roadcraft (the Police handbook that forms the basis of IAM and RoSPA) uses the same IPSGA system as for cars. I doubt that there will be much in there that's new for you, except perhaps using all of the lane (or road) on the approach to bends - I don't know if car IAM is teaching that. You'll love the options available to you on a bike.

Hazard perception, I bought a DVD from my local supermarket that sufficed. It's probably all apps now, kids these days, etc. I would definitely encourage you to practice, since it's just a computer game and you need to learn where the scoring zones are.

It'll be frustrating and I absolutely guarantee that you will spot hazards and click too early to score - the test is aimed at genuine learners who are expected to spot them just in time to react, rather than to be proactive.

Still, it's not that hard to pass with a click-wait-click-wait-click strategy, and you only need to do it once.

Before you do anything though, have you actually ridden a bike or done a CBT? There's loads to take in and it's mentally and surprisingly physically demanding. Don't assume that it's a one day course - the DVSA are desperate to get away from that perception, but riding schools are of course keen to promote it as an easy course, no worries. Check into fees for extra days if you need them - plenty of us went back for a second bite at it.

</Wall-of-Tef>
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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

[Alpineandy]

You haven't mentioned it, but If you've never ridden a bike before, just find a training school and do you CBT.
It may go great but it could also make you feel that Biking isn't for you.
If you want a recommendation for a training school then you'll need to say 'roughly' whereabouts you are (or fill that in on your profile).
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The above comment isn't necessarily the truth and anyone that says it is, is only correct if it's the truth or they're bigger than me.

[F1.ash]

[F1.ash]

[Rogerborg]

[Alpineandy]

[M.C]

You'll get a sense on your CBT on how quickly (or not) you're going to adapt to riding. I had my cage license when I did mine but found the co-ordination (doing something different with each foot/hand) strange, and I definitely needed my 125 to work it all out

If you go straight for your DAS training you can easily get discouraged and spend a lot of money. Some schools offer a discount if you book a DAS course within a certain period after your CBT, I agree with alpineandy I wouldn't commit to one before riding a bike/getting your CBT certificate.

[F1.ash]

I think, following the advice from different contributors, that I'll be talking to the training centre and booking my CBT just ahead of the DAS. I have no idea of how heavily booked these things get or the frequency of sessions but it should be fine if I plan ahead far enough.

I might give them a call today actually...

Anyhow, thanks to all for the advice, exactly what I was hoping for.

[Alpineandy]

I should add that IMO your first 'big bike' should be below £2.5k as it's still a leaner bike. It will probably (not definately) get dropped.
One of the things it'll teach you is what qualities are important in a bike for you (you may think you know before you get one but you're rarely 100% correct).
Also you will start to look enviously at other bikes within a year (with qualities you hadn't appreciated were even important to you a few months earlier), and although you may decide you're happy with what you've got, making that decision just because you'd lose loads of money on changing will leave a slightly bad taste in your mouth.
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The above comment isn't necessarily the truth and anyone that says it is, is only correct if it's the truth or they're bigger than me.

[Rogerborg]

Which is why you need at least three bikes at any given time.
____________________
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

[F1.ash]

[Rogerborg]

Indeed, adventure-stylee bikes have neutral positions that can be maintained all day without strain. I use my GS as my long distance and bad-weather bike because it's so easy and physically unstressful to ride.

Bung or crash bars, sure. I add them to everything now, and they've paid off in a few low-speed drops.
____________________
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]

Bungs don't always help https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?p=4228672#4228672

[Alpineandy]