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Get a 125 or DAS?

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125 or DAS?
125 for 6 months
36%
 36%  [ 7 ]
DAS
63%
 63%  [ 12 ]
Total Votes : 19

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matadora
L Plate Warrior



Joined: 02 Sep 2024
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PostPosted: 23:05 - 02 Sep 2024    Post subject: Get a 125 or DAS? Reply with quote

Hello!

I completed my CBT today. Manoeuvring a geared bike felt okay, unlike going over 20mph on the road (total wuss). I passed my motorcycle theory test last week.

My instructor's view is that everyone should spend 6 months on a 125 before moving on to bigger bike training. My husband's view is that I should get a full A licence before buying a bike. I do have a lot of free time until mid October, so I could at least start the DAS.

Eventually, I would like to ride a bike across London once a week, commuting, and to enjoy the occasional weekend ride out to the nearby counties. My goal is to not die prematurely, including from stress.

Part of me wants to plead for buying a 125 to get on the road (I will need some arguments), and part of me sees DAS as a structured way to build confidence. What do you experienced bikers advise?

I did check out a few 125s on autotrader but the insurance quotes made me weep at £990 and up. Does a full licence with no experience make things cheaper or more expensive? I don't think I'd get a big bike.

I'm mid-thirties F, 5'6, a competent driver and cyclist. The instructor said he was impressed with my balance, even asked if I did yoga or pilates (no), and was generally encouraging. The other manual learner didn't make the cut for road riding today, and the two folks on automatic scooters were out on the road before me, so I'm not sure how I compare. I felt pretty anxious on the road ride. It's daunting to think of going out on my own!
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Easy-X
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PostPosted: 09:24 - 03 Sep 2024    Post subject: Re: Get a 125 or DAS? Reply with quote

That was my plan, 6 months of 125 then do DAS. As it turned out I got bored of the weedy engine in about 2~3 weeks!

I also mainly use the bike to zip up the A3 and into town. On its own, a 125 is a perfectly adequate proposition for such a task given the A3 is mostly 50mph and in town 20/30mph. However, you will be competing directly with the Deliveroo/UberEats crowd. Note: you can do the full 'A' licence and still start off with an A2 bike. 44bhp is more than enough to rip up the tarmac in the City.

matadora wrote:
The instructor said he was impressed with my balance, even asked if I did yoga or pilates...


That's sexual harassment in the workplace. You should sue Wink
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Ayrton
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PostPosted: 10:47 - 03 Sep 2024    Post subject: Reply with quote

Insurance is probably high because you live in London I guess? I only paid about £250 for my 125 insurance. Try doing a quote on something like a 350 with a full license and see if it comes down at all. If it's a lot cheaper I'd just go straight for the full license.

Getting a 125 isn't a bad idea but it does get pretty boring after a few months if you ride a lot of 60mph+ roads. I got a 125 first though and did find it helped me quite a bit when it came to doing the DAS.
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A100man
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PostPosted: 10:19 - 04 Sep 2024    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've no experince of the current test regime but i'd probably do teh DAS in your shoes...

You're old enough to be sensible, road-wise (apparently) and have
time. If you don't fancy the bigger bikes (A1?) after your passed you can back track and get one of the new, popular 400 singles for example.

Main thing is - Have fun. Thumbs Up
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WD Forte
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PostPosted: 10:41 - 04 Sep 2024    Post subject: Reply with quote

Confidence comes from experience and you can't buy experience
so there's nothing wrong with using a 125 in busy city traffic to get some 2 wheeled road experience/confidence

Move at your own pace or 'ride your own ride' as they say
do not let anyone pressure you into riding something you're not comfortable with.

I'd suggest a second hand YBR125 or similar to hack about on for a while
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that_impulse_guy
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PostPosted: 11:26 - 05 Sep 2024    Post subject: Reply with quote

get a 125. Most of London is 20mph limits. Country lanes is 60. A 125 can do both of those speeds.

Balnce, gears, pilates, yoga..that all cool.

Roadcraft? right now its zero. Predicting the dickhead, positioning of the bike, expecting that twat...the awesome "fix" in the road from the recent pipe bursting...you need to learn that stuff.

one of three things will happen:
you'll fall off, at a slow speed. Ebay is full of ybr125 parts for pennies.
OR
you wont fall off, and sell the bike for pretty much what you paid for it. Because...125's are in demand.
OR
you'll shit yourself at some point and think "nah, I'm good mate, this isnt for me"...in which case you can sell the 125 for what you paid for it..
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Ste
Not Work Safe



Joined: 01 Sep 2002
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PostPosted: 12:49 - 05 Sep 2024    Post subject: Reply with quote

Get a 125 or do DAS? Those aren't mutually exclusive.

You're asking two question; what bike to get as a first bike and should you have lessons or should you put learning how to ride off.

Yes you should do DAS rather than wobbling around with L plates on for however many months. Once you've done that you'll have experience of riding something bigger than a 125 and you'll probably discover that bigger bikes are easier to ride. For DAS you'll be riding something along the lines of a commuter bike rather than a sports bike.

You could do a few lessons before deciding whether you want to do a DAS course.

Riding around with L plates is for kids who aren't old enough to get a full license and for takeaway food delivery people. Laughing
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struan80
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PostPosted: 14:35 - 05 Sep 2024    Post subject: Reply with quote

Book DAS and you'll probably wait 6 months to get slot.

If it was me I'd go for the 125 as I wouldn't be able to wait until I passed my test to get out on a motorbike. That could be weeks with no wheels, fuck that!
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matadora
L Plate Warrior



Joined: 02 Sep 2024
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PostPosted: 10:28 - 06 Sep 2024    Post subject: Reply with quote

Some of your replies made me chuckle, thanks for your input folks!

I've decided to do the DAS, but struan80 was right–the schools I've had recommendations for and the exam slots are booked up at the moment so it will be some time before I have a full licence.

So I'm also looking for an YBR125 in the meantime (custom or not? tough choice), getting essential gear, and booking a couple of extra lessons.

Ayrton–I do think it's the London mark-up for insurance. I have a locked garage; the quote for a 400 on a new full licence is only about £100 cheaper. I might as well build up some NCB.

that_impulse_guy–wise words. I hope I don't shit myself Laughing
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ThunderGuts
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PostPosted: 14:52 - 17 Sep 2024    Post subject: Reply with quote

matadora wrote:
Some of your replies made me chuckle, thanks for your input folks!

I've decided to do the DAS, but struan80 was right–the schools I've had recommendations for and the exam slots are booked up at the moment so it will be some time before I have a full licence.

So I'm also looking for an YBR125 in the meantime (custom or not? tough choice), getting essential gear, and booking a couple of extra lessons.

Ayrton–I do think it's the London mark-up for insurance. I have a locked garage; the quote for a 400 on a new full licence is only about £100 cheaper. I might as well build up some NCB.

that_impulse_guy–wise words. I hope I don't shit myself Laughing


Probably too late to the party on this as I overslept. IMO right decision to go for DAS, not only will it get you a licence (subject to booking availability and, err, passing), but it also functions as more training which is only ever a good thing. Depending on your personality (to be fair, you're not coming across as arrogant or reckless which is a good start), spending time on a 125 by yourself could either help or hinder. If you're prepared to carefully research good riding theory and take time to put that into effect, practicing and perfecting, then it can be helpful. If not, then time on a 125 is the opportunity for bad riding to become habitual, then you've got to break that habit for DAS.
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ThunderGuts
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PostPosted: 14:52 - 17 Sep 2024    Post subject: Reply with quote

*ignore - duplicate post cos of The Matrix or something*
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slowasyoulike
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Joined: 17 May 2021
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PostPosted: 21:41 - 29 Sep 2024    Post subject: Reply with quote

125s are either knackered, overpriced Japs or Chinese shite. Do your DAS and be surprised by how many decent bikes can be had for the price of the aforementioned Thumbs Up
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matadora
L Plate Warrior



Joined: 02 Sep 2024
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PostPosted: 10:45 - 01 Oct 2024    Post subject: Reply with quote

I went ahead and bought a YBR 125 (2010, fuel injected), and enjoyed a few short, trouble-free rides. Wearing better gear has helped me be less frightened–as has drier weather than during the CBT!

Determined to get my full licence, I have my Mod 1 training session in 2 days' time.

Amazingly, TfL (Transport for London) offer free one-to-one lessons, so I've booked one for next week, to cover the route of my work commute. Link for fellow Londoners: https://tfl.gov.uk/travel-information/safety/road-safety-advice/motorcycling-in-london

Thank you all for chiming in. I have appreciated your advice! I hope to report back with my A licence this year Praying
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ThunderGuts
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PostPosted: 12:01 - 01 Oct 2024    Post subject: Reply with quote

To be honest, for urban sprawl a 125 is great - light, narrow and efficient. The power deficit isn't generally felt. Good you're pushing on with the DAS; tbh you might find that when you pass, you get a big bike but keep the 125 for commuting duties.
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A100man
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PostPosted: 12:50 - 01 Oct 2024    Post subject: Reply with quote

matadora wrote:


Amazingly, TfL (Transport for London) offer free one-to-one lessons, so I've booked one for next week, to cover the route of my work commute. Link for fellow Londoners: https://tfl.gov.uk/travel-information/safety/road-safety-advice/motorcycling-in-london



Well I never. I guess they're also trying to keep the Just Eateroo types right side up.

Avoid Hackney though - they don't like us there.
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slowasyoulike
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Joined: 17 May 2021
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PostPosted: 19:57 - 01 Oct 2024    Post subject: Reply with quote

matadora wrote:
I hope to report back with my A licence this year Praying


Well done for not buying a Chinese shitter, and best of luck getting your licence Thumbs Up
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matadora
L Plate Warrior



Joined: 02 Sep 2024
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PostPosted: 12:30 - 04 Oct 2024    Post subject: Reply with quote

Had my first proper lesson yesterday, and the way it started out, I was convinced the day was going to be an absolute shambles.

The instructor was delayed after a morning of tests, the other learner was a no-show, and when I found out the Mod 1 car park was in another borough and I’d have to ride a big bike there... well, my heart was in my mouth and I didn't want to do it.

However, I lucked out with my instructor and everything went so much better than expected. Loved the big bike! I ended up taking a very scenic route home on my 125 Very Happy Next session in 2 weeks' time, then exams.

A100man wrote:
Avoid Hackney though - they don't like us there.


I was there yesterday and it cost me £2.46 to park. It would have been the same for an electric motorcycle, so it's not about emissions. Nuts.
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matadora
L Plate Warrior



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PostPosted: 18:23 - 03 Feb 2025    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hello all,

As of today, I have a full A licence!

I did not do a traditional back-to-back DAS, so this journey took a while to piece together:

  • Three lessons in torrential rain. One was during a named storm where I got to ride through flooded roads and the inside of my helmet got wet despite my visor being down (wicking from jacket/buff);
  • Two Mod 1s–November cone booting followed by December pass—both in the rain;
  • One Mod 2, today at lunchtime! Minors: fumbled gear change, late rear observation. No rain, it was a cold but lovely day. I did, however, lose a contact lens en route, making the eyesight check... interesting.

Both tests were at Enfield (London), which has a surprising number of roundabouts.

For now, I’m sticking with my YBR 125 while I mull over my big girl bike. Africa Twin and Street Triple are strong contenders–very different vibes. My husband is planning his DAS in late spring, so we’ll likely pick up our big bikes together. We have a tradition of Scottish road trips, so an NC500 run is on the cards (anti-clockwise this time for variety).

Victory picture:
https://i.ibb.co/WW7WJnV9/5839079885581174565.jpg
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Pootling along the streets of London on a YBR 125 (2010) Wub
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Nobby the Bastard
Harley Gaydar



Joined: 16 Aug 2013
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PostPosted: 20:00 - 03 Feb 2025    Post subject: Reply with quote

Congratulations.
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Polarbear
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PostPosted: 22:48 - 03 Feb 2025    Post subject: Reply with quote

Well done Thumbs Up
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WD Forte
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PostPosted: 11:18 - 04 Feb 2025    Post subject: Reply with quote

Congratulations !!
Good idea to stick with the YBR for city riding
I work on and ride one from time usally to MOT and back
and they're a light, generally reliable, economical bike for busy cities.
I will add that this YBR has gone from here in Bristol to Stornoway and back on A roads too as the owner still hasn't got around to passing his test.
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A100man
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PostPosted: 14:33 - 04 Feb 2025    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thumbs Up

So much tougher now than than the figure of eight course you used to sent around.

Well stuck-at!
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Ste
Not Work Safe



Joined: 01 Sep 2002
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PostPosted: 14:54 - 04 Feb 2025    Post subject: Reply with quote

Your avatar... what is it? Laughing

https://www.bikechatforums.com/images/avatars/140992561766db934d2566c.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/A0G2y3d.png
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matadora
L Plate Warrior



Joined: 02 Sep 2024
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PostPosted: 17:37 - 04 Feb 2025    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ste wrote:


It's one of my proudest moments of engineering: a desk fan made out of a microphone stand, an electric nail file and takeaway spoons. And wine corks.
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Last edited by matadora on 17:39 - 04 Feb 2025; edited 1 time in total
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Easy-X
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PostPosted: 17:39 - 04 Feb 2025    Post subject: Reply with quote

https://media.tenor.com/ouzgpR3jh5MAAAAM/bad-movies-rule-bmr.gif
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