direct access

MikeyC · World Chat Champion Joined: 16 Aug 2002 Karma :

Yesterday I had day 1 of 3 of my direct access course. As my CBT has expired, I had to do a road riding day on a 125, which was basically an advanced CBT. After riding my NSR for a year and a half then jumping onto a crappy yamaha sr125 and being analysed for every move you make took a while to get used to! We did everything, country lane riding, emebrgency stops, slow speed control (slaloms, u-turns, etc). Tomorrow is my first day on a 500cc, what will we do? Will we have to do slalom etc, slow speed control? Just looking at the 500cc compared to my NSR is a bit daunting, it just looks huge!! Neutral

Bendy · Mrs Sensible Joined: 10 Jun 2002 Karma :

You'll get on the 500 and it'll be a revelation. Big and stable with some actual power. The extra size and weight disappears the minute you get on it.

Then yes, you'll basically ride about doing everything you did on the 125 again on the bigger bike. And I bet you find it's easier.

Good luck!

MikeyC · World Chat Champion Joined: 16 Aug 2002 Karma :

thanks for the advice mate, did you struggle at all doing things like u-turns and slaloms, basic slow speed control on the 125?

Mr.Everready · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Mar 2003 Karma :

The only real things are that the bike will be taller than the SR and i dont think you'll be doing too many U slaloms on it Very Happy

Wait till you get on the dual carraigeways and feel the power of a 500 compared to a 125.
Enjoy it, don't be scared of it everything is the same, only bigger.

Bendy · Mrs Sensible Joined: 10 Jun 2002 Karma :

Hex · Party Boy Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

Bigger is better mate, when I did my DAS I didn't have to do so much of the slalom type stuff though. just lots and lots of U turns (but I sucked at them).

MikeyC · World Chat Champion Joined: 16 Aug 2002 Karma :

well trhanks for all the advice. Just got back from day 2 out of 3. This is beginning to sound like an episode out of big brother or something Neutral

well my downside was my left and right turns, not the physical turning, but knowing when to look and do lifesavers etc... so i know what needed working on. Got on the GS500, got used to it well quickly. Town riding no probs, country lane riding, no worries again. U-turns took some gettnig used to, can now do it confidently but keep being told i need more revs. Emergency stops were good eventually but I kept locking up the rear wheel, its hard when your used to the NSR standard then doing all these things on a bigger and better bike! I know what you mean bendy about it being much more stable, surprisingly so! As good as test ready, instrcutor thinks im ready as long as I brush up on the 'Looks'. Got my test at 3.27pm on thursday, just in time for all the school kids who i think are all back, lucky me!!

Bendy · Mrs Sensible Joined: 10 Jun 2002 Karma :

On the 'looks'... just keep talking yourself through it the whole time.

I was out in the car in the evening during my DAS, I was doing the 'looks'. Round the supermarket with the trolley, do the 'looks'. Smile

You've got another day to drill it into your head, you'll be fine!

MikeyC · World Chat Champion Joined: 16 Aug 2002 Karma :

cheeres bendy, your wrds of wisdom have helped more than you probably realise! One good thing to come out with it, got chattnig to a bloke donig exactly the same as me and we have agreed, once we've passed, to be like 'riding buddies', which is always good when you just wanna go for long rides, none of my mates ride unfortunately.