Oh joy, another new learner biker thread...

Soberion · L Plate Warrior Joined: 22 May 2012 Karma :

Hi everyone, after years of saying 'one day i'll get my bike licence', I've finally gotten around to passing my CBT and theory.
Now the original plan as a 40 year old newb was to do CBT, buy a cheap 125 to get some road experience then have a few sessions on a 500 and do the test DAS. However, After my first week of riding the 125 as much as possible, (cheap Chinese knockoff reliability problems withstanding), and bloody loving it I've developed a dilemma down to cost and practicality.

1)Continue on road riding on 125 and then take the wife with her GS500 and get experience on that off road somewhere, then take DAS test on that bike.
2)Pay instructor for experience on 500 and do mod1/2 on that (160/day for instructor plus test fees. He is very good though).
3) take test on 125 and get OH's GS restricted for 2 years (she did that when she passed her test and now rides a 1300 Yam).

So, 1 is cheapest but most risky, 2 expensive (at the moment for me) and finally 3 seems the most practical. So i guess my actual question is, how much difference around town and for the occasional 100 mile motorway trip will a restricted GS500 be compared to unrestricted?

J.M. · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Mar 2011 Karma :

Oldie · Brolly Dolly Joined: 05 Dec 2010 Karma :

Pay the money, take the pain and go for unrestricted. Just don't think about it Shocked

Rogue_Shadow · World Chat Champion Joined: 10 May 2012 Karma :

Whatever you end up doing, do it before the licence changes next year.
I don't think it affects the DAS as much, but your A2 ( Option 3) slips away in 6 month Sad

I've no idea what previous experience you have on a Bike, but if you feel experienced enough to jump straight to a powerful bike, then go for it Thumbs Up

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Myself personally, I think I'll have a greater respect and knowledge for riding on my restricted A2 licence. But that's likely just me, As I like to earn things & in my mind ( I know its not as simple as this) DAS seems a way of just buying your way into a higher skill band.
I'm riding a Bike for the experience and for the involved ride, Speed isn't high on my agenda Smile

So that makes me abit biased, but I wont trying and force my opinion on you lol Laughing

It's down to what and how you want to Ride Thumbs Up