Decisions decisions

[Peat]

So, I did my CBT about 3 months ago and am a little fed up with not being able to take pillion passengers and I'd like to get a slightly bigger bike (pillion on a 125 gotta be slow )

So here's my dilemma, I'm a bit brassic and £550 for a direct access course is a bit out of my reach, £380 even seems a bit extortionate to do the normal 3 day course/test and have a restricted bike. So, if I were to go straight for the bike test with no other instruction other than my CBT (I have had a full car driving license for over 10 years) what's the chances of success?

How slow (or fast/powerful) is a 33bhp bike anyway? Will it carry me and pillion passenger happily at 70 up hill with a headwind or will I be rolling backwards down said hill?

Are restricted bikes hard to come by 2nd hand, i.e. could I get one of reasonable nick for say £750?

Sorry for all the questions... just stuck on my next steps... really want to be able to take the missus out over the summer

Thanks in advance...

Peat

[carvell]

I passed my full bike test at 17 with no lessons apart from a CBT.

Just buy the DSA test book, that's all any half competant person needs to pass an A2 test.

A 33bhp bike will carry someone up a hill at 70mph fine yes. 33bhp will take you to around 100mph, and 0-60 in 5-6 seconds, less in a lot of cases.

However, if you are over 21 then you should definately go for the DAS - even if it means saving up for a few months. You'll regret taking the A2, you really will.

My BROS is 33bhp - I bought that in good condition with 15,000 miles on the clock for £660 - but that was a bargain.
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Yamaha TDM 850

[Danny]

[carvell]

Bleh.

If you've been riding for more than a couple of months on a CBT, you remember what was taught in your CBT, read the DSA book and go out and practice on your own - I don't see why you would need lessons.

As long as you can ride safely, do lifesavers and perform manouvers, which the book teaches, then you can pass the test.
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Yamaha TDM 850

[Peat]

I reckon the money thing will drive me to just doing my test with the help of the DSA training book and I'll do the 33bhp thing for a year or two... thanks for setting my mind at ease that a 33 bike will not act like my wee GN125 that get's me to 60mph (sometimes)

[dainesefreak]

IMO you should pay for a couple of hour long lessons and see how it goes. If you turn up to the test and you're not good enough you're just waisting money. You might even piss off the tester if he thinks you are dangerous or not ready, which would not be a good thing to do.

Learning to ride a bike shouldn't be about passing your test by the quickest route, it's about learning some control and not killing yourself or somebody else.

Good luck.

[Peat]

Yup, I absolutely agree... but whether I have passed my test or not, I can still be a maniac on the road so that argument doesn't really hold

I just want to get through the cheapest and safest way, that's all, and I had planned to take a lesson or two just to make sure I'm up to speed.

cheers for all the help

[Harman]

If you ask on the BCF forum you might find some one who has just passed there test or has advanced training that would follow you and observe any faults your riding may/will have and good luck.
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formerly scooby.h

[Peat]

I booked on a direct access course... sod it, that's what credit cards are for, right?