DAS for an older newbie - different setup than cars?

[Charmwah]

Hi all

Newbie to the forums, doing some research prior to possibly getting myself on two wheels. I'm 38 and have been driving since I was 25, did a CBT back when I was 19 (twist and go) and had a T&G for a few years after. Never learned to drive until mid-twenties as it was an expense I didn't need (and I could fill the tank on the Piaggio for £3.50!).

Anyway, I've been reading up about the DAS, plenty of great posts on here so already feel more clued up than I was. It seems from what I've read that this is a much more trusted route than the comparison with a 4 wheel intensive course. I remember being told that they were a waste of time and to stick with lessons until the instructor felt you were ready for the test. So I guess I'm just asking is the DAS as good an option as it sounds? It seems that for roughly £1200 I could book with a local firm, they'd sort CBT, training & 2 of both tests, and be flexible with the program.

Ultimately, I'd like to end up with a full licence and get a cruiser, something simple to begin with like a Honda Rebel or Yammy Bolt. My father-in-law has an 80's era HD Sportster and it'd be nice to get out with him for a spin round the Dales & peaks nearby.

Any and all advice welcome, thanks in advance!

[Zen Dog]

Just to be clear and avoid any confusion, DAS (Direct Access) is not the type of course (i.e. intensive), it's the type of licence you will end up with at the end (i.e. a full one where you can ride anything).

You definitely want to do a DAS course, given that your age allows it, as it means there will be no restrictions on the bike you can legally ride at the end of it.

However, you can do the DAS training intensively, as you've outlined, or you can do it in a more traditional style, where you have lessons until you/your instructor feel you're ready for the tests.
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Current - '94 VFR750FR, '00 VFR800FI Previous - '10 Street Triple R, '92 MZ ETZ301, '05 TTR250, NSR125R, KMX125, "Honda" Win (chinese copy of an old Honda design with a C90 engine)
My bike trip around S.E. Asia 2010/2011

[arry]

Hi

DAS is great. It's the right thing to do, for sure, in your circumstances.

You've already been on a bike before, so you know you 'like it' so to speak, which is always the big worry as some people spank a load of cash on the course then find they just don't get on with motorcycling when they do their CBT, and then chuck in the towel. You don't have that concern.

Cost wise £1200 seems lumpy TBH, so you might want to have a look around. Notwithstanding, look at reviews and word-of-mouth recommendations as they're both important. Some schools are better than others and at the end of the day you're paying for the training, not the licence, so make sure you get the best training you can within the scope of your area / budget.

Bikes - well, you say a Rebel now, but I'd say keep an open mind and concentrate on the bike you're training on; what you like about it and dislike about it, and then make decisions based on that experience. I would also warn against going off and buying a bike before you've even done your tests - keep your powder dry and get the licence out the way first.

Good luck

[Charmwah]

Thank you both, wise words.

I certainly won't be buying anything before I pass. I did consider getting a 125 or something to 'practice' on, but read plenty of threads on here that advised against it for people with road sense and who were going to do a DAS. That said, I'm guessing the old adage about your first being a cheaper option in case you ding it ringing true for bikes as well as cars?

That price was from a local firm, Tommy Bee's. Gets great Google reviews, but i'd be looking at getting some word of mouth or pop a post on here for to see if anybody in my neck of the woods had a recommendation.

@Zen Dog, thanks for the clarification. I'd wrongly understood that it was an intensive type course, I'm much happier knowing it's not time-specific. I'd rather learn right than learn quick.

[Zen Dog]

[GSTEEL32]

[Charmwah]

So on that basis, and sticking with the cruiser type (I'm a short-arse at 5'7), what would you look to use as a first bike? I know there's a smller single Rebel. I read on another post that whatever your first bike, stick with it until you feel like you've completely mastered it, even if that means it depreciates to the point of worthlessness because it'll pay dividends for your post-pass experience.

[Bhud]

You don't need a cruiser - I think you'll be able to get both feet down on most bikes, except adventure bikes and some enduros. The average height of the Japanese male is 5' 2, says Google. For the majority of bike manufacturers, the Asian market for their products is much larger than Europe.

Here, try playing with different bikes and your height and inner leg on this website:

https://cycle-ergo.com/

[arry]

[rpsmith79]

[Charmwah]

This is why I love forums and being able to ask people with firsthand knowledge. Great suggestions in both cases. The post about sticking with the first bike I thought was perhaps dubious, though I could only draw other common-sense comparisons to dispute it.

And @ Bhud, thanks for the link, handy little tool that!

[Zen Dog]

[wr6133]

Most mid capacity and upward bikes you are never going to, "master". If you think you are utilising the bike 100% of it's ability then either, the bike is really shit, you are delusionaly arrogant or you are a professional road racer.

If your aim is to try to "master" aspects of riding don't buy a cruiser. You will never learn to go fast or corner properly. Geometry of the bike type and power/weight has decided that for you.

[arry]

[wr6133]

[Bhud]

[arry]

[Zen Dog]

[arry]

You need only look at BMW owners and their honest reviews of the problems they've had, against the backdrop of MCN's reliability and build quality rating

[struan80]

Hello.

Ninja 650 or CBR650R would be decent first bike. I'm 5ft 71/2" I can get me feet flat on the ground. Kawasaki Vulcan S is good value if you wanted a cruiser.

Best to do DAS, £1200 is a bit steep.

[Charmwah]

I wouldn't say my aim was to master any aspects, more often than not if you think you've mastered something you are delusional like you say and that can lead to complacency...

Its interesting what you've said about the geometry, being able to corner properly sounds like a necessary skill to me. I get that you're not going to get your knee down on a cruiser, but then surely that's not the point.

As @arry mentioned earlier, after the training I might change my mind altogether after I've had a feel for how the learner bike feels like. Already the feedback from here and other posts has shown me that a Rebel is probably not the way to go. Nonetheless, I like the styling, somebody mentioned a Vulcan S on another post which also fits the brief for me.

Did you guys start on the bike you thought you wanted?

[arry]

[Charmwah]

[wr6133]

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]