I'm confused...and need some advice!!!

[onetouchchewi]

To all bikers out there,

I really need some advice. Let me tell you my current situation. Originally, I'm from Germany but have been living in England for the past 7 years. When I was 16 and still living in Germany I had an Aprilia RS 50 scooter to get to school. When I moved to London to go to uni a few years ago I was still driving my car but quickly got very frustrated with just being stuck in a traffic jam all day long. So I thought I get myself another scooter to get to uni quicker. So, for the last two years I've been riding a Gilera DNA 50. It's great fun to ride but now that I have a job in central London and need to drive in everyday, the lack of speed is getting to me. I am now 25 and really want to step up in the world of biking. My initial plan was to do my CBT and then the A license and get a 125cc. The idea being that I get used to using manual gearbox and more power step by step, rather than getting a 500cc and smashing straight into the next tree...However, I've been reading a lot of posts on this forum, advising other people NOT to get a 125.
So, what do you fellow bikers out there recommend? I've read a lot on the licensing sytem in the UK but it's still a bit of a mystery to me. What's the advantage of DAS? Would it be suicide to jump from a 50cc straight onto a 500cc? Is getting a 125cc waste of time and money?

NEED SOME HELP PLEASE!!!!!!!

Thanks

OTC

[trafficdodger]

Hi there
The advantage of doing the das course is you can ride any motorcycle you like rather than being restricted to 33hp for two years i have just done my das and passed yesterday.
As regards to the 125 i personally think it is a good idea give you good experience i rode my for a year before doing my das course.

Hope this helps

Nige
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Present bike Yamaha R6

[Alfredo]

Hi mate,

Firstly, there are many similar posts on here about the same subject where a lot more experienced riders than I have posted their comments - have a look through past pages or on the newby guides.

Basically, the advantage of DAS is that you can jump straight onto a bike of 500cc or more (about 46.6bhp I think) as soon as you have passed your test, instead of having to ride a 125cc or a bike restricted to 12bhp (or whatever it is) for two years.

Many people will tell you to go straight into DAS and that it's completely fine to do this, and many people will tell you the opposite; that it's too much too soon if you don't have the experience.

My personal experience is that I'm 26, I did my CBT in June and after spacing out my DAS lessons I passed my test first time in August. I had no prior experience whatsoever on two wheels (a bicycle not included). I now have my first bike, a Kwak ZX6R J1.

Like any learner I was nervous at times, and like you I too was concerned about getting on the bigger 500cc bike. However, I really enjoyed DAS and actually found the 500cc learner bikes - the Suzuki GS500 in my case - both nicer and easier to ride than the Honda CG125cc that I used on my CBT. I found the 500 a lot smoother and easier to control, even though it is obviously a bigger bike in terms of both engine size and physical size.

Before I bought the ZX6R I asked people on the forum if they thought that this was a crazy choice for a beginner; some said they thought it was too powerful, others said it would be fine, depending on how you ride it. Anyway, I've had the bike for a couple of months and I'm very glad I bought it. Yes, it has stacks of power - too much for me to use as yet - but it will only go as fast as you want it too. I love the bike, it's brilliant, it's so much fun and it's really fast, but I think I am sensible and I haven't been riding like an idiot. Basically, I think the ZX6R is fine for me and it's my very first bike. On the other hand, I'm sure some people buy an RS125 and cane it everywhere, and could ride far more dangerously than I do even though it has far less power.

If you want to ride a bigger bike and you don't think that you are a few sandwhiches short of a picnic, by all means do DAS and get a big bike. If aren't bothered about having a bigger bike or don't have the confidence as yet to ride one, do the test for the 125cc.

Either way, good luck, safe riding and have lots of fun!

Al

[onetouchchewi]

Thanks for the replies guys. I think I might just toss a coin...

[Bendy]

Getting a 125 is a complete waste of *your* time and money.

You've spent plenty time on scoots, you can drive. Therefore you don't need to spend ages learning, just transfer the skills to a different machine. DAS will do the job.

[Kickstart]

Hi

I would say do DAS. For a start 125s command a premium price (large market, and large number of learners wrecking them to reduce the 2nd hand supply). Do your normal test and get a restricted licence then you stand a fair chance of needing to get a restrictor kit for any bike you buy, which will more than make up for the extra cost of DAS.

Personally I would say do DAS and go for a middle weight normal bike (Bandit, Hornet, etc, rather than a sports 600).

As a learner you are limited to 11kW (unless doing DAS and accompanied by an approved instructor), which is just under 15hp. If you do your test on a 125 you will be limited to 25kW for 2 years (~33hp). If you do direct access then your test will be on a bike of at least 35kW, and having done your test you are not legally limited on power.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing