Starting from scratch and doing the lot over 4 days?

[Ruskie]

Looking at doing a full package from CBT through to DAS and obviously passing test. Done over 4 days with a bike, leathers, and everything included. Also covers accommodation and food. £950

Thoughts on doing it this way? Would it be a bit too intense or manageable?

I'm an advanced driver (emergency services) so I'm a little big more experienced than the average driver. I would hope that would reflect in my riding/observation/road reading.

[bgunn]

Advanced driving will help in that you'll have decent road sense, but bikes are a totally different kettle of fish; have you ever ridden a motorbike at all before?

I'd say if you haven't, get some riding experience in, by doing CBT first, otherwise you're asking a lot to master the controls of a bike to Mod 2 standard in a few days..

[jhoneyball]

I'm not saying it wont work -- plenty of places offer such a thing, from the sublime (like BMW Official training) to the cheap and cheerful

Having done my test 3.5 years ago, the 800 or so miles I did on a Varadero between CBT and Mod1/2 was very very helpful with confidence.

[mckeann]

I did CBT and DAS all in one go and it was absolutely fine. Go for it

[Mastodon2]

Accommodation? Is it happening in some sort of DAS convent?

[Nigel Worc's]

I find this a very odd concept, this direct access.

It just seems so odd, from nothing to a full licence in a few days.

[RumpleFugly]

When I passed my test a decade ago I did a 5-day intensive course. (4 days training + test). Nothing > CBT > Full license within the week. If you've got your head screwed on there's no problem at all

Not heard of the included accomodation and all before but would imagine there would be someone close by who would do an intensive course.

[CaptainSlow]

If you're doing it this year then it may be the best way as we're running out of weekends. I did mine in about 5 days but they were spread out over a few weeks, and cost about £600. If you're near Aylesbury/LB let me know and I'll pm my instructor's details.

[jjones]

You have nearly all the road skills you need for the test really so it all comes down to bike control - probably easily doable especially if you have ridden any kind of scooter/motorbike before.

[Ruskie]

Thanks for the replies. Mixed bag both ways so far.

The accommodation was just a thing I saw and thought might be easier than tagging on driving before and after.

I'm fairly sensible as I spend a large part of my working life sweeping bikers of the roads and I'm not looking to join them! I would say I have my head screwed on, plenty of road sense but little experience of bikes.

Other option would be to do CBT and then get a 125cc to play around on and get some experience?

[jjones]

Ruskie said:

Thanks for the replies. Mixed bag both ways so far.

The accommodation was just a thing I saw and thought might be easier than tagging on driving before and after.

I'm fairly sensible as I spend a large part of my working life sweeping bikers of the roads and I'm not looking to join them! I would say I have my head screwed on, plenty of road sense but little experience of bikes.

Other option would be to do CBT and then get a 125cc to play around on and get some experience?

125 route will be more expensive in the long run. You will quickly bore of a 125 also. I would get it booked and get it done then you can by a bike with some power so you are able to choose how fast you go rather than ringing its neck to get to 65.

[Ruskie]

jjones said:

Ruskie said:

Thanks for the replies. Mixed bag both ways so far.

The accommodation was just a thing I saw and thought might be easier than tagging on driving before and after.

I'm fairly sensible as I spend a large part of my working life sweeping bikers of the roads and I'm not looking to join them! I would say I have my head screwed on, plenty of road sense but little experience of bikes.

Other option would be to do CBT and then get a 125cc to play around on and get some experience?

125 route will be more expensive in the long run. You will quickly bore of a 125 also. I would get it booked and get it done then you can by a bike with some power so you are able to choose how fast you go rather than ringing its neck to get to 65.

I'm 6ft 4 and 18 stone so I reckon that might blunt the 125 as well!

[podman]

jjones said:

Ruskie said:

Thanks for the replies. Mixed bag both ways so far.

The accommodation was just a thing I saw and thought might be easier than tagging on driving before and after.

I'm fairly sensible as I spend a large part of my working life sweeping bikers of the roads and I'm not looking to join them! I would say I have my head screwed on, plenty of road sense but little experience of bikes.

Other option would be to do CBT and then get a 125cc to play around on and get some experience?

125 route will be more expensive in the long run. You will quickly bore of a 125 also. I would get it booked and get it done then you can by a bike with some power so you are able to choose how fast you go rather than ringing its neck to get to 65.

All depends on you and how you get on with riding a bike mate.

As for the 125 thing, my Dad and girlfriend both would not have passed their CBT and Mod 1 without having owned one to practice on.

My Dad (aged 71) passed 2 weeks ago , spreading the whole thing out over around 15 months but a chap around 50 he was with on the day last week, failed his Mod 2 for the fourth time, the instructor told him he would be best off getting a 125 to practice on, something he had been resisting, it isnt about the power of the bike, its the feel of riding a bike and controlling it.

On the other hand, a lad who had been riding school boy motocross for years and who had natural control and some savvy, flew through it all in 4 days.


Fact is asking here wont help much, you will know where you sit in this mix after doing your CBT.

PS My Dad sold his 125 in 6 hours of a gumtree ad and lost £200 on it in the time he had it, so it isnt that much of a drain on the pocket...If its something you can also use to commute on, 115MPG , cheap insurance and £17 road tax can soon swing the balance back in your favour..

Edited by podman on Saturday 5th September 18:00

[Baryonyx]

Try the course to start with, and if you don't pass you can always go back and get a 125 for some experience to build up to taking the test again.

[curlie467]

That's how I did it 20 odd years ago, it was a tad cheaper then!

Go for it!

[f1nn]

The way I did it, and this was back in 2007 so before the change to the test:

Theory test, I passed my driving test in 1995 so had never done it.

CBT

Direct access, consisting of 6 hours of tuition on the Friday, 6 on the Monday, then my test on the Friday.

I passed, so it must have worked for me.

[Pope]

Do it!

Same as some above; my brother and I drove from Swindon up to West Pennine MC Training and did a 4 day DAS course (in 1998 so maybe a bit easier than the current set-up?!) - inc b&b; test fees and a guaranteed pass (ie free retest if needed). I reckon doing the training on unfamiliar roads helped focus (you def learn to interpret signs a lot quicker).

The GS500's we trained on were a bit ropey; not as ropey as the CG's we did the CBT on mind!!

From an AR50 to a '98 R1 in a week was an eye opener! The VFR400's afterwards settled me down a bit!!

[Ed.]

Can you not do it locally for 600 ish?
Saving on accommodation and making a extra day less of a hassle should you need it?

[Dick Dastardly]

Ruskie said:

I'm 6ft 4 and 18 stone so I reckon that might blunt the 125 as well!

Don't go for the 125 then. From a distance you'll look like an average sized bloke riding around on a mini-moto.

[John D.]

Nigel Worc's said:

I find this a very odd concept, this direct access.

It just seems so odd, from nothing to a full licence in a few days.

Why exactly? It's only riding a motorbike, not brain surgery.