5 Day Fast track full license course...viable for noob?
Discussion
Following my "GF wants to tour the US on a Harley with me" thread.....
How are these fast track courses? I did my test in the 90's where you rode your 125 with zero training, did your test, bought an R1 (literally
)
So.....for someone with ZERO biking experience (not with an engine anyway) how straightforward are the 5 day courses - and is it feasible to pass without ever having riden your own bike on the road yourself?
As someone who rode daily for over a year before I went near a test center, the idea of doing the whole lot on a hire bike in a week seems mad????
How are these fast track courses? I did my test in the 90's where you rode your 125 with zero training, did your test, bought an R1 (literally
)So.....for someone with ZERO biking experience (not with an engine anyway) how straightforward are the 5 day courses - and is it feasible to pass without ever having riden your own bike on the road yourself?
As someone who rode daily for over a year before I went near a test center, the idea of doing the whole lot on a hire bike in a week seems mad????
Tiggsy said:
Following my "GF wants to tour the US on a Harley with me" thread.....
How are these fast track courses? I did my test in the 90's where you rode your 125 with zero training, did your test, bought an R1 (literally )
So.....for someone with ZERO biking experience (not with an engine anyway) how straightforward are the 5 day courses - and is it feasible to pass without ever having riden your own bike on the road yourself?
As someone who rode daily for over a year before I went near a test center, the idea of doing the whole lot on a hire bike in a week seems mad????
I rode motorbikes from 13-17 off road. Had never ridden on the road. I did my test a couple of years ago after 18 years of car driving. I did theory, CBT, two lessons, two tests. I honestly think if you know about road-craft (driving experience?) and can do the whole clutch/foot controls thing, and most importantly do what you are told, the test is really really easy.How are these fast track courses? I did my test in the 90's where you rode your 125 with zero training, did your test, bought an R1 (literally
)So.....for someone with ZERO biking experience (not with an engine anyway) how straightforward are the 5 day courses - and is it feasible to pass without ever having riden your own bike on the road yourself?
As someone who rode daily for over a year before I went near a test center, the idea of doing the whole lot on a hire bike in a week seems mad????
I also know people who have ridden mopeds for years on renewed CBT's and couldn't pass the test because they just wouldn't listen/do what they were told.
Its feasible, doable and should be straight forward, unless you are less coordinated than average, less adept with hand/eye coordination, or an idiot.
I would have thought the issue could be places at the test centre for mods 1 + 2.
When I did my DAS the instructor was very specific that they wouldn't book the two tests for the same day as if you don't pass the first one you can't take the second. As it happens, they were right, I tapped a foot down during the figure of eights and failed an otherwise perfect run on the mod 1.
In terms of learning everything, a 5 day intensive course would give about the same amount of tuition as I had spread over a few weeks. The only advantage of spreading it out is that it gives more time for everything you've been instructed on to sink in.
When I did my DAS the instructor was very specific that they wouldn't book the two tests for the same day as if you don't pass the first one you can't take the second. As it happens, they were right, I tapped a foot down during the figure of eights and failed an otherwise perfect run on the mod 1.
In terms of learning everything, a 5 day intensive course would give about the same amount of tuition as I had spread over a few weeks. The only advantage of spreading it out is that it gives more time for everything you've been instructed on to sink in.
The way I look at it the reality is that unless you ride a 125cc after passing your CBT the following pattern is how you pass your DAS:-
Do CBT: 1 day, don't ride till decide to do DAS.
However many days you delay until you do Mod 1.
Do MOD 1 say 2 days with test at end of second day.
Again however many days delay until you do Mod 2.
Do Mod 2 say with test at end of second day.
Effectively I would say most people who don't own a 125cc but have road sense take about 5 actual days training to pass their DAS.
In respect of your GF my main observations from Mrs P doing her DAS would be get her to do the CBT first, if she hates it you will save you the course cost. My wife agreed with the school that she would pay for the CBT but they would roll it into the 5 day price if she signed up for the training within a set time (2 weeks).
Do the Theory/Hazard test (£30) before the training she would hate to not be able to take the MOD 1 & 2 only because the theory was failed.
How confident is your GF on the road? If she is happy to cycle on the road and enjoys driving (not just getting from A to B whilst chatting on the phone and doing her makeup) she should be fine. If she is a nervous driver or doesn't really enjoy driving she may struggle in the 5 days.
Do CBT: 1 day, don't ride till decide to do DAS.
However many days you delay until you do Mod 1.
Do MOD 1 say 2 days with test at end of second day.
Again however many days delay until you do Mod 2.
Do Mod 2 say with test at end of second day.
Effectively I would say most people who don't own a 125cc but have road sense take about 5 actual days training to pass their DAS.
In respect of your GF my main observations from Mrs P doing her DAS would be get her to do the CBT first, if she hates it you will save you the course cost. My wife agreed with the school that she would pay for the CBT but they would roll it into the 5 day price if she signed up for the training within a set time (2 weeks).
Do the Theory/Hazard test (£30) before the training she would hate to not be able to take the MOD 1 & 2 only because the theory was failed.
How confident is your GF on the road? If she is happy to cycle on the road and enjoys driving (not just getting from A to B whilst chatting on the phone and doing her makeup) she should be fine. If she is a nervous driver or doesn't really enjoy driving she may struggle in the 5 days.
Tiggsy said:
I did my test in the 90's where you rode your 125 with zero training, did your test, bought an R1 (literally )
That is almost exactly what my missus did, to surprise me. She didn't like motorbikes, but went and did one of those 3 day and do your test things. Passed. Bought an R1. Isn't dead. )Depends on you OP.
Ive seen quite a few people attempt these courses with varying success, my Dad wouldnt have for sure, despite riding some yearsd ago, he took lessons on and off for 9-10 months, my GF breezed it thou and I thought she'd struggle, do your CBT and you will be in a much position to answer that question yourself.
Ive seen quite a few people attempt these courses with varying success, my Dad wouldnt have for sure, despite riding some yearsd ago, he took lessons on and off for 9-10 months, my GF breezed it thou and I thought she'd struggle, do your CBT and you will be in a much position to answer that question yourself.
skahigh said:
I would have thought the issue could be places at the test centre for mods 1 + 2.
i work in a bike shop with a school attatched, a lot of schools bulk book test dates in the busy months then they have spaces available when customers book on. i think mine cost me about 500 and it was 1 day cbt, half day mod 1 training then the test then full day mod 2 training then the test.
as long as your not a numpty you should get through it with a couple days training. i remember the kid whos mod 1 was right before mine failed before he even got on the bike as he didnt know how to do up his double d loop helmet ha. hed been riding a 125 on a cbt for 2 years and had never done his helmet up, beggers beleif
Tiggsy said:
Following my "GF wants to tour the US on a Harley with me" thread.....
I did my test in the 90's where you rode your 125 with zero training, did your test, bought an R1 (literally )
Is your license not still valid? Maybe i have missed a thread..I did my test in the 90's where you rode your 125 with zero training, did your test, bought an R1 (literally
)Call DVLA and check, then just do a refresher. Why bother do the whole thing again...
BobSaunders said:
Tiggsy said:
Following my "GF wants to tour the US on a Harley with me" thread.....
I did my test in the 90's where you rode your 125 with zero training, did your test, bought an R1 (literally )
Is your license not still valid? Maybe i have missed a thread..I did my test in the 90's where you rode your 125 with zero training, did your test, bought an R1 (literally
)Call DVLA and check, then just do a refresher. Why bother do the whole thing again...
She's doing a 45min "taster" free session on friday!
I did my test when it was the old style.
Did my CBT, rode around for 3 or 4 months with coaching from my old man.
Did the 3 day intensive course. Failed my first attempt as I was so nervous and went through a no entry (not as stupid as it sounds, apparently it catches loads of people out).
Passed my second attempt with 3 minors.
Did my CBT, rode around for 3 or 4 months with coaching from my old man.
Did the 3 day intensive course. Failed my first attempt as I was so nervous and went through a no entry (not as stupid as it sounds, apparently it catches loads of people out).
Passed my second attempt with 3 minors.
Tiggsy said:
BobSaunders said:
Tiggsy said:
Following my "GF wants to tour the US on a Harley with me" thread.....
I did my test in the 90's where you rode your 125 with zero training, did your test, bought an R1 (literally )
Is your license not still valid? Maybe i have missed a thread..I did my test in the 90's where you rode your 125 with zero training, did your test, bought an R1 (literally
)Call DVLA and check, then just do a refresher. Why bother do the whole thing again...
She's doing a 45min "taster" free session on friday!
I passed my test on Friday following a 5 day course. The first time I had ridden a bike was last month when I did my CBT.
The Mrs failed on the swerve test of her mod 1 on Thursday despite having ridden a 125 for the last year.
I found the intensive group training a good laugh, she absolutely hated it. Horses for courses and all that.
The Mrs failed on the swerve test of her mod 1 on Thursday despite having ridden a 125 for the last year.
I found the intensive group training a good laugh, she absolutely hated it. Horses for courses and all that.
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