A2 Licence at 22 or wait 2 years for DAS
Discussion
Hi, I'd like to ride a bike, I have three options, which would be best do you reckon?
CBT and A2 at 22 - in the summer (22.5 years old)
CBT in the summer, and DAS in 1.5 years at 24 after riding 125cc for 1 1/2 years
CBT in two years at 24 and keep driving the car I have until then.
I'm a bit puzzled, I think it might lower my Bike insurance to get a CBT soon and ride a 125 for a couple of years, but then again my partner used to ride bikes when she was younger around private land (without getting a licence) and rode a 250cc and said even that was dangerous on the lower end of the power, and wouldn't recommend going lower power. This is making me want to do the A2 then upgrade when I get to 24. But the insurance is a killer at the minute already - £400 for a 125cc if I rode it on an A2!
On the other hand, I could wait another 1 3/4 years and go straight for a DAS and then ride something fairly low powered (450 - 600cc) to get used to biking and just use my car for that time.
Any opinions please? Anyone done a similar thing, what would you recommend?
Thanks
CBT and A2 at 22 - in the summer (22.5 years old)
CBT in the summer, and DAS in 1.5 years at 24 after riding 125cc for 1 1/2 years
CBT in two years at 24 and keep driving the car I have until then.
I'm a bit puzzled, I think it might lower my Bike insurance to get a CBT soon and ride a 125 for a couple of years, but then again my partner used to ride bikes when she was younger around private land (without getting a licence) and rode a 250cc and said even that was dangerous on the lower end of the power, and wouldn't recommend going lower power. This is making me want to do the A2 then upgrade when I get to 24. But the insurance is a killer at the minute already - £400 for a 125cc if I rode it on an A2!
On the other hand, I could wait another 1 3/4 years and go straight for a DAS and then ride something fairly low powered (450 - 600cc) to get used to biking and just use my car for that time.
Any opinions please? Anyone done a similar thing, what would you recommend?
Thanks
I'd guess a lot depends on how/what you'll be using the bike for.
Being an old git, I was able to do the CBT and DAS straight off. So the following is based purely on having ridden a couple of 125's for a while, having done the tests, and so on.
First off, I wouldn't call a 125 dangerous, in the sense of slow. They're reasonably nippy at slow to medium speeds, and can usually manage at least 60mph. You'd keep up with most normal cars being driven normally without too much trouble.
If it's for commuting, and you don't do a lot of Motorways and DCs (with free flowing traffic), then I'd say it's perfectly feasible, and a good way to get used to a bike. In that regard I'd do the CBT now, and DAS when you're older.
If your commute does involve motorways/DCs, or if you want to ride for fun.... I'd steer clear of the 125s. As such I'd suggest either the CBT and A2 if money isn't tight, or wait until old enough for DAS and just do it all then.
Being an old git, I was able to do the CBT and DAS straight off. So the following is based purely on having ridden a couple of 125's for a while, having done the tests, and so on.
First off, I wouldn't call a 125 dangerous, in the sense of slow. They're reasonably nippy at slow to medium speeds, and can usually manage at least 60mph. You'd keep up with most normal cars being driven normally without too much trouble.
If it's for commuting, and you don't do a lot of Motorways and DCs (with free flowing traffic), then I'd say it's perfectly feasible, and a good way to get used to a bike. In that regard I'd do the CBT now, and DAS when you're older.
If your commute does involve motorways/DCs, or if you want to ride for fun.... I'd steer clear of the 125s. As such I'd suggest either the CBT and A2 if money isn't tight, or wait until old enough for DAS and just do it all then.
Edited by phil4 on Friday 9th February 14:07
Personally I know of nobody that has said "I wish I waited more time to do my bike licence"
A pal of mine went through the A2 then A licence stages and despite it being more costly, didn't have an issue riding a lower powered bike around and in fact still has it some 2.5 years later.
125's aren't dangerous. I have a CG 125 that I have over taken quite a few people on, and that is all 11hp and slower than a second cum. Even taking it to Europe wasn't a major issue and averaging over 200 miles a day.
My 2p. Do the A2 and ride whatever you can afford until doing your DAS, you likely won't regret it.
A pal of mine went through the A2 then A licence stages and despite it being more costly, didn't have an issue riding a lower powered bike around and in fact still has it some 2.5 years later.
125's aren't dangerous. I have a CG 125 that I have over taken quite a few people on, and that is all 11hp and slower than a second cum. Even taking it to Europe wasn't a major issue and averaging over 200 miles a day.
My 2p. Do the A2 and ride whatever you can afford until doing your DAS, you likely won't regret it.
I'd suggest doing your CBT and A2 as soon as possible. You can always choose not to ride a bike once licensed.
While a number of the old farts on here (me included) did a single test, many on a 250, then got a license that allowed unlimited access most simply moved to bikes that are lower powered than the existing A2 allowance so you'll not really be doing anything different.
While a number of the old farts on here (me included) did a single test, many on a 250, then got a license that allowed unlimited access most simply moved to bikes that are lower powered than the existing A2 allowance so you'll not really be doing anything different.
Given the choice I'd do the A2 licence. There are plenty of decent bikes to choose from.
Failing that (if you want to save a few quid), a CBT and a cheap 125. They are good fun down twisty B-roads and up to the job round town. They are also very cheap and simple to work on so they make a good introduction to doing your own maintenance if you don't already.
Failing that (if you want to save a few quid), a CBT and a cheap 125. They are good fun down twisty B-roads and up to the job round town. They are also very cheap and simple to work on so they make a good introduction to doing your own maintenance if you don't already.
Definitely do the A2 licence route, as has been said 47hp isn't too bad at all and when you're 24 doing the tests again is easy and only costs £90 in test fees since you shouldn't need any lessons. This is what I've just done and I'm glad I didn't stay on a 125 for any longer than I had too. As for insurance, they don't seem to care at all about what licence you've got, when I rang up the insurance company to tell them I'd passed my test they were happy to charge me an admin fee but didn't reduce the premium at all.
You're in the same position i was a few years ago. I bought a 125, got a CBT and ran the 125 for around 7/8 months basically to learn roadcraft and all that kinda stuff. I then went and got my A2(using a school to learn) just before I turned 22 and had a restricted SV650S. Rode on restricted for 2 years, before using my own bike for my A license Mod 1 and Mod 2. I didn't use a school this time and just paid the cost for the test (£90) rather than another £5-600. I kept the SV650S afterwards, still have it now (another 2 years down the line). It's obviously now unrestricted 
extra info.
CBR125 cost £1500, insurance for the first year was £750 or so
SV650S cost £5000, (134 miles when i picked it up) insurance around £4-500 each year. NGL, it should be cheaper by now.
I'm glad i did it this way. Yes 125's are underpowered but that means you have to really plan ahead especially with overtaking, which serves me well to this day. Also, the most fun i've ever had on a bike was on that 125 on a ride out with a mate on his 125. Using every bit of power we each had and hardly breaking speed limits was absolutely hilarious.
It also meant that when i was doing my A2 license, my mental capacity was focused on becoming accustomed to the larger bike (which takes minutes, if that) and what i needed to do for my test. Rather than actually learning how to ride a bike.
extra info.
CBR125 cost £1500, insurance for the first year was £750 or so
SV650S cost £5000, (134 miles when i picked it up) insurance around £4-500 each year. NGL, it should be cheaper by now.
I'm glad i did it this way. Yes 125's are underpowered but that means you have to really plan ahead especially with overtaking, which serves me well to this day. Also, the most fun i've ever had on a bike was on that 125 on a ride out with a mate on his 125. Using every bit of power we each had and hardly breaking speed limits was absolutely hilarious.
It also meant that when i was doing my A2 license, my mental capacity was focused on becoming accustomed to the larger bike (which takes minutes, if that) and what i needed to do for my test. Rather than actually learning how to ride a bike.
I’d do the A2 route now.
The only thing I regret about learning to ride a bike is I didn’t do it earlier!
A2 class bikes are absolutely fine and you can have a ball on them. Get one that kicks out the most it’s legally allowed to, and that’ll be more than adequate for pretty much any use you can put it to, without being a fire breather. I have a full A licence, but my current bike is actually an A2 bike, and it’s surprisingly rare that I find it wanting in the power stakes.
The only thing I regret about learning to ride a bike is I didn’t do it earlier!
A2 class bikes are absolutely fine and you can have a ball on them. Get one that kicks out the most it’s legally allowed to, and that’ll be more than adequate for pretty much any use you can put it to, without being a fire breather. I have a full A licence, but my current bike is actually an A2 bike, and it’s surprisingly rare that I find it wanting in the power stakes.
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