Wanting to get into motorcycling - best way.
Discussion
I am sure that this question has been asked a thousand times but in true PH fashion, I going to ask again.
I want to get into motorcycling. Two reasons, 1) to take some miles away from my car on the daily commute (perhaps commute 50 mile round trip 2/3 days per week, weather dependent) and 2) for the joy of riding a motorcycle. Bear in mind, my route to work is all country B roads, no long motorway stretches etc.
I have my CBT booked for April 14th. I have never ridden a geared motorcycle, but I am regularly out on my road / mountain bike so hopefully I will have no problems with balance. The only problem I can foresee is the brake / clutch levers that are different to what I am used to.
So do I:
Option 1)
- Take my CBT (I need to do this anyway)
- Buy a 125cc bike and gain experience on the road
- Ride this for 1 / 2 years then take DAS for a bigger bike
- Sell 125cc and buy a bigger bike
Option 2)
- Take my CBT
- Take my theory test
- Do the DAS course and pass mod 1 & 2
- Buy a bigger bike, twist and hold on!
Any advice on previous experience would be greatly appreciated.
I want to get into motorcycling. Two reasons, 1) to take some miles away from my car on the daily commute (perhaps commute 50 mile round trip 2/3 days per week, weather dependent) and 2) for the joy of riding a motorcycle. Bear in mind, my route to work is all country B roads, no long motorway stretches etc.
I have my CBT booked for April 14th. I have never ridden a geared motorcycle, but I am regularly out on my road / mountain bike so hopefully I will have no problems with balance. The only problem I can foresee is the brake / clutch levers that are different to what I am used to.
So do I:
Option 1)
- Take my CBT (I need to do this anyway)
- Buy a 125cc bike and gain experience on the road
- Ride this for 1 / 2 years then take DAS for a bigger bike
- Sell 125cc and buy a bigger bike
Option 2)
- Take my CBT
- Take my theory test
- Do the DAS course and pass mod 1 & 2
- Buy a bigger bike, twist and hold on!
Any advice on previous experience would be greatly appreciated.
I’d just do DAS. I did my CBT on a 125, instantly knew biking was for me but likewise also knew a 125 wasn’t.
The benefit of a bike is you have agility and speed to get you out of the way of traffic, overtakes etc. A 125 doesn’t have that, they’re slower than a basic family hatchback.
The benefit of a bike is you have agility and speed to get you out of the way of traffic, overtakes etc. A 125 doesn’t have that, they’re slower than a basic family hatchback.
Brett748 said:
I’d just do DAS. I did my CBT on a 125, instantly knew biking was for me but likewise also knew a 125 wasn’t.
The benefit of a bike is you have agility and speed to get you out of the way of traffic, overtakes etc. A 125 doesn’t have that, they’re slower than a basic family hatchback.
I think you may be right. I have found myself watching 125cc acceleration videos and it seems awfully hard work getting up to speed.The benefit of a bike is you have agility and speed to get you out of the way of traffic, overtakes etc. A 125 doesn’t have that, they’re slower than a basic family hatchback.
Option 2
This is not a bad thing.
georgefreeman918 said:
1) to take some miles away from my car on the daily commute (perhaps commute 50 mile round trip 2/3 days per week, weather dependent)
Nice man maths, but what will happen is that you will buy a bike that is infinitely better than the car and wont want to pile the miles onto the nice bike, so you will buy a second commuter bike also This is not a bad thing.Edited by jjones on Tuesday 27th March 22:10
Brett748 said:
I’d just do DAS. I did my CBT on a 125, instantly knew biking was for me but likewise also knew a 125 wasn’t.
The benefit of a bike is you have agility and speed to get you out of the way of traffic, overtakes etc. A 125 doesn’t have that, they’re slower than a basic family hatchback.
This. I did my test in '99 Yamaha SR 125' thing'The benefit of a bike is you have agility and speed to get you out of the way of traffic, overtakes etc. A 125 doesn’t have that, they’re slower than a basic family hatchback.
That put me off anything like that forever
I live in a country with no bike size restrictions for a learner, other than an L plate and no pillion, (UK used to be like that). 20 year ago I was 45 bought a 750 had a mate teach me how to change gears, and rode it for 12 months, no problem. I was careful started in a car park round the block, trip to the shop on Sunday, built up slowly them rode out with friends. I had had a car licence for 28 years then.
12 months latter I went back ti the UK and did direct access, I had murder with the CBT on a 125, but the rest was easy.
I had no issue getting straight on the 750 just didn't use the right hand, that's what controls the speed not the engine size, If you see the idiots on 125 where I live you would be more sympathetic to my opinion on that and not so dogmatic on the UK size rule,
I would do the direct access route, (or what ever it is today)
12 months latter I went back ti the UK and did direct access, I had murder with the CBT on a 125, but the rest was easy.
I had no issue getting straight on the 750 just didn't use the right hand, that's what controls the speed not the engine size, If you see the idiots on 125 where I live you would be more sympathetic to my opinion on that and not so dogmatic on the UK size rule,
I would do the direct access route, (or what ever it is today)
There will always be those that like and have done option 1, and those that have done the same with option 2.
My opinion?
I did option 2 and was fine. I may have learnt more quickly on a smaller but but equally I may not. It all depends on you, I know people that I would't even want to sit on a 125!
A bigger bike can mean a multitude of things too from a CB 250, to an R1M to a Harley or anything in between. Some will be better to learn on than others but it's all possible.
My feeling is if you have self control/self preservation then passing your test (which is likely to only ever get more difficult although maybe not influencing your timeline) even if you don't buy a bike immediately is the route to go down.
My opinion?
I did option 2 and was fine. I may have learnt more quickly on a smaller but but equally I may not. It all depends on you, I know people that I would't even want to sit on a 125!
A bigger bike can mean a multitude of things too from a CB 250, to an R1M to a Harley or anything in between. Some will be better to learn on than others but it's all possible.
My feeling is if you have self control/self preservation then passing your test (which is likely to only ever get more difficult although maybe not influencing your timeline) even if you don't buy a bike immediately is the route to go down.
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