Direct access and 1st big bike
Discussion
Hi guys,
Due to thorough sickness of commuting to work on the train everyday and seeing my mates all having fun on their bikes I have decided to get a bike and do the test. The lure of getting to work in 15mins and having a nice underground carpark far outweighs a 25 min walk to train station and a further 20 min train ride on an overpacked train. I owned an XL125 motorcross many moons ago so have some experience on bikes although limited.
I hold an original full car license (passed in 96)but by all accounts I still have to go through the CBT, is this correct?
Also, the far most important question is: what bike do I get?
Seems to be plenty of Hornets, CB's and Bandits on the road but they look quite plain, mates say go for CBR600 as you can grow in to it, "just because it has over 100bhp doesn't mean you have to use it" a mate said. I guess this is because he has an 03' model.
Anyway, any pointers to good web links or comments would be great
ta
Due to thorough sickness of commuting to work on the train everyday and seeing my mates all having fun on their bikes I have decided to get a bike and do the test. The lure of getting to work in 15mins and having a nice underground carpark far outweighs a 25 min walk to train station and a further 20 min train ride on an overpacked train. I owned an XL125 motorcross many moons ago so have some experience on bikes although limited.
I hold an original full car license (passed in 96)but by all accounts I still have to go through the CBT, is this correct?
Also, the far most important question is: what bike do I get?
Seems to be plenty of Hornets, CB's and Bandits on the road but they look quite plain, mates say go for CBR600 as you can grow in to it, "just because it has over 100bhp doesn't mean you have to use it" a mate said. I guess this is because he has an 03' model.
Anyway, any pointers to good web links or comments would be great
ta
CBT, Theory with Hazard perception then the big bike test.
Check you have provisional entitlement on your license first (A i think the catagory is) as not all licences had it.
Most motorcycle training centres will do all the booking for you and run the Direct access course from start to finish.
As far as bike are concerned the choice depends on how comfortable you are with it.
My first bike is a Suzuki SV650S, it has sporty looks, cheap insurance and the V-Twin motor is surprisingly capable Better looking than any Bandit or Fazer in my opinion 
Check you have provisional entitlement on your license first (A i think the catagory is) as not all licences had it.
Most motorcycle training centres will do all the booking for you and run the Direct access course from start to finish.
As far as bike are concerned the choice depends on how comfortable you are with it.
My first bike is a Suzuki SV650S, it has sporty looks, cheap insurance and the V-Twin motor is surprisingly capable
Better looking than any Bandit or Fazer in my opinion Just done the same, for much the same reasons.
Did DAS on a CB500, which was OK, and was tempted to hunt one out, but got a CBR600F instead. WHeeeeee!!! Feels a hundred kilos lighter, threads through traffic like a greasy needle, and like your mate says, you dont have to wind the throttle all the way back.
Love it.
Did DAS on a CB500, which was OK, and was tempted to hunt one out, but got a CBR600F instead. WHeeeeee!!! Feels a hundred kilos lighter, threads through traffic like a greasy needle, and like your mate says, you dont have to wind the throttle all the way back.
Love it.
Nice one guys, I do like the idea of a CBR 600, don't think I can stretch to a newer version so will prob look at the older 98'ish ones.
After owning loads of cars and paying through the nose for insurance is was pretty refreshing to get an insurance quote from Bennetts TPFT(inc pers injury!!), 97' CBR for 430 bucks!!! Not bad when you think a car with similar performance would cost a couple of grand.
What is ownership like with these bikes? Very good engines by all accounts.
MPG figures ok? Servicing?
After owning loads of cars and paying through the nose for insurance is was pretty refreshing to get an insurance quote from Bennetts TPFT(inc pers injury!!), 97' CBR for 430 bucks!!! Not bad when you think a car with similar performance would cost a couple of grand.
What is ownership like with these bikes? Very good engines by all accounts.
MPG figures ok? Servicing?
If you're doing a lot of town riding, how about a supermoto? Easy to flick through the traffic, light and controllable whilst you're getting back into the swing of things? Probably not the best thing if your favourite ride has lots of fast A road sweeping bends though.
I guess the Hornets and Bandits do get a bit samey when there are so many around, but there's got to be a reason for them being so popular Kwak Z750S looks nice as well, I was nearly tempted by one of those, as it had some kind of fairing, lots of grunt and a nice easy riding position which offsets the extra weight to some extent.
The new 600 sports are great and feel super light, but when you're trying to thread one through traffic and you've got neck ache and back ache, it might not seem like such a good idea after all...
I guess the Hornets and Bandits do get a bit samey when there are so many around, but there's got to be a reason for them being so popular
Kwak Z750S looks nice as well, I was nearly tempted by one of those, as it had some kind of fairing, lots of grunt and a nice easy riding position which offsets the extra weight to some extent. The new 600 sports are great and feel super light, but when you're trying to thread one through traffic and you've got neck ache and back ache, it might not seem like such a good idea after all...
Sorry guys, another question....
I have been checking on the DSA website and it does confirm I will have to do the whole theory/hazard crap, is the theory different for bikers?
If so, any good websites/shops to buy material from?
Looks like my old style full car drivers license just acts as a provisional rather than a CBT avoider, never mind.
I have been checking on the DSA website and it does confirm I will have to do the whole theory/hazard crap, is the theory different for bikers?
If so, any good websites/shops to buy material from?
Looks like my old style full car drivers license just acts as a provisional rather than a CBT avoider, never mind.
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