Choices, choices... Advice Needed
Discussion
Right, apologies as I am sure you have heard this all before a thousand times but i'm after a bit of advice. (don't worry, it is not quite a 'what bike' thread)
I am seriously considering getting a bike in the very near future. I will shortly be moving approximately 30 miles from where I work and a combination of the rush hour traffic and the ever rising cost of petrol has lead me to decide that a bike would be the best option for the commute.
I have three choices for my route to work, either 30 miles across south london, 30 miles round the M25 and 10 miles across london or 50 miles motorway (m25/m3). In a car the 50 miles motorway is quickest and easiest but I think that a bike will make the cross town routes much more realistic (saving more time and money)
The problem I have at the moment is deciding which type of licence/bike to get.
The advantages to the CBT/125cc route that I can see are that it will be cheaper to get started and the bike will probably be more economical (very important as money is going to be tight for a while). I could then take my full test at a later date if it wanted to get a bigger bike.
The downside to this route is that it would limit me to the cross town route to work, which might not be the best one (experienced bikers plese tell me which route you would pick). Even if i took my full test a 125 is still likely to be a bit gutless for motorway work and I think I might want something bigger/more fun quite quickly anyway. Would a bigger bike also be more comfortable to spend reasonable lengths of time on? what would the mpg be like on a midsize bike on a commute?
What do you guys think? should I get a 125 and try it out for a while or should I take the plunge and do a direct access scheme straight away?
I am seriously considering getting a bike in the very near future. I will shortly be moving approximately 30 miles from where I work and a combination of the rush hour traffic and the ever rising cost of petrol has lead me to decide that a bike would be the best option for the commute.
I have three choices for my route to work, either 30 miles across south london, 30 miles round the M25 and 10 miles across london or 50 miles motorway (m25/m3). In a car the 50 miles motorway is quickest and easiest but I think that a bike will make the cross town routes much more realistic (saving more time and money)
The problem I have at the moment is deciding which type of licence/bike to get.
The advantages to the CBT/125cc route that I can see are that it will be cheaper to get started and the bike will probably be more economical (very important as money is going to be tight for a while). I could then take my full test at a later date if it wanted to get a bigger bike.
The downside to this route is that it would limit me to the cross town route to work, which might not be the best one (experienced bikers plese tell me which route you would pick). Even if i took my full test a 125 is still likely to be a bit gutless for motorway work and I think I might want something bigger/more fun quite quickly anyway. Would a bigger bike also be more comfortable to spend reasonable lengths of time on? what would the mpg be like on a midsize bike on a commute?
What do you guys think? should I get a 125 and try it out for a while or should I take the plunge and do a direct access scheme straight away?
I would go the das route especially as the test is supposed to be getting harder in october of this year.You could then go and buy a 600cc bandit or similar for the same cost as a 125 to be honest and it would be more reliable and may cost less to run in terms of petrol and oil.
The other bonus is as you have said you can then use motorways to get to work.The das would cost you a few hundred more to get but its the route i would take.
The other bonus is as you have said you can then use motorways to get to work.The das would cost you a few hundred more to get but its the route i would take.
Edited by TPS on Tuesday 27th May 19:44
agree with mr G-man here, the tests will only get harder when they change them. A direct access course will set you up for any future contemplation of fast bikes.
Even if you decide it's not for you at this time perhaps you may change your mind in a few years, at that point you'll not have to go through the terror of the tests.
Even if you decide it's not for you at this time perhaps you may change your mind in a few years, at that point you'll not have to go through the terror of the tests.
Unless you are absolutely 100% sure you'll never want more than a 125 I'd definitely do your DAS now.
You can still ride a 125 (obviously) on a full licence, and if you find a bigger bike is required (very possible) you can sell a 125 on easily to all the CBT'ers. I'm not sure which route I'd take - I would probably try them all out and then just pick one.
You can still ride a 125 (obviously) on a full licence, and if you find a bigger bike is required (very possible) you can sell a 125 on easily to all the CBT'ers. I'm not sure which route I'd take - I would probably try them all out and then just pick one.
IMHO you'll find a 125 harder work as you'll be busy thrashing it to keep up with traffic and therefore spending less time on everything else.
The cost of a restricted access course and test is only £100 or so different from DAS, so I'd go for the DAS straight off.
I can't really comment on which route would be quickest as I don't know Sarf London very well, however I know that it's faster going East-West through the middle than it is to go around the M25 (at sensible speeds <100), so the same will probably apply.
For reference I do 50 miles each way, approx 50% motorway and 50% across London. Takes me a little over an hour and I get about 45mpg (VFR800, which I believe isn't a particularly economical bike). I've done it on a 125 too, and you really wouldn't want to be doing it on a daily basis unless it's all 30mph limits.
Go for the DAS.
The cost of a restricted access course and test is only £100 or so different from DAS, so I'd go for the DAS straight off.
I can't really comment on which route would be quickest as I don't know Sarf London very well, however I know that it's faster going East-West through the middle than it is to go around the M25 (at sensible speeds <100), so the same will probably apply.
For reference I do 50 miles each way, approx 50% motorway and 50% across London. Takes me a little over an hour and I get about 45mpg (VFR800, which I believe isn't a particularly economical bike). I've done it on a 125 too, and you really wouldn't want to be doing it on a daily basis unless it's all 30mph limits.
Go for the DAS.
Cheers for the advice everyone, you've given me a bit more to consider.
I suppose that the DAS is not really that much more expensive in the grand scheme of things (once bike, gear, insurance, etc are taken into account) and as you have pointed out, gives me a lot more options. Plus having looked at a few quotes, it knocks quite a bit of money off the insurance when compared to riding on a provisional licence which will pay for most of the difference
Time to start hunting for somewhere that does decent deals on DAS etc in either the Kingston or Dartford areas (any recommendations will be welcome)
I suppose that the DAS is not really that much more expensive in the grand scheme of things (once bike, gear, insurance, etc are taken into account) and as you have pointed out, gives me a lot more options. Plus having looked at a few quotes, it knocks quite a bit of money off the insurance when compared to riding on a provisional licence which will pay for most of the difference
Time to start hunting for somewhere that does decent deals on DAS etc in either the Kingston or Dartford areas (any recommendations will be welcome)
I can recommend CSN in Strood, on the Medway City Estate. Not too far from Dartford.
I passed there 4 years ago, my Mrs passed there last year, and 5 other mates within the last 4 years have also passed there.
Good bit they do is a free hours session on a Saturday where they will estimate how long you need for the DAS. They are very honest - I needed 5 days (1 day CBT and 4 days DAS), two of my mates only needed 2 days DAS and 1 day CBT. They tell you what you need.
I passed there 4 years ago, my Mrs passed there last year, and 5 other mates within the last 4 years have also passed there.
Good bit they do is a free hours session on a Saturday where they will estimate how long you need for the DAS. They are very honest - I needed 5 days (1 day CBT and 4 days DAS), two of my mates only needed 2 days DAS and 1 day CBT. They tell you what you need.
Reading your post IMO I'd take the DAS route too. The test is getting harder/less centres around in October is one reason and here's my main point.
Get a 600 Bandit or something of that ilk and use the Motorways to get to work.
The 50 mile commute is with the flow of traffic that's all going the same way as you and your not fighting traffic that's continuously emerging from side roads past a queue of traffic that your filtering past etc. Yes there'll always be a numpty that's going to try change lanes but you'll be more prepared if everything's pointing the same way.
Get a 600 Bandit or something of that ilk and use the Motorways to get to work.
The 50 mile commute is with the flow of traffic that's all going the same way as you and your not fighting traffic that's continuously emerging from side roads past a queue of traffic that your filtering past etc. Yes there'll always be a numpty that's going to try change lanes but you'll be more prepared if everything's pointing the same way.
Mr Will said:
I have three choices for my route to work, either 30 miles across south london, 30 miles round the M25 and 10 miles across london or 50 miles motorway (m25/m3). In a car the 50 miles motorway is quickest and easiest but I think that a bike will make the cross town routes much more realistic (saving more time and money)
Mr Will, no real help on which bike to get but you live very near me and I ride to Canary Wharf about once a month. If I leave Kingston at 6.15am then I am at Canary Wharf and parked by 7am (20miles?). At this time a bigger bike is an advantage because traffic is "light" and acceleration from lights makes a difference. If I leave at 7 then it takes an hour and a 125 would be as quick or quicker as the traffic is heavy and its more about gaps and filtering.
The way back is the same timewise in rush hour but you can use most bus lanes until 4 which nobody else seems to realise so its like being an Olympic VIP.
In terms of petrol then a tank will do almost a week, so about 15 pounds a week? If you go the 50 mile route then obviously more. I am always surprised how short cross london distances are so I can't see the motorway being better. I have done Kingston to Maidstone which is a similar journey to your motorway commute in the same 45 minutes but was too wired to even sit down let alone work, and if you did this everyday then you wouldn't keep your licence very long.
As to where to learn I often see people being taught in Richmond park for their CBT which I would imagine makes a nice transition from school car park to the A3.
End of novel....
Moulder said:
As to where to learn I often see people being taught in Richmond park for their CBT which I would imagine makes a nice transition from school car park to the A3.
I was in Richmond Park this weekend my CBT was with Advantage of Wimbledon great school good instructors (IMO), very honest as well was expecting to have to do a 4 day DAS course and was willing to book and pay that, instructor said I should only need 2 days, I would highly recommend them I can provide number if you want...p.s. not affiliated in any way just a happy customer
H4N1F said:
In the Tolworth/Sutton area there's Bikewize, who have really good feedback from the people I've spoken to. They are worth a try, If I do the restricted access scheme it's going to be from there also, so give them a try....
I learnt with Bikewize and I agree if you're in the area they're well worth a look. Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff