CBT done next stop DAS

[Tonberry]

See how you feel after your CBT. If you pick it up quickly, it makes sense to go straight to DAS.

If you struggle, it might be worth getting some road time in on a 125 whilst having further training.

[simonh9]

Tonberry said:

See how you feel after your CBT. If you pick it up quickly, it makes sense to go straight to DAS.

If you struggle, it might be worth getting some road time in on a 125 whilst having further training.

Similar to this. After my CBT, the instructor was quite confident I could go straight for the mod1/2 (with appropriate training), but I was less sure and felt I really wanted some time just to get completely comfortable on a bike, stop making silly mistakes and stop having to think about the operation of the bike and focus on what's around me 100%. I felt a lot more comfortable having done that, but everyone's different, so see how you feel after CBT.

As it was, 2 lockdowns delayed my tests, so I was glad I had a 125 to enjoy (now up for sale)

Edited by simonh9 on Sunday 6th June 21:13

[vindaloo79]

danashby said:

Did it help to have some practice on 125? Would you feel as confident doing Mod1 & Mod2 without that practice?
I know that everyone is different, but would like to hear from your perspective.

It helped massively I practised U turns loads of times every ride until they became easy. I think I had covered 1500 miles by test time for mod two.

Eventually I stopped having to think about what my feet and hands were doing changing gears, everything became smoother.

I was over-prepared really by time the tests became available. But I still failed mod one first time as I stalled on the bigger bike, arrived at centre had ten mins practice then had to take test. Stalled on the slow ride following the examiner. He said despite rest of it being perfect that he had to fail me. Expensive lesson that was. Funnily the next guy meandered all over but still passed. He said if I had of restarted without foot down then it would have been fine.

Mod two I got failed for speeding in anticipation of a NSL. Following 20-40-NSL. I’m not convinced I was speeding but what can you do. No other faults.

So, I think I’ve been average pace to learn, felt deflated at the resits, but at each test other people have failed that day, and for trivial things. I’ve met others who have done just a few days and passed first time.

If you just want a 125 so you feel a confident rider and your not short of cash then no harm in indulging yourself. Went from CB125R to CB500(F) and apart from moving the bike out of the garage the new bike is no different really, just goes faster, as the 125 felt slow to accelerate beyond 50mph - though could reach 65/70mph as its loosened up at 2500 miles. Other road users act different when L plates are removed. More respectful and less pushy.

Edited by vindaloo79 on Sunday 6th June 22:45

[vindaloo79]

simonh9 said:

As it was, 2 lockdowns delayed my tests, so I was glad I had a 125 to enjoy (now up for sale)

Edited by simonh9 on Sunday 6th June 21:13

It sounds like you have had a similar journey. I part exed in the end owing to decent offer from the original dealer.

I was pleasantly surprised how well my bike held its value and excluding one service lost £250 ish. So insurance ~£340, tax £20 and service £95 and it’s prob cost me ~£80 per month. Thoroughly worth it during lockdowns !

[samdale]

vindaloo79 said:

It helped massively I practised U turns loads of times every ride until they became easy. I think I had covered 1500 miles by test time for mod two.

Eventually I stopped having to think about what my feet and hands were doing changing gears, everything became smoother.

I was over-prepared really by time the tests became available. But I still failed mod one first time as I stalled on the bigger bike, arrived at centre had ten mins practice then had to take test. Stalled on the slow ride following the examiner. He said despite rest of it being perfect that he had to fail me. Expensive lesson that was. Funnily the next guy meandered all over but still passed. He said if I had of restarted without foot down then it would have been fine.

Mod two I got failed for speeding in anticipation of a NSL. Following 20-40-NSL. I’m not convinced I was speeding but what can you do. No other faults.

So, I think I’ve been average pace to learn, felt deflated at the resits, but at each test other people have failed that day, and for trivial things. I’ve met others who have done just a few days and passed first time.

If you just want a 125 so you feel a confident rider and your not short of cash then no harm in indulging yourself. Went from CB125R to CB500(F) and apart from moving the bike out of the garage the new bike is no different really, just goes faster, as the 125 felt slow above 50. Other road users act different when L plates are removed. More respectful and less pushy.

I found completely the opposite. 600 handled so differently to the 125 that going back to it would have been detrimental to getting used to the 600.
Using the exact bike you do your test on, and always having an instructor in your ear going round practice test routes and asking you what the speed limit is may have alleviated both of your failures.

I felt that time spent riding on my own before my test would maybe make my gear changes a bit smoother, but there's a much higher risk of picking up a failure-worthy bad habit.

Money spent on insurance, tax and maybe money lost selling the bike would pay for a couple more lessons.

[danashby]

Thanks guys for your input. I guess I would find out pretty soon if I need some extra riding experience or not.

What about bad habits? What shall I avoid doing? I appreciate that riding a bike is a completely different skill to driving a car, but as you may be both drivers and riders are there any things that you had to do differently when you first got into biking?

[Salted_Peanut]

danashby said:

I appreciate that riding a bike is a completely different skill to driving a car, but as you may be both drivers and riders are there any things that you had to do differently when you first got into biking?

Yes, but the most important thing is that biking is more fun

Several things are different between driving and riding, and the best way to learn them is to start with a BikeSafe day soon after you’ve passed DAS

Even better – if you live in the South of England – a day or so with Kevin Williams at Survival Skills is a brilliant (and brilliant fun) way to boost your riding skills immediately after DAS. I believe he covers as far North as Oxford (under a hundred miles from Leicestershire?). He’s the Master Yoda of motorcycling

[vindaloo79]

danashby said:

Thanks guys for your input. I guess I would find out pretty soon if I need some extra riding experience or not.

What about bad habits? What shall I avoid doing? I appreciate that riding a bike is a completely different skill to driving a car, but as you may be both drivers and riders are there any things that you had to do differently when you first got into biking?

Tough one, I’m still a noob, 1000 miles post pass now.

Don’t forget your indicators are on!

Do shoulder checks as if your on a lesson when setting off and roundabouts and right turns.

I see a few riders that on sunny days disappear into shadows and don’t have headlights on older bikes wearing all black. They are much harder to spot until closer than day glow or colourful attire. Never really thought about it until I started to ‘think bike’.

I can’t think of much that i consciously do differently; except that, as a rider we are largely invisible to everyone, ride accordingly.

I’ve seen police out with speed guns loads this last few week. Especially near squires cafe and A63.

One thing my instructor reminded me of when I returned to lesson after the lockdown was positioning behind large vans etc. Stay to the right (same position from centre as if in a cars driver seat) so that the drivers see me in a side mirror, so that cars behind can see us even if a larger vehicle is behind us, and probably so I have options to go around cars in front.

Like the chap above says though, if you have the option of getting through DAS quickly (and no lockdowns prevent doing so) then that would be optimal route. Not sure if that qualifies as one of my U-turns I’m so practiced at

[danashby]

Ideally I would like to do DAS straight after CBT

[Salted_Peanut]

vindaloo79 said:

I’m still a noob, 1000 miles post pass now ... I can’t think of much that i consciously do differently

I do a lot differently on the bike and, if you don't, I highly recommend investing in a day with BikeSafe or – even better – the likes of Survival Skills or Rapid Training. It's a fun way to boost your skills (and avoid the usual noob accidents).

vindaloo79 said:

as a rider we are largely invisible to everyone, ride accordingly.

I agree, and Kevin Williams has some excellent advice about what 'riding accordingly' means. It's well worth a read.

[danashby]

Salted_Peanut said:

I agree, and Kevin Williams has some excellent advice about what 'riding accordingly' means. It's well worth a read.

Thanks for the link. It is a very interesting read.

[vindaloo79]

Salted_Peanut said:

wisdom/useful links

Thanks for the reminder, now on the waiting list for one. Will consume the rest later!

[Pete-mojsh]

vindaloo79 said:

Salted_Peanut said:

wisdom/useful links

Thanks for the reminder, now on the waiting list for one. Will consume the rest later!

I passed mod2 last week, new bike arriving on Thursday just in time for the rain. I felt it would be best to do some additional training to be safe, smooth, increase awareness, hazard perception and risk assessment, I have a young family to get home to each night so didn't want to pass my test and try to pick up the rest as I go along. I'm statistically more likely to have an incident in the first couple of years after all. I've got a session booked with Kevin at survival skills next month.

[danashby]

CBT done, starting DAS next week and I can't wait. Never expected that riding bike can be so much fun.

[CoreyDog]

danashby said:

CBT done, starting DAS next week and I can't wait. Never expected that riding bike can be so much fun.

Wait until you step onto the big bikes, different league! Remember first time I twisted that throttle back abit further on an MT07, had a huge grin on my face as it slung me down a long NSL straight!

I've just passed Mod 1 this week and have loved every second I've spent on the bigger bikes. Hoping (Test availability dependant) to have Mod 2 finished by end of July.

[Rod200SX]

I was meant to be doing my first day's training for my DAS today but I'm bloody self isolating. Good luck to all going through theirs and I'm hoping I can get mine done without the same wait as before.

[danashby]

Starting my DAS on Monday. My instructor said that I'll have to start on 125 and make my way up.

[CoreyDog]

danashby said:

Starting my DAS on Monday. My instructor said that I'll have to start on 125 and make my way up.

That's fairly common, they want to make sure you have good clutch control before putting you on something that will spit you off if you're clutch ability isn't the best. My first session I was on my own Varadero 125 for most of it but managed about 30 minutes in a car park with the MT07, following session straight out on the MT.

[Mike230]

Hi guys
Just to bring this topic up to date, I passed my mod 2 today at the first attempt. Really happy with the result and have a CBR 650f being delivered on Monday. This weekend is going to feel like a long one!!

I'm looking forward to many adventures and being able to contribute to the pictures thread.

Thanks to all those that have contributed to this thread.

[danashby]

Mike230 said:

Hi guys
Just to bring this topic up to date, I passed my mod 2 today at the first attempt. Really happy with the result and have a CBR 650f being delivered on Monday. This weekend is going to feel like a long one!!

I'm looking forward to many adventures and being able to contribute to the pictures thread.

Thanks to all those that have contributed to this thread.

That was quick. My mod 1 is on Monday and most likely will be wet on that day. Even though I did a mock up test a few times I'm still stressed out.