Discussion
Been lurking here a while, and umming and ahhing over doing my bike test for a few years now, but you guys have finally pushed me over the edge !
Just booked a 4 day course and test the first week in September
I figure I can borrow some clothes off a few like sized biking workmates, but it would better to get my own helmet and boots at first, then get the rest of the gear when I've passed, and once I'm sure I like it..
As a total biking newbie, any advice on what else I might need ?
Oh, and as I have to do that pesky theory test, what books / cds do people recommend to get thro it ?
cheers,
Nimbus
Just booked a 4 day course and test the first week in September
I figure I can borrow some clothes off a few like sized biking workmates, but it would better to get my own helmet and boots at first, then get the rest of the gear when I've passed, and once I'm sure I like it..
As a total biking newbie, any advice on what else I might need ?
Oh, and as I have to do that pesky theory test, what books / cds do people recommend to get thro it ?
cheers,
Nimbus
Nimbus said:
Been lurking here a while, and umming and ahhing over doing my bike test for a few years now, but you guys have finally pushed me over the edge !
Just booked a 4 day course and test the first week in September
I figure I can borrow some clothes off a few like sized biking workmates, but it would better to get my own helmet and boots at first, then get the rest of the gear when I've passed, and once I'm sure I like it..
As a total biking newbie, any advice on what else I might need ?
Oh, and as I have to do that pesky theory test, what books / cds do people recommend to get thro it ?
cheers,
Nimbus
I've just done my DAS course, i had my own helmet and boots and borrowed textile gear as it did nothing but piss it down for my course. You'll need to do a motorcycle theory test before you do the DAS course, but you don't need it for the CBT i don't think. I found it fairly easy, however i did a bit of studying before had, as long as you're prepared then it's not difficult. Just google for stuff related to it, loads out there.Just booked a 4 day course and test the first week in September
I figure I can borrow some clothes off a few like sized biking workmates, but it would better to get my own helmet and boots at first, then get the rest of the gear when I've passed, and once I'm sure I like it..
As a total biking newbie, any advice on what else I might need ?
Oh, and as I have to do that pesky theory test, what books / cds do people recommend to get thro it ?
cheers,
Nimbus
Other than that, good luck, was out for the first time on my own yesterday on my new bike. it really is great fun, totally different from driving a car
Passed mine a few weeks back too.....and loving it but admit I am still learning to go faster on the corners but the 1100 Kwaka is a great bike for that.
You'll need your own gloves of course and well worth wearing them in beforehand - the clutch control is key to passing and getting that u-turn nailed.
The theory is not required for the CBT and given non drivers can go for this that is rather a scary thought for everyone else!
I bought a leather jacket and gloves but half way through invested in leather trousers and boots as I discovered I needed the protection - well worth the investment and waterproofs are not that expensive either. Being fully kitted out gave me confidence and I like to think I made a good impression on being serious about riding with the examiner.
Given how much it can cost to retake I felt it was well worthwhile being as prepared as possible - oh and I would take up that offer of a DVD particularly for praticing the perception part of the test.
Best of luck.
You'll need your own gloves of course and well worth wearing them in beforehand - the clutch control is key to passing and getting that u-turn nailed.
The theory is not required for the CBT and given non drivers can go for this that is rather a scary thought for everyone else!
I bought a leather jacket and gloves but half way through invested in leather trousers and boots as I discovered I needed the protection - well worth the investment and waterproofs are not that expensive either. Being fully kitted out gave me confidence and I like to think I made a good impression on being serious about riding with the examiner.
Given how much it can cost to retake I felt it was well worthwhile being as prepared as possible - oh and I would take up that offer of a DVD particularly for praticing the perception part of the test.
Best of luck.
Cheers guys,
this has cheered me up no end after the trip home from hell in the floods today, 4 hours of gridlock, thank god I was in my shopping car..
At one point we all ended up driving on the pavement for 2 miles as the road was so flooded !
No idea why it wasnt closed in my direction as it was in the other !
Got my theory test booked for about 2 weeks time, at 7:30 in the morning !!
Then the weeks course 2 weeks later
I've had a go at one of the online ones, and only failed by 1 question, the ones I got wrong were the the braking distance type ones, so that should be easy to sort..
Next task is to learn it off pat, and get myself down to a few shops to sort a helmet, boots and gloves
this has cheered me up no end after the trip home from hell in the floods today, 4 hours of gridlock, thank god I was in my shopping car..
At one point we all ended up driving on the pavement for 2 miles as the road was so flooded !
No idea why it wasnt closed in my direction as it was in the other !
Got my theory test booked for about 2 weeks time, at 7:30 in the morning !!
Then the weeks course 2 weeks later
I've had a go at one of the online ones, and only failed by 1 question, the ones I got wrong were the the braking distance type ones, so that should be easy to sort..
Next task is to learn it off pat, and get myself down to a few shops to sort a helmet, boots and gloves
for the helmet.try everything they have in the shop,regardless of price.
find a lid that is a tiny bit to tight all over your head.this will be the best helmet for you.
if you try one and its comfy,its to big and you may as well buy a bucket with eye holes.
get some good leather gloves and wear them about the house for a few days to get them used to how you move and get your hands used to moving gloves about.you dont want to be fumbling controls because you have new gloves.
boots is a personal preference thing.
and the rest is up to you
find a lid that is a tiny bit to tight all over your head.this will be the best helmet for you.
if you try one and its comfy,its to big and you may as well buy a bucket with eye holes.
get some good leather gloves and wear them about the house for a few days to get them used to how you move and get your hands used to moving gloves about.you dont want to be fumbling controls because you have new gloves.
boots is a personal preference thing.
and the rest is up to you
It should be obvious but once you get a helmet, it is your lid.
Never lend it to anyone - never let anyone "just try it on to see". When you put it down, put it on the floor (it can't fall off anything that way).
Don't assume ordinary demin etc jeans give any protection at all. They don't.
Once you pass the test, ride, ride and ride. Learn by doing not by reading the mags.
Most of all, enjoy the experience and never feel the need to compete with anyone else; just do your own thing,
Dave
Never lend it to anyone - never let anyone "just try it on to see". When you put it down, put it on the floor (it can't fall off anything that way).
Don't assume ordinary demin etc jeans give any protection at all. They don't.
Once you pass the test, ride, ride and ride. Learn by doing not by reading the mags.
Most of all, enjoy the experience and never feel the need to compete with anyone else; just do your own thing,
Dave
stage 1 complete
passed my bike theory test this morning, so big thanks to Garyhun for the PC/DVD material, in the end that's all I used and managed 97%, just 1 incorrect answer
Been and bought my helmet to celebrate... now just got a long month to wait before my DAS course !
In the meantime, its amazing how many 'semi retired' bikers you meet at work... So far I've been offered a W plate bandit 600S and a P plate Thundercat ! Both tempting and in the £1500 or less bracket, which is the ballpark I was thinking of
passed my bike theory test this morning, so big thanks to Garyhun for the PC/DVD material, in the end that's all I used and managed 97%, just 1 incorrect answer
Been and bought my helmet to celebrate... now just got a long month to wait before my DAS course !
In the meantime, its amazing how many 'semi retired' bikers you meet at work... So far I've been offered a W plate bandit 600S and a P plate Thundercat ! Both tempting and in the £1500 or less bracket, which is the ballpark I was thinking of
Phone_Monkey said:
congrats (although the theory is a piece of piss), the month leading up to my DAS was just painful (my brother passed and bought a Hornet)
Now he's getting a 600F I found I had no nerves issues till I was asked by the instructor to get on the bike......
Once you've passed though it's a great feeling
I'm now going to do a bikesafe day in Sept. followed shortly by joining the local IAM group
Here's to all you other bikers out there.
This is really my first look at biker forum. As far as advice on gear goes (yeh OK a bit late I know) I'd agree with everything said so far. Get the best kit you can afford, make sure it's comfy, preferably breathable (in this bootiful biking weather of last few days) & that helmet has decent ventilation & reasonably quiet &, stupidly obvious I know, but WEAR IT. i.e DON'T be tempted to go out in less than anything protective & appropriate. It's also advisable to use ear plugs. People don't realise how much noise still gets into your lid & allegedly can lead to partial deafness in future if doing lots of miles.
MOST OF ALL---ENJOY BIKING.
note to PistonHeads web guys- WE need a biker equivalent of
PLEASE !!
This is really my first look at biker forum. As far as advice on gear goes (yeh OK a bit late I know) I'd agree with everything said so far. Get the best kit you can afford, make sure it's comfy, preferably breathable (in this bootiful biking weather of last few days) & that helmet has decent ventilation & reasonably quiet &, stupidly obvious I know, but WEAR IT. i.e DON'T be tempted to go out in less than anything protective & appropriate. It's also advisable to use ear plugs. People don't realise how much noise still gets into your lid & allegedly can lead to partial deafness in future if doing lots of miles.MOST OF ALL---ENJOY BIKING.
note to PistonHeads web guys- WE need a biker equivalent of
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