Another oob here! Need advice.

[UK Motorcycle Forum Member]

Hi guys. Bikers nod to you all!

My name is Richard, from R.C.T. I've been riding since Febuary, when I bought a YZF R125 Rossi rep which I love. I'm hoping to take my restricted test in a few months. On L's  at the moment.

I'd like your opinions on something. I love my bike, but after an hour of riding I get a real pain in my neck due to the riding position. I also think it would be good to pass my test and get a bike that I could get the maximum power that I'm allowed. I REALLY fancy this bike on ebay and would like your thoughts please.

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Thanks!

[UK Motorcycle Forum Member]

  Hello

Dunno about the bike ...worry about passing yr test first ..cause then you can have test ride different bikes ... you might like the look of it but is might not be what you feel comfortable on ?

[UK Motorcycle Forum Member]

Bike looks good but you say you already have 125 so stay with that bike till you pass your test then get a 600 and restrict that for 2 years and have more power, what ever you decide good luck with test 

[UK Motorcycle Forum Member]

Regarding the pain you can either find a bike you're sat more naturally on & feel comfy on which should relieve any pain you'd get or deal with it for the sake of the bike you really want.

Out of interest how old / size frame are you and why are you going for the restricted licence?

Mike.

[UK Motorcycle Forum Member]

Thanks for the replies. I'm 33 and about 5 ' 7 and 13 stone. I haven't got back pain normally,  just after an hour of riding I start getting twinges in my back and shoulders. I think the bike is the same frame as an R1.

I was thinking about that bike because it doesn't look as harsh to ride as mine. Also, it really is a limited edition so once it's gone, it's gone! I was going to sell my bike as it's worth a lot more than the cagiva and pay off the finance, go for the 2 stroke to have more power and still have sporty looks.I can't afford the DAS test at the moment

How well do 600cc bikes restrict and which ones restrict the best? Just so I know to keep my options open!
Thanks all!!

[UK Motorcycle Forum Member]

Save your money to do the test, can't see the point in you taking it on a 125 ..why not the 500 ? not like your age will make a difference? .... same test on 125 as a 500 ... why go through the restriction route ? 

What it looks like is gonna be very different from how it rides... one off is no good if  you feel uncomfortable 

[UK Motorcycle Forum Member]

I agree with Snoopy here. Don't bother spending a lot of money on a 125, go for the DAS and you'll be so glad you did once you've got a bigger bike, they are just so much more stable to ride as well.

I'd never sat on a bike in my life until 3 years ago. I just had a 'I wonder what it's like to ride a bike' moment and picked up the phone to a riding school to see what it costs. I did my CBT, then a few weeks later did a morning on a 500. A few weeks later did a second morning on a 500, then a month later did my test and passed. A full licence after only 3 times on a bike.

When I then bought a Thundercat 600 and rode it home (the 4th time I'd been on a bike !) I was so relieved that I had't gone out and bought a 125.

Don't worry about age either as I'm older than you... by a fair bit actually. 

[UK Motorcycle Forum Member]

@ Snoopy, Is it really the same test? I thought the restricted 125 test was much easier and cheaper? I've read the DAS diary on here and it seems really daunting! When I did my CBT in February, I'd never been on a road bike in my life. (I had a couple of scramblers for off road use when I was in my teens). I found the most difficult part to be the car park and cones, but once I got out on the road, I did really well.

@ naggedhusband, well done!! Sounds like you were a born natural. I get really nervous and tense in test situations and tend to panic a bit.

From everything I've read on here regarding the DAS, It all seems really difficult. Can you tell me if it really is as hard as it looks? I've been riding on L's for the last 5 months now and feel quite confident on the road.

Thanks.

[UK Motorcycle Forum Member]

Same test ...You will still have to do both parts 125 or 500, no difference cones and all !!! Its not that bad just needs a bit of practise.
Same cost .. You don't have to do it all in a week you take your mod 1 and 2 as and when you feel ready or when your instructor, if you have one advises...
There are no short cuts and taking it on a 125 just means you have to wait 2 years to have a bigger bike ..can't see the point 
Go for it its not gonna save you any money on a 125

[UK Motorcycle Forum Member]

Got to agree with Snoopy.  There is no point on doing the small bike test.  I'm 39, and last year I had a similar 'wonder' moment as naggedhusband.  I did my CBT and bought myself a 125.  A couple of months later I did the DAS Mod 1 and then a couple of weeks later I did the Mod 2.  A week after passing I bought myself a CBF600.  A really easy to ride "big bike".  There is no difference in the tests, whether you do it DAS or not.  Do the DAS, it makes no sense not to.

[UK Motorcycle Forum Member]

 

contact your local bike school, have a day or half a day with them, they will identify what needs brushing up on and consentrate on this with you, they will do mock Mod 1 tests with you
but most of all they will give you an idea of how many lessons you are going to need before your test ready and they don';t drag it out, when your ready the test is booked.
you have a 125 to practice with after / between lessons, and i agree with everyone else go for the big bike test, in the long run it won't cost you anymore

good luck 

[UK Motorcycle Forum Member]

Thanks for all the info, you've given me a new way of looking at things. I was told by another biker that the restricted test was a lot easier and cheaper than the DAS. As I have to work two jobs just to pay the bills, my time and money is very limited. When I've got a little spare cash, I'll book a training day. I assume that having a full license will give me cheaper insurance as well. I won't go for the bike I wanted (the cagiva), I'll practice for the DAS on the 125 I've already got.

[UK Motorcycle Forum Member]

Hi. The costs of the tests are the same if it is on a 125 or a bigger bike.  The format of the test is exactly the same. The only thing that is more difficult on a 125 than a 500 or 600 are the Module 1 test exercises where you have to get up to 50kph( just over 30 mph) in the limited space that you have on the test area.
The advice is to keep it down in second gear, but you may really have to wind it open to get up to speed. On a 500 it is a lot easier.
Having said that, if the object is the cost of training:  to do it on your own 125 I would suggest you book a training day with your local school to go over the Mod 1 test and then you don't need the training school to practice on your own, or to actually take the tests. You can book these yourself and practice yourself and you'll save money that way.
To do it on the bigger big, this must be done with a training school.
Asa guide you might need as a minimum a 'Step Up Day' to step up on to the big bike and if all that goes well you might need a training day, with your Big Bike Mod 1 test in the afternoon and then a training day, with your Big Bike Mod 2 test in the afternoon.
The fact that you are already riding counts massively in your favour as you are getting practice that you don't need to pay us ( your training school) for.
Whichever way you decide I would advise that you get out on your bike and practice your slow control as much as you can. The principals and techniques are the same for whatever bike.
Find a quiet bit of car park and practice U turns ( within 7.5 mtrs) a slalom and riding at slow speed in a straight line.
Also practice your emergency stops! Don't try and stop on a sixpence ( which is the mistake a lot of test candidates make) but get the sequence right and then you will find that the stopping distance comes down.
The sequence is: ABC. Accelerator off: Brakes: Front brake first, followed by the rear brake- just light pressure on the back, then build up the pressure on the front, and then right at the end- as late as you can leave it, the Clutch.
Don't change gear, stop in whatever gear you are in. Make sure your left foot goes down on the ground as your right foot must stay up on the brake.   If you skid you must correct it.  That is YOU MUST CORRECT IT!if you skid a bit and correct it you will still pass. If you skid, and skid to a halt your test will be terminated there and then.   Once you've master the emergency stop in the dry, through couple of buckets of water down your street and then perfect it in the wet.  It's not as scary as people think but don't let your test be the first time you've tried it in the wet.
If you have any more questions I'm happy to help ( and I'm sure your local training school will be too so don't be afraid to ask).
Good luck with whatever route your take (just remember though Luck has got nothing to do with it....... If you've got a good Instructor). !
The one thing that might go against you is that you only weigh 13!  All the proper bikers I know are twice that.  One of the first questions that we Instructors get asked by your examiner at you test is "Did eat all his breakfast"? 
So my advice, Practice, Eat, Practice! Then practice eating.
All the best.

[UK Motorcycle Forum Member]

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(just remember though Luck has got nothing to do with it....... If you've got a good Instructor). !All the best.

  
Get practising and get it booked !!!   

[UK Motorcycle Forum Member]

just to add that the cagiva wouldn't be legal for you to ride and your insurance wouldnt cover you. A CBT rider is limited to 14.5 bhp and that bike puts out 33 bhp! Not worth the risk as a new rider mate, the cops pull you over you'll lose the bike straight away