Doing my CBT, then get a 125 or DAS?

[JC_4N6]

Hey there Ladies and Gents

I wonder if you could give me some advice and opinions before embarking on my motorcycle training. I've been wanting to ride since I turned 17, but circumstances meant I couldn't until recently. Now I'm finally getting round to doing my CBT, but I can't decide whether I should get a 125cc, get a bit of practice in on that and then do my test, or whether I should just jump in, do my CBT and DAS , pass my test and get a bigger bike from the off?

I'm 25, and I don't drive, but have some road experience. I'm guessing running around on a 125 would allow me to get used to the handling of the bike and gain some experience, but I guess that not having any formal instruction may lead to me picking up bad habits?

Doing DAS would prove more expensive at the start, but the payoff is that I get tuition and experience on a larger cc bike, and I get the opportunity to ride a bigger bike straight off once I pass my test.

Sorry if this has been asked before (undoubtedly has) but would be interested to hear people's thoughts.

Cheers

JC

[yoyo]

Hi JC, tough one this and I'm sure you'll find loads of different opions! I did my CBT in June 09 and was a bit wobbly, I'd been driving for 20yrs so had road experience but the bike bit was more difficult so I bought a new YBR125 on a 0% deal and was happy....... for about 3 weeks. It all clicked and I was ready for more but I was stuck with a 125. I tried my Mod 1 on the 125 and failed so went to get some training (on my 125) but the school offered me a go on a CB500 and that was it I was hooked 

If you want some advice, do your CBT with a decent school and get the instuctors opinion on how they think you've taken to it. I passed my DAS in November and continued to ride my 125 until some scrote nicked it  . If they think you need some practice buy a cheap 125, you'll get some bad habits but a good instructor will iron those out in no time.

Good luck whatever you do 

[snoopy]

Hello, I had a ybr125, and thought that was what I would take my test on....... Until my instructor said ...''have a go on the 500, see what you think ''    That was it   hooked , no going back  , so did lessons and test on the 500 sooo glad i did love it! now have Gladius 650,  (despite a few derogatory remarks by others who should know better about my choice of bike) I love it its suits me fine.  . When I sold my ybr and had to deliver it for the purchaser, it only underlined how glad I was I took my test on the 500!!
Good luck which ever you choose, and stay safe 

[shazza]

go straight and do your test trust me 

[JC_4N6]

Thanks for all the advice, it seems the general consensus is that I should go straight through and do DAS and my test. Got my theory test booked for the 16th of Sept and have my CBT booked with Motorcycle Training Wales in Ponty for the 19th :).

JC

[pingu]

i did my cbt then rode 125 for 2years just to get few miles under my belt then went in for full test on a 500cc but its up to you at end of day 

[triple595]

did my test at 30, straight through with das, it was easier back then, no regrets, my bandit felt quick afterwards lol, but then so did my daytona 955 when i got that as well

[stuey]

I was having the same debate as you about getting a 125 or straight to DAS. In the end I opted for buying a 125, I did find it invaluable for getting the basics right and helped alot on the majority of the MOD1 exercises, then after 4-5months I did my DAS. I found moving up to the bigger bikes alot easier and there were definitely alot less stalls, dodgy starts, turns, etc. On passing my test I then part ex'd the 125 for a Fazer and lost quite a bit of money (my fault I suppose, too eager!).

I was glad I did it the 125 route purely because I find it takes me a long time to get the basics right when learning a new practical skill (took me ages to master biting point on the car!). However, on the DAS you usually have blocks of say 6 hours training usually over consecutive days to master the basics.

If you do go the DAS route I would suggest you go the DAS route but in between think about hiring a 125 for a day or two to build up the road experience.

Good luck either way.

[shazza]

I was having the same debate as you about getting a 125 or straight to DAS. In the end I opted for buying a 125, I did find it invaluable for getting the basics right and helped alot on the majority of the MOD1 exercises, then after 4-5months I did my DAS. I found moving up to the bigger bikes alot easier and there were definitely alot less stalls, dodgy starts, turns, etc. On passing my test I then part ex'd the 125 for a Fazer and lost quite a bit of money (my fault I suppose, too eager!).

I was glad I did it the 125 route purely because I find it takes me a long time to get the basics right when learning a new practical skill (took me ages to master biting point on the car!). However, on the DAS you usually have blocks of say 6 hours training usually over consecutive days to master the basics.

If you do go the DAS route I would suggest you go the DAS route but in between think about hiring a 125 for a day or two to build up the road experience.

Good luck either way.

the dsa route dont bother there is 8 of them if your doing your test in newport you will do a few of them but the way i see it a road is a road if you can drive on one you can drive on any jus watch out for speed changes they go from 30 to 20 as lots of school areas

[sam2003]

Thanks for all the advice, it seems the general consensus is that I should go straight through and do DAS and my test. Got my theory test booked for the 16th of Sept and have my CBT booked with Motorcycle Training Wales in Ponty for the 19th :).

JC

I did my cbt 3 weeks ago nearly. I've bought a nice shiny 125 and I'm already itching to buy a big bike. Always planned to do as Pingu said and get the miles in before my test, but the 125 is so limiting unless you only ride round town.  You constantly ramp up the gears to fifth and rev as hard as you can just to get anywhere and everyone you ride with has to be very patient as you just can't go up hill, just ask Shazza!!! :). I'm doing my theory on weds and as soon as I pass I'm gonna do DAS, leave the 125 for hubby and get a nice 600cc something.

[stuey]

If you do go the DAS route I would suggest you go the DAS route but in between think about hiring a 125 for a day or two to build up the road experience.

Sorry meant DAS route and not "DSA route" 

[shazza]

Thanks for all the advice, it seems the general consensus is that I should go straight through and do DAS and my test. Got my theory test booked for the 16th of Sept and have my CBT booked with Motorcycle Training Wales in Ponty for the 19th :).

JC

I did my cbt 3 weeks ago nearly. I've bought a nice shiny 125 and I'm already itching to buy a big bike. Always planned to do as Pingu said and get the miles in before my test, but the 125 is so limiting unless you only ride round town.  You constantly ramp up the gears to fifth and rev as hard as you can just to get anywhere and everyone you ride with has to be very patient as you just can't go up hill, just ask Shazza!!! :). I'm doing my theory on weds and as soon as I pass I'm gonna do DAS, leave the 125 for hubby and get a nice 600cc something.

not me sam bob bring up the rear all the time and we happy to do that im a happy plodder and bob just follows cause he buy me coffee

[cheaperholidays]

Never mind the das rubbish do what i did, Cbt brought a 125 then took a few lessons on the 500 took test passed test.

Saved about £300

Sold 125 for what i paid for it to a guy in Doncaster, bought 600 bandit sold bandit bought blade the rest is history

[lewy]

I was having the same debate as you about getting a 125 or straight to DAS. In the end I opted for buying a 125, I did find it invaluable for getting the basics right and helped alot on the majority of the MOD1 exercises, then after 4-5months I did my DAS. I found moving up to the bigger bikes alot easier and there were definitely alot less stalls, dodgy starts, turns, etc. On passing my test I then part ex'd the 125 for a Fazer and lost quite a bit of money (my fault I suppose, too eager!).

I was glad I did it the 125 route purely because I find it takes me a long time to get the basics right when learning a new practical skill (took me ages to master biting point on the car!). However, on the DAS you usually have blocks of say 6 hours training usually over consecutive days to master the basics.

If you do go the DAS route I would suggest you go the DAS route but in between think about hiring a 125 for a day or two to build up the road experience.

Good luck either way.

but bthen again the student you were with had only done a CBT then a 1hr convert to a DAS bike and then mod1 training and mod 2 training  students

[countdeceredigion]

Right I'm a real noob so take my advice witha  pinch of salt but I'd feel terrible if I didn't put it out there.

I did my CBT last september, bought a 125 and have ridden pretty much every day since.  Often I wish I'd done my DAS straight away but ultimately I'm glad I didn't.

The reason is simply that I'd be dead if I'd gone straight to the bigger bike.  I've learnt some extremely important lessons and now feel I have the experience to go up the ladder.  The same way I'm glad that when I passed my driving test ten years ago I drove various diesels and low powered vehicles until I got to the 5 series BMW I now sit in when I have to carry more equipment than two wheels will allow me. 

Like I say I'm no where near the voice of experience but it offers and alternative view anyway :)