MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
Can I do a 5 day course or similar and go from zero experience to riding a motorbike with a full license? I know I can do a direct access course, but is a numpty like me likely to pass it? Is it actually any harder than a restricted license test and whats the likely cost? Anyone recommend a training school in the reading area?
The 5 day courses are for complete numpties. Unless you are a complete tube, a 3 or 4 day course should suffice.
Cost for one of those would be £600-900ish. Plus test fees.
I used to be a motorcycle instructor.
You can learn all you need to pass a test in 5 days if you really want to do it that way. The test is the same whether it's on a DAS bike or a 125. It's only really the physical size and how it affects the riders confidence that's any different between the two. if you're a normal sized person and not scared of a bigger bike, it'll not be an issue. However, if you've never ridden before, my advice would be to take your time. It's a bit like cramming for an exam. If you do all your revision the night before, you might get through the exam but how much of it can you remember a week later? I used to restrict my intensive courses to people with previous experience.
What's the crack with the new test - MCN panned it as the first guy to take it ended up in hospital after falling off and breaking his arm.
I did a DAS a year ago, but had ridden a 250cc on L plates back in the 70's for 2 years. Before that I had an FS1E. 😳
I did a one day CBT course on a silly little 125cc (you have to do Compulsory Basic Training). That was so easy, but some struggled. Only THE most inept would find this difficult.
You then do a computer based test at a DVLA centre. This test comprises of multi-choice questions and then a hazard perception. For an experienced motorist and a few days swatting up on the latest version of the Highway Code, it's a doddle.
Armed with a current driving license, CBT pass certificate and your computer based assement pass certificate, only then you can take a DAS.
It's one more day on the numpty 125cc then you move up to a 500cc. It's two days of road craft being shadowed by an instructor principally on known test routes. You will ride with no more than one other candidate - that's the law. On the the last day you take the test.
If you have ridden a bike before you could take a shorter course, but it helps to get as much tuition as possible whatever your experience (time to unlearn bad habits).
Luckily I passed first time with only a few minor errors (most people get a few and this is allowed). I would not say the test was easy and there is quite a lot to take in. The examiners are stringent and one serious error and you'll fail. My mate had 3 goes at it and I would not describe him as being a bad rider at all! A serious error includes putting a foot down on a slow manouvre turn or using a mirror in favour of a lifesaver check over your shoulder, an indicator not cancelled after a manouvre.
It took me two days to get back in the swing of it, but even then it still required a lot of concentration. I see many bikers not doing things they should do to stay safe, stuff that would be an instant fail if they were on a test. You can get away with being slack in your attention when driving a car, but do this on a bike and soon you will either be hurt or dead.
The whole experience set me back £700. Worth every penny!
Your main aim is not to save time or money, but to come away a safe rider who will live a lot longer!
Well i wonder about the test. I know someone who passed their test recently. I've been riding for some 20-odd years and am always happy to ride behind a new rider and give them a crit on what I see. BUT this guy is a dangerous idiot. rather than talk to him about his riding, I (and 3 other people who have ridden with him) just refuse to ride with him. faults include - overtaking on blind corners and reverse camber hairpins, undertaking in the same lane as another rider, even after having had it explained to him how dangerous this, NEVER checking tyre pressures, NEVER checking oil level.
He's now off to Greece on a Monster 600, and didn't see the point in taking any spares, like bulbs or spark plugs, because it's a new bike and won't need them.
How he passed the test is utterly beyond me.
I did 4 day DAS 2 years ago having never ridden a motorbike before. The instructor will quickly assess you when you do the CBT and get a grasp of whether you have the skills to pass in that time and will advise you accordingly. My intensive course which included boring kit, all instruction and the theory test was just under £500.
Definately worth it, lots of fun.
There are many folk out there that can put on a performance when they are being tested. Happens all the time in car tests too.
Did mine on a 5 day course (first day CBT, then 3 days lessons with the test on day 5). It was fine - the bigger bike is easier to ride than the wee 125 if you are not a midget 😉 That was from 0 riding experience (well other than pissing about on field bikes many, many years ago!) so you will be fine. It's loads of fun too, though the full days are very, very tiring!
Some people are suggesting that the new test is easier! The manouvers are all done on nice level, traffic free, special areas which has got to make them easier!
(Mr M-C posting on her account).
Both M-C and a friend of ours were taught on DAS courses, by different instructors with different firms, NOT TO USE THEIR FRONT BRAKES. To me this is borderline criminally negligent, and was a lazy way of making sure they didnt lock up the front and drop the bike.
Luckily M-C has years of cycling experience, and very well developed road sense and awareness for a novice biker so she has survived to enjoy riding and develop in confidence and skill. A recent temporary lapse in observation showed her just how quickly she can stop a bike using the front brake (when the alternative was to hit my R1 or the stationary car in front of me...) I would treat the DAS as the car test, you are taught to pass a test and then actually learn "on the job" afterwards, and riding with sensible experienced friends will help (though bigbutslimmerblokes mate doesnt sound like hes taken the hints).
So yes do DAS, 4 days should be enough (if youre posting on here you can balance a two wheeler and know about front and rear brakes...) but take it easy when you rip up the L's.
Costwise if youre prepared to drive away from Reading and S/E youre likely to find it cheaper. M-C did it with brackley yamaha for £450, whereas various oxford companies and www.onyerbike.net in aylesbury were 600+.
How the hell do you come to a stop only using the rear brake?! It offers so little braking compared to the front you would be better just sitting up! You can understand it mid-bend but then you shouldn't be needing to scrub speed of mid bend anyway.
We were advised however that on the emergency stop you could avoid using the rear brake as a rear lock-up is a fail. Front brakes alone wil stop a bike on a sixpence anyway.
There are many folk out there that can put on a performance when they are being tested. Happens all the time in car tests too.
good point,i've just never seen someone riding that badly without L plates, even with L plates now that I think about it.
New bike test provides good entertainment for spectators. A lot of bikes have been dropped and some bones have been broken. It does however ensure that the folk that get their licence have decent skills.
Car tests are going to be getting more difficult too.
Both M-C and a friend of ours were taught on DAS courses, by different instructors with different firms, NOT TO USE THEIR FRONT BRAKES. To me this is borderline criminally negligent, and was a lazy way of making sure they didnt lock up the front and drop the bike.
NOT on my course they didn't!
There are many folk out there that can put on a performance when they are being tested. Happens all the time in car tests too.
....and then there are people who natuarally get it right 99% of the time who have an affinity with their machines and the terrain they cover. Testing isn't foolproof and it takes years to become trully good at roadcraft. Some numpties will never be good at this regardless of how much experience they gain.
Both M-C and a friend of ours were taught on DAS courses, by different instructors with different firms, NOT TO USE THEIR FRONT BRAKES. To me this is borderline criminally negligent, and was a lazy way of making sure they didnt lock up the front and drop the bike.
Arguably anyone who is liable to lock the front wheel up shouldn't have even gotten through their CBT!
Arguably anyone who is liable to lock the front wheel up shouldn't have even gotten through their CBT!
Agreed!