How much?

[warden1974]

Hey again...

Only me, wondering if I could fire a few questions and see if anyone can help.

As I have mentioned before I have nil experience, any idea how much completing the DAS includnig CBT would cost? Talking to a couple of companies here in PLymouth but its a bit vague so far. One saying £500 for the DAS and seperate CBT for £85 first which seems a little high. If anyone cn recommend somewhere in Plymouth or near that would be great. Am talking to Sure Pass and waiting for their prices.

What type of gear should I get, I am thinking that Tesxtile is the way ahead fo me as will be using the bike for commuting with the occasional long run. Have minimal budget but want to get something that will protect me, as I am buying the bike at a later date I can include the price of gear in what I have to save so any recommendations on some good gear at reasonable cost. I noticed in ride they recommend a good set of textiles that was a 2 piece that would cost £200. Also any recomendations on a skid lid, gloves and boots?

Can anyone tell me what servicing costs are like, how frequent etc? How often do you tend to get through rubber and at what price? Whats the MPG's like really etc etc?

Sorry if this is all newbie questions but it is stuff i could do with knowing.

Thanks

[Stormspiel]

My CBT cost £70 and wasn't included with anything else but you don't have to pay extra for hire of bike. Then i had to take theory test (£35 ish i think) As i'm only 19 i couldn't do DAS but i did do an advanced training scheme (3 days with test on 3rd). This was through a family friend and cost me £270. It should have been £320 including test costs. So in total it took £375 from CBT to test.

Depends where you do it and whether you have your own bike. Obviously there's no point buying a 125cc for 5 days to pass your test on so the extra cost may be for bike hire.

I'm Oop North so i don't know any trining schools near you, sorry :roll:

[shutdown]

The DAS and CBT sound about right to me. I paid £80 for the CBT and £435 for my DAS so it's certainly not far off the mark.

[Flamin_Squirrel]

£500 for DAS + £85 for CBT sounds about right, however this will vary depending on where you are. Bottom line is it's not cheap wherever you go!

Textiles are ok, leather is better.

Lids. Ventilation and comfort are the two main things you get from a more expensive lid. A cheap lid that fits well is better than an expensive lid that doesn't; however one of the reasons more expensive lids are more comfy is because they fit better anyway.

First service costs around £30 as you're only paying for parts. 4,000 mile service costs around £120. After that, I've been doing them myself so couldn't tell you.

Tyres. Depends what type of riding you do - motorway miles will wear fastest. I've just changed my rear tyre at 7000miles. Hopefully, the front will last another 7000 so I can change them together.

I typicaly get 120 miles to the warning light, which is around 40mpg, and that's riding fairly quickly.

[Anonymous]

Textiles are ok, leather is better.



Now Squirrel, that definitely depends... :wink:

Personally I went for textiles. With careful choice you can get a set that are waterproof with a Goretex or similar liner and even with a zip in winter liner too. So certainly they are good for 3 if not four seasons.
Leathers are indeed nice but cold in winter and of course not waterproof (generally) so you need a rain suit. Modern textiles have the fit of leathers, so they don't have to be all baggy and un-cool. Also textiles look ok with any bike. If you decide you want to go the big traillie route after a bit you might never wear that set of £1200 Alpinestars again....

For commuting and general use I reckon textiles are the way to go. A set of leathers of course is nice as well.

If I were you, I'd borrow kit that most decent DAS places will provide and then buy after passing. That way you will get a feel of which way you might like to go kit wise, not make mistakes which can happen buying kit blind so to speak. Also if you do fancy some multicoloured or badass looking leathers then you wont turn up for your test looking like a would-be racer or something.....

Having said that, you may decide to get a lid and gloves for the training. Arai and Shoei are considered top notch and some types arent so pricey now. Cheaper lids can be just as good, but can be more hit and miss on noise, comfort and longevity. Thinkgs like the vents being a poor construction etc are things to look out for. A good set of gloves is worth the investment too. I have Goretex summer ones but bear in mind you may want thicker winter ones too.

You can do much worse than Hein Gericke as a first stop for kit. I'm generally pleased with kit I've bought there and what I've havent been has been changed or replaced with no problems.

[warden1974]

Thanks, this all helps :) Yeah was going to buy kit after doing the DAS :)

[NitroNorry]

I did my DAS in April. The CGT was £90 and then I had lessons on the riding school Honda 400's at £70 per lesson. I had 5 lessons and then the test at £90.

Ref clothing, I got leather trousers and textile Jacket. They are both the same make (Richa) and zip together (important) fine. I'll get a leather jacket as well when I find one that feels and looks good and is the right price.

Good luck.

Martin

[Mogs]

Sorry can't help you much with the training parts of your question.

I started off with the textile option.

Jacket (Prexport) with removable lining £130, Trousers (HG Toureg) with removable lining £80, Boots (Akito) £50, Lid (Beiffe) £120, Gloves (Prexport) Free with jacket (so say £60).
Since then I've switched to leather trousers HG (£90) and a one piece waterproof for the really wet days (Frank Thomas Aqua £40) much more comfortable. I've also got £15 waterproof trousers, for the got caught in a shower moment.

Servicing cost are difficult to gauge as most dealers use an hourly rate, plus parts. Fowlers in Bristol have a fixed price list try their website http://www.fowlers.co.uk/home.html

Most people seem to be averaging 45mpg dependent on how you ride, Tyres are about £120 rear £90 front, Mine lasted about 8000 miles.

If I were you I'd go to a good dealers, tell them the items you need, and your budget less 10%. Let them run around finding items in your size, try them on and remember to simulate your riding position. Tuesday mornings at around 10am is a good time, usually quiet you get more attention.

[Anonymous]

Oh and Fowlers give you 10% off kit purchased if you buy a bike with them. Now I'd be asking for 10% anywhere else as well as who knows that your not buying a bike from Fowler's... :wink:

[Dirty Baz]

welcome - take it you're getting an SV then??

DAS and CBT costs sounds about right. I passed my test in April 04 and I've spent (in order):

- £35 theory test
- £40 helmet that didn't fit (ebay, bad move!)
- £100 textile jacket (Frank Thomas)
- £80 textlie trousers (Shoei)
- £35 textile gloves (Frank Thomas)
- £100 waterproof boots (Oxtar)
- £120 helmet that actually fits (Shoei)
- £90 CBT
- £465 3 day DAS and test
- £65 Hood jeans
- £35 backpack
- £180 leather jacket (A*)
- £70 leather gloves (A*)
- £90 leather trousers (Akito - crashed in them the same day!!! :oops: )
- £60 leather trousers (Richa)
- £20 waterproofs
- £120 summer boots (Sidi)
- £20 dark visor
- £120 4k service (through dealer)
- £200 endcan (Scorpion)
- £80 R&Gs
- £80 grilles and tail tidy
- £15 clear indicators
- £40 seat cowl
- £25 8k service (did it myself! - would likey cost at least +£150)

TOTAL - £2,195!!! :shock:

about to spend £170-ish of a pair of Z6 metzeler tyres (although there are cheaper ones out there.) I got 8,500 out of my rear tyre (it's like riding on a 2x4!) and the front is as good as new.

I hope this kinda gives you am idea of what it might cost, of course, you don't need all that kit straight away! Don't forget chain lube, WD40, earplugs, polish, brake-cleaner, tools etc.

I also get 120 miles before fill-ups and at about 87p a litre, a fill-up costs about £9.70.

Hope that's not put you off. Good luck with the DAS by the way!

[warden1974]

Not put off at all just trying to work out the finances forwhen i get the bike. Hoping to do my DAS sometime after Sept/Oct, gradually buy a few bits of kit as I go along and worst case buy the bike in 12-18months time with my student loan during my year in placement. Yeah pretty much sold on getting an SV as it was the bike my best mate had.

[JediGoat]

Warden - what's your height/build?

I've a pair of Revit textile trousers and a matching jacket for sale.

They're very good quality, black, italian styling, absolutely toasty in winter (did me through the winter), and have detachable liners for the summer.

I'd have to check the exact size, but they'd fit around 5'7-5'10, medium+ build. I bought them because when I got my bike I struggled to find anywhere that did women's clothing in anything above a size 8! So I had to go for men's textiles instead. They're in almost perfect condition - cost over £200, would sell for £70.

Let me know if you're interested.

Ta
Jo

[warden1974]

6Ft and fat bstard am afraid lol

[Clunk]

I think there's only 2 training schools in Plymouth.

Surepass at Newnham, Plympton and 1st Class at Coypool, Plympton.
Both similar I would imagine, just comes down to price really.

I think all your other questions have been pretty well answered already.

[Cloggsy]

6Ft and fat bstard am afraid lol

Are you my twin brother :lol: :lol: :lol:

[warden1974]

Ah I wont be the only fat git on an SV then

[Cloggsy]

Ah I wont be the only fat git on an SV then

Not on an SV anymore (see below :wink:)

[kwak zzr]

dont let the cost put u off its WORTH it :D