A rookie joins the ranks

[TheTemp]

Hey guys, I have joined this forum on recommendation from a friend when I told them I planned to take a direct access fairly soon. I have thus far only done a CBT (with no prior riding experience) about 6 months ago and haven't had the funds since to either buy a 125 or take the lessons further. I was hoping for some advice on a few things if anyone has the time.

Firstly, when I took my CBT the instructor told me that while I had done well for a first time, it was generally considered wise to take a few lessons on a 125 before thinking about booking a direct access or even buying a 125 as he said there may be bad habits I could pickup while riding around by myself which are easier ironed out earlier on while being tutored, would you agree with this? Should I a)Buy a 125 and practice before going onto do a DAS b)take a few 125 lessons and then take a DAS or c)just go for a DAS (I'm thinking based on my experience that this would be a bad idea, while I want to save money, I don't want to die).

Secondly, is an SV650 too powerful as a first proper bike? I've ridden pillion on my friends several times and have also heard a lot of good things about them, but also understand that it might be wise to take it easy to start with.

Finally, what do you guys know about the changes being made to the DAS and bike tests and when they are going to be implemented. I hope (based solely on money) to be able to take my test before this date to keep it easier and cheaper but wanted to have a better understanding of the situation as well.

Cheers guys.

[cuffy]

Secondly, is an SV650 too powerful as a first proper bike?
Cheers guys.

Hello and welcome to the madhouse :D

Answer to your question...throttle goes both ways, just take it easy and don't ride above and beyond your ability

[andyb]

Hi and welcome to the mad house.

1) I did my CBT then my DAS a week later. The firm I went with lent out their 125 bikes for you to practice on before your DAS if you wanted, although I only took one out 2-3 times for about 30 mins each, IMO and from what I did I would think thats it's entirely feasible to go straight onto DAS.

2) The SV is a great 1st bike. I got mine two days after I passed my DAS and although I had a scary few outings (mainly due to inexperience) I would recommend the Sv as a first bike. It's fairly light, nimble and the low seat height make it great for beginners.

3) Not a clue

All of the above is only from the little experience I have ;). Been riding the Sv for two years now and love it though!

[Alpinestarhero]

Ok, a few things. Get a bike if you can, even if its just a scooter. You can still practise all those lifesavers, canceling signals, road craft etc. If you can get a 125, go for it :D It would efinatly help to have some lessons every now and then, just to keep you in good habits, but you dont neccaseriyl need it. I did a CBT, rode about on a scooter for a few months, then did my trianing - 4 days, and I had a full license. No prior training between CBT and first day of training either.

About the power of the SV - I wondered this too, but it was a non-issue as I did my test on a 125, so i have to ride a restricted SV until 12th july 2008 (two years from passing my test). You could go this route too, the advantage being that you will do your test on a 125, which is easier to ride and perform manouvers on than the larger bikes used for Direct Access. Although you will have to be restricted for two years to 33 bhp, which is about half the power of a full power SV. If you do the DAS, and find the bike is powerful, you could restrict it (easier with the "pointy models!) until your more comfprtable.

Welcome to the forum, by the way!

Matt

[hovis]

hello.

im led to belive the test is going to get quite a bit harder.

the SV650 is an ideal bike for your needs, i think a yellow one would suit you best

which i just happen to be selling,

[TheTemp]

Cheers for the advice people. As for the bike you're selling Hovis, your clairvoyance of my colour preference is quite stunning, how do you do that? :p

[hovis]

Cheers for the advice people. As for the bike you're selling Hovis, your clairvoyance of my colour preference is quite stunning, how do you do that? :p

tis the bestest & fasest

ask alpinestarshero:smt045

[Alpinestarhero]

tis the bestest & fasest

ask alpinestarshero:smt045

Its the only thing me and hovis agree on. They are stupidily fast, my restricted SV outruns a gsxr










In neutral, engine off, rolling down the road at 5:30 am to start engines away from the house so not to wake immediate neighbours and my brother and mum


Matt

[hovis]

Its the only thing me and hovis agree on.


Matt

not true.......... i think you will find we agree on alot of things (top boxes not included);)

[Warthog]

What's your name, son?

[TheTemp]

Clive

[Warthog]

That's a strange name for an American.

[TheTemp]

I'm from Bermuda

[Warthog]

Oh, well that explains it. British Principality.

[TheTemp]

It's actually a dependent territory

[hovis]

I'm from Bermuda

my cousin lives in bermuda............. do you know her?

[Warthog]

It's actually a dependent territory

What's that?

[TheTemp]

The Queen appoints a governor charged with internal security and external defence but she's still the de facto sovereign.

And no, to the best of my knowledge, I don't know your cousin...

[Ping]

Welcome! :D

I did my cbt having never ridden before, then jumped straight in for my DAS... No faffing about. Passed 2nd test.

While meticulously planning to do time on a smaller bike is a wise move, I don't believe it's entirely necessary. Get in there, get it done, then just take it easy until you've learned the bike and got your road sense.

Sv is my first bike and I love it.

:)

[TheTemp]

Sweet. That sounds good. Time to find some money then I guess...

[Mogs]

Welcome and whatever your decision good luck with it.

[cuffy]

I'm from BermudaI got some shorts from Bermuda.


TAXI!!!!

[mister c]

Howdo BTW :)

I would say that it depends on how well you faired on your CBT. If you were confident on the 125 I would suggest you go for DAS straight away. If the training school is anything like the one I work for, they will take you out on the 125 & then try you on a 500, so you will be used to it by the time you go for your test.

The test will be getting more difficult next year, with the introduction of a new "off road" bit (pushing, slalom, figure 8, corners & stops) & then an on road part. Looks ok, but it naffs me off that they arent doing it for car drivers as well.
Also, if you haven't done your Theory Test, that has just got a little harder as well, 50 questions instead of 35.

[Luckypants]

Hi I did a 5 day intensive course 10 years ago. CBT day1, one day on 125s, three days on 500s, passed second test. My first bike was a VFR750, which was fine, since as everyone else has pointed out, the throttle goes both ways!

As long as you can trust yourself not to go mad after a couple of hundred miles, go for it. The SV is an ace first / second / third / etc bike.

[Luckypants]

Oh! BTW

Croeso! :cool:

[Jester666]

Bun venit la sanitar! :D

A păstra al tău cot şi genunchi tucked înăuntru şi a face nu priveşte la art.hot. drept oameni în întuneric cereale! :D

[Viper]

my cousin lives in bermuda............. do you know her?

Is she lost

[Filipe M.]

Boa tarde, bem vindo ao manicómio.

[Pedro68]

Welcome to the org :)

I'd never been on a bike in my life before I did my CBT and I did CBT one day, then 2 (long and painful) weeks later I started the first of my 5 "half-day" DAS lessons (spread out over a period of 2 months).

After my CBT my training school told me that "normally" they start DAS riders on the CG125's (that are used for CBT), but in my case, they felt I had coped "more than adequately" to jump straight on the ER-5. So that's what I did. I wouldn't say I was a natural as I had to have an extra lesson to "master" low-speed riding ... but it was worth it ... passed my test 1st time :D

Bought my SV 5 days after passing my test, and absolutely love it! It's a fantastic first bike! I've also had the opportunity (thanks to garage taking so damned long to repair mine) to ride a Honda CBF1000, and a Honda CB600F (the new Hornet) and having ridden them both for a fair few miles now I can honestly say "God I miss my SV!!!"

To be fair the Hornet is a great little bike, but it has no fairing, and I do a lot of motorway miles. In the fly world I could be tried for genocide (but they'd have to catch me first!).

My advice ... give the DAS a go straight off ... if you find the 500's a bit too much or a bit unwieldy then go back and take a few more lessons on a 125, or ask if you can take first DAS lesson on a 125, and then maybe just "have a go of the 500" at the end of the day. You may have to take an extra lesson or two, but surely that is still cheaper than going out and buying a 125?

Good luck with it though ;-) and let us know how you get on ;-)

Pete

[TheTemp]

Thanks man, I will keep you posted! As I say though, I have to allocate funds first :) That was exactly the kind of thing I wanted to hear though, so cheers!

[Kinvig]

hello
&
wilkommen

[melody]

Hello and welcome Clive :smt039

[stewie]

Howdy pardner, welcome aboard :D