Re: Why do people get restricted licenses?
 

I had to do the restricted test as I was only 17 and didn't want to wait until I was 21 to ride something bigger.

If she's over 21 then there's no point in doing the restricted test as it'll cost just as much as doing DAS. As for insurance its pot luck how much it will cost, kitkats daughter was thinking about giving biking another try (was really put off by her CBT) so I got a few quotes for a restricted licence
k4 sv £907 fully comp
CBR400 £820 fc
Raptor 1000 £812 fc
Rapotr 650 £1920 fc

Re: Why do people get restricted licenses?
 

das, cheaper and the better route to learning imo. i hated 125's

Re: Why do people get restricted licenses?
 

DAS if over 21, restricted is kind of pointless imo. Unless you're one of these people that are 100% they will never want nothing more than 33bhp within the next 2 years, and prefer/feel more confident doing the test on the smaller bike at the time.

Re: Why do people get restricted licenses?
 

I didn't do restricted outta choice. I wanted to DAS and indeed, paid for DAS but they came away with some nonsense about me being a bit too short for the 500's (translated means "we overbooked the 500 lessons and there's no room for you on them").

I got my restricted licence and I was more than happy with it, it was enough for me for the first couple of years anyway to build my confidence up a bit.

Perhaps it might be worth her having some lessons on a 125 and seeing how comfortable/confident she is and then decide what way to go with it?

Re: Why do people get restricted licenses?
 

Personally i'd go for a bigger bike and restrict it to a 33BHP. IMO the big bike is easier to ride than the little 125 on them skinny tyres. Wen I moved from the 125 onto the 600 during my DAS my u-turns and smoothness with the throttle ect was better. I also thought the weight of the bike was more stable too!

Re: Why do people get restricted licenses?
 

I did das restricted because I had no prior biking experience and limited time to pass.

I wanted the opportunity to carry a pillion and didnt know if I would like riding a big bike. I did consider the cost of a buying smaller bike, the insurance, running costs and possible repair costs.

Being mindful of the fact that I was on a restricted bike and on "probation" made me value my license more.

Subsequently have moved up to an sv when my restriction was up :)

Re: Why do people get restricted licenses?
 

Same :(

Re: Why do people get restricted licenses?
 

Personally I think DAS is the best way forward.

If your daughter is nervous about a bigger bike. She could still get a restrictor fitted, and then remove it when she is ready. Whether that is 2 months or a year etc. Without the DAS she has to wait 2 years regardless of confidence (unless she does the test again).

Plus, even if someone passes the DAS, they could still ride a 125 if they like whilst they built up their confidence. It just means they could upgrade whenever they wished.

Cheers,
Wayne

Re: Why do people get restricted licenses?
 

+1

There is no advantage to doing the restricted other than the fact she may find a smaller bike easier to handle for learning and test.
Once she passes DAS she could buy a 125 if she wanted anyway but always have the opportunity to move onto anything she liked once she out grew it, which probably wouldn't take long.

Re: Why do people get restricted licenses?
 

Thing is, if you go for a DAS and do all your training on a 500cc, going back to something like a 125 wont feel right after you've passed your test imo.

The fact that you have passed on a 500cc bike shows you have at least some confidence and control over the machine, going back to a 125 would be detrimental to that as if/when you want to upgrade, you'd have to re-adjust getting used to the weight and power of a bigger bike all over again.

I pondered about getting a Ninja 250 after my DAS and every single one of my biker friends told me I'd regret it if I did. So I got the SV instead, and I can see now what they meant.

Just my opinion of course.