CBT/DAS Couse in Reading. What bike for a new rider?

[timwilky]

Firstly you cannot pass/fail a CBT it is not a test. It is Compulsory Basic Training. A big improvement on the old days of put a set of L plates on a 250 and set off down the road learning basic control as you go. However, personal opinion based on the L plated scooter loons I see is that in modern traffic/town centres it is simply not enough.

At least passing the theory test element should ensure you know the rules of the road.

As for what bike, I have a friend who bought herself an R1 after doing her DAS. 3 years later she has never dropped it, buy is damm slow in the areas where riding ability is required, ie the fun places. It is just too heavy for her, but she is also a regular commuter to family in North Scotland, and it is an ideal tool for a 600 mile motorway/A road round trip so how can I tell her it is the wrong bike.

Originally Posted by sideshow46

Totally disagree. DAS is done on a poxy 45bhp bike

FWIW I did my DAS on ER6s so moving to the SV was not much of a shock in terms of power, but was in terms of riding

I agree with YC to a point - people have to be able to make their own (hopefully informed) decisions. Having said that, I think the principals of the CBT and the new test are good, even if the practice isn't what was expected.

I think the standard of driving/riding on the road are generally poor ( apart from me of course, I'm perfect ) and I would like to see regular 10 year assessments of road skills.

The fundamental point is that schools are paid to get you a pass so that is what they concentrate on. The good ones try to help you with general roadcraft, but that is not their primary focus.

As ever with life, formal qualifications are of little direct use until experience builds upon them.

[yorkie_chris]

Another thing about DAS....

You do your test pootling about in town and urban roads, why is a rider any "better" having pootled about on a tiny 500 rather than a 125?

Maybe shows better control as it's a heavier bike, but there's no real difference between a 45bhp bike and a 14bhp bike if you're not shown to ride in a way that uses that power.


The clowns on scooters, well that's just a bit of darwinism, and half of the chavs round here, if the CBT wasn't in existence just wouldn't bother with training at all.
You can do ANY test, then completely change your riding afterwards too!

I would say go straight for DAS because of the new test coming up. There may well be a rush of people taking their tests in August/September to get their license before the test changes. If she does DAS in August and fails first time, for example, she may struggle to book a retest. I would get DAS done sooner rather than later and then encourage her to get a sensible first bike.

Plus one for the "take the test" just to get it out of the way before it gets any more expensive - Full license or restricted whatever suits.