How Did You Get Your Licence

Hello,

 I'm new to the site and very new to riding. In February I bought a 50cc Vespa. I enjoyed it but quickly became sick of the engine and the riding position so I did the CBT and bought a Honda XR125 which I've been riding since. It's good fun so I'm contemplating the next step, partly to try out a new more powerful bike, also because it would be helpful to carry a pillion passenger.

I'm getting married in two months so can't do anything until after that, but I'm weighing up the options of how to take the test. I know it's changed format recently but I am more interested in people's experiences and views on the A2 licence vs the DAS route.

I'm tempted to the DAS so that the next bike I buy will last me a little longer, although that said I can see the downside to doing the DAS jumping on a massive bike and ending up in a heap.

I'd be interested to hear people's opinions / experiences of doing the DAS or going the A2 route. 

Thanks,

I had the same concerns as you with regards to jumping straight on a big bike, but went the DAS route anyway. I struggled getting up to speed on the 125. The 500cc doesn't take long at all to come to terms with, felt comfortable in one lesson.

 Also, one of my mates went the 125 route, failed twice, but his instructor kept saying to try the big bike because he would finder it easier, so he did, and it was a case of 3rd time lucky.

IMO DAS is the best approach, but then I know no different, and only ever rode 125 in CBT, I also passed before the new swerve test came in.

 But there are some that'll say you need to learn on smaller bikes and work your way up to learn how to ride properly.

iMarcus wrote (see)

I had the same concerns as you with regards to jumping straight on a big bike, but went the DAS route anyway. I struggled getting up to speed on the 125. The 500cc doesn't take long at all to come to terms with, felt comfortable in one lesson.

 Also, one of my mates went the 125 route, failed twice, but his instructor kept saying to try the big bike because he would finder it easier, so he did, and it was a case of 3rd time lucky.

IMO DAS is the best approach, but then I know no different, and only ever rode 125 in CBT, I also passed before the new swerve test came in.

 But there are some that'll say you need to learn on smaller bikes and work your way up to learn how to ride properly.

Aye, it's a source of constant friction amongst older gits .

Welcome to the forum Basic.

Personally I'd be less worried about finding out what bigger bikes feel like and spend my efforts on improving my roadcraft for now. Four and a half months isn't a great deal of time to build your survival skills.

Licences seem to change every five minutes these days, but whatever form a DAS takes when you apply for it just be aware that the leap from 13hp to a full power bike can be astonishing. Don't be in too much of a hurry to grab a sexy sports rocketship, there's a lot of choice out there so try to get something that's right for you, not the jurno track fiend in the bike mags.

Hth.

Thanks for the help guys.

Having previously ruled out the DAS there was part of me that was content with the idea of doing the A2 and building up, I'm not in a mad rush to jump on a sports bike at the end of the day, although I have my eye on a sweet Triumph which I assume brings with it the same leap in power issue... But the idea of buying and selling different sized bikes as I start off in, and then graduate from, the restricted licence felt like a bit of a drag.

I would like to do some kind of a test by autumn, in the least part so that I can take the soon-to-be missus to work, which would save us a packet on travelling into central London each day. I'm fully signed up to the fact that passing any test after a few months riding does not make me in anway experience.

Also, I was interested to hear iMarcus' point on the 500cc being a relatively painless transition. There was a part of me that suspected that starting on a 500cc would be like when I stopped on the 50cc and started on gears 

I am currently part way through my DAS (passed module 1 awaiting module 2) gotta say the transition to big bike (read GSF600) was obvious however i rather enjoyed it. It's nice to have some power behind you and be able to keep up with cars for a start.

 You wont have any problems with a DAS, but if you dont need/want a bike over 33bhp then save the cash and wait 2 years following A2. 

If the Earth is the size of a pea in Britain, then the Sun is a beachball 50m away, Pluto is 4km away, and the next nearest star is in Tokyo. Now shrink Pluto's orbit into a coffee cup, then our Milky Way Galaxy fills North America

I did DAS, bought an SV650 rode that for 18 months til I got bored, bought an R1 and haven't looked back; apart from the 85 points on my licence and 12 crashes (only joking)

Oh and get ready to do a trackday and become addicted to that and then sell your wife & (future) kids into slavery to pay for that habit.

Did you ever hear anyone say “That picture had better be banned, because I might look at it and it might be very damaging to me”

Cheers for the advice.

I've already told my fiance that in case the bike thing works out she should view the  engagement ring as a loan rather than a present. Garbiel Garcia Marquz sold his wife's wedding rings to cover the postage for a manuscript so I figure I can do the same to pick myself up a sweet Triumph - my current goal ride. 

 I'm interested by the idea of the A2 saving money - I'm all about the cash you see... Someone told me that I would need lessons to crack the new test even if doing it on a 125 so I came to the conclusion that the DAS might only end up costing a day or two more making the difference not minor but also not massive. 

 Thanks for the responses. I don't suppose anyone can recommend places that do either scheme in London can then?

 Scooterden seems ubiquitous but having listened to their CBT instructor big himself up over the course of a whole day I'm keen to consider alternative.

It might be worth considering that the DSA A2 test requirements are considered somewhat 'easier' than those for a DAS.  And, as you know, you can ride a sub 33hp or 'restricted' bike afterwards for 2 years then get anything. 

I'd certainly take that option if I were cash poor.  But take training to get the licence - it will make it less painful.  

Can't help with who to take it with - but do get some personal recommendations if you can.

Eh? The test is the same for both! The only thing that may make "the requirement for A2 easier" is that the examiner MAY not be as hard on an A2 candidate as a DAS candidate (the "born again biker" prejudice.

FJS is bang on about training. It's a great way to ensure that you are properly prepared for the test and a wise investment to give you the best possible chance of success (thereby potentially reducing your outgoings on tests in the long term as you should get through first time!). It should also help you on your way to being a better biker. Tell us where you are and perhaps a few people could help out with recommendations.

Good luck with it!

Lostboysaint wrote (see)

Eh? The test is the same for both! The only thing that may make "the requirement for A2 easier" is that the examiner MAY not be as hard on an A2 candidate as a DAS candidate (the "born again biker" prejudice.

Ah! So we're talking examiner's prejudices! I can agree wholeheartedly on that!!

 The big deal about taking a test to get either licence is to make sure that you obey all the usual "judging a book by it's cover" rules. Turn up looking prepared for a ride but not like a Rossi wannabe/hells angel/Ewan on a bad day etc. on a bike that's clean and clearly looked after, that you know your way around and that you demonstrate your confidence with and the examiner will feel a whole lot more comfortable than if the bike looks like it limped through it's last MOT and has spent the last few months living in your garden (even if it has!). 

First impressions count for a lot and you don't want to spend the rest of your test clawing your way back into an examiners good books. 

FJSRiDER. wrote (see)

Lostboysaint wrote (see)

Eh? The test is the same for both! The only thing that may make "the requirement for A2 easier" is that the examiner MAY not be as hard on an A2 candidate as a DAS candidate (the "born again biker" prejudice.

Exactly.  In the past, when I was instructing, the 125cc candidates seemed to have an easier time/less minors/fails than equivalent DAS students.  IMO.  YMMV.  Etc.

so it's basically your opinion/hearsay. . . .you know, the stuff you call people a spastic for citing? have you any evidence? non-anecdotal please

somebody quote me please, he says I'm on ignore

Lostboysaint wrote (see)

Ah! So we're talking examiner's prejudices! I can agree wholeheartedly on that!

I don't think it is prejudice as much as the potential post test demands (depending on what bike you get) 

We always considered that the students who had undergone DAS were tested to a slightly higher standard than those who were taking the 125 test.  A major fault is a major fault and you would not get away with that - but the 125 riders would tend to have less minors and we used to have a higher first time pass rate for125 than DAS students.  (This was a few years ago and may have changed now)

Lostboysaint wrote (see)

 The big deal about taking a test to get either licence is to make sure that you obey all the usual "judging a book by it's cover" rules. Turn up looking prepared for a ride but not like a Rossi wannabe/hells angel/Ewan on a bad day etc. on a bike that's clean and clearly looked after, that you know your way around and that you demonstrate your confidence with and the examiner will feel a whole lot more comfortable than if the bike looks like it limped through it's last MOT and has spent the last few months living in your garden (even if it has!). 

First impressions count for a lot and you don't want to spend the rest of your test clawing your way back into an examiners good books. 

fazerboy69 wrote (see)

do examiners and test centres have "pass quotas?"by that i mean if they have passed 5 that day they cant pass more, or such?you know what i mean

Not as far as I know.  They judge each candidate on their merits (or not).  There is, as you may remember, a sheet listing the maneuvours and potential points of failure - if you manage to avoid any major and enough minor - you pass.  

There are occasionally reports of a 'strict' or 'lax' examiners - this may be the case but I have to presume the DSA have ways to judge these individuals.

FJSRiDER. wrote (see)

We always considered that the students who had undergone DAS were tested to a slightly higher standard than those who were taking the 125 test. 

From my own experience, I think the riding schools reputation has a lot to do with it. (and that is purely opinion, but my instructor was on first name terms putting the world to rights with the examiner).

btw I got 1 minor and a good bollocking!