Cant decide whats best (DAS & Tests)

webmonkeyuk · 19 Oct 2015 at 12:50

So i passed my cbt and theory test a few weeks back and was looking to go ahead and do my DAS but now with winter coming im not sure if its the best choice, i renewed the cbt so ive had alittle experience on my 125 but i tend to be a fair weather rider

so im doubting if id have the confidence in the tricky conditions.

Ive had alook on the test center and id be looking around middle of november for the mod 1 but id have to start my training first, my local bike school does a 12hr course which i plan on taking so id be looking at end of nov into december. What do you think i should consider? leave it till next year or just go ahead and try it now? I guess im not in a rush to do it as ive got the car and i doubt id be using a bike in the bad weather.

Captain · 19 Oct 2015 at 12:53

Do it now, next year when the weather clears up you can pick a bike you want, rather than putting it off until the new year.

I'm starting my DAS first week in November, weather shouldn't be too bad, by around 9am any ice on the road will have gone (if there is any) and it's only 4 days

wazza300 · 19 Oct 2015 at 13:00

They won't ride out if the weathers too dangerous

Only things that would stop you would be really bad frost or snow

Craig321 · 19 Oct 2015 at 13:02

webmonkeyuk said:
So i passed my cbt and theory test a few weeks back and was looking to go ahead and do my DAS but now with winter coming im not sure if its the best choice, i renewed the cbt so ive had alittle experience on my 125 but i tend to be a fair weather rider so im doubting if id have the confidence in the tricky conditions.

Ive had alook on the test center and id be looking around middle of november for the mod 1 but id have to start my training first, my local bike school does a 12hr course which i plan on taking so id be looking at end of nov into december. What do you think i should consider? leave it till next year or just go ahead and try it now? I guess im not in a rush to do it as ive got the car and i doubt id be using a bike in the bad weather.

Do it ASAP, get it done and out of the way, you don't want to be a learner for next summer, do you?

Zowghi · 19 Oct 2015 at 13:05

I'd say do it now. It will likely be cheaper and if you're worried about conditions, it must be a plus to have someone show you how to adapt to cold/wet conditions than find out yourself?

IC3 · 19 Oct 2015 at 14:50

ttaskmaster · 19 Oct 2015 at 15:10

Thinking along similar lines, I chose blazing hot Summer to do my DAS... and ended up riding the test in ******* rain so bad that the examiner pansied out in his car!!
Passed with flying colours, though...!

Should be fine to do it right now, but if you're hopping straight onto a new Big Bike just be mindful that you'll then be riding in worsening weather conditions.... or possibly not riding until the sun comes out next year, by which time your freshly learned skills may well have perished quite a bit.
I'd say do it now if you're getting a big bike, but continue to ride and learn to deal with the weather. If you're not getting a bike straight away and are *certain* you'll only be a fair weather biker, might be better to leave it until you've got better weather in which to get used to a new ride and still have your learning fresh in your mind.
Possibly do the DAS now, then just take a refresher lesson later on?

Really it's down to your confidence and what you feel safest/happiest doing. It's your ride...

Soootylad · 19 Oct 2015 at 15:42

Do it now! Then you'll have the whole of next season to ride your new steed

Despite what people think, riding in the wet is not much different to the dry if you're doing it right (and on a good bike) - As long as you are confident and smooth it really isn't a problem and you'll possibly be a better rider once passed because of it

(Obviously, freezing conditions are a different kettle of fish)

Flack88 · 19 Oct 2015 at 17:26

Also it should be a bit more quiet at this time of year. When I did my test in summer it was 4-6 weeks wait just for mod 1 & 2 tests.

IC3 · 19 Oct 2015 at 18:18

Riding a motorcycle is like riding a bike, you don't forget it.

Junglist · 20 Oct 2015 at 08:54

Flack88 said:
Also it should be a bit more quiet at this time of year. When I did my test in summer it was 4-6 weeks wait just for mod 1 & 2 tests.

My CBT instructor said this is actually the best time of the year to do a bike course as when the sun starts to put his hat back on you get many people thinking "Oh I want to learn to ride" so the instructors get booked up non stop.

Supposedly from the end of April until September/October is very busy for them

Stovepipes · 20 Oct 2015 at 10:41

I did my CBT in November last year, it wasn't the nicest weather but it wasn't bad either. Although saying that up north might be a different matter.

tom_e · 20 Oct 2015 at 10:44

I did my CBT a year ago next Friday, it was drizzly and crap but you're going to end up riding in it one day anyway so you might as well start in it!

My DAS on the other hand I done in July and I was sweating like a very sweaty thing, warm weather is great when you're out on your own and you can open it up to cool off but crawling around on your tests you get very warm very fast.

Sin_Chase · 21 Oct 2015 at 15:49

Better to do your training in the wet then jump into bad conditions without instruction IMO.

Teaches you good anticipation and planning..well...forces you to use it

Tropicocity · 27 Oct 2015 at 20:36

Be prepared to have your bike overtake your PC as your biggest money drainer

Every time I think of getting a 980ti I just end up looking at bike stuff instead as it's more practical than better graphics XD

Craig321 · 27 Oct 2015 at 20:47

Tropicocity said:
Be prepared to have your bike overtake your PC as your biggest money drainer Every time I think of getting a 980ti I just end up looking at bike stuff instead as it's more practical than better graphics XD

lol tell me about it

TallPaul_S · 27 Oct 2015 at 21:00

Yep biking isn't a cheap hobby! I upgraded my pc in summer (980ti) as it was well, well overdue (was running a 580!) but ironically I'm not doing much gaming now! Although now winter is here that'll change a bit. But now the pc spending is done all my spare cash will be going towards a new bike

wazza300 · 27 Oct 2015 at 21:11

you don't have to spend a fortune on biking,all can be doen cheaply if your savvy

same goes for pc parts,

might be expensive when you first start out

ttaskmaster · 27 Oct 2015 at 22:06

TallPaul_S said:
Yep biking isn't a cheap hobby!

Hobby?
HOBBY???!!!
It's a way of life, man!!! :cool:

Seriously though, everywhere you go you have to consider weather, luggage, parking, wet leathers/textiles, changing, carrying kit and time to deal with all that, as well as all the prejudices and ignorance from those non-riders around you.

wazza300 said:
you don't have to spend a fortune on biking,all can be doen cheaply if your savvy

I'm spending a lot more now that I did when I started.
Decent kit, top to tail, all for under £250 back then - Nowadays, I'm saving up to drop more than double that just on a lid... the jacket will be about the same and lord knows what I'll find next!!

TallPaul_S · 27 Oct 2015 at 22:11

ttaskmaster said:
Hobby?
HOBBY???!!!
It's a way of life, man!!!

Seriously though, everywhere you go you have to consider weather, luggage, parking, wet leathers/textiles, changing, carrying kit and time to deal with all that, as well as all the prejudices and ignorance from those non-riders around you.

I'm spending a lot more now that I did when I started.
Decent kit, top to tail, all for under £250 back then - Nowadays, I'm saving up to drop more than double that just on a lid... the jacket will be about the same and lord knows what I'll find next!!

Haha - well to the summer weekend only riders it's a hobby - to me it's a way of life

it's my only transport, how I get to work, the basis of my holidays, and so on!

If I didn't have a bike I'd be paying £150 a month to get to work (and taking twice as long!) on the train or wasting money on expensive insurance and petrol sitting in traffic in a car (and taking 1.5 times as long!).