How restricted is restricted - or - Should I do DAS?

Linkex

Linkex

Linkex

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Having recently taken my CBT, I'm looking towards taking my full test for a bike. I originally did the CBT to save money, swapping my MX-6 for the bike for the 4 mile commute (And it worked like a charm, doesn't use any fuel at all :))

Anyway, having ridden for a few weeks now and deciding that I love it, I'm thinking about the full test. However, I'm not sure whether to do DAS, or just take the tests myself without training (I've been driving a car for years, so I'm inexperienced on bikes, but not roads), in a few months time, once I've got some practice in.

So here are the factors I'm working on:
DAS is expensive. The £600-700+ it would cost is a frankly huge amount of money to me at the moment (Just bought my first house) compared to the £200 approx that doing without training would cost. I'm not saying its impossible, but it would have a serious impact on me.
I would like to be able to go up to my girls home town every so often (150 miles) on the bike - is a restricted bike powerful enough for 2 + weekend luggage?
Failing the test will cost me £75 a pop - only take a few failed tests before I've cancelled out the cost of the DAS - how hard is the test to pass without training, for an experienced car driver?

So, there's the questions - Is the DAS worth it when £700+ represents a vast chunk of your disposable for 6 months? Are restricted bikes up to the task, or are they 1 man shows only? Is there a reasonable chance of passing the tests without training?
 
I toured around France on a Restricted SV650 2up with a lot of luggage and had no problem but I didn't know any difference at the time, it could bog down at times but even unrestricted its only a little twin so will struggle with a lot of weight on it.
Restricted is still good for 110 on most bikes, and quite a few restrict the top end so acceleration is still extremely quick.

I know one of the mods of the new tests is on bike control so with no training not sure how well you would do on that one, depends how confident you are on the bike already really, the rest is on the road riding I think so as long as you know about life savers and where to be on the road that should also be straightforward....

It might be worth just getting 1 or 2 lessons to see what level you are at before wasting £75 a go!
 
DAS is expensive, I passed 3 times all done on the cheap, 2nd and 3rd time on my own bikes trailered to the test centre.

I should think your biggest problem would be the MOD 1 if they still have it by the time you take the test, unless you know exactly what to expect it's quite complicated to do in ten minutes, I failed one then watched loads of you tube videos and instructor online videos.

MOD 2 is just a ride out with 4 - 6 pull off's from the side of the road, don't know what they will do with MOD 1 if they will incorporate it with MOD 2, that'll mean back to maneuvers on the road I would guess.

Oh and try and get insurance for your own bike on a provisional first before you make your mind up, it may not be worthwhile.
 
You have 30 minutes to do the Mod1.

To be honest the DAS can't be much more expensive than the restricted? You still have to do the Mod1 & 2 just on a restricted bike. And there will come a point where you want to ride something bigger so it's going to cost you again in test fee's & tuition (for any bad habits developed).

Unless you only plan to ride a 125/250 and the restricted is a considerable saving I'd just do a full DAS.
 
BennyC said:
You have 30 minutes to do the Mod1.

To be honest the DAS can't be much more expensive than the restricted? You still have to do the Mod1 & 2 just on a restricted bike. And there will come a point where you want to ride something bigger so it's going to cost you again in test fee's & tuition (for any bad habits developed).

Unless you only plan to ride a 125/250 and the restricted is a considerable saving I'd just do a full DAS.
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After my CBT I bought a CBF125 and took myself through the tests. I did a bit of Mod1 training and that was it. Passed both Mod1 and Mod2 first time. So I only really paid for the tests, which was sub £100 for both I think? Considerably less than doing a DAS?

I've been on a restricted license since November 2009, which means come November 2011 I can ride anything I want. But I'm pretty happy with my restriced ER-6f. 650cc with a throttle stop and electronic restrictor. Still able to accelerate quicker than most cars and reach illegal speeds easily :)

From your post it sounds like you're saying you'd need to take more tests to get a non-restricted license after having already passed a Mod1 and Mod2? That isn't the case. If you take yourself through or do the 125 intense you are only restricted for 2 years. Then your license automatically gets upgraded.
 
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I currently ride a bandit 600 restricted (came from a YBR 125 Custom). I know going from a 125 to a 6 is a big jump and everything, but even with the restrictors in, it'll still be able to get your license revoked ;)
 
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