Take lesson before doing MOD1+2 ?

yonderblue

yonderblue

yonderblue

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So for my mid-life crisis at 42 did my CBT and Theory and after having great fun and nearly 2500miles later on my Honda MSX125 I am doing my Direct Access next month.

I think for me it will be a big jump going straight onto a 500cc bike from a MSX125, It's worth going for an hour lesson before hand just to get used to a bigger bike before I do Direct Access training and license?.
 
acemastr said:
Just book a 4-5 day course, you'll pick it up in no time then.
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This, a couple of day course is more than enough to get used to the bigger bike and learn all you need to pass the MOD1+2.

You'll also probably find you'll be jumping onto a 600 or 650cc rather than a 500 as they need to be over a certain power to be suitable for the full A licence.

It's nothing to worry about though, just remember to hold on and brace the first time you open that throttle because it will be a bit of a shock coming from a 125. I learnt that the hard way :D
 
I'm confused. Have you booked a direct access training course, or JUST MOD 1 and 2 tests?

Sounds like you've booked the whole course, in which case the course is the lessons - you don't need to book a lesson before doing lessons ;) if you've explained to the provider/instructor that you've done some miles on a 125, they'll either give you a morning on a 125 to see what you're like, or maybe even stick you straight onto a big bike and see if you're comfortable with it.

A DAS course is normally between 3-5 days long, then the 2 tests at the end.
 
Thanks guys, The Direct Access course/test I am taking is 4 days (Mon-Thu), Thursday morning is MOD1 test and following week on Thurs or Friday MOD2 test. I think I will be fine just never ridden a bigger bike and MSX125 is about the smallest bike you can ride on L plates other than a 125cc scooter.
 
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yonderblue said:
Thanks guys, The Direct Access course/test I am taking is 4 days (Mon-Thu), Thursday morning is MOD1 test and following week on Thurs or Friday MOD2 test.
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Ahh, that's cool - that's loads of time, you'll probably have a refresher lesson before your mod 2 too.

I had a 3 day (Mon to Wed) course, which was mornings only - I did my mod 1 on Wednesday morning and mod 2 midday the same day. I had done 7000 miles on a 125, and had ridden a couple of 600-700cc bikes for a couple of hours beforehand though, so I was able to jump straight on to the school er6n with no problem.

Have fun, and enjoy that moment you take the bike on the road and open the throttle in 2nd gear :D

Big bikes are easier to ride, heaver so they balance better if you keep the engine turning.
 
The bikes the Instructors use are real soft 500's etc You won't notice that much difference between them & your 125, 10 minutes on it & you'll feel fine.
Good Luck with it all, You won't regret it or forget the buzz you get when you pass. :cool:
 
I made the mistake of being a chicken and paying way more to learn to ride than necessary. I wish I'd have just done my DAS but I went the long way round and while I was way more confident it cost me a fortune. The problem is it seems kinda implausible that you can learn to ride a bike in a few days. If you've already been riding a 125cc it'll be easy for you.

4T5 said:
The bikes the Instructors use are real soft 500's etc You won't notice that much difference between them & your 125, 10 minutes on it & you'll feel fine.
Good Luck with it all, You won't regret it or forget the buzz you get when you pass. :cool:
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We used Honda CBF650, big difference to a 125cc, turning the throttle the first time was terrifying, but yeah they're very easy to ride.
 
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You barely get out of second or third depending on the roads around your test centre are (you'll mainly be driving the routes).

As said its the weight that takes getting used to more than the power. Just practice your hand position on the throttle so that you don't yank it round.
 
I had only been on a 125 3 months before I showed up for my DAS, a few laps round the training area and you will wonder why you were nervous at all :)

To echo the above, and add one or two - jet keep these in mind:
- The throttle is more sensitive, and can upset the bike a lot more if jerked over bumps
- Oddly, brakes on bigger bikes are a lot sharper - be careful of locking that back wheel!
- Careful with the front brake when stopping, if it grabs the weight of the bike can force the steering over and tip the bike.
-Oh, and my biggest sin - don't clutch bang the gears like a 125 - you have to be gentle on the lever :D

You will be totally fine :) Just don't forget to enjoy it!
 
TripleT said:
You barely get out of second or third depending on the roads around your test centre are (you'll mainly be driving the routes)
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Unless they have changed things, they'll want to see you ride at least one road at 60mph (national speed limit), which will require more than 3rd gear... if only so you're not over-revving the bike.
 
Mod 1 passed last week, some minors was a little bit nervous. I was on a Honda CB600F Hornet for 3 days of training and then Mod 1 on fourth day. The Hornet was like a rocket ship compared to my Honda MSX 125 nearly 10x the power of my MSX. I would say it took a day or so to get comfortable with slow speed manoeuvring with the weight of the Hornet for me at least. This was first time I have been out on more powerful bike compared to my MSX, Doing 60/70mph it felt so much more stable on the Hornet, I can barely get to 60mph on MSX when battering against the wind force... Mod 2 this Thursday.
 
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Well done mate, good luck for the mod 2.
The big bikes are a much nicer place to be than little 125s for anything above around town speeds.
 
ttaskmaster said:
Unless they have changed things, they'll want to see you ride at least one road at 60mph (national speed limit), which will require more than 3rd gear... if only so you're not over-revving the bike.
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Nope, not a requirement. It massively depends where the test centre in based. Failsworth, where I did mine, is surrounded by 20mph / 30mph. I went on to broadway which is a 40mph but that's it.

A very "easy" test centre even my instructor said. Ironically it was named one of the hardest to pass your car test from though. Odd. :p
 
wazza300 said:
it was the weight I noticed more than the power/speed,actual riding I found easier than a pokey 125
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The weight makes it more stable in corners and more firmly planted overall.
I loved it!

Nomisf said:
- Careful with the front brake when stopping, if it grabs the weight of the bike can force the steering over and tip the bike.
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Yup, I managed to pull a stoppie on one of my rides!
But you should know not to grab the front brake anyway and you will get ample time to get thoroughly used to the new bike's brakes anyway.

TripleT said:
Nope, not a requirement. It massively depends where the test centre in based. Failsworth, where I did mine, is surrounded by 20mph / 30mph. I went on to broadway which is a 40mph but that's it.
A very "easy" test centre even my instructor said. Ironically it was named one of the hardest to pass your car test from though. Odd. :p
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Failsworth?
What a name!!
Certainly the areas where I did my bike and am doing my car, it is a requirement as we have 70mph dual carriageways.
 
Its not a national requirement, obviously if those roads are near the test centre then they'll use them like you say. But its not needed for the actual test.

And yes, ominous name!
 
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