Want to learn to ride

nataku17 · 30 Jun 2014 at 01:06

I have been looking at learning to ride a motorbike and am a little lost. I understand that i have to pass a CBT, theory, module 1 and 2. I'm 28 so i can do direct access.. what i don't understand is how that works.

If i pass my CBT i can ride a 125cc bike but to do the direct access i need to ride a 500cc or 600cc? Does that mean i have to purchase one of them for the test or do places usually provide them?

Would also like to know if there are places out there you can pay for lessons. much like you would with a car and have them loan you a bike to learn on? if you can do that would i be better off picking up a 125cc bike or just taking lessons doing my tests then getting a 500cc + as my first bike?

As a big guy (just under 300lb) i'm really nervous that a 125cc will just commit suicide if i jumped on it =( as i don't really get how all this cc stuff works or what it really means. Are there any 125cc bikes out there that would work for me if i decided to get one as my first bike, would rather something that doesn't make me look like a circus bear on a bike..

thanks =)

wazza300 · 30 Jun 2014 at 01:13

you can pay as you go or book a das (direct access)coarse

the training school will provide all the gear and 125cc or 500cc bikes

125's come in all shapes and sizes aswell as 500cc bikes,chances are you'll do all your training on a 500cc if your doing direct access

ttaskmaster · 30 Jun 2014 at 12:25

wazza300 said:
chances are you'll do all your training on a 500cc if your doing direct access

Unless they've changed this too, your CBT and Day 1 of DAS will both be on a 125cc. You move on to the bigger bike for days 2-5 (including test).

Sandycheeks · 30 Jun 2014 at 12:49

Don't do a weeks course if you can't already ride a bike...there's no point, just learn at your own pace, some folk will not be ready after a week and you could be one of them, for this reason my old instructor didn't even offer courses.
For me -
1) Theory Test
2) CBT
3) Lessons on 500 and 650cc for DAS
4) Mod 1 practice
5) Mod 1 test
6) Mod 2 Test on 650cc
I think the 500s are not quite powerful enough for the DAS.

If you phone an instructor he will give you all the info you need and is obviously a lot more knowledgeable than me.

Sandycheeks · 30 Jun 2014 at 12:52

FYI - I think I had around 5 lessons and this all took about 4 weeks all in all.
Not sure if the courses have access to more available dates for tests but generally when I was looking at test dates the earliest available where around 4 weeks away.
I took my time and didn't feel any pressure and could have had a lot more lessons if required.