Some advice / opinions !

First of all hello to everyone - this site is fab and i've already learned a lot !

I'm 26 and have always wanted a bike but because I still live at home (saving to get on the housing market) I haven't been allowed one ! sad I know but my mums step brother was killed on his bike when she was in her twenties and shes been adament that if I get one i'm homeless lol !
Anyway to cut a long story short I've had a tough time lately and she suggested that if I was still interested I could get a bike now rather than wait until I have moved out !

So I have been searching the net for schools and courses etc.. and it seems the DAS intensive would be the best route for me so will ring them in a minute for some more info.

Is the DAS the best route for a complete newbie ?

Also out of interest does everyone get the old - "bikes are a deathtrap" etc.. warnings from family and friends ? If so does it bother you at all ?

Lastly have many of you been knocked off ? how serious was it ?

Sorry for rambling - thanks for any advice

[lady clara]

Hiya matey and welcome!
I was a complete newbie and did DAS (not intensive course though). Was glad I did coz I think I'd have been too impatient to wait for a bigger bike if I didn't.
And yes everyone gave me the same lecture but I used to work on A&E and knew the score. I found that not telling anyone or listening politely but ignoring works best.
I've never actually been knocked off but have very nearly a few times. Keep your eyes everywhere at all times and assume they all want to kill you is what I was told and its true. Don't complain about the idiot car drivers who haven't seen you, they never will so you're wasting your time.
So once again welcome!!!!

[grotbag]

Greeting LPC and welcome to the forum

Originally Posted by LPC82

Is the DAS the best route for a complete newbie ?

That depends on you and your confidence level on bigger bikes, everyones different, most people find that DAS is the best way while other (like me) can't hack it.

Originally Posted by LPC82

Also out of interest does everyone get the old - "bikes are a deathtrap" etc.. warnings from family and friends ? If so does it bother you at all ?

I'm 51 and a new rider, when I told my dad that I intended to ride he banned me from riding!!!!

Originally Posted by LPC82

Lastly have many of you been knocked off ? how serious was it ?

Not knocked off but came off 3 time on my CBT day, bruised leg and cracked rib from the bike though not from the tarmac, wrote about it on another thread

Originally Posted by LPC82

Sorry for rambling - thanks for any advice

Don't apologise LPC, not in this forum, if you want to know anything just ask! This is a one of the best forum's around with a great mix of well experienced bikers, new riders and people who have yet to start riding.

So no matter how 'daft' you think your question might seem to others, just ask and you will get loads of good, serious answers from loads of good people

[druidsam]

hiya lpc82 and welcome to the forum. i have had the lectures and so has everyone else on this site probably,just let it go in one ear and out the other,i havent come of my bike recently,but its guaranteed to hurt if you do.das is the best route to take as it will get you on to a decent cc bike faster,just listen to what the instructor has to say and everything will be fine and dont forget to ask questions if there is anything you are unsure of,



.....................Sam

[lady clara]

Well said you two!!

[Spree]

Hi mate and welcome to the forum, I think most bikers have come off at one time or another. I have been knocked off twice in recent years and had one serious accident a long time ago. You can read the relevant thread here

If I was you, I would go for the DAS but you can make that decision after taking the CBT.

[Bill CBF1000]

Hi LPC82

yep had all the lectures over the last 26 years of riding - Been knocked off twice seiously - 1st time smashed all my leg n knee , 2nd time my partner was killed n i was badly smashed up , but as someone said - shit happens n we have to get on with life ...... fours years of being off bikes n miserable n i just test rode a CBF1000 - Still smiling like a lunatic the day after - see my other posts, cos I cant remember how to link them

As for whats the best way in, as someone said, do your CBt n see how it feels n ask the guys who train you

oh, hi by the way

Originally Posted by Bill CBF1000

Hi LPC82

yep had all the lectures over the last 26 years of riding - Been knocked off twice seiously - 1st time smashed all my leg n knee , 2nd time my partner was killed n i was badly smashed up , but as someone said - shit happens n we have to get on with life ...... fours years of being off bikes n miserable n i just test rode a CBF1000 - Still smiling like a lunatic the day after - see my other posts, cos I cant remember how to link them

As for whats the best way in, as someone said, do your CBt n see how it feels n ask the guys who train you

oh, hi by the way

Blimey mate I don't think I could get back on after going through something like that !


Thanks for all the replies everyone - My CBT is booked for the weekend after next !!

[grotbag]

Hey LPC nice to see ya, enjoy your CBT and dont be afraid to ask any questions you may have

Yeh I passed recently and by the sounds of it had similar concerns, always respected bikes but never thought of getting one as thought it was too dangrous.

Many people have told me drive as though everyone else on the road is out to kill you and I think it's good sense! It's not meant to frighten you but if you see a car at a give way, ride as if it was going to pull out on you ie be aware of what's around you and / or make sure you can stop in time if you can't get out of the way.

I had a really fast car before my bike but I ride my bike in a completely different style, far more reserved putting the power down only when I KNOW not THINK it is safe to do so.

Go for it mate and you'll love it. I really didn't think it was for me when I was donig the slow control stuff in the car park on the CBT but as soon as I got out on the road I loved it - even doing 20MPH on a 125