Direct Access or...

[Singh600RR]

I did a year on a Honda CBR 125R4 and it was brill - it teaches you all you need to know the basics of bike dynamics. If your not doing mega mileage then it's the best route.

Once your comfortable with it - then take your DAS.

I did my DAS in 2 days and passed without any major failings - even the dreaded U-turn wasn't a big issue - as i'd got use to it on a 125.

Of course an instructor is going to recommend DAS - as he gets around £100 per day for the DAS .... AND the £85 for you to do the CBT

[climberowl]

Thanks everyone. Have decided that my temperament better suits a ground-up skills base which I reckon will be best achieved on the 125 (whine aside) without the pressure of a looming test. Once confident that I can do the whole ride in a straight line thing and stop without putting the bike on my head (!), then I can always opt for DAS then... Ride on! (I'll be the one at the back behind the mobility scooter, looking like my hair's on fire!)

[grotbag]

Originally Posted by climberowl

Thanks everyone. Have decided that my temperament better suits a ground-up skills base which I reckon will be best achieved on the 125 (whine aside) without the pressure of a looming test. Once confident that I can do the whole ride in a straight line thing and stop without putting the bike on my head (!), then I can always opt for DAS then... Ride on! (I'll be the one at the back behind the mobility scooter, looking like my hair's on fire!)

good on ya owl, I'm getting good now on my 125, I can overtake pushbikes!!

[rv-57-gaz]

Originally Posted by climberowl

Thanks everyone. Have decided that my temperament better suits a ground-up skills base which I reckon will be best achieved on the 125 (whine aside) without the pressure of a looming test. Once confident that I can do the whole ride in a straight line thing and stop without putting the bike on my head (!), then I can always opt for DAS then... Ride on! (I'll be the one at the back behind the mobility scooter, looking like my hair's on fire!)

Nothing wrong with that. Gaz had a GSXR750 but went to work on a Honda 90. (A double decker bus could pass him going uphill...or a cyclist), but he could get from here to Knaresbrough in 40 minutes and on £2...(it's only a couple of years ago) LC had many laughs at his expense but she's his sister in law and allowed to be wicked to him If you're a biker you're a biker and most things with 2 wheels and an engine are good fun!

[Maxingwell]

Originally Posted by climberowl

Thanks everyone. Have decided that my temperament better suits a ground-up skills base which I reckon will be best achieved on the 125 (whine aside) without the pressure of a looming test. Once confident that I can do the whole ride in a straight line thing and stop without putting the bike on my head (!), then I can always opt for DAS then... Ride on! (I'll be the one at the back behind the mobility scooter, looking like my hair's on fire!)

Good luck. If you feel more comfortable on a 125, stick with that. I've just passed my unrestricted test and the first day on a 500 felt a bit odd. Couldn't get the hang of u-turns on it and only just mastered it a few hours before the test.
Even if you do the restricted test on a 125 you can still get a bigger bike and get it restricted then you'll have 2 years to get used to the extra weight (and stability) and get it unrestricted after the 2 years are up.