Direct Access or...

[climberowl]

Well, the soddin saga continues... I took an old biker mate with me to check out 125s yesterday only to come across a Direct Access Instructor who, when asked to comment, said I was wasting my money even considering a "whiney useless 125" and that I should go straight to Direct Access on a proper 500... Comments welcome please before I revert back to uncomplicated cars!

[Rerb]

I personally would recommend you learn the ropes on a "whiney Useless 125" or take his advice do DA jump on a superbike, frighten yourself silly(at best).

What does your mate recommend?

[Keista]

Originally Posted by Rerb

I personally would recommend you learn the ropes on a "whiney Useless 125" or take his advice do DA jump on a superbike, frighten yourself silly(at best).

What does your mate recommend?

I would 'second' Rerb's opinion, ...especially if you can commute everyday to work and gain a lot of practice.I used to go to quiet Ind.Estates and use the roads to perfect the 'U' turn manouvre.Then when it comes to up-grade to a 500+ bike you'll still get a good sell-on price for your 125 providing its not been 'dropped' or thrashed too much.

[grotbag]

yep what Rerb and Keista say!



I love my 125 and will be quite happy to come along and tell that knobhead riding instructor to foooook off and do a 'propper' teaching course where he may improve his peopleling skills and start treating his students as individuals.


I hope your not thinking about giving him some dosh to teach you?

[rv-57-gaz]

QUOTE=climberowl;15838]Well, the soddin saga continues... I took an old biker mate with me to check out 125s yesterday only to come across a Direct Access Instructor who, when asked to comment, said I was wasting my money even considering a "whiney useless 125" and that I should go straight to Direct Access on a proper 500... Comments welcome please before I revert back to uncomplicated cars![/quote]

Glad he wasn't my instructor. i agree with everyone else. Do what you are comfortable with. There's no shame in riding a 125, I loved my 125 and learned loads from riding it - I would have been out of my depth on a bigger bike and it's too tempting to go for somethingt too fast too soon.

[druidsam]

you will learn a lot from a 125 and a half decent one will hold its money good enough to make it worth while investing in one,i had a 125 while i was doing my bike lessons and it was great for unlimited practice of U turns,emergency stops and all the other stuff that you will need to pass a test,its your decision, but if i had to do it again i would still have a 125 to practice on



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

[BLACKPANTHER]

I regretted not going direct access. The last few months waiting to get a 'big' bike were torture. If you do do your test on a 500, it's no harder, not much more expensive, and if you don't feel confident with something powerful, you can still get a smaller bike. If you do it on a 125 then you're stuck for 2 years, even if you feel confident you could ride something bigger.

[climberowl]

Thanks All... The views expressed are pretty much in line with my own gut feel; I'd rather get a 125 and suddenly find I've outgrown it and passed out on Direct Access, even if it means losing a bit of dosh when trading in and up. Bike shop... here I come!

Definately direct access


Sammy

[MaccyMoo]

I did my CBT on the 125 and they're pretty nippy things. The only problem I found was going uphill (with a 50mph limit) into a headwind - could I get the blasted thing to go over 40? I was willing it up that hill I tell you!

If you can ride them on a motorway then they must be able to do 70 - just depends on the weather conditions I guess. They're certainly great for getting you round town.

I'm doing the Direct Access cos I'm getting on a bit and don't want to wait another 2 years for a bigger bike, but if I were younger I wouldn't have a problem with doing my test on a 125, and like people have said before you can get all the practice you want at things like U-turns in the meantime on your way the bigger bikes.