Hi all
New to UK bike forum, looking for tips regarding my DAS test coming up in middle of June, one concern is I have never ever sat on never mind rode a 500cc before, at the moment I have been riding around (mainly commuting locally on my intruder 125LC). I know the trainer will set out whats expected of me and give me the approriate tuition on a 500, just not sure what suprises in power and weight await me, or Am I worrying to much.

Cheers

Teddy

All I can say is they are smother and relaxed on the road not twichy like the 125s, cos you sit in the bigger bikes you can ballance better, once you have been riding it for a few das their is no going back too the 125s.

good luck and relax and enjoy.

Im doing my DAs at the moment & the 500 it great well balanced &
i think easier to control than a 125
But thats just my opinion
Good luck & enjoy

Welcome Teddy.

Like you, I spent a while on a 125 before doing my DAS and I'd never sat on a 500 before then either. I can only tell you my experience, but after the first 10 minutes or so spent getting used to the difference in power delivery, I was completely at home on the 500. Plus points:

Extra power gives peace of mind - you can get out of trouble much easier
Extra weight increases stability
Bigger tyres and better brakes mean your braking confidence quickly goes up

By commuting on your 125, you've already gotten the hardest part out of the way, in my opinion: basic motorcycle control. Moving up to the 500 and doing the DAS is all about fine-tuning your skills. AFter that, you'll spend the rest of your life trying to perfect them.

Just relax and enjoy it. Doing my DAS was one of the best things I've ever done.

Tip: Don't whack the throttle open unless you want to piss off the instructor, wreck the bike, endanger other road users and hit the ground, all at the same time. I didn't do this, BTW...

Tip: Watch the road ahead, beyond the vehicle in front of you, beyond the next one, beyond the one after that... Watch as far ahead as you can, see the hazards and anticipate well in advance. Do not snatch at the front brake and and up pulling a stoppie. I did do this one...

Tip: Listen well, try your hardest, do not be overly frustrated over mistakes, particularly small ones. Stay focussed and remember that you are just taking the first few tentative steps on what will be years and years of fantastic roads and wonderful adventurous journeys. It will take a little while to get going, but it takes only a short bit of practice and the rest comes quickly.

Tip: If there's something you are having particular difficulty with, ask for extra time spent focussing on that. However, do not stop worrying about the stuff that comes easily to you. Practice everything as much as you can. Also, while training there are no such things as stupid questions - Whatever you are unsure of, ask. Your instructor will remind you, because he's being paid to do so and because he wants you to pass as much as you want to.


Surprises: Weight is horrid when moving off and coming to a stop until you get the hang of it. It does, however, make manoeuvres like U-Turns much easier and even fun sometimes!!
Power is to be taken very seriously and the throttle is to be handled VERY gently until you get the feel for it. 125s need 1/2 to 2/3 throttle plus lots of gearing to get up to speed quickly - a 500 is just a few mm of twist away from 30. Once you have the hang, though, it's pretty damn exciting!!

One more surprise: Your big bike is unlikely to be a cruiser, but getting the hang of it takes less time than you'd think.


Good luck, mate and I'll see you on the roads!!
Woody.

Thanks for all the advice.
Will try to take all comments on board, much appreciated.

Well I have to say that I failed my DAS the week before last! Trying to get a cancellation for a retest is a pain, and so far, I am expecting up to 10 weeks before the next available test, so PASS FIRST TIME!

Despite that rather disappointing news, I felt at ease on the 500. I am not the most experienced rider - far from it in fact - but the 500's are much easier to ride than the 125's. Everything I fretted about in the training element of the DAS came good on the day of the test. The U Turn was the particular problem for me, but like I said, not a problem to me on the day. Was the biggest surprise for me to be sure - I was fretting about it somewhat!!

On the day, it was confidence that let me down. The test was a bit daunting, and I was filled with panic. You need to hone the skills you need, then relax - passing first time should'nt then be a problem.

I'll be back on the phone Monday for a retest. Wish me luck! - I wish you all the best with it!!

Had any luck Marty with booking another?
Just want to get a bandit or SV650 now....very frustrating two weeks to my test, then hopefully I can put my Intruder 125 up for sale.

Hello mate, i did the DAS with absolutely no previous biking experience, you'll be fine, as already said you've mastered the basic control the rest is a piece of cake!

Well, did my DAS today and passed, only two minors, not bad after dropping the Suzuki 500 attempting a u turn just two days earlier

Good on yer!

What's the plan now (bike wise that is)?

Went to a dealer, Knotts of Stratford and deliberated for an hour over a Bandit or SV650 this is even after researching and reading reviews all over the place beforhand, anyway went for the SV650.
Just need to arrange insurance for it and get them the cover note, then they will register it etc....Nice bike won't be long!

That seemed quick Teddy, Congrats on the test your a star, now the the riding really starts enjoy your new purchase and ride safe.

Ahem... not very quick really, my CBT was set to expire on the 29 June, my two years was nearly up so failing the test would have meant around a six week wait in our area for another, plus a new CBT first, would have been overall very expensive. I would recommend anyone to take their test well within eighteen months of the CBT just so there is elbow room if things go....well you know.

Well done
I was looking at the sv650 & cbr600 & ninjas well to be honest every bike there
i want that one no that one no hang on that one i know ill take them all
where's that finance document



Safe riding