Today,,, a day in history

[Dan The Man]

So, today,,, humph,,, er,,, well its finally happened,,,, Im 24

and not too long ago i finally found Rainbow Motorcycles in Rotherham and got the change to get my leg over,,,, a F800, i managed the Touratech 12 at the NEC last year but find myself quite fancying the F800 due to it being slightly smaller and less heavy (till i add things)

so to get the the bedrock that is my query i have been riding on a CBT for 2 and a bit years (just renewed with flying colors in Feb) and im looking into the next step.
due to the UK un-necisseraly jumping onto band wagons im stuck having to do MOD 1 and MOD 2 tests

In everyone's opinion what is better?
sticking with my Vara the bike im comfortable with and know the limits or do the DAS option and call KK Rider Training and get myself learned up on a 650 X-Challenge and when passed a days use of a 650 or 800 GS??


honestly i dont mind being restricted as i hope the F800 can be, ive had a shot at MOD 1 on the Vara before and failed due to loosing my balance on figure 8, but would a larger bike necisserally help me get through it?

 

[Crackshot]

Hi there and Happy Birthday!

Oke doke, am a little confused to what Mod 1 and 2 are???
I've never heard of them and having had a look at the Government website I am still none the wiser.... Whatever it is, I think you should do the Direct access course to be able to ride any bike without restriction. You're 24 so there's no need to wait especially if you've been used to riding around anyway.

 

[Dan The Man]

Hi there and Happy Birthday!

Oke doke, am a little confused to what Mod 1 and 2 are???
I've never heard of them and having had a look at the Government website I am still none the wiser.... Whatever it is, I think you should do the Direct access course to be able to ride any bike without restriction. You're 24 so there's no need to wait especially if you've been used to riding around anyway.

the MOD 1 and MOD 2 are these new 'standards' of testing

MOD 1 is a go around a cone course all on a test pad and with supervision, about 10 mins in total (new cost is £15)

MOD 2 is an on road assesment lasting about 45 mins, the gripe where i live and using the Rotherham multipurpose test Centre is that the Roundabouts are an arse, they arnt very well laid out some have 5 or 6 exits! (cost is about £75 but might be more)

and yeh i have plenty of experiance im just thinking is the additional cost of DAS worth just waiting 2 years and flogging the Vara (which would happen either way)


the main differance is cost and power of machine your being tested on

 

[mr badger]

the MOD 1 and MOD 2 are these new 'standards' of testing

MOD 1 is a go around a cone course all on a test pad and with supervision, about 10 mins in total (new cost is £15)

MOD 2 is an on road assesment lasting about 45 mins, the gripe where i live and using the Rotherham multipurpose test Centre is that the Roundabouts are an arse, they arnt very well laid out some have 5 or 6 exits! (cost is about £75 but might be more)

and yeh i have plenty of experiance im just thinking is the additional cost of DAS worth just waiting 2 years and flogging the Vara (which would happen either way)


the main differance is cost and power of machine your being tested on

You'll need both parts 1 & 2 to get your licence. The only difference is what size of bike you take the tests on, and therefore what size of bike you'll be qualified on. See here for full explanation. You're old enough to go for the full licence so you might as well.

Go to your chosen instructors and see if they do a two day DAS programme. If your riding is basically OK this should be enough to get you through your test, assuming you have your CBT up to date and have passed your theory test. Cost should be about the same, the only difference is the bike you sit on. Full licence = at least 54 bhp for the test. Take it on your 125 and that's where you'll stay.

You'll need to manage roundabouts and other hazards whatever and wherever you ride so don't let that worry you. A roundabout is just a curving road with a series of left turns off it. There are worse things out there to fear, some riding GSes.

Go for a full licence - anything else will limit your opportunities. Not a big deal but you may well get frustrated if you're travelling any distance.

There are a few instructors on here who may be able to make this clearer.

Good fortune and enjoy the ride.


Edit - this looks useful