BIKE INFO

I passed my full bike test (DAS - Direct Access) with Bikewize in May 2001 - second time around. The first attempt I failed by putting my foot down during the U-turn exercise, as I am sure many bikers before me have done!

Disappointed, I was frustrated to learn that the day after I failed the DSA was changing legislation, which meant I needed to take a theory test before re-taking the bike test.

The theory test was OK - at £18.00 a shot its not cheap if you keep on failing but overall a good idea. Even If you drive a car you will still need to revise! The pass mark is 30 questions correct out of a possible 35. See the DSA's website for more details.

My first bike was a Suzuki Bandit 600. I already had jeans and boots but needed jacket, gloves and helmet. It's best to prioritise (unless you can afford to buy all the gear in one go) until you have the gear you want. Buy the safest gear that you can, at the time, for the money you want to spend. You can always upgrade / change later.

Helmets costs around £120, Leather jeans around £120, Leather jacket around £150 and gloves around £75. Most of my gear I have got from LAMBA and ex-Motorcycle City chain, RIOSSI. Don't worry if the prices I've mentioned are expensive - both tend to have discount racks of leathers, helmets, gloves and other gear, reduced normally as they are ends of line.

Last April the Bandit was changed to my current Yamaha YZF Thundercat. Suzuki Bandits or Honda Hornet's are good bikes to start on, as they tend to be similar to the type of bikes most Motorcycle training schools use. In general whatever the type and style of bike you have trained on, get a similar one as your first bike.

If you want any more information, use the e-mail option at the top of the page. Thanks.