CBT booked

[CTO]

Hi all,

As above really. I have decided to try and get my bike licence!

Some experience of riding previously, albeit many years ago and mostly on Salisbury plain. DT125 and Kx 250.

I went along to Halesowen streetbike today and my CBT is booked for the 21st. They were incredibly helpful and welcoming to a newb, which was appreciated.

Now I am a mixture of excitement and stting myself Healthy combination really I suppose.

Anyhow, just thought I would start a post (sure there have been many similar before), and will update as I go through the process.

The "plan" ( its good to have one right ), is to do CBT, theory, part 1 and part 2, and start on something like a late nineties ZX6R, this is subject to change if I am utterly hopeless.

Cheers,

CTO

[Willy Nilly]

Warm clothes. You will need them.

[CTO]

On the case. Streetwise have offered to lend some of the kit for the CBT. Jacket,lid, gloves etc. I have a pair of Kevlar jeans courtesy of a friend and some boots.

Figured its best to use borrowed stuff at present until I see how far I get.

I am hoping not to recreate Jay from the inbetweeners

[cbmotorsport]

Good stuff! Unless you're very young, you'll get your licence and kick yourself for not doing it years ago.

Good luck with it all.

[patchb]

A late 90's ZX6R will be a great first bike. 600's are very forgiving at low revs, as in you could give it a handful on a greasy road and not a lot will happen. Get it above about 7000 though and it will fly.
The 6R's are quite big for a 600, so pretty comfy, good wind protection and have that classic Kawasaki howl. Also still more than capable on track if you so wished.

Good luck with doing your test, as everyone has said you'll regret not doing it sooner.

[Bailey93]

Willy Nilly said:

Warm clothes. You will need them.

This ! Wrap up very warm, you wont respect wind chill until you've experienced it and then you'll do all you can to avoid it, trust me being cold completely ruins your concentration and fingers ability to use clutch/brake, and is just damn unpleasant.

[kingBadger]

My advice (remembering back to my CBT) was to make sure you understand everything that's said to you before you find yourself riding and thinking "um, what the hell is going on". I really enjoyed all aspects of learning to ride providing I was clear on what was expected of me. Your instructors really want to make sure you're comfortable so if you have any questions or doubts don't hesitate to ask a stupid question!

All the best and you'll never look back!

[CTO]

Thanks all.

I'm lucky enough to have a very good mate who has 7 bikes, a workshop with bike lift, air compressor and a wealth of tools. He has offered to help me along the way with learning maintenance essentials and offering me instruction as when (frequently) required.

Told the OH over a cup of tea when she got home from work, she has offered to pay for the CBT as my birthday present from her. I was planning to treat myself to it, so that went slightly better than expected.

Fingers crossed for reasonable weather on the 21st.

[kurt535]

Did they give you any pre-course material?

Also, are you aware what the day should legally break down into? If not i can PM you my old training school literature.

[CTO]

Hi kurt,

They gave me some info, I only scanned it briefly but mostly it was clothing requirements and reminder to bring my driving licence.

All additional info gratefully received if its not too much trouble.

Thanks,
CTO

[AntiLagGC8]

I've just done all of my bike tests as well.

I didn't enjoy it massively to be honest until I'd passed and gone out on my own a few times.

I did all of my tests in 2 weeks. Theory on Tuesday, CBT on Sunday, DAS Monday-Thursday and then mod 1 + 2 on Friday. It was a pretty steep learning curve though for someone who had never been on a bike until my CBT.

I also enjoyed being on a 650 (ER6n) much more than the 125. I found it easier to ride, much more comfortable and it felt far more stable. I also enjoyed the performance leap!

I didn't borrow the kit, I got my own kit ahead of the CBT because I'm unusually sized and I decided that I was going to do it regardless of how I found it and see it through and I'm glad I did!

Good luck on your course and try to enjoy it!

[CTO]

Good work antilag,

Most people I have spoken to that ride have advocated the idea of something like a 600 to start with, for the reasons you have given.

[CTO]

So,I passed. On my little van van 125.


It was brilliant, interestingly has made me re evaluate my driving style. Felt very vulnerable out there, compared to the Volvo that I have as a daily driver.

Birthday on Tuesday,might treat myself to a bike

Instructors at streetbike were brilliant also. Patient with me but to the point when my riding wasn't up to scratch. Never been called a w@nker so often in one morning tho

I took my theory last week, figured I'd get it out of the way, so that's done also!

[kurt535]

Well done;

How long was your road ride and total time on the course then?

[dc2rr07]

Yes well done, now the best part buying the bike and getting out there

[CTO]

Kurt:

It was from 8:30 until 4.

Morning was the introduction to the bike and the control's, and then manoeuvres.
Managed my u turn and figure of 8 first time. Emergency stop also.
Then lunch
Then theory
Then supervised road ride, for about two hours,maybe a bit less. Did roundabouts, hill starts, more u turns and emergency stops and lots of riding about.

I would have said it was a pretty comprehensive day, although I have nothing to compare it to.

The instructors were very fair and to the point. Made it clear they wouldn't be giving out any certificates unless they felt sufficient standards were met.....

[SteRB5138]

Nice one, I did my direct access at Streetbike, when it was at the old site up Mucklow Hill back in 2013. I agree the instructors are very good, especially Richard if he still works there.

[crofty1984]

Congratulations, fella.
Edit: Or lady, of course. Shouldn't make assumptions just because your OH is a she.

[CTO]

Thanks all.

Am a fella btw

Unsure about Richard the instructor, I had a guy called Mick for most of the day and a guy called Ade for the on the road observation part.

The plan was to find something like a zx6r 636, and have tuition on that. I think the reality is to get a yzf r125 or similar and spend some months just getting used to being on a bike, build up some confidence,skills and roadcraft.

I had some positive comments about aspects of my riding, but given a kick up the arse about observations, road positioning etc.

At one stage I was going up through the gears, feeling like I was going through the sound barrier and making like Burt Monro. Then I looked down and realised I was doing a heady 28mph..........

[Bailey93]

CTO said:

Thanks all.

Am a fella btw

Unsure about Richard the instructor, I had a guy called Mick for most of the day and a guy called Ade for the on the road observation part.

The plan was to find something like a zx6r 636, and have tuition on that. I think the reality is to get a yzf r125 or similar and spend some months just getting used to being on a bike, build up some confidence,skills and roadcraft.

I had some positive comments about aspects of my riding, but given a kick up the arse about observations, road positioning etc.

At one stage I was going up through the gears, feeling like I was going through the sound barrier and making like Burt Monro. Then I looked down and realised I was doing a heady 28mph..........

If I had the power of deleting things from memory this would be one of them, I remember when I did my cbt and first got out onto the road, my grin was from ear to ear and was probably doing no more than 30mph too. Now even 80-90 feels slow