Didn't make CBT : (
Discussion
BobSaunders said:
Took my CBT yesterday. Didn't make it. Wasn't allowed out on the road :-(
Who did you do the CBT with?I can highly recommend MSM at Belle Vue Stadium, which is where I did my DAS after a poor experience elsewhere when I did my CBT (although everybody in the group managed it fine)
Edited by MC Bodge on Saturday 1st November 22:01
Going to hijack the thread and ask random question I've wondered for a while.. I've been playing about with bikes for many years, mainly motorcross and have never held a license. I gave myself bit of a back injury a few years ago which means that I can't really go jumping about in the mud anymore, but I miss the bikes so I'd like to get a license and ride on the road. The back injury stops me from turning my neck though, I can ride perfectly but there's no way that I could do the lifesaver/look over the shoulder thing. I'll struggle to pass a test because of the lack of observation won't I? Anyone think an examiner would waive the lifesaver if I was still showing good observation skills, or know of some medical exemption I could pull 
s p a c e m a n said:
Going to hijack the thread and ask random question I've wondered for a while.. I've been playing about with bikes for many years, mainly motorcross and have never held a license. I gave myself bit of a back injury a few years ago which means that I can't really go jumping about in the mud anymore, but I miss the bikes so I'd like to get a license and ride on the road. The back injury stops me from turning my neck though, I can ride perfectly but there's no way that I could do the lifesaver/look over the shoulder thing. I'll struggle to pass a test because of the lack of observation won't I? Anyone think an examiner would waive the lifesaver if I was still showing good observation skills, or know of some medical exemption I could pull
Given that the MOD1 (off road slow speed control) part of the test involves about 20 shoulder checks both left and right, you might have a problem passing it 
As mentioned, lifesavers are vital when riding normally, although you can get blind spot mirrors it's not really the same.
As above, I'm not sure you'd get away with that. There are times you don't need to do lifesavers, like high speed overtaking where you're checking your mirrors and can be confident that no one else is going fast enough to be coming up on you because you'd have seen them in the mirror, but at practically any junction, roundabout etc, you need to be doing lifesavers. The key is in the name, and sadly for you (but perhaps for the best) an examiner is unlikely to waive that on medical grounds, as you can't sufficiently observe around yourself to stay safe.
I agree that it is the best way to know what's going on behind you, but if you can't do it there are a few ways to mitigate its absence. I make myself a lot more constantly aware of whats going on behind me because I can't do it, rather than everyone else I know who has a look before they make a move. It's not ideal though, which is why I don't think an examiner will let it slide and haven't really bothered looking at getting a license.
Does suck though
Does suck though
Edited by s p a c e m a n on Saturday 1st November 22:06
On a motorbike, with crappy little vibrating mirrors, looking over your shoulder is pretty important. Would you be happy to ride on the road knowing you couldn't check your blind spot? Good rearward observation is always useful, but there will inevitably be something or someone which will sneak up on you despite your best intentions and sit silently over your shoulder waiting for you to move in it's path!
CBT?? No such thing when I did my test, it was just 2 parts.. Part 1 (closest to CBT, off road, figure of 8, hill start etc), followed by Part 2 which was riding around some side roads..in a square shape, with an examiner on foot with a clipboard.
That was 1989, I was 17. Dear Lord..that's 25 years ago. I am officially old!!
Keep going Op, it's worth it in the end.
That was 1989, I was 17. Dear Lord..that's 25 years ago. I am officially old!!
Keep going Op, it's worth it in the end.
s p a c e m a n said:
Going to hijack the thread and ask random question I've wondered for a while.. I've been playing about with bikes for many years, mainly motorcross and have never held a license. I gave myself bit of a back injury a few years ago which means that I can't really go jumping about in the mud anymore, but I miss the bikes so I'd like to get a license and ride on the road. The back injury stops me from turning my neck though, I can ride perfectly but there's no way that I could do the lifesaver/look over the shoulder thing. I'll struggle to pass a test because of the lack of observation won't I? Anyone think an examiner would waive the lifesaver if I was still showing good observation skills, or know of some medical exemption I could pull
Where there's a will there's a way. If your hips work and you can sit side saddle and glance back do that.
It's a rear observation after all
Honestly go and speak to a local instructor who does know rather than lots of internet folk who sort of know (myself included).
As OP, i am trying to book a CBT/or quarter day back in to get my "pass". However, so far, the school has ignored my calls and text messages (it is a mobile number), this coupled with the fact that i had to chase them up two days later after booking online with them initially it is starting to get a bit disappointing.
I fully understand that there is low margins in this business, but not returning my calls or text messages is a bit of a muchness. I will prevail for another couple of days - they might have a broken or lost phone, or might have had a problem, before moving on to another company that someone else has suggested.
I'm a big believer in customer experience and service - and i don't mind paying a little extra for that service and focus, but by paying more i expect a level of response as a customer, or prospective client.
I was primarily trying the school out to do my DAS and wanted to do my CBT first to get a feel for the school and instructors before handing over a grand in fees. It's a lot of money and i wanted to be sure that the instructors and school were supportive in helping me - i understand that i have to pass the test alone, but they are 50% of the pass.
I fully accept their initial view about not allowing myself on the road, and i am not arguing with that, just a little let down by the "customer experience" so far.
Thanks!
I fully understand that there is low margins in this business, but not returning my calls or text messages is a bit of a muchness. I will prevail for another couple of days - they might have a broken or lost phone, or might have had a problem, before moving on to another company that someone else has suggested.
I'm a big believer in customer experience and service - and i don't mind paying a little extra for that service and focus, but by paying more i expect a level of response as a customer, or prospective client.
I was primarily trying the school out to do my DAS and wanted to do my CBT first to get a feel for the school and instructors before handing over a grand in fees. It's a lot of money and i wanted to be sure that the instructors and school were supportive in helping me - i understand that i have to pass the test alone, but they are 50% of the pass.
I fully accept their initial view about not allowing myself on the road, and i am not arguing with that, just a little let down by the "customer experience" so far.
Thanks!
MC Bodge said:
BobSaunders said:
Took my CBT yesterday. Didn't make it. Wasn't allowed out on the road :-(
Who did you do the CBT with?I can highly recommend MSM at Belle Vue Stadium, which is where I did my DAS after a poor experience elsewhere when I did my CBT (although everybody in the group managed it fine)
Edited by MC Bodge on Saturday 1st November 22:01
MSM is one of the next ones of my list however to call this week depending on if the original company responds.
BobSaunders said:
MSM is one of the next ones of my list however to call this week depending on if the original company responds.
I would recommend them even if you live in the Trafford area, shall we say.The MSM chaps were all enthusiasts, good riders and good instructors, professional, calm and business-like.
Having said that, it has been a few years since I did my training.
Good luck with getting through your CBT second time around 
As has been commented here, I also found that jumping on a 600 a year after doing my CBT (having not ridden a bike in the meantime) was much easier than riding the 125, and I did a 3 day course, passing mod one on day 2 and then mod 2 on day 3.
As has been commented here, I also found that jumping on a 600 a year after doing my CBT (having not ridden a bike in the meantime) was much easier than riding the 125, and I did a 3 day course, passing mod one on day 2 and then mod 2 on day 3.
BobSaunders said:
As OP, i am trying to book a CBT/or quarter day back in to get my "pass". However, so far, the school has ignored my calls and text messages (it is a mobile number), this coupled with the fact that i had to chase them up two days later after booking online with them initially it is starting to get a bit disappointing.
I fully understand that there is low margins in this business, but not returning my calls or text messages is a bit of a muchness. I will prevail for another couple of days - they might have a broken or lost phone, or might have had a problem, before moving on to another company that someone else has suggested.
I'm a big believer in customer experience and service - and i don't mind paying a little extra for that service and focus, but by paying more i expect a level of response as a customer, or prospective client.
I was primarily trying the school out to do my DAS and wanted to do my CBT first to get a feel for the school and instructors before handing over a grand in fees. It's a lot of money and i wanted to be sure that the instructors and school were supportive in helping me - i understand that i have to pass the test alone, but they are 50% of the pass.
I fully accept their initial view about not allowing myself on the road, and i am not arguing with that, just a little let down by the "customer experience" so far.
Thanks!
Change school, simple as that. They're there to provide a service, not muck you around. CBT should be relatively easy and painless, and if they're giving you this much grief, they're likely to take the pi$$ when it comes to Mod 1 and Mod 2 testing/training..I fully understand that there is low margins in this business, but not returning my calls or text messages is a bit of a muchness. I will prevail for another couple of days - they might have a broken or lost phone, or might have had a problem, before moving on to another company that someone else has suggested.
I'm a big believer in customer experience and service - and i don't mind paying a little extra for that service and focus, but by paying more i expect a level of response as a customer, or prospective client.
I was primarily trying the school out to do my DAS and wanted to do my CBT first to get a feel for the school and instructors before handing over a grand in fees. It's a lot of money and i wanted to be sure that the instructors and school were supportive in helping me - i understand that i have to pass the test alone, but they are 50% of the pass.
I fully accept their initial view about not allowing myself on the road, and i am not arguing with that, just a little let down by the "customer experience" so far.
Thanks!
I used Camrider (NW London) and they were excellent; no nonsense approach to things and very helpful.
Hi, update - the school never came back to me. I chased via telephone (mobile number) and text message, as well as an email. I have given them sufficient time in my mind.
Very disappointing. The school was RJH Group based in Manchester - there website came across as very professional. I hope this was a one off for them and i simply got lost between the cracks (bad few weeks?)
Will be moving onto another school to complete my CBT and DAS.
Thanks
Very disappointing. The school was RJH Group based in Manchester - there website came across as very professional. I hope this was a one off for them and i simply got lost between the cracks (bad few weeks?)
Will be moving onto another school to complete my CBT and DAS.
Thanks
BobSaunders said:
Hi, update - the school never came back to me. I chased via telephone (mobile number) and text message, as well as an email. I have given them sufficient time in my mind.
Very disappointing. The school was RJH Group based in Manchester - there website came across as very professional. I hope this was a one off for them and i simply got lost between the cracks (bad few weeks?)
Will be moving onto another school to complete my CBT and DAS.
Thanks
Not very impressive Bob...but im pleased it hasnt put you off, good luck elsewhere.Very disappointing. The school was RJH Group based in Manchester - there website came across as very professional. I hope this was a one off for them and i simply got lost between the cracks (bad few weeks?)
Will be moving onto another school to complete my CBT and DAS.
Thanks
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