Training and Biking in London?

[AndrewIC]

Yep...another one of these threads.

So I have been looking at getting onto two wheels for a while now (generally when the weather warms up) and I'm pretty set on it now, especially as I may be starting a new job that would involve getting from Chelsea out to Barking area, so a mix of Embankment heavy congestion and A13 dual carriageway.

I'm currently looking at geared CBT with Off the Kerb MCT near White City, as they seem to have very good reviews from what I can see, opposed to my initial view of using Metropolis in Vauxhall, which is closer to me. I would then look at doing DAS straight after, providing I'm not completely incompetent, as I think a scooter wouldn't be the best on the dual carriageway stretches.

Any advice/suggestions would be much appreciated, along with suggestions of where I can find a large variety of brands such as helmets and clothing to try on for sizing...?

[braddersm3]

Just go to Metropolis...local and everything there for you

[braddersm3]

Just go to Metropolis...local and everything there for you

[AndrewIC]

I'm very cautious of Metropolis from the terrible reviews they seem to have for anything to do with sales, of equipment or bikes.

[kurt535]

As a departed DSA approved motorcycle instructor, i can confirm the training industry is FUBAR'd and getting worse year on year. It is a major race to the bottom with two types of operators currently infesting the decreasing pond: 1. Fred the shed operators and large schools who churn and burn. Catch the decent school while you can but do your homework.

The DVSA's light touch approach to the running of schools results in p+ss poor training standards. The bigger the school, the more screw ups I used to see so avoid them like the plague.

Quality assurance is non existent in many places; CBT days are frequently cut hours short and delivered by people who have never sat a formal exam to prove they can deliver the various elements (yes its legal though!)

The only advice i can give you in choice of school is:

1. ask will the CBT instructor be down trained or Cardington approved. If down trained, walk.

2. ask what time you finish the CBT - should be a 6-7 hour day of which final 2 hours, by law, should be the road ride. ask for fees should you need further training. you will see some schools say free further training and £100 for bike hire cost.........

3. check when you book your DAS course whether the firm does whole day training or sessions which are normally a derisory 3 hour slot (although you pay full whack as if its a full day). therefore, if they do session training, politely look elsewhere. The reason sessions are popular is because the school can cram lots of learners into a day and raise the chance you fail so making good money on your re-test training as well. The course should have classroom stuff, going through the exam sheet; OSMPSL; Mod 1 layout; test route anomalies. MOD 1 needs space to practice. if school has a pub carpark as a training area, walk! See if school hires out test pad on a Sunday so you can practice.

4. check course price includes exam fees which are @£100

5. check they don't charge you a fuel surcharge on top of the course price

6. check they have exams booked and which locations. if they don't 'name' your test 5 working days before you start your course, smell a rat and ask to see your tests

7. check you will train in the test area. don't be fobbed off by b+llocks answer ''we train you to pass anywhere'' as thats cr+p. one completely pike of a school owner has poor sods train in a town in one county but test in another county town, the first time they see it being on test day. Guess what, they fail!

8. ask before what re-test charges are. sessions schools can be traumatically expensive. look to pay £140 - £160 for whole day plus part of test you failed ; MOD 1 +£15, MOD 2 £75

So, buyer beware. Good schools with morals are getting fewer and fewer due to the DVSA who must take an award for their consistent indifference to motorcycle training standards in our country.

Hope the above helps.

[lindrup119]

I used One Stop Instruction (for my CBT & A2) and they were fantastic. Based out in North London (Ilford area) though which is a bit of a faff. Test is easy in Enfield though at least.

[AndrewIC]

Thanks for the detailed reply, I will be sure to have it open when calling places.

[Mastodon2]

kurt535 said:

Quality assurance is non existent in many places; CBT days are frequently cut hours short and delivered by people who have never sat a formal exam to prove they can deliver the various elements (yes its legal though!)

Some of my mates did their CBTs with a "man in a shed" outfit, who cut their CBT short as it was "a nice afternoon" and a Saturday so offered to let them go home without doing the road riding assessment as he thought they looked "comfortable enough" in the yard. I told them they'd been diddled as they didn't get a partial refund for the time they paid to be instructed and assessed, not to mention to implications of potentially signing off kids to ride solo on the road without ever being checked to make sure they're not complete numpties once they get out of the yard.

[kurt535]

Mastodon2 said:

kurt535 said:

Quality assurance is non existent in many places; CBT days are frequently cut hours short and delivered by people who have never sat a formal exam to prove they can deliver the various elements (yes its legal though!)

Some of my mates did their CBTs with a "man in a shed" outfit, who cut their CBT short as it was "a nice afternoon" and a Saturday so offered to let them go home without doing the road riding assessment as he thought they looked "comfortable enough" in the yard. I told them they'd been diddled as they didn't get a partial refund for the time they paid to be instructed and assessed, not to mention to implications of potentially signing off kids to ride solo on the road without ever being checked to make sure they're not complete numpties once they get out of the yard.

Rest my case Mastodon2. The DVSA, in particular CBT Section, Axis Building (I kid you not), Nottingham, should hang their head in shame at the complete and utter shambles bike training has become under their guidance.

[kurt535]

Mastodon2 said:

kurt535 said:

Quality assurance is non existent in many places; CBT days are frequently cut hours short and delivered by people who have never sat a formal exam to prove they can deliver the various elements (yes its legal though!)

Some of my mates did their CBTs with a "man in a shed" outfit, who cut their CBT short as it was "a nice afternoon" and a Saturday so offered to let them go home without doing the road riding assessment as he thought they looked "comfortable enough" in the yard. I told them they'd been diddled as they didn't get a partial refund for the time they paid to be instructed and assessed, not to mention to implications of potentially signing off kids to ride solo on the road without ever being checked to make sure they're not complete numpties once they get out of the yard.

Rest my case Mastodon2. The DVSA, in particular CBT Section, Axis Building (I kid you not), Nottingham, should hang their head in shame at the complete and utter shambles bike training has become under their guidance.

[mach1]

Metropolis get a bit of a (well deserved) kicking on the internet but they seem to have got their act together recently. I bought my last bike there earlier this year & they couldn't have been more helpful as well as doing the best deal. Even the service dept, which used to be full of grumpy sods, has lightened up.

Sorry off on a tangent. I did some training there when the organisation was still rubbish but the instructor was good & we certainly got a full day out of it. I'd say definitely worth talking to now.

[Mosdef]

I've had 3 bikes in succession from Metropolis. I started with a 125 and then went with Metropolis to do my DAS before buying a 650cc, which I kept for 3 years before getting a 1,000cc Kawasaki.

I've always found them good for purchases and they got me through my test easily enough but their service department is not great.