Didn't pass CBT :(
Discussion
Nigel Worc's said:
Good god, are people actually taking the CBT seriously now ?
Not quite sure what you mean by this.I rode M/Cs and scooters when younger,with L plates,on a car licence, never took a bike test.
I covered many miles in all conditions so considered my self quite proficient on a bike.
I rebuilt a old bike to use on the road and because of the change of rules, had to take a CBT.
I found even with my road experience. found the course interesting and learnt a few things that I hadn't thought about.
So any body with little or no experience, could potentially be life saving.
I did find one instructor was a bit flash and up him self, in front of the youngsters on the course.
I did have a word with him after, (but that's another story)
So OP don't worry about the past, take some of the advice on here and try again good luck.
Yes I'm still rubbish LOL 
Joking aside, what really counts is learning and practice. If the OP gets good training, combined with a lot of riding practice, then he'll be on the way to becoming a good rider. It won't have mattered where he started and his first CBT will soon become a distant memory.
Joking aside, what really counts is learning and practice. If the OP gets good training, combined with a lot of riding practice, then he'll be on the way to becoming a good rider. It won't have mattered where he started and his first CBT will soon become a distant memory.
SVS said:
Yes I'm still rubbish LOL
Joking aside, what really counts is learning and practice. If the OP gets good training, combined with a lot of riding practice, then he'll be on the way to becoming a good rider. It won't have mattered where he started and his first CBT will soon become a distant memory.
You can only be better going through the cbt twice anyway,due to the fact your obviously sitting it twice so it will sink in better,and you might get a different instructor second time who takes a slightly different angle to things and teaches different things?Joking aside, what really counts is learning and practice. If the OP gets good training, combined with a lot of riding practice, then he'll be on the way to becoming a good rider. It won't have mattered where he started and his first CBT will soon become a distant memory.
I was one of the truly gifted riders sitting the cbt once and direct access once so i just loved passing on ma skills,innit.
rsdntbplr said:
So I'm rubbish for giving way at a stop sign? I suppose you've never made a mistake.
You may be an ex instructor, but that isn't to say you were a rubbish instructor yourself. Many instructors fail to make the grade and unfortunately many don't move with the times. Things aren't the same as they used to be.
Anyway. Now that complete tart has had a reply, I can move on.
Of course, taking a CBT is taken seriously. Road traffic accident figures involving motorcycles have decreased dramatically since the CBT was introduced. Without the CBT, any fool could go onto the road and endanger the lives of themselves and others. A 125cc engine may not be huge, but it's enough to cause some serious damage and anyone over the age of 18 with a CBT and a provisional can ride one.
The CBT is a good introduction to handling a motorcycle. Admittedly, a lot of it I knew by watching my step-dad and brothers with their Lambrettas and Yamahas. What I didn't know is certain theory elements as I'd never looked much into theory, although I do know the Highway Code.
I don't get why you wouldn't take a CBT seriously. I turned up in a helmet, gloves, boots, kevlar-lined jeans and a thick jacket because I have witnessed a motorcycle accident first hand and thus I'd rather not go into motorcycling with a blase and humorous attitude to it all.
As it happens, a week's working (9-6 5 days a week) plus a sleepless night from the storm we had had left me rather sleepy for the day. By the time we were ready for the road drive, my arse already hurt and I was exhausted.
Enough of that. I thought I should expand on those points a little more.
I've booked in for the 2 hour road ride for Saturday 18th. I'm 80% I'll pass then. And no, you cannot "fail" your CBT in the strict sense of the word. What you can do is "fail to pass" your CBT on the first day. Passing your training is getting that certificate. It may not be literal "passing" as in most exams. But when you look at it, you can technically "Pass" and, if the riding school gets fed up with trying to train you, "Fail".
All I have to do is turn up on Saturday (18th) at 9 and do my road ride.
Thank you all for your encouragement and kind words. I'll let you know how it goes.
Whoooaa!I was only kidding,trying to lighten the mood!!I was actually a really good instructor as it goes,i was always thrown in to help out those struggling.In 6 years there was only one person i never got through.It was an elderly Pakistani women,she was just never meant to ride a bike,period.You may be an ex instructor, but that isn't to say you were a rubbish instructor yourself. Many instructors fail to make the grade and unfortunately many don't move with the times. Things aren't the same as they used to be.
Anyway. Now that complete tart has had a reply, I can move on.
Of course, taking a CBT is taken seriously. Road traffic accident figures involving motorcycles have decreased dramatically since the CBT was introduced. Without the CBT, any fool could go onto the road and endanger the lives of themselves and others. A 125cc engine may not be huge, but it's enough to cause some serious damage and anyone over the age of 18 with a CBT and a provisional can ride one.
The CBT is a good introduction to handling a motorcycle. Admittedly, a lot of it I knew by watching my step-dad and brothers with their Lambrettas and Yamahas. What I didn't know is certain theory elements as I'd never looked much into theory, although I do know the Highway Code.
I don't get why you wouldn't take a CBT seriously. I turned up in a helmet, gloves, boots, kevlar-lined jeans and a thick jacket because I have witnessed a motorcycle accident first hand and thus I'd rather not go into motorcycling with a blase and humorous attitude to it all.
As it happens, a week's working (9-6 5 days a week) plus a sleepless night from the storm we had had left me rather sleepy for the day. By the time we were ready for the road drive, my arse already hurt and I was exhausted.
Enough of that. I thought I should expand on those points a little more.
I've booked in for the 2 hour road ride for Saturday 18th. I'm 80% I'll pass then. And no, you cannot "fail" your CBT in the strict sense of the word. What you can do is "fail to pass" your CBT on the first day. Passing your training is getting that certificate. It may not be literal "passing" as in most exams. But when you look at it, you can technically "Pass" and, if the riding school gets fed up with trying to train you, "Fail".
All I have to do is turn up on Saturday (18th) at 9 and do my road ride.
Thank you all for your encouragement and kind words. I'll let you know how it goes.
Anyway,since my sense of humour went down so well there here's some advice.
Instructors are only there to help,not to intimidate you.If you're having anxiety problems ask for quieter bits of road for a while,then build it up to busier parts.
Just concentrate on what 'you're' doing and no-one else.What you were saying about being influenced by following someone doing something wrong is just target fixation,just concentrate on you,'you' knew he was doing wrong,have the courage of your convictions and do what feels naturally right.
You do realise mistakes are for learning from?Dont let them get you down,they are making you a better rider,think of it that way,just take small steps,it isn't a race!!
We were taught to tell students to glance in the mirrors every 11 seconds or so,as well as all the usual doing it while sliwing up,entering new roads etc.After a while you can easily pick up road signs out of your peripheral vision.
Just relax,you sound like the 'just wanting it too much' type of student.You're second time will be a lot better,as it isn't all new to you this time,which will settle you!Good luck!
I remember everyone saying that you can't fail CBT and in the experience that I had doing my second one (in 2005) then I agree. What I forgot though was the first CBT I took in 1990 when it was fairly new. There was a kid in it who had just turned 17 amd was a complete and utter liability. He had no coordination, had clearly never been told to do something in his life, but still had the trickest 125 I'd ever seen.
After spending the morning and most of the afternoon trying (and failing) to get this kid to understand a clutch the instructor gave up. My road experience was taking the kids bike back to his house. Even in 1990 this was a £multi-million gaff in Hampstead. The butler nearly teleased the hounds on me when I rode up the drive.
After spending the morning and most of the afternoon trying (and failing) to get this kid to understand a clutch the instructor gave up. My road experience was taking the kids bike back to his house. Even in 1990 this was a £multi-million gaff in Hampstead. The butler nearly teleased the hounds on me when I rode up the drive.
When I did my CBT the other lad I was doing it with said he was on his 3rd CBT as he'd failed his previous 2! The instructor also told me a couple of times he'd taken young people out but they have absolutely no knowledge of how the road network works, for instance on coming up to a roundabout he said we're going to take the right turn , then the lad went into the opposite carriageway, as in as far over the the right as possible!
I did not pass mine the first time around either. Mixture of a rubbish company (well known for it apparently) and first time on a bike for me with clutched gears. The rest is history.
I also failed my MOD1 first time, but nailed my MOD2 no problems.
There was a Polish chap on my second CBT. Didn't understand English - the instructor had to learn left and right in Polish. The instructor eventually binned him on the road ride as being too dangerous.
I also failed my MOD1 first time, but nailed my MOD2 no problems.
There was a Polish chap on my second CBT. Didn't understand English - the instructor had to learn left and right in Polish. The instructor eventually binned him on the road ride as being too dangerous.
Did my CBT today. Never even started a bike until today, amazing how that little 125 felt like the quickest thing ever at first! And 50 felt like 150!
One guy didn't go through, young 17 year old polish guy, OK in the yard but instructor thought he was bad on the road. One of the other guys was retaking it due to not getting through the yard work, but went through ok this time.
First steps....
One guy didn't go through, young 17 year old polish guy, OK in the yard but instructor thought he was bad on the road. One of the other guys was retaking it due to not getting through the yard work, but went through ok this time.
First steps....
robbocop33 said:
Whoooaa!I was only kidding,trying to lighten the mood!!I was actually a really good instructor as it goes,i was always thrown in to help out those struggling.In 6 years there was only one person i never got through.It was an elderly Pakistani women,she was just never meant to ride a bike,period.
Anyway,since my sense of humour went down so well there here's some advice.
Instructors are only there to help,not to intimidate you.If you're having anxiety problems ask for quieter bits of road for a while,then build it up to busier parts.
Just concentrate on what 'you're' doing and no-one else.What you were saying about being influenced by following someone doing something wrong is just target fixation,just concentrate on you,'you' knew he was doing wrong,have the courage of your convictions and do what feels naturally right.
You do realise mistakes are for learning from?Dont let them get you down,they are making you a better rider,think of it that way,just take small steps,it isn't a race!!
We were taught to tell students to glance in the mirrors every 11 seconds or so,as well as all the usual doing it while sliwing up,entering new roads etc.After a while you can easily pick up road signs out of your peripheral vision.
Just relax,you sound like the 'just wanting it too much' type of student.You're second time will be a lot better,as it isn't all new to you this time,which will settle you!Good luck!
I'm so sorry about the reply I gave earlier. Unfortunately, humour tends not to register when I've had a terrible couple of days at work. The CBT issue was just one small part of an entire planet of headaches going on right now. Things will be calmer next week, hopefully. I did pause and try to figure out whether it was humour or not but quite regrettably I decided to judge you as being serious. Anyway,since my sense of humour went down so well there here's some advice.
Instructors are only there to help,not to intimidate you.If you're having anxiety problems ask for quieter bits of road for a while,then build it up to busier parts.
Just concentrate on what 'you're' doing and no-one else.What you were saying about being influenced by following someone doing something wrong is just target fixation,just concentrate on you,'you' knew he was doing wrong,have the courage of your convictions and do what feels naturally right.
You do realise mistakes are for learning from?Dont let them get you down,they are making you a better rider,think of it that way,just take small steps,it isn't a race!!
We were taught to tell students to glance in the mirrors every 11 seconds or so,as well as all the usual doing it while sliwing up,entering new roads etc.After a while you can easily pick up road signs out of your peripheral vision.
Just relax,you sound like the 'just wanting it too much' type of student.You're second time will be a lot better,as it isn't all new to you this time,which will settle you!Good luck!
Of course I want it too much. The backstory is that I was rejected for a provisional three times since the age of 16 due to a long-running history of illness which would have rendered me an Audi driver (sorry if there are Audi drivers reading that, you three lane assassins, you). At the age of 21 I was finally judged well enough to drive and was given a provisional after an almost year-long wait for a decision. No joke. I applied for my provisional this time around in July of last year and only got it through about a month ago. The wait was so long that the DVLA gave me a partial refund - £7.50 to be precise.
So understandably, after five years of having the want to get on the roads and having to rely on public transport, I am quite keen to get driving. That's why I'll be fitting in driving lessons at 7am to give me time to get to work.
Thanks for the advice. I'll take it. I am 80% sure I'll be going home with a certificate next time. I have a driving lesson on the Friday before, so I'll have two hours road driving the day before my CBT. That can't hurt. Side note: Everyone in my family, except my mother, passed their full bike tests and car practical test the first time so I'm the runt of the family.
Once again. I apologise, and thank you.
It's only the CBT - training! You've not failed in the same way you don't fail if it takes you 10hrs longer than your mate to learn to drive.
You still have the opportunity to pass your bike proper tests first time (and car for that matter) so stop being harsh on yourself.
You'll 100% get the certificate next time.
You still have the opportunity to pass your bike proper tests first time (and car for that matter) so stop being harsh on yourself.
You'll 100% get the certificate next time.
srob said:
An old fella got keen on the emergency stop and went over the handlebars on a Honda Vision on my CBT.
No help OP, just always makes me laugh to remember the slo-mo, legs flailing stoppie
I did an RAC/ACU training scheme in the 80s. One of our number was a lady of a certain age with a Honda C90 (we used to call 'em grandad bikes - there seemed to be millions of 'em wonder where they all went?). It had a foot gearchange and centrifugal (twist n go) clutch. No help OP, just always makes me laugh to remember the slo-mo, legs flailing stoppie
One time we were doing hill starts and she'd got it in neutral. She revved the nuts off it and stamped it into gear - at which point she did a wheelie and fell off, with the bike landing on top or her. She wasn't hurt and was game enough to carry on once we'd picked her and the bike up.
rsdntbplr said:
I'm so sorry about the reply I gave earlier. Unfortunately, humour tends not to register when I've had a terrible couple of days at work. The CBT issue was just one small part of an entire planet of headaches going on right now. Things will be calmer next week, hopefully. I did pause and try to figure out whether it was humour or not but quite regrettably I decided to judge you as being serious.
Of course I want it too much. The backstory is that I was rejected for a provisional three times since the age of 16 due to a long-running history of illness which would have rendered me an Audi driver (sorry if there are Audi drivers reading that, you three lane assassins, you). At the age of 21 I was finally judged well enough to drive and was given a provisional after an almost year-long wait for a decision. No joke. I applied for my provisional this time around in July of last year and only got it through about a month ago. The wait was so long that the DVLA gave me a partial refund - £7.50 to be precise.
So understandably, after five years of having the want to get on the roads and having to rely on public transport, I am quite keen to get driving. That's why I'll be fitting in driving lessons at 7am to give me time to get to work.
Thanks for the advice. I'll take it. I am 80% sure I'll be going home with a certificate next time. I have a driving lesson on the Friday before, so I'll have two hours road driving the day before my CBT. That can't hurt. Side note: Everyone in my family, except my mother, passed their full bike tests and car practical test the first time so I'm the runt of the family.
Once again. I apologise, and thank you.
Where do you live? If relatively close once you pass your CBT I'll happily come over, if you have a bike, or you can rent one and I'll ride with you for practice. Someone did that for me, I hired a bike for a week, he met me from work in central London all week and we then went near to home and just practised various manoeuvres, U turns etc. I got to stop every time I had a question and subsequently felt more relaxed whilst taking the test. Of course I want it too much. The backstory is that I was rejected for a provisional three times since the age of 16 due to a long-running history of illness which would have rendered me an Audi driver (sorry if there are Audi drivers reading that, you three lane assassins, you). At the age of 21 I was finally judged well enough to drive and was given a provisional after an almost year-long wait for a decision. No joke. I applied for my provisional this time around in July of last year and only got it through about a month ago. The wait was so long that the DVLA gave me a partial refund - £7.50 to be precise.
So understandably, after five years of having the want to get on the roads and having to rely on public transport, I am quite keen to get driving. That's why I'll be fitting in driving lessons at 7am to give me time to get to work.
Thanks for the advice. I'll take it. I am 80% sure I'll be going home with a certificate next time. I have a driving lesson on the Friday before, so I'll have two hours road driving the day before my CBT. That can't hurt. Side note: Everyone in my family, except my mother, passed their full bike tests and car practical test the first time so I'm the runt of the family.
Once again. I apologise, and thank you.
Now, I failed my test once - for not ensuring my indicator had gone off after a roundabout (oh for self cancelling indicators on test bikes...) and the second (which wasn't a fail) was turning up to find the centre's bike had failed and they couldn't get a rental car for him in time! I rode home with the other guy, for whom the rental car had arrived in time and he nearly killed me, and himself, having passed!
So the 3rd time out I just rode and thought 'sod this' and passed. Although I did get a speed + for being a bit nippy where I might have taken things a little slower (within the speed limit though)
rsdntbplr said:
Today I had my much awaited CBT. I've been a cyclist for a few years, and very recently started driving lessons (about 2 hours actual driving and 2 hours discussions/theory so far). So I was expecting and hoping to get the hang of it by the time we went out on the road.
From about 9 until half 2, we went through the on site bits - figure of 8, junctions, highway code, road signs etc. By that time I'd become more than comfortable with the little 50cc. It was just like riding a quad (off road quad rides three or four times in the past, the last time being a few years ago). I've been a passenger on a few lambrettas over the years.
Out on the road. I felt mostly at ease straight away. I did, however, get anxious when I began to go out of range of the walkie talkies because I went too far ahead in front of the instructor and the other guy I was with for the day. I found myself paying much less attention to the road and instead paying more and more attention to the instructor behind me to make sure I wasn't going out of range. After we swapped positions and I was in the middle of the other guy and the instructor as opposed to being at the front, I continued that habit. Didn't need to, but I did. This diversion of attention led to me treating a stopping T junction as a give way junction. I completely missed both the stop sign and the solid white line.
At another point, I stopped behind PARKED CARS. Cars that were PARKED. Empty. Switched off. Parked. That's not quite as dangerous as not stopping at a stop sign but still hazardous and shows a lack of concentration on my part. It was also a very stupid and idiotic thing for me to do. Kicking myself for that one.
When the other guy was leading, he went right up a one way street, the wrong way. Now. I did notice this - I saw the no entry sign. I also knew it was a one way road because I happened to have appointments at a place on that exact street every week for about 3 years. I was in no way about to go up there. However, the end of that one way road is on a corner, which would have been where we went. The instructor marked me down for that one because he was sure I'd have gone up that road because I hadn't stopped until he told the other guy he'd just gone the wrong way up a one way road. What I was doing was slowing down by removing throttle to await further instruction, and also so I wasn't in the middle of one right turn and one junction. No way I could prove that so I didn't dispute it. Plus, the stop sign issue was more than enough reason not to pass me.
What I should have done is continue round the corner and then pull over. In retrospect. Disappointing I gave over the impression I did but I was in no way going up that road.
Anyway. I've got to call the head office on Monday to arrange a day to go back for the road ride part only. I'm just so disheartened by it. I made a major mistake, and a couple of rookie errors. But I feel stupid, and worried I won't get there.
I think I read somewhere they do one to one for the CBT. Is it worth asking if I can do just the road ride part one to one? I feel as though I'd be able to perform better that way. I've got social anxiety anyway, so the day was always going to be slightly daunting (DVLA are aware). I also won't have to worry about going faster than the other guy, as that caused most of the issue because it threw me off repeatedly losing contact.
I think my most major mistake was concentrating too much on the presence of the instructor. I spent TOO MUCH time looking at the mirrors - to the point of missing road signs.
I want to drive a car, but I also love the feeling of being on a two wheeled vehicle. There's nothing like it. I'm sticking with 50cc for the next year at least, to get active experience. At that point, I'll be practicing with gears off road before taking my CBT again on a geared bike (I feel more comfortable with taking a CBT with the vehicle type you're going to be using).
A penny for your thoughts?
Just re-read your post and picked up on a couple of other points.I'm assuming when you're talking about a 50cc its a moped?You instantly have an advantage there as the main problems students have is the co-ordination of clutch,gears,brakes etc but you've instantly got rid of most of these only having to concentrate on braking and accelerating!Gives you so much more time to concentrate on what's going on around you!From about 9 until half 2, we went through the on site bits - figure of 8, junctions, highway code, road signs etc. By that time I'd become more than comfortable with the little 50cc. It was just like riding a quad (off road quad rides three or four times in the past, the last time being a few years ago). I've been a passenger on a few lambrettas over the years.
Out on the road. I felt mostly at ease straight away. I did, however, get anxious when I began to go out of range of the walkie talkies because I went too far ahead in front of the instructor and the other guy I was with for the day. I found myself paying much less attention to the road and instead paying more and more attention to the instructor behind me to make sure I wasn't going out of range. After we swapped positions and I was in the middle of the other guy and the instructor as opposed to being at the front, I continued that habit. Didn't need to, but I did. This diversion of attention led to me treating a stopping T junction as a give way junction. I completely missed both the stop sign and the solid white line.
At another point, I stopped behind PARKED CARS. Cars that were PARKED. Empty. Switched off. Parked. That's not quite as dangerous as not stopping at a stop sign but still hazardous and shows a lack of concentration on my part. It was also a very stupid and idiotic thing for me to do. Kicking myself for that one.
When the other guy was leading, he went right up a one way street, the wrong way. Now. I did notice this - I saw the no entry sign. I also knew it was a one way road because I happened to have appointments at a place on that exact street every week for about 3 years. I was in no way about to go up there. However, the end of that one way road is on a corner, which would have been where we went. The instructor marked me down for that one because he was sure I'd have gone up that road because I hadn't stopped until he told the other guy he'd just gone the wrong way up a one way road. What I was doing was slowing down by removing throttle to await further instruction, and also so I wasn't in the middle of one right turn and one junction. No way I could prove that so I didn't dispute it. Plus, the stop sign issue was more than enough reason not to pass me.
What I should have done is continue round the corner and then pull over. In retrospect. Disappointing I gave over the impression I did but I was in no way going up that road.
Anyway. I've got to call the head office on Monday to arrange a day to go back for the road ride part only. I'm just so disheartened by it. I made a major mistake, and a couple of rookie errors. But I feel stupid, and worried I won't get there.
I think I read somewhere they do one to one for the CBT. Is it worth asking if I can do just the road ride part one to one? I feel as though I'd be able to perform better that way. I've got social anxiety anyway, so the day was always going to be slightly daunting (DVLA are aware). I also won't have to worry about going faster than the other guy, as that caused most of the issue because it threw me off repeatedly losing contact.
I think my most major mistake was concentrating too much on the presence of the instructor. I spent TOO MUCH time looking at the mirrors - to the point of missing road signs.
I want to drive a car, but I also love the feeling of being on a two wheeled vehicle. There's nothing like it. I'm sticking with 50cc for the next year at least, to get active experience. At that point, I'll be practicing with gears off road before taking my CBT again on a geared bike (I feel more comfortable with taking a CBT with the vehicle type you're going to be using).
A penny for your thoughts?
You also mention you've ridden a bicycle for 3 years on the roads,there's 'another' huge bonus,there's so much road sense,and other driver's 'lack' of road sense already programmed into you,this is a great advantage to have as well.
Its amazing even when teaching people to drive a car,you teach someone thats never driven before,you instantly ask them have you been in a car before?Well naturally they will have been at some point,you ask them what they see the driver doing when operating the controls,within 5 minutes they know a helluva lot more than they thought they did,same with you!,your road sense is already in there!!
Really concentrate on your weak points,you'll know what they are more than anybody!
Just did my CBT on Friday. I reckon the whole thing revolves around confidence. Start off well and the confidence will grow. Suffer a knock back, and confidence will suffer causing more mistakes...
I did a small wheelie after letting go of the clutch at a junction, but I still passed. This clearly means the instructor believes I am awesome
Lesson learned though, I was all over that clutch afterwards!
Whilst I'm prattling on, I've just had the call to say my first bike is ready to collect (2007 Yamaha YBR 125), so I'm the happiest man on the planet
I did a small wheelie after letting go of the clutch at a junction, but I still passed. This clearly means the instructor believes I am awesome
Lesson learned though, I was all over that clutch afterwards!Whilst I'm prattling on, I've just had the call to say my first bike is ready to collect (2007 Yamaha YBR 125), so I'm the happiest man on the planet
If it helps motivate you, I drove for a couple of years before doing my CBT and while I no longer ride a bike (I carry too much stuff for work to fit on one!) I am always glad I've done one. It's made me more observant, smoother and I began to think about road surfaces and planning further ahead. My CBT made me a much better driver, and I wonder if everyone who is able should do one before taking a car licence.
I was the latest to learn in my family too, because although I was car mad I couldn't afford to learn or have a car til I was 22. But I'm the one to learn more and take time to improve after my test too- I'm far from perfect but proud to be open to learning more. You'll get to where you eventually want to be. I did a lot, lot better after I stopped comparing myself to my siblings.
That said, I was chuffed when I was finally a quarter inch taller than my "big" brother.
I was the latest to learn in my family too, because although I was car mad I couldn't afford to learn or have a car til I was 22. But I'm the one to learn more and take time to improve after my test too- I'm far from perfect but proud to be open to learning more. You'll get to where you eventually want to be. I did a lot, lot better after I stopped comparing myself to my siblings.
That said, I was chuffed when I was finally a quarter inch taller than my "big" brother.
When I did my CBT in 08 there was me an a mate of mine and two young lads. the one lad was about as wide as my leg, and really really struggled to get his moped on and off its stand and push it around. he struggled so much in a break we wandered over and tried thinking it must be a really heavy bike. almost picked it up and threw it across the car park putting it on the stand it was so light.
we thought no way would this kid pass, and his mate was laughing at him and riding round the car park like a pro.
anyway the instructor said he would take the two kids out first,so we went for some lunch at the mac d's the kid who could hardly pick the bike up was brilliant but his mate was like a rabbit in the headlights, he also got totally lost and went round the roundabout 3 times from every direction, we were killing our selves watching.
anyway the 2 stone weakling passed, and his mate had to take the road section twice.. fortunetly really as the kid could ride but had no road sense so back in the day you just rocked up to the bike shop stuck some l plates on your 250 and road off, the kid would ave been dead before he got home :-( not passing his cbt twice probably saved the other kids life and hes ended up a really good rider
we thought no way would this kid pass, and his mate was laughing at him and riding round the car park like a pro.
anyway the instructor said he would take the two kids out first,so we went for some lunch at the mac d's the kid who could hardly pick the bike up was brilliant but his mate was like a rabbit in the headlights, he also got totally lost and went round the roundabout 3 times from every direction, we were killing our selves watching.
anyway the 2 stone weakling passed, and his mate had to take the road section twice.. fortunetly really as the kid could ride but had no road sense so back in the day you just rocked up to the bike shop stuck some l plates on your 250 and road off, the kid would ave been dead before he got home :-( not passing his cbt twice probably saved the other kids life and hes ended up a really good rider
auto1 said:
Nigel Worc's said:
Good god, are people actually taking the CBT seriously now ?
Not quite sure what you mean by this.I rode M/Cs and scooters when younger,with L plates,on a car licence, never took a bike test.
I covered many miles in all conditions so considered my self quite proficient on a bike.
I rebuilt a old bike to use on the road and because of the change of rules, had to take a CBT.
I found even with my road experience. found the course interesting and learnt a few things that I hadn't thought about.
So any body with little or no experience, could potentially be life saving.
I did find one instructor was a bit flash and up him self, in front of the youngsters on the course.
I did have a word with him after, (but that's another story)
So OP don't worry about the past, take some of the advice on here and try again good luck.
Even after a twenty plus year gap without riding I didn't do one.
Maybe I should !
Nigel Worc's said:
I don't know how I or any of my generation are alive, how on earth did we survive without all this training ?
Even after a twenty plus year gap without riding I didn't do one.
Maybe I should !
The roads are a different place to when you were a kid and bombing around. There is also the ridiculously high amount of deaths or serious injuries caused by kids with no training, no helmets, reasonably powerful bikes to consider. Even after a twenty plus year gap without riding I didn't do one.
Maybe I should !
Plus, you don't filter amd that's part of the training to show what you can do safely.
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