Didn't make CBT : (
Discussion
Took my CBT yesterday. Didn't make it. Wasn't allowed out on the road :-(
Mixed class, one guy re-certifying CBT after two years (circa 18 years old), another from a previous class who didn't "pass" but had previous experience from his home country (India) (circa 16/17 years old), and another chap who had some previous experience from his home country (India) (circa about 25-28 years old).
So, it was first time on a geared "motorbike", previous experience was that of a automatic scooter in 2005 in Australia with a go and stop. So first 20 minutes was spent stalling the bike, let alone moving more than five meters.
Eventually cracked it, got used to balance, brakes, clutch, shifting up to second and third gear, anticipating stops and changing down, was able to make life savers, ride slowly in figures of eight, indicate (and cancel..) etc.
However, I kept looking down whilst attempting the emergency stop (or so i was told).
Instructor took me outside and informed me that i wouldn't be going out on the road. No point arguing it, and accepted it with the agreement that he knew better than me!
So it left me with a couple of hours to play in the car park whilst everyone was out on the road. Worked with another instructor on emergency stop and left and right "junction" turns. After 15 minutes the other instructor told me that based on what he had seen for the last few minutes he had no issue with me on the road - but he had not been working with me that morning so couldn't take an overview.
Subsequently when instructor one returned from the road ride, i overheard instructor two telling him that he had no issue with me and i was ok for the road. Still no road ride however, i guess IS1 has made a decision - not an issue in my opinion.
Anyway, luckily there was someone training for their mod one on "bigger bike". So i just followed them around the slow course (slalom, figure of eight, stops, right u-turn, stops, bike handling) and worked with the other instructor on that. Pretty much nailed the mod one with a 125cc.... (minus 32mph emergency stop and avoidance) ;-)
Will be retaking the CBT course, apparently they reckon i need an hour in the car park, and then two hour ride out, instead of the full one day. Looks like i will have to pay, hopefully at a reduced cost. I'll be back.
Overall verdict - i went into it to cocky thinking i could just simply climb onto a bike and ride it, and now i have a greater appreciation of kids on scooters and 150cc bikes.. Basically they know f**k all about the road and if you only need to pass a CBT then that's bloody scary.
Mixed class, one guy re-certifying CBT after two years (circa 18 years old), another from a previous class who didn't "pass" but had previous experience from his home country (India) (circa 16/17 years old), and another chap who had some previous experience from his home country (India) (circa about 25-28 years old).
So, it was first time on a geared "motorbike", previous experience was that of a automatic scooter in 2005 in Australia with a go and stop. So first 20 minutes was spent stalling the bike, let alone moving more than five meters.
Eventually cracked it, got used to balance, brakes, clutch, shifting up to second and third gear, anticipating stops and changing down, was able to make life savers, ride slowly in figures of eight, indicate (and cancel..) etc.
However, I kept looking down whilst attempting the emergency stop (or so i was told).
Instructor took me outside and informed me that i wouldn't be going out on the road. No point arguing it, and accepted it with the agreement that he knew better than me!
So it left me with a couple of hours to play in the car park whilst everyone was out on the road. Worked with another instructor on emergency stop and left and right "junction" turns. After 15 minutes the other instructor told me that based on what he had seen for the last few minutes he had no issue with me on the road - but he had not been working with me that morning so couldn't take an overview.
Subsequently when instructor one returned from the road ride, i overheard instructor two telling him that he had no issue with me and i was ok for the road. Still no road ride however, i guess IS1 has made a decision - not an issue in my opinion.
Anyway, luckily there was someone training for their mod one on "bigger bike". So i just followed them around the slow course (slalom, figure of eight, stops, right u-turn, stops, bike handling) and worked with the other instructor on that. Pretty much nailed the mod one with a 125cc.... (minus 32mph emergency stop and avoidance) ;-)
Will be retaking the CBT course, apparently they reckon i need an hour in the car park, and then two hour ride out, instead of the full one day. Looks like i will have to pay, hopefully at a reduced cost. I'll be back.
Overall verdict - i went into it to cocky thinking i could just simply climb onto a bike and ride it, and now i have a greater appreciation of kids on scooters and 150cc bikes.. Basically they know f**k all about the road and if you only need to pass a CBT then that's bloody scary.
yammyfan said:
Sounds like they are trying to make some extra ££'s here, no?
This has / did cross my mind it is obvious that i am not short a bob or two, and i did make rumblings about wanting to do my DAS. The up-sell was that i could get a free cbt as part of my DAS..
Edited by BobSaunders on Thursday 30th October 11:04
rich_b said:
Although technically not a pass/fail if they deem you aren't safe to be on the road then that's that.
It's in your and other road user's best interests and I doubt a well established school would just do it for the money.
I agree, and i agreed with the instructor on this. However, the money thing always crosses your mind It's in your and other road user's best interests and I doubt a well established school would just do it for the money.
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.
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
Small update - Went with MSM, passed/completed CBT. Brilliant school, well recommended and should be commended with approach and patience. Instructor was Ferg, clicked with him instantly and requested him for my Mod1 and Mod2.
CBT was ace, so simple, and i was grinning like a t**t all the way round, even when someone pulled out on me... which was an experience, but luckily i saw the signs and slowed/stopped.
DAS/MOD1 booked in for this weekend coming. MOD2 paid up, but not booked yet. Got home to find a £1,600 tax bill from HMRC - talk about highs and lows.
Car MOt'd with no minors, tax'd, and insured for another year - will be putting it up for sale as soon as i pass my mod2 and buying a bmw touring with a tow bar (for towing a bike as Outlon Park is 30 minutes away) - if anyone is interested in a 12-reg F10 M5......
CBT was ace, so simple, and i was grinning like a t**t all the way round, even when someone pulled out on me... which was an experience, but luckily i saw the signs and slowed/stopped.
DAS/MOD1 booked in for this weekend coming. MOD2 paid up, but not booked yet. Got home to find a £1,600 tax bill from HMRC - talk about highs and lows.
Car MOt'd with no minors, tax'd, and insured for another year - will be putting it up for sale as soon as i pass my mod2 and buying a bmw touring with a tow bar (for towing a bike as Outlon Park is 30 minutes away) - if anyone is interested in a 12-reg F10 M5......
Mr2Mike said:
BobSaunders said:
Small update - Went with MSM, passed/completed CBT. Brilliant school, well recommended and should be commended with approach and patience. Instructor was Ferg, clicked with him instantly and requested him for my Mod1 and Mod2.
CBT was ace, so simple, and i was grinning like a t**t all the way round, even when someone pulled out on me... which was an experience, but luckily i saw the signs and slowed/stopped.
CBT was ace, so simple, and i was grinning like a t**t all the way round, even when someone pulled out on me... which was an experience, but luckily i saw the signs and slowed/stopped.
I guess you had decent weather to do it in as well? My uncle had to ride 50 odd miles in torrential rain to get to the MOD1 test centre, and when he got there the examiner wasn't at all keen to go out and asked (very hopefully) whether my uncle wanted to cancel and rebook it This f**king bike malarky is starting to get expensive..
Failed Mod1. I put my foot down in the U-turn because i wasn't carrying enough momentum, and there was a bloody big gust of wind.
Hazard avoidance was my biggest worry - mainly due to being caught out by the speed trap. However, i blew through that no problems.
What properly f**ks me off is that i practiced it pretty much most of the morning, my slow moving - balance, slalom, figure of 8, walking speed, etc is ace.
Even the tester called me a knob afterwards as he could see that i could do it fine, and had been doing it before in front of him in other moves, yet the one time i needed to do it...
Upside is i did not lose my head, i carried on with the mod1 as a bit of a confidence builder for the next time. Booked for two weeks time... FFS.
Failed Mod1. I put my foot down in the U-turn because i wasn't carrying enough momentum, and there was a bloody big gust of wind.
Hazard avoidance was my biggest worry - mainly due to being caught out by the speed trap. However, i blew through that no problems.
What properly f**ks me off is that i practiced it pretty much most of the morning, my slow moving - balance, slalom, figure of 8, walking speed, etc is ace.
Even the tester called me a knob afterwards as he could see that i could do it fine, and had been doing it before in front of him in other moves, yet the one time i needed to do it...
Upside is i did not lose my head, i carried on with the mod1 as a bit of a confidence builder for the next time. Booked for two weeks time... FFS.
Learned on the new SV650 Gladius ABS. Enjoyed it.
The reason for the CBR it is more for track days than road usage - i may even consider SORN'ing it, or just buying a dedicated track bike. However, i would like the added advantage of being able to use it on the road on Sunday morning's during the summer (summer weekend warrior).
The reason for learning to ride is quite simply i do not have space for a track car anymore (townhouse/integral garage) and i want to downgrade the car to something a little more sedate and practical (estate).
The reason for the CBR it is more for track days than road usage - i may even consider SORN'ing it, or just buying a dedicated track bike. However, i would like the added advantage of being able to use it on the road on Sunday morning's during the summer (summer weekend warrior).
The reason for learning to ride is quite simply i do not have space for a track car anymore (townhouse/integral garage) and i want to downgrade the car to something a little more sedate and practical (estate).
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