Does a CBT show you how to ride properly?

[photosnob]

The last time my partner and I went to Thailand we rented a bike for £4 a day. They were 125cc twist and go jobbies. Neither of us have UK licenses. Having not ridden properly before and in a weird place with few paved roads, ridiculous gradients and bikes which are not up to MOT standards and a pillion passenger I wasn't that confident. Thats before mentioning the other drivers and hundreds of dogs that just walk into the road.

I'm going back out for a few months in 2 months. I'm thinking that if I take the CBT I'll be in a better place. However a quick google shows it's just stuff I've already done - I was on a bike for 2 weeks each day, once at night doing a 100km ring road around Koh Samui which made me really want to buy a bike in the UK. It was amazing - almost as good as the diving I did out there, and that was stunning. But I'm unsure if the CBT is going to actually help me here...

Over there licenses are not needed. Just a passport and a couple hundred Baht. So that is not a problem. They didn't have helmets that fit me (I have a bit head) but I did insist that my partner wears one. I was trying to be safe(ish).

So anyway what is the easiest and cheapest way to get some training and ideally be able to learn to use a manual bike? Thanks

[photosnob]

WaferThinHam said:

Taking a CBT will help you with the technical bike stuff, won't prepare you for the roads over there though.

Yeah I've already ridden over there. For two weeks. On the nice roads, and the not so nice ones. I'm just wondering after riding for over two weeks there day in day out if a CBT will give me anything other than a piece of paper? I know how to use the stands, I know how to manoeuvre. What I'm looking for is some training on manual bikes and advice on carrying a pillion who doesn't like leaning into corners.

[photosnob]

Thanks guys - I've done most of the islands on a bike. I will call a place and ask them what they offer. If it's just the absolute basics I'll save the hundred quid and take my chances again. A full bike test would be nice - but I don't have the time to do that before I go. And my chances of riding in the UK are slim. Just don't see the same level of attraction over here. When it's rainy I'd prefer a car with a roof.

I might look into a helmet though. Couldn't even find any that fit my over there. Was wary of coming off at speed with just swimming shorts and t shirt on. But I just took it really easy. Was a hell of a lot easier without someone on the back - but my parter wouldn't ride on her own and I can't leave her behind. In the bigger towns and cities taxis are cheap and plentiful - it's just in the more remote places that I think you need a bike.

[photosnob]

Moily said:

Correct. The helmets there are not fit for purpose and won't protect you in the event of a spill.

As for not seeing the attraction of biking over here? You couldn't be more wrong! Yes it's totally different to riding a 125 on holiday but believe it or not it doesn't rain here all the time!

The problem is - I'll never be that into bikes. I was driving on Sunday morning and saw a guy hanging back at a roundabout. Two minutes later he came past me at what must have been around 150 mph. I was doing 100 on the duel carriageway and he was gone in a blink of an eye. I'll never see the attraction in that. I can imagine it's fun, but I value my life too much. For me it's about cruising around with the air in your face and having a certain freedom. It's about just relaxing. My feelings are that riding over here is more about either commuting or driving at speeds that would scare me silly.

I'm a chicken. At 70 kmp I was happy on a decent road. The bike wasn't big and with someone else on the back that seemed more than enough when it started getting buffeted around. I enjoyed just relaxing and seeing places.

I am starting to see the attraction at the weekends actually. Smallish bike and going for a ride for a few hours not knowing where I'm going. Umm... I'll look into how much it costs.

[photosnob]

DragsterRR said:

I was hit by a car pulling out of a side street.
I was doing 30mph.
I was wearing proper bike boots and trousers etc.....
I was lucky to keep my leg (even if it does now look like a badly made pizza)
9 months on crutches.

Riding a bike in flip flops and a t-shirt with no helmet? Yer fking insane.

Still, it's your life, I wouldn't want to be responsible for yer girlfriends though.

I didn't ride in flip flops. I made that mistake when I first for a bike with a hangover. I didn't realise how sensitive the throttle was and ended up nearly going into a car and using my foot as a break. Just a scuffed toe but after that I was in trainers. I needed my feet to stabilise me when slowing down. And if they had a helmet that fit me I'd have worn it.

I'd be quite happy and confident on a twist and go on my own. It's just a bit harder with a pillion. But I never fell off in nearly three weeks. So I wasn't that bad.

[photosnob]

stuartmmcfc said:

Can I be the first to call Trolll?

You can if you want. But I could send you a photo of my passport and some pics of my exploits if you feel that strongly about it.

I was asking about some training for when I go back over. I can also send you my booking confirmation for the flights and my notice at work if you wish.

[photosnob]

Undinist said:

I rented a 750 Genesis in Bangkok back in the days when they had huge import tariffs on big bikes to protect the domestic scooter industry. So basically this thing was pretty much the only big bike in the city. At every red light we (my sister was on the back, wearing the helmet) drew a big crowd of locals on small bikes, so of course we had to show them what the Yamaha could do when the lights changed. It was fking epic, like being a despatch rider on speed. And yes, I was wearing flip flops. Riding in the rain was the best - nice and cool, sweet smelling clean roads...then the rain would stop and 5 mins later you'd be dry again. Everywhere we parked the cops and security guards were falling over themselves to guard the bike. It must be very different now.

Very very rare to see a big bike. When it was raining in Krabi I went into a couple of dealerships to have a look. I'd never been into a bike dealership before. The nicest looking bike I saw was a Yamaha R12 in matt black. I was amazed at how cheap they were compared to new cars. I know that is a slow bike in comparison to most on here - but I'd feel the nuts riding that. They do sell big bikes now - but I just didn't see that many.

Edit it was actually an r3.

Edited by photosnob on Tuesday 25th August 09:57

[photosnob]

Just having a down moment so thought I'd update this. Currently about 6 weeks into my trip. And I've done a couple of k miles on a bike. I'm having a great time. I've still not braved it and tried a bike with gears. But I have seen my fair share of accidents, including some mates who have fallen off. All in all, when the sun is shining riding a bike is amazing. At 4am in the mountains of northern thailand it's not a good idea to ride for 3 hours to see the sun come up in just shorts and a shirt, so you can see the sun come up. It was literally freezing. There was also the time when I skidded and had to use both feet to stabilise - that was a brown pants moment. Oh and the time when coming down a mountain the front brake overheated and didn't work at all! That was quite scary.

I've decided I'd like to get my full bike ticket when I come back. A guy took me on the back of his ninja and I want one of them now.

Riding in thailand is a lot easier than vietnam. In vietnam they are literally crazy. I got a flat tyre in north thailand in a mountain about 50km from anywhere. Fortunately someone stopped and put me onto the back of their pick up. The repair and new inner tube cost £3 so that wasn't too bad. I ran out of fuel at one point - but a British guy on a big bike stopped and gave me some. Mostly biking types seem quite friendly.

Anyway - if anyone knows of a good instructor/school in Hampshire I'd like to know. That's if I make it through the next 6 weeks without killing myself. I'm in Dalat at the moment and am renting a bike today and going to all the waterfalls and to the top of some mountains! Only about 100km in total, but the motorbikes here give me a sore bum so thats enough for one day

[photosnob]

Everyone is right.

In asia they will carry anything on a bike. I've been amazed how they carry a whole family on a small bike. Or even 20 big barrels of water.

I'm under no allusions I'm winging it. I know my own limitations. I ride very slowly especially in the corners. I've worked out that twisting the throttle in a straight line is very very easy. What takes some skill is going around a corner at speed. I've started leaning properly into corners now - but I'm no where near getting my knee down. It doesn't help that I'm carrying a fiance who is more interested in taking a great photo and leaning the other way... Either that or looking around and plonking herself in my blind spot.

Either way, I'm certainly getting better at riding a bike. I'm learning that accelerating is a good way of getting you out of trouble when it's needed. I'm also learning that anyone can come off - over here the locals start riding when they are kids. I've seen plenty of them fall off as well. When I'm back in the UK I want to get a proper helmet and some leathers and learn properly. Over here I'd be a lot more comfortable if I had the proper gear.

That being said. It's too amazing being able to get out and see all the amazing stuff for me to be sensible and not ride a bike now. I'd hate to be limited to tours where they tell me how long I'm allowed to spend in a place. The freedom of doing it yourself is what I love. Plus the cheapskate in me knows it's a lot cheaper! I filled up a bike today for less than £3!