RE: PH takes on the CBT
Discussion
boyse7en said:
Good observation, riding within your capabilities, riding in such a way that car drivers can see you ... all of these things will help to keep you rubber side down.
Very much this. There will always be twits in cars but a biker can do a lot to help themself. Don't get close to a car without making sure they've seen you, at junctions slow down if you're not sure, plan an escape route if you need to swerve, that kind of thing. I was late to the riding game, mainly as I was discouraged by my parents. Loved cars and passed my test as soon as I turned 17. Fast forward until I was in my late 30's, decided to do my CBT with a mate from work who had been thinking about doing it as well. My primary driver for doing it was to commute on something that uses less petrol than the car.
My first view of the 125 I would be riding on the CBT didn't fill me with confidence, it looked way too big! Lucky for me I took to it like a duck to water, even though the instructor warned me that because I had spent so many years in a car I would find it difficult to adjust. Sure operating the clutch, throttle and gear lever was very alien compared to a car, eventually I got the hang of it. Just like Matt, getting on the open road was so much easier than the slow stuff in the morning, once the bike gets up to speed it is so much easier to control.
Advice would be to expect you wanting more and more power as you get used to the speed, perhaps wanting more than one bike, and once you have got the full fat A licence get on an advanced riding course, they are very useful!
My first view of the 125 I would be riding on the CBT didn't fill me with confidence, it looked way too big! Lucky for me I took to it like a duck to water, even though the instructor warned me that because I had spent so many years in a car I would find it difficult to adjust. Sure operating the clutch, throttle and gear lever was very alien compared to a car, eventually I got the hang of it. Just like Matt, getting on the open road was so much easier than the slow stuff in the morning, once the bike gets up to speed it is so much easier to control.
Advice would be to expect you wanting more and more power as you get used to the speed, perhaps wanting more than one bike, and once you have got the full fat A licence get on an advanced riding course, they are very useful!
Tri_Doc said:
I'd love to ride a sportsbike - performance per £££ is unquestionably better than 4 wheels, only issue being that I quite like my kidneys, liver, spleen, pelvis, c-spine and the rest of my long bones.
You don't have to get a sportsbike, you could get a naked or a tourer some people even buy cruisers.EvoBarry said:
Matt gets it. Be like Matt.
I started riding back when Part1&2 test were still around, and was a very early CBT participant (it overlapped Part1 at that point). I had a moped at 16 but by 17 I'd saved enough for a CB100N. The feeling of freedom and being part of the environment you're travelling through stays with me to this day, nearly 30years later. I ride to work most days, year round (where feasible), and still enjoy weekend/fun runs. Bikes rule.
ps: I enjoy driving, and class myself as a motoring enthusiast, but cars aren't the same (not worse/better, just not the same over all satisfaction for me).
Thank you! Definitely feel that driving and riding complement each other, so keen to do as much of both as possible I started riding back when Part1&2 test were still around, and was a very early CBT participant (it overlapped Part1 at that point). I had a moped at 16 but by 17 I'd saved enough for a CB100N. The feeling of freedom and being part of the environment you're travelling through stays with me to this day, nearly 30years later. I ride to work most days, year round (where feasible), and still enjoy weekend/fun runs. Bikes rule.
ps: I enjoy driving, and class myself as a motoring enthusiast, but cars aren't the same (not worse/better, just not the same over all satisfaction for me).
Roy m said:
I'd be interested in the costs which would be involved in getting through all the tests etc if Honda weren't paying.
Proper journalism here:https://www.thesun.co.uk/motors/6379306/how-do-i-g...
About £120. So I really should have done it sooner!
MajorMantra said:
Matt Bird said:
Or at least begin to, given there are still the A2 and A tests to do beyond the CBT.
Minor correction: A2 is only relevant if you're under 24. You'd be taking the Mod 1 (low speed handling on a closed course) and Mod 2 (on-road) tests. I did mine last year after loving my CBT, and immediately bought a 2009 Street Triple R which has, to me, an utterly absurd power to weight ratio. I can't imagine what the current crop of superbikes must be like.
I've mainly commuted so far (5k miles or so) but hope to get around to some proper fun riding at some point.
Still plenty to learn...Took mine 3 years ago as the onset of a midlife crisis took hold. The centre was full that day and they had an issue with one of the CB125Fs, so i ended up on a Honda MSX, now i am not the tallest of men but even i know i looked daft on that thing.
It went swimmingly on the car park exercises, not so much on the road ride. I had a few attempts at pulling out of a right hand junction but after stalling a few times i thought the answer was a few more revs and not so much clutch.
I then found myself staring at the sky whilst performing a perfectly executed wheelie across the junction. I managed to get the front wheel down just in time to hit the curb square on and then a small garden wall. Having picked myself up out of said garden and much to amusement of my fellow students we set of back to the test centre.
By the time i had got back to the test centre, having waited for another rider to extract himself from the centre of a roundabout, the pain in both arms was increasing somewhat. This came to a head when i tried to removed my jacket and helmet and found i could do neither by myself.
So a quick trip to A&E revealed broken elbows, a common injury when going over the handlebars i was told.
Oh but the good news, i passed my CBT
It went swimmingly on the car park exercises, not so much on the road ride. I had a few attempts at pulling out of a right hand junction but after stalling a few times i thought the answer was a few more revs and not so much clutch.
I then found myself staring at the sky whilst performing a perfectly executed wheelie across the junction. I managed to get the front wheel down just in time to hit the curb square on and then a small garden wall. Having picked myself up out of said garden and much to amusement of my fellow students we set of back to the test centre.
By the time i had got back to the test centre, having waited for another rider to extract himself from the centre of a roundabout, the pain in both arms was increasing somewhat. This came to a head when i tried to removed my jacket and helmet and found i could do neither by myself.
So a quick trip to A&E revealed broken elbows, a common injury when going over the handlebars i was told.
Oh but the good news, i passed my CBT
Jazoli said:
Tri_Doc said:
I'd love to ride a sportsbike - performance per £££ is unquestionably better than 4 wheels, only issue being that I quite like my kidneys, liver, spleen, pelvis, c-spine and the rest of my long bones.
Just admit you are scared, you could get hit by a bus or be in a plane crash tomorrow, people who spout *omg I'd kill myself* get on my tits! Also, that's a very mixed shortlist of body parts to feel very protective about. I mean, who the hell won't get a motorcycle because of the risk to their top three anatomical favourite, the "spleen"?
I always rode motorbikes as a kid round fields and the like but was never really bothered about riding on the road. When I was in my early 20's (about 7 years ago) I thought I'd take my CBT and a few lessons as something to do on a weekend as I was getting bored of my mates wanting to sit in the pub all day every day.
Fast forward a bit, I've been all over the UK and Europe on my bikes. I've done loads of stuff I never would have done in a car, made journeys that would have seemed daft before and I have a whole new group of friends through motorcycles.
As many people on here have said already, not every biker is head down doing 150mph everywhere. As with cars and cycling and anything else, its the few that often give the rest a bad name. Yes you are more vunerable but it makes you a lot more aware and more careful both on a bike and in a car.
This was on the Stelvio Pass a few years ago.
Fast forward a bit, I've been all over the UK and Europe on my bikes. I've done loads of stuff I never would have done in a car, made journeys that would have seemed daft before and I have a whole new group of friends through motorcycles.
As many people on here have said already, not every biker is head down doing 150mph everywhere. As with cars and cycling and anything else, its the few that often give the rest a bad name. Yes you are more vunerable but it makes you a lot more aware and more careful both on a bike and in a car.
This was on the Stelvio Pass a few years ago.
MarJay said:
The main issue with motorcycling is that the worst experiences on a bike are much worse than the worst experiences in a car. Hail, snow, hard rain, visor misting, diesel etc... I'd rather be in a car in bad weather. In the summer on clear roads though? Bikes are unbeatable in so many ways.
This. I used to commute in all weathers, and it was what it was (I had dry clothes & shoes left in work). But leisure wise, this story sticks out...May 2004 & I got 8 biking friends interested in a trip to the Nurburgring. The group comprised a variety of bikes and riders (age & ability); 3 great riders, 3 older riders, and 2 more of us somewhere in the middle.
The ride was going great, the weather amazing, and we got off the boat in Calais & headed east. The fuel stops were frequent, and all was going well until the Antwerp ring road. Those of us that rode every day simply filtered through the traffic; the four behind didn't, which we didn't immediately realise. So we took the exit towards Aachen, got to the first services, and waited for about 30 minutes - no sign of the guys. Phone calls went to voicemail as they were riding, so we decided they would be fine, and set off towards Germany. At the next services we did the same, but this time I had a missed call back from one of the guys. This was a common theme, but 4 hours after Calais we got to the Nurburgring. The guys rang again, and we established they were still in Belgium, having gone via Brussels by accident. They bought a map, and got to the hotel at the Ring exactly 4 hours after us!!! The kitchen was closed, but the beer was flowing, so that's how day 1 ended.
Day 2, I went out for a few laps on my bike, all was good. One of the lads never even did a lap as he had waterproofed his lungs as well as his leathers before he left, so he wasn't in good health. I did a pillion lap with one of the great riders, which was stupid. Went into Koblenz that evening, all in all a great day.
Day 3, I went out for a lap, and it starting hailing at Aremberg, a wide fast corner. How I stayed upright I'll never know as the back end slid out at speed, sending me into a tankslapper. There & then decided cars were so much more fun on a track. We went home that night, and one of the bikes' alarm was going off on the boat & flattened the battery. Jinxed.
That was the start of my 'falling out of love' with bikes moment even through I kept it shiny side up, but the good times were excellent.
We went back the following year in a smaller group, and it was much more fun / manageable.
t this is scary.Bungleaio said:
CBT is about £100, you don't need anything in way of PPE for this as the school will provide a jacket, gloves and helmet. I wore standard jeans and boots.
The next step is to go for the theory test about £30 then the full bike tests. It looks confusing if you don't know anything about how it works but provided you are over 24 you can do Module 1 which is certain manoeuvres in a controlled environment - manual handling, riding around cones, U turn, emergency stop and a swerve. Pass that then it's on to Module 2 which is an hour of riding around on the road. That will give you an A license and you can ride any bike you like. This is called direct access and this will cost around £600 for three days training and the tests. It's probably worth buying your own kit for this.
If you are less than 24 then it's the same tests but you are restricted to certain CC.
Thanks for that - long time since I was 24 so all ok!The next step is to go for the theory test about £30 then the full bike tests. It looks confusing if you don't know anything about how it works but provided you are over 24 you can do Module 1 which is certain manoeuvres in a controlled environment - manual handling, riding around cones, U turn, emergency stop and a swerve. Pass that then it's on to Module 2 which is an hour of riding around on the road. That will give you an A license and you can ride any bike you like. This is called direct access and this will cost around £600 for three days training and the tests. It's probably worth buying your own kit for this.
If you are less than 24 then it's the same tests but you are restricted to certain CC.
Jazoli said:
Just admit you are scared, you could get hit by a bus or be in a plane crash tomorrow, people who spout *omg I'd kill myself* get on my tits!
Nothing to do with fear, its percentage chance of incident - what is the rate of bikers killed in a plane crash vs. bikers killed on the road in the UK each year?Arsecati said:
Hmm, so is what you are saying, that those of us who DO ride motorbikes, DON'T like our kidneys, liver, spleen, etc.? That's a pretty insulting/demeaning statement there mate. :/
I'm not saying that at all. I'm a big fan of the performance that bikes offer and the lower costs vs. 4 wheels. There are huge numbers of reasons why they're great. Both my dad and uncle ride bikes and have both come off, so the risk vs. reward is too high for me. I've had too many conversations with families in A&E to warrant going through CBT + bike test etc.
Small capacity sports replicas seem to be the sweet spot for life altering injuries.
Edited by Tri_Doc on Wednesday 8th May 14:41
Prof Prolapse said:
Agreed. Classic pussy statement.
Also, that's a very mixed shortlist of body parts to feel very protective about. I mean, who the hell won't get a motorcycle because of the risk to their top three anatomical favourite, the "spleen"?
Not personal faves, they're just some of the popular ones the organ donation team like to ask about.Also, that's a very mixed shortlist of body parts to feel very protective about. I mean, who the hell won't get a motorcycle because of the risk to their top three anatomical favourite, the "spleen"?
Tri_Doc said:
Arsecati said:
Hmm, so is what you are saying, that those of us who DO ride motorbikes, DON'T like our kidneys, liver, spleen, etc.? That's a pretty insulting/demeaning statement there mate. :/
I'm not saying that at all. I'm a big fan of the performance that bikes offer and the lower costs vs. 4 wheels. There are huge numbers of reasons why they're great. Both my dad and uncle ride bikes and have both come off, so the risk vs. reward is too high for me. I've had too many conversations with families in A&E to warrant going through CBT + bike test etc.
Small capacity sports replicas seem to be the sweet spot for life altering injuries.
Edited by Tri_Doc on Wednesday 8th May 14:41
Statistically its the lack of experience/training that increases the chance of an accident. Simple as that e.g. human error. Hence the insurance premiums drop rapidly once you get 2 years claim free experience under you belt, whether you are 25 or 45 years old, just the same.
Last year, more pedestrians were killed or seriously injured than motorcyclists.....its a risky business going out of the house ...so you stay at home....then look at the RoSPA stats for deaths in home due to accidents ...yep...its more than motorcycling too !
Prof Prolapse said:
Didn't Chris Harris write this almost exact same sort of piece for Pistonheads a few years back?
Or has my memory failed me?
Yup, failed his mod 1 the first time, 'Driving God' to a nobody on a bike. He did go on to pass the test then left to join Top Gear shortly after I believe. Or has my memory failed me?
moanthebairns said:
Tri_Doc said:
Jazoli said:
Just admit you are scared, you could get hit by a bus or be in a plane crash tomorrow, people who spout *omg I'd kill myself* get on my tits!
Nothing to do with fear, its percentage chance of incident - what is the rate of bikers killed in a plane crash vs. bikers killed on the road in the UK each year?Arsecati said:
Hmm, so is what you are saying, that those of us who DO ride motorbikes, DON'T like our kidneys, liver, spleen, etc.? That's a pretty insulting/demeaning statement there mate. :/
I'm not saying that at all. I'm a big fan of the performance that bikes offer and the lower costs vs. 4 wheels. There are huge numbers of reasons why they're great. Both my dad and uncle ride bikes and have both come off, so the risk vs. reward is too high for me. I've had too many conversations with families in A&E to warrant going through CBT + bike test etc.
Small capacity sports replicas seem to be the sweet spot for life altering injuries.
Edited by Tri_Doc on Wednesday 8th May 14:41
Prof Prolapse said:
Agreed. Classic pussy statement.
Also, that's a very mixed shortlist of body parts to feel very protective about. I mean, who the hell won't get a motorcycle because of the risk to their top three anatomical favourite, the "spleen"?
Not personal faves, they're just some of the popular ones the organ donation team like to ask about.Also, that's a very mixed shortlist of body parts to feel very protective about. I mean, who the hell won't get a motorcycle because of the risk to their top three anatomical favourite, the "spleen"?
Tri_Doc said:
Not personal faves, they're just some of the popular ones the organ donation team like to ask about.
Then don't be so selfish in your desire to keep yours then. You could save a half dozen people with just one recycled motorcyclist.Just think of all those organs that can be refitted into overweight, unhappy, risk-averse people. You could keep them all alive until they're old enough to die of something else, at considerably greater expense.
What a time to be alive.
Or not.
Obviously.
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