CBT and general bike tinkering
Discussion
I suppose September is also on the assumption that there's no second wave, from the letter it seems like the health of the instructors is also a fairly large consideration and if there are quite a few that are in the high risk category I understand that. Perhaps some effort to allow those that can work to do so would be good, it doesn't seem like the most agile organisation.
zzrman said:
Pass the CBT and DAS and get yourself advanced training immediately afterwards.
Pete, I know you bought an MT 125, but I recommend keeping zzrman’s advice in mind. (For future reference, I’ll give a quick plug to BikeSafe, BMF Blue Riband and Rapid Training.)
While I began two-wheeled life with a 125 for commuting, I learned a finite amount from it. After DAS, it was advanced training that boosted my skills significantly and saved my neck on more than one occasion.
Salted_Peanut said:
Pete, I know you bought an MT 125, but I recommend keeping zzrman’s advice in mind. (For future reference, I’ll give a quick plug to BikeSafe, BMF Blue Riband and Rapid Training.)
While I began two-wheeled life with a 125 for commuting, I learned a finite amount from it. After DAS, it was advanced training that boosted my skills significantly and saved my neck on more than one occasion.
It's certainly in my plans, I've looked at bike safe and rapid training as something for the future, also IAMs. I would imagine it's a lot like driving, you get taught how to drive to pass the test but the learning comes after that. I'm not in it to get one the fastest bike for the speed and acceleration but I do want to ride safely and swiftly where the road allows, I can get taught some control of the bike and basic road safety to pass the DAS but if I'm left to work out the rest on my own then improvements will be slow. My younger self probably wouldn't have that attitude. While I began two-wheeled life with a 125 for commuting, I learned a finite amount from it. After DAS, it was advanced training that boosted my skills significantly and saved my neck on more than one occasion.
I have been looking for some other stuff on road craft so when I am on the bike I can try to out it in to practice, if you have any recommendations for blogs, websites, YouTube or books it would be appreciated.
Others might be able to give better recommendations, but Reg_Local of this parish normally does decent YouTube videos. He's mainly a car guy but has some bike videos too: YouTube: Reg Local on advanced motorcycling.
Also, there's a DVD by Mike Waite (a police advanced guy): Police Advanced (Motorcycling) Riding Techniques DVD. It probably looks a bit dated now, but I think it's still worth watching.
The Number 1 cause of bike accidents is a car pulling out in front of them. Kevin Williams from Survival Skills UK self-published a whole book (!) about how to avoid this crash: The Science of Being Seen. It's a short book - fairly quick to read - and certainly useful. Incidentally, Kevin's an excellent instructor if you're in the south of England.
There's also the traditional reading: Motorcycle Roadcraft. Plus, there are many books about bike control - usually by Americans
- and also I like Ride Hard, Ride Smart for a US perspective. It's much easier reading than Motorcycle Roadcraft!
Also, there's a DVD by Mike Waite (a police advanced guy): Police Advanced (Motorcycling) Riding Techniques DVD. It probably looks a bit dated now, but I think it's still worth watching.
The Number 1 cause of bike accidents is a car pulling out in front of them. Kevin Williams from Survival Skills UK self-published a whole book (!) about how to avoid this crash: The Science of Being Seen. It's a short book - fairly quick to read - and certainly useful. Incidentally, Kevin's an excellent instructor if you're in the south of England.
There's also the traditional reading: Motorcycle Roadcraft. Plus, there are many books about bike control - usually by Americans
- and also I like Ride Hard, Ride Smart for a US perspective. It's much easier reading than Motorcycle Roadcraft!Salted_Peanut said:
Others might be able to give better recommendations, but Reg_Local of this parish normally does decent YouTube videos. He's mainly a car guy but has some bike videos too: YouTube: Reg Local on advanced motorcycling.
Also, there's a DVD by Mike Waite (a police advanced guy): Police Advanced (Motorcycling) Riding Techniques DVD. It probably looks a bit dated now, but I think it's still worth watching.
The Number 1 cause of bike accidents is a car pulling out in front of them. Kevin Williams from Survival Skills UK self-published a whole book (!) about how to avoid this crash: The Science of Being Seen. It's a short book - fairly quick to read - and certainly useful. Incidentally, Kevin's an excellent instructor if you're in the south of England.
There's also the traditional reading: Motorcycle Roadcraft. Plus, there are many books about bike control - usually by Americans - and also I like Ride Hard, Ride Smart for a US perspective. It's much easier reading than Motorcycle Roadcraft!
Thanks for the tip about The Science of Being Seen, I hadn't heard of it - I have just ordered.Also, there's a DVD by Mike Waite (a police advanced guy): Police Advanced (Motorcycling) Riding Techniques DVD. It probably looks a bit dated now, but I think it's still worth watching.
The Number 1 cause of bike accidents is a car pulling out in front of them. Kevin Williams from Survival Skills UK self-published a whole book (!) about how to avoid this crash: The Science of Being Seen. It's a short book - fairly quick to read - and certainly useful. Incidentally, Kevin's an excellent instructor if you're in the south of England.
There's also the traditional reading: Motorcycle Roadcraft. Plus, there are many books about bike control - usually by Americans
- and also I like Ride Hard, Ride Smart for a US perspective. It's much easier reading than Motorcycle Roadcraft!OP, as well as the excellent recommendations above, take a look at the Keith Code books - A Twist of the Wrist (1 & 2). There's not much, if anything, about road riding in them but they are good on machine control, cornering, overcoming survival instincts etc. There's a Twist of the Wrist video on YouTube too but it's a bit cheesy.
So I was allowed to sit an emergency theory test 4 weeks ago now (frontline healthcare) and applied the same day that I passed for Mod 1 and 2 - 4 weeks in and not a peep.
This morning I received an email out the blue offering me another theory test - clicking on the link brings up a Callander With spaces as soon as tomorrow, so I’m guessing availability is now outstripping demand (In Glasgow at least ) but no idea where my practicals are and DVSA have no way of checking on status of applications.
I see lessons have been given the green light now so hopefully test centres will follow suit.
This morning I received an email out the blue offering me another theory test - clicking on the link brings up a Callander With spaces as soon as tomorrow, so I’m guessing availability is now outstripping demand (In Glasgow at least ) but no idea where my practicals are and DVSA have no way of checking on status of applications.
I see lessons have been given the green light now so hopefully test centres will follow suit.
I have heard that theory, mod 1 and 2 tests are going to be starting again in July, there is some hope for those of us in this thread that are going through the process.
After a couple of days of doing odd jobs on my bike I finally got out for a little ride, everything feels good but will need to check the abs sensor seating front and back as they might be contributing to the speedo being somewhat erratic, if it's not them then it's likely the speedo rings which will be a ballache of a job. Still, finally some time in the seat, even if it was a couple of laps of the village, top up with petrol (£7) and to pick up a lettuce at the wife's request.
I will try to go a bit further next time and start to get a feel for it, it's a nice road up to Triumph in Woburn and only 15 minutes away, if the cafe is open for a drink and a little look around then it should make for a nice stop.
After a couple of days of doing odd jobs on my bike I finally got out for a little ride, everything feels good but will need to check the abs sensor seating front and back as they might be contributing to the speedo being somewhat erratic, if it's not them then it's likely the speedo rings which will be a ballache of a job. Still, finally some time in the seat, even if it was a couple of laps of the village, top up with petrol (£7) and to pick up a lettuce at the wife's request.
I will try to go a bit further next time and start to get a feel for it, it's a nice road up to Triumph in Woburn and only 15 minutes away, if the cafe is open for a drink and a little look around then it should make for a nice stop.
31 and decided this year I wanted to go green landing with friends, always wanted a bike but felt It wasn’t the right time until now.
I’ve just moved my theory in from 27/7 to 10/7, completed my CBT last week and it was great fun as due to CV-19 it was 1:1 only.
A fun experience on a little 125 going down the A55 with it screaming at 62 behind a massive lorry!
I’ve got a KTM 250 EXC-F 6 Days waiting for me in the garage which is frustrating I can’t ride it yet but ... from the schools I had spoken to they have suggested a plan by the end of July and tests from August on, but who knows really the DVSA are acting extremely cautious for whatever reason.
I’m hoping to be passed by end of September which whilst late is still this year!
This is the Chester area.
I’ve just moved my theory in from 27/7 to 10/7, completed my CBT last week and it was great fun as due to CV-19 it was 1:1 only.
A fun experience on a little 125 going down the A55 with it screaming at 62 behind a massive lorry!
I’ve got a KTM 250 EXC-F 6 Days waiting for me in the garage which is frustrating I can’t ride it yet but ... from the schools I had spoken to they have suggested a plan by the end of July and tests from August on, but who knows really the DVSA are acting extremely cautious for whatever reason.
I’m hoping to be passed by end of September which whilst late is still this year!
This is the Chester area.
Lord.Vader said:
31 and decided this year I wanted to go green landing with friends, always wanted a bike but felt It wasn’t the right time until now.
I’ve just moved my theory in from 27/7 to 10/7, completed my CBT last week and it was great fun as due to CV-19 it was 1:1 only.
A fun experience on a little 125 going down the A55 with it screaming at 62 behind a massive lorry!
I’ve got a KTM 250 EXC-F 6 Days waiting for me in the garage which is frustrating I can’t ride it yet but ... from the schools I had spoken to they have suggested a plan by the end of July and tests from August on, but who knows really the DVSA are acting extremely cautious for whatever reason.
I’m hoping to be passed by end of September which whilst late is still this year!
This is the Chester area.
Very similar story here. 34, decided now's the time to get my license. Did my CBT last wednesday, again 1:1, perfect. Got a YBR125 coming Tuesday to get me through. Same kinda date ideas up in NE too. I've not got anything lese planned in yet, but hopefully by October I’ve just moved my theory in from 27/7 to 10/7, completed my CBT last week and it was great fun as due to CV-19 it was 1:1 only.
A fun experience on a little 125 going down the A55 with it screaming at 62 behind a massive lorry!
I’ve got a KTM 250 EXC-F 6 Days waiting for me in the garage which is frustrating I can’t ride it yet but ... from the schools I had spoken to they have suggested a plan by the end of July and tests from August on, but who knows really the DVSA are acting extremely cautious for whatever reason.
I’m hoping to be passed by end of September which whilst late is still this year!
This is the Chester area.
GreaseNipple said:
ruprechtmonkeyboy said:
Had an email from DVSA this morning. They assigned me a 'placeholder' enabling me to rebook my test. The earliest I could get was the 24th July (that's in Watford).
What riding school are you using?A watford test would be convenient for me Got my CBT out of the way today, absolutely loved it, had 1 on 1 with the instructor for the geared conversion In the afternoon so just spent some time riding round south west London, I can’t believe I have been putting this of for so long !!
Stopped of at the Honda dealers on the way home and almost bought a new CB125R but the salesman wasn’t around, so I couldn’t leave a deposit, got home watched some reviews online and now going to see a KTM 125 tomorrow instead.
Sadly no DAS available at this school until October ! Having to re do my theory on the 23rd July then hopefully get DAS done sometime in September if luck goes my way.
If anyone on this thread is not sure, trust me, go for it !
Stopped of at the Honda dealers on the way home and almost bought a new CB125R but the salesman wasn’t around, so I couldn’t leave a deposit, got home watched some reviews online and now going to see a KTM 125 tomorrow instead.
Sadly no DAS available at this school until October ! Having to re do my theory on the 23rd July then hopefully get DAS done sometime in September if luck goes my way.
If anyone on this thread is not sure, trust me, go for it !
I've been out for a couple of hours tonight, with tests and theory still hard to come by I'm in no rush and just enjoying getting out on the bike. I've found a good little industrial estate in the back end of nowhere that's perfect for slow control stuff so spent some time doing slow speed and figure of eights to get a bit more comfortable. I'm getting more comfortable with carrying some more speed through bends and piecing together a series of bends to keep the momentum, the 125 isn't exactly blessed with torque. Lovely evening to get out for a ride.
My mod 2 was covid cancelled was meant to be on march 24th.
Big bike sat in the garage since feb but been using my 125 for work and getting out, been really enjoying it.
It's taken the self applied pressure off passing and constantly checking for updates from gov.uk.
Hopefully the tests become available soon.
Big bike sat in the garage since feb but been using my 125 for work and getting out, been really enjoying it.
It's taken the self applied pressure off passing and constantly checking for updates from gov.uk.
Hopefully the tests become available soon.
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