Is post lockdown a good time to do CBT / bike test?

[Pig benis]

Hello all

For as long as I can remember I've always wanted a motorbike. But the thought of some old biddy in a Honda Jazz not paying attention and killing me really has put me off owning a bike.

But, the roads seem quieter at the moment, which has made me think it might be time to at least do the CBT.

I quite like the idea of owning a BMW GS for long road trips in Europe.

I really don't have any skill on a bike, so would it be worth booking a CBT to see how I get on? Or, are there any training facilities which I could ride a bike around to see if I actually like it?

PB

[podman]

There used to be a "Get On" scheme where you could try a bike for an hour or so for free but I think that wound down a year or two back.

CBT probably is the best option and value for money, you have the whole day on a 125 so you'll know at the end of it if its something you want to peruse.

Check and see if there isnt a GroupOn deal for a school in your area, my daughter got hers for £50 .

[boyse7en]

A decent school will take you through the trading needed for CBT on the day. If you find its not for you then not much lost (a day of time and about £100-£150). If you like it then you will have a CBT and be able to either get a 125 or go on to do a DAS course to get a full bike licence.

CBT isn't very onerous - some practice in a car park, few highway code questions then out on the road for an hour to make sure you don't kill yourself.

There's no sugar coating it, riding a motorcycle can be risky. However, ride within your limits and keep alert to other road users and it's not bad. Most drivers are pretty good, and I've had very few incidents over my 15 years on two wheels.

[lukeyman]

Possibly an expensive way of doing it but if you fancy a BMW at the end of it...

https://www.bmw-motorrad.co.uk/en/offers/rookietor...

I didn't really have any motorbike experience before I started but always liked cycling and had the motivation to give a go.

[Zakalwe]

CBT isn’t the most pleasant thing to do, you won’t really get a taste for motorbiking from it. If you have fun doing it, great - but don’t let it put you off doing a days training on a bigger bike once you’ve got the certificate, that’s where it’ll start to make sense or not

[Pete-mojsh]

I had similar thoughts, booked a cbt in June having never ridden a motorbike before, really enjoyed the day and will be progressing to the DAS later this year when test slots are available. Book a cbt and see how you feel after it.

I ended up buying a 125 to learn and enjoy the summer as the likelihood is i won't be able to do mod 1 and 2 until October at the earliest, it's been money well spent so far and I get out for an hour or more whenever I can as I do have a family and a busy job. After a st day an hour on the bike can clear the brain fog and out you in a much better place which is important.

If you decide it's for you then that's the time to invest in some gear and training, everything should be provided for you on the cbt so it's well worth the money.

[Aaron702]

FYI waiting times are a problem at the moment. Pre-lockdown test backlog combined with a whole new wave of wannabe bikers means you could be waiting months for MOD1/2. I rang up my local school this morning and was told a 1-2 month wait.

[BobSaunders]

Any time is a good time to do it. Except January or February. In snow. Like i did.

Less traffic on the roads currently, would make any learning easier.

[anonymous-user]

BobSaunders said:

Less traffic on the roads currently, would make any learning easier.

Would it? Quieter doesn’t mean easier beyond learning to physically control the bike.
For actual riding, it’s more to do with road sense and awareness. Can’t learn that if there’s no one to be aware of.

[crofty1984]

The local Honda dealer to me used to do a tester where you can wobble a 125 round a fenced off bit of their car park. Maybe some places near you do similar?

[Bumblebee7]

I've been riding for 3 years and cycling through London since I was a young teen. I was knocked off by an inattentive old biddy in a Golf a month ago. I wouldn't assume that the roads are any safer now than they are normally, although there are fewer drivers out there they seem to have forgotten what road signs, indicators, mirrors and give way markers are for.

That being said most of the idiocy on the roads can be mitigated against, and I wouldn't be without my bike for commuting through the city. Definitely do the CBT and see how you get on. Bike choice is purely down to personal preference, I've got an 'adventure' style bike and find it on the heavy side so will be looking at a smaller engined lighter bike next.

[BobSaunders]

Crossflow Kid said:

BobSaunders said:

Less traffic on the roads currently, would make any learning easier.

Would it? Quieter doesn’t mean easier beyond learning to physically control the bike.
For actual riding, it’s more to do with road sense and awareness. Can’t learn that if there’s no one to be aware of.

Less moving objects to worry about or hit.

[anonymous-user]

BobSaunders said:

Crossflow Kid said:

BobSaunders said:

Less traffic on the roads currently, would make any learning easier.

Would it? Quieter doesn’t mean easier beyond learning to physically control the bike.
For actual riding, it’s more to do with road sense and awareness. Can’t learn that if there’s no one to be aware of.

Less moving objects to worry about or hit.

I’d say that’s a downside.
Learn when it’s challenging, enjoy it when it’s not.

[TooLateForAName]

Round me they are doing cbt but you have to provide all your own kit. They are no longer providing a loan helmet/jacket/gloves because covid.

I guess if you're one of those that lives on cbt renewals for moped/125 commutes then thats ok, but if you are trying it out to see if you enjoy it then its a fair whack on top of the cbt cost.

[BobSaunders]

Crossflow Kid said:

BobSaunders said:

Crossflow Kid said:

BobSaunders said:

Less traffic on the roads currently, would make any learning easier.

Would it? Quieter doesn’t mean easier beyond learning to physically control the bike.
For actual riding, it’s more to do with road sense and awareness. Can’t learn that if there’s no one to be aware of.

Less moving objects to worry about or hit.

I’d say that’s a downside.
Learn when it’s challenging, enjoy it when it’s not.

We are all different. Traffic will ramp back up in due course allowing for a gradual learning curve.

There is a reason why CBT's are done in a car park and we don't put beginners straight onto the motorway.

[anonymous-user]

There’s a reason why I never suggested we did
We are all different as you say, which is why I think quiet roads are ok for learning to control a bike, and no good for learning to ride one.

[Pete-mojsh]

For the purpose of the cbt I think it depends on your experience on the road, kids with no real experience would benefit while the older and more experienced are less likely to be phased by it. As someone who did theirs very recently my 24 years of driving experience made the road ride quite comfortable but the young lad who I was out with was a lot more cautious and nervy.

[Krise]

Pete-mojsh said:

For the purpose of the cbt I think it depends on your experience on the road, kids with no real experience would benefit while the older and more experienced are less likely to be phased by it. As someone who did theirs very recently my 24 years of driving experience made the road ride quite comfortable but the young lad who I was out with was a lot more cautious and nervy.

Same with me, the lad I was with had never even cycled on a road before, and when it came to going out on the geared 125’s he gave up at the training ground exit and left, I think road experience of some form helps hugely with the CBT.

On another note, in London it’s seems easy enough to get tests, CBT DAS etc are all only a few weeks away from initial booking.

I enquires to 6 schools during lockdown and they have all offered me tests in August and September, the school I chose got me in for the 11th August, doing MOD 1 & 2 in the same day....not sure if that’s wise or. It mind as if I flunk 1 I can’t sit part two in the afternoon

[Toma500]

Just done my Cbt yesterday thoroughly enjoyed the experience im 59 in a few days and its 34 yrs since ive ridden a motorcycle ,looking for a 125 to tool around on get some onroad experience then
Take the plunge to full license if i find im still enjoying it .

[anonymous-user]

Well I've finally got my theory test this coming Friday having had it cancelled three times during lockdown. I did my CBT back in Feb and was planning to have all my tests done by April. Thanks Covid!

I bought a YBR125 in the meantime for practice as really I wanted to master the slow speed stuff which I have now. I've found the 125 is great around town, speeds up to 30 odd no issues keeping up with traffic, etc. What I haven't enjoyed is being out on a NSL A road. I'm 6ft and 14 stone so not a small chap but the combination of the 125s weight and physical size (lack of road presence) as well as the performance makes me feel pretty venerable (also L plates seem to be like a target to some motorists with dodgy overtakes, etc). Monday I was out for a ride and an Ocado van was right up behind me at 60mph with me wringing the neck out of the little bike. Not fun! I'm looking forward to riding my bigger 600 once I get my mod 1/2 out of the way that's for sure! There's a few YouTube vids of some riding 125s on motorways. Total nutters IMO