CBT - What to expect
Discussion
Im currently planning on doing my CBT within the next few weeks. I would like to do my direct access later in the year (july/august time possibly) but I want to make sure that biking really is for me.
My first foreys onto a powered two wheeler (in a friends field) both resulted in a horrific inability to any faster than walking pace without panicing. I obviously dont want to repeat that in public
My question is, what should I expect from both the CBT and the direct access? Is there anything in particular I should watch out for?
My first foreys onto a powered two wheeler (in a friends field) both resulted in a horrific inability to any faster than walking pace without panicing. I obviously dont want to repeat that in public
My question is, what should I expect from both the CBT and the direct access? Is there anything in particular I should watch out for?
Do your 125 CBT first, that way you'll get used to a bike that isn't vry powerful and can build up from there.
If you're not that relaxed with the bike and speed then it can all go horribly wrong as you need to be loose and flexible on a bike and not tensed up.
If you like that and then want to do direct access I suggest booking it asap as there is a waiting list in most areas as far as I am aware.
And then not jump straight onto something like an R1 or ZX-10R as you'll find that another leap up in speed and performance.
If you're not that relaxed with the bike and speed then it can all go horribly wrong as you need to be loose and flexible on a bike and not tensed up.
If you like that and then want to do direct access I suggest booking it asap as there is a waiting list in most areas as far as I am aware.
And then not jump straight onto something like an R1 or ZX-10R as you'll find that another leap up in speed and performance.
first off, the cbt won't really give you any clue as to what bike riding can offer. bikes have many sub styles that vary hugely. even two similar sportsbikes can actually be very different to ride; to the point of disliking and enjoying.
the CBT will cover everything, from how to put the bike on a stand to how to push it, onward to wheelying off the clutch... no I made that bit up, riding on the road should come toward the end of the day.
Most of it may be in a car park with cones and getting to grips with basic controls and balance. These are fundemental to biking no matter what speed.
oh, and you cant "fail" its just training, and its compulsory. but you will get a certificate to prove you attended.
the CBT will cover everything, from how to put the bike on a stand to how to push it, onward to wheelying off the clutch... no I made that bit up, riding on the road should come toward the end of the day.
Most of it may be in a car park with cones and getting to grips with basic controls and balance. These are fundemental to biking no matter what speed.
oh, and you cant "fail" its just training, and its compulsory. but you will get a certificate to prove you attended.
stooz said:
oh, and you cant "fail" its just training, and its compulsory. but you will get a certificate to prove you attended.
You can fail. Part of the CBT is a two hour road-ride. If the instructor doesn't think you are ready/safe for that then they won't risk it. You have to do the road ride to get the certificate.
You can also 'fail' during the road ride. The whole idea of CBT is to teach you to a level where you are safe to be let loose on your own without endangering yourself or anyone else.
If your riding on the road is dodgy you will not get the DL196 cert and will have to return for further training.
If your riding on the road is dodgy you will not get the DL196 cert and will have to return for further training.
stooz said:
fair enough, but thats not I was told. You are still L plated after taking it anyway.
Quite right. The CBT isn't intended to teach you the detail of bike riding. It was introduced to educate the complete novices who were jumping on bikes and scooters and injuring themselves.
Good luck on Saturday. Listen to what your instructors say and ride safe. As has been said, it takes some doing to fail the CBT.
It scared the beejesus out of me when i done my CBT the kind of people they put out onto the road after piddling about in a yard around cones for a while.I done the yard bit then went out onto the road,no problems,came back into the yard and a guy that had been training with me that morning said to me when he was ready to go out onto the road,"Do i just use the two gears when im out?"(he passed incidentally)as in the yard they only have you using two gears.I personally think the CBT should have been a lot harder,to really test peoples skills and make 100% sure they are ready to go onto the road,as everybody just starting at day one of the CBT are at all different levels,experiences,get them all up to a similar level,then get them on the road for the rest of the CBT.
It's a fantastic laugh. As you (presumably) already drive a car all you have to learn is how to ride a bike, you've already got the road sense. For me, any thoughts of 'there's no way I'll get this in a day' went out of the window within 5 minutes of getting on the bike.
The 2 hour drive was nice and relaxed as I was with a 16 year old on a 50cc moped so we didn't go above 30, until near the end of the day I hear through the earpiece 'go ahead and enjoy yourself, meet us at the top of the hill in a few miles'. I flicked it down a couple of gears and made that 125 baby fly
I thought I was tanking along when I looked at my speedo to see I was doing a whopping 55mph.
It's agreat day out and you'll enjoy yourself immensely.
The 2 hour drive was nice and relaxed as I was with a 16 year old on a 50cc moped so we didn't go above 30, until near the end of the day I hear through the earpiece 'go ahead and enjoy yourself, meet us at the top of the hill in a few miles'. I flicked it down a couple of gears and made that 125 baby fly
I thought I was tanking along when I looked at my speedo to see I was doing a whopping 55mph. It's agreat day out and you'll enjoy yourself immensely.
You need to approach CBT with the right attitude. Most instructors I know do it because they really enjoy it. Nothing spoils an instructor's day more than having a student who thinks they know it all already and treats CBT like it's a formality. It isn't. If you can't complete any of the 5 elements you will not get the certificate at the end of the day. Any school who issues a CBT when the student is incapable isn't doing themselves or the learner any favours. If they ain't safe I ain't signing them off, period! 
On the day listen to what you are being taught and don't be afraid to ask questions. You'll find the day is a lot more enjoyable if you really make an effort to participate in all the elements; even the classroom stuff.
On the day listen to what you are being taught and don't be afraid to ask questions. You'll find the day is a lot more enjoyable if you really make an effort to participate in all the elements; even the classroom stuff.
I booked on a CBT and DA course with a riding school who lent me a 125 free of charge for as long as I liked throughout the period between the CBT and the DA course.
OK so it wasn't completely free as it is built into the DA course cost but it meant that I could get as much or as little practice in as I liked and get used to riding around whilst only forking out for the petrol.
This allows you to really find out whether biking is what you want for very little financial outlay.
Guarantee you won't look back though.
OK so it wasn't completely free as it is built into the DA course cost but it meant that I could get as much or as little practice in as I liked and get used to riding around whilst only forking out for the petrol.
This allows you to really find out whether biking is what you want for very little financial outlay.
Guarantee you won't look back though.
Chief,
Find a training school through your local network of bikers. It isnt difficult. Ask at a couple of the smaller bike shops. It is supposed to be fun and safe.
Do your CBT, DAS if can/want to.
The CBT is really only a sot to feed a few quid into Gov and convince do-gooders that it is worthwhile.
Nobody has yet convinced me that a couple of hours scagging around a carpark on a wretched crutchless sorry clutchlees scrote of a 125 plus an hour of tedium on the road prepared me for the potential carnage in town.
Some people in this forum get hung up and feast on the negatives and get a bit bossy. Ignore them. Just get on the wretched CBT hack, grin like a loon when that 'freeeeedom' moment arrives. Smile, accept the 'pass' and take the piece of paper that means....Book the bigbike DAS.
Find a training school through your local network of bikers. It isnt difficult. Ask at a couple of the smaller bike shops. It is supposed to be fun and safe.
Do your CBT, DAS if can/want to.
The CBT is really only a sot to feed a few quid into Gov and convince do-gooders that it is worthwhile.
Nobody has yet convinced me that a couple of hours scagging around a carpark on a wretched crutchless sorry clutchlees scrote of a 125 plus an hour of tedium on the road prepared me for the potential carnage in town.
Some people in this forum get hung up and feast on the negatives and get a bit bossy. Ignore them. Just get on the wretched CBT hack, grin like a loon when that 'freeeeedom' moment arrives. Smile, accept the 'pass' and take the piece of paper that means....Book the bigbike DAS.
robertlee said:
The CBT is really only a sot to feed a few quid into Gov and convince do-gooders that it is worthwhile.
Nobody has yet convinced me that a couple of hours scagging around a carpark on a wretched crutchless sorry clutchlees scrote of a 125 plus an hour of tedium on the road prepared me for the potential carnage in town.
I can't understand that. I teach CBT for fun at the weekend and I have seen the 'before' and 'after'. At the very least the CBT teaches basic bike control skills and gives the learner an appreciation of the dangers they will face when they are out on the road, along with basic defensive riding techniques to keep them safe. That alone has saved countless lives IMO. Maybe you haven't seen the abilities, or lack thereof, of the new riders I've seen?
Don't forget that the last part of the CBT (the issuing of the certificate) includes a reminder that the rider is not yet up to the minimum approved standard i.e. test standard, and that further training is strongly advised to get the rider to the stage where they are.
Something else to add to this thread, I did my CBT and DAS about 12 months ago, having NEVER ridden a geared bike in any capacity, in my 28 years.
My experience was that the CBT was quite fun, although as others have said the skills you learn are at a VERY minimal level. Personally I think you would get more from it by spending more time on the road, but understand that this would probably need more than a day.
Additionally I think that the CBT should have to be taken by all car drivers as part of their driving test, to give an insight into safety and bikes on the road.
I think you will walk away pleased with yourself after your CBT, and looking forward to your DAS WHEN you decide to book it!
One other piece of advice for you, when you do book the DAS and you are struggling to get the hang of the manouvres and basic road riding on your first two days on the 125, don't panic! As soon as you move up to the "big" bike it all slots into place, becomes 100% easier, and is much more enjoyable.
My experience was that the CBT was quite fun, although as others have said the skills you learn are at a VERY minimal level. Personally I think you would get more from it by spending more time on the road, but understand that this would probably need more than a day.
Additionally I think that the CBT should have to be taken by all car drivers as part of their driving test, to give an insight into safety and bikes on the road.
I think you will walk away pleased with yourself after your CBT, and looking forward to your DAS WHEN you decide to book it!
One other piece of advice for you, when you do book the DAS and you are struggling to get the hang of the manouvres and basic road riding on your first two days on the 125, don't panic! As soon as you move up to the "big" bike it all slots into place, becomes 100% easier, and is much more enjoyable.
Well Im now the proud owner of a nice shiny new DL196 certificate 
The course went well. I didnt ride flawlessly but other than a few faults with the gears and the clutch while pulling away a few times I apparently rode well. Most importantly I really enjoyed it too
The weather was quite windy which didnt help as the bike didnt feel stable above 40/45. Still, im sure a heavier bike with bigger tyres would have been quite a bit better.
Roll on the direct access I say
>> Edited by chief-0369 on Saturday 9th April 19:22
The course went well. I didnt ride flawlessly but other than a few faults with the gears and the clutch while pulling away a few times I apparently rode well. Most importantly I really enjoyed it too
The weather was quite windy which didnt help as the bike didnt feel stable above 40/45. Still, im sure a heavier bike with bigger tyres would have been quite a bit better.
Roll on the direct access I say
>> Edited by chief-0369 on Saturday 9th April 19:22
Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff