Bike training in Manchester

[LongLiveTazio]

Hi guys,

New Year's Resolution is to do my direct access (I'm 22), and I'm currently in Manchester. I read a topic about training a short while ago and there was talk of some instructors being better than others (as is life) - emergency stops from 70mph and so on. Ideally if someone could recommend a place with a really good instructor (maybe ex-police - aren't they really good?) I'd be really grateful.

I don't have a lot of time off this year, but do have a week off in April where I could get it done: are 5-day type courses the general method nowadays? No doubt after I pass (of course!) you'll all be subjected to a 'what bike on a budget' thread! Think one of the first things I'll do is go to the Cat & Fiddle...

Thanks for any advice/pointers, friendly bike people!

[speed8]

I done mine with the Rocket Centre in Blackburn which isn't a million miles from you. I travelled over from Leeds every morning and really enjoyed the training with them. Passed first time along with most of the folk that started with me. I had never been on a bike before that.

Not sure if they still do their own training though or if they do it through somebody else but when I done mine it was based from their shop.

[gsfrontera]

bms are based at belle vue dog stadium, thats where i did my training. passed first time and the instructors are top class. you will probably get their number from yellow pages or off the net. they get my vote

[LongLiveTazio]

Connected to being a newbie, I have the choice of either going for a bike or a car. I don't have lots of money to chuck at either but I guess my main concern is insurance. I need to get example quotes but it seems to me that if I get a bike (say... I dunno, 500cc and 'boring' i.e. CB500) and keep it in a garage overnight it'd be a lot cheaper than a car on the road? I'm 22 and have 0 NCB, FTR. I have no qualms about riding in all weathers, by the way!