Passed my CBT, what next?
Discussion
OK, it took two sessions but in my defence I've never been on a bike before. I did it at the same place as Garlick, Raktrain (formerly EvolutionRT) in Harlow.
I've already passed the theory test as well, and my plan was to go straight to the DAS course. But TBH I struggle a bit with balance and really have to concentrate on all the controls, to the extent that when approaching a red light I have to think "brake, clutch in, prod down to change down..."
Now I'm thinking it might be a plan to get a cheap 125 and run around on that for a few months to get a decent feel for things. The school had the Honda CG125, but I hated the lack of a rev counter. Thinking a Yamaha YBR125 might be a plan. Not really after a pseudo-sports bike style 125 as I think when I graduate to a big bike I'll go for something old school rather than a head down arse up bike.
Thoughts?
I've already passed the theory test as well, and my plan was to go straight to the DAS course. But TBH I struggle a bit with balance and really have to concentrate on all the controls, to the extent that when approaching a red light I have to think "brake, clutch in, prod down to change down..."
Now I'm thinking it might be a plan to get a cheap 125 and run around on that for a few months to get a decent feel for things. The school had the Honda CG125, but I hated the lack of a rev counter. Thinking a Yamaha YBR125 might be a plan. Not really after a pseudo-sports bike style 125 as I think when I graduate to a big bike I'll go for something old school rather than a head down arse up bike.
Thoughts?
Well I reasoned that if I got a cheap 125 I could probably sell it again in a few months time and not drop much money on it. Meanwhile I could ride it to the station and back, etc.
And in the event that I don't pass my test first time I still have something to pootle around on.
And in the event that I don't pass my test first time I still have something to pootle around on.
Edited by carl_w on Thursday 11th March 00:08
As Above really.
Those 125's are so small, light and jittery to ride, I remember doing a (small) powerslide when I done my CBT as it was pissing it down.
Get the direct access booked, 2 full days, with a test at the end of the 2nd day. It worked for me, even though I did it around Leicester and Id never even been there before!
Good luck!
Those 125's are so small, light and jittery to ride, I remember doing a (small) powerslide when I done my CBT as it was pissing it down.
Get the direct access booked, 2 full days, with a test at the end of the 2nd day. It worked for me, even though I did it around Leicester and Id never even been there before!
Good luck!
If you're not that confident you want to pay for a few more lessons rather than trying it out on the road on your own.
I can't see how riding on your own, at commute time, is going to make you a more confident rider. It's more likely to scare the crap out of you and set you back even more.
I can't see how riding on your own, at commute time, is going to make you a more confident rider. It's more likely to scare the crap out of you and set you back even more.
As above, I was finding my co-ordination a bit difficult during my CBT, but after another hour or so with the instructor it was all starting to fall into place and once you've got on a 500 or higher, you really don't want to go back to wringing the neck off a 125. Plus, whilst you might gain valuable experience riding a 125 by yourself, there's also a chance you'll pick up a multitude of bad habits.
I'd say book yourself in for a couple of hours at a time rather than a set DAS course, that way you won't feel pressured and you may even find that you save yourself some money as you won't need the full 2 days worth.
I'd say book yourself in for a couple of hours at a time rather than a set DAS course, that way you won't feel pressured and you may even find that you save yourself some money as you won't need the full 2 days worth.
BTW where does one actually buy bikes and gear from? Autotrader/biketrader don't seem to have a lot of stuff, and I'm not keen on buying gear from an internet shop without trying it on. For example, my current (car) helmet is a size 59 Sparco, but I can't get a size 64 Arai over my head. There don't seem to be anywhere near as many bike dealers as car dealers.
I think I was the only person on the CBT who'd never ridden a bike before. The others were either returning bikers getting their geared bike licence, or newbies doing twist 'n' go. I really want to build up some skills rather than just passing the test. After all, it's taken 20 years to get to my current standard of driving (which is no great thing), so even allowing for a faster learning curve it's going to be a while.
I think I was the only person on the CBT who'd never ridden a bike before. The others were either returning bikers getting their geared bike licence, or newbies doing twist 'n' go. I really want to build up some skills rather than just passing the test. After all, it's taken 20 years to get to my current standard of driving (which is no great thing), so even allowing for a faster learning curve it's going to be a while.
Edited by carl_w on Thursday 11th March 09:33
carl_w said:
I think I was the only person on the CBT who'd never ridden a bike before. The others were either returning bikers getting their geared bike licence, or newbies doing twist 'n' go.
Was the same for me, few teenagers and a couple of guys returning, or doing it again after a ban. Did mean that the instructor was asking me all the questions about how to pull away smoothly as I had zero experience to draw on and I made a good example of what not to do.cal72 said:
For bike gear i toured the bike shops tried stuff on then if i liked it go online (you can save s
t loads) i have bought loads a stuff from here.
http://myworld.ebay.co.uk/bikergear_uk/
I have also purchased from them excelent value and fast shippingt loads) i have bought loads a stuff from here.http://myworld.ebay.co.uk/bikergear_uk/
Get down to lidl today they have suits gloves the lot
How about renting a 125 for a weekend?
Thats what I did after my CBT - found an empty weekend and just rode the thing all the time - lots of different road types / situations - by the time it went back on Monday morning I was much more confident on it. I find sometimes I just need some time on my own to have a "play" without the pressure of instructors etc......
The hundred or so quid it cost was a lot less than buying / selling / insuring a 125 for a few months - and didnt give me any time to slip into bad habits before I did my DAS.
Thats what I did after my CBT - found an empty weekend and just rode the thing all the time - lots of different road types / situations - by the time it went back on Monday morning I was much more confident on it. I find sometimes I just need some time on my own to have a "play" without the pressure of instructors etc......
The hundred or so quid it cost was a lot less than buying / selling / insuring a 125 for a few months - and didnt give me any time to slip into bad habits before I did my DAS.
By the sounds of it I was in a similar boat to you when I was first starting out. I did my CBT having never ridden a bike before. I didn’t take to it too well really through a combination of things. Having only paid for the CBT upfront I waited a while to decide what to do. My mate faced the same issues as me I’m 6’4” and about 18 stone, he’s also a tall lad but as he’d booked his CBT and DAS as a package he persevered and once he got onto a bigger machine it was a different kettle o fish altogether (in a good way). A mate of a mate was selling a 125 cheap (£100) so I got hold of that. It was a horrible piece of crap but got me used to the controls and a few months later I did my DAS and can say the same as everyone else once I’d got on a 500. I think buying a 125 for a few months is a bit of a false economy. I got lucky but as there is a high demand you’ll find it difficult to get a 125 with T&T for <£400 in my experience as they’re over priced for what they are. I managed to sell mine on at a profit.
Do a taster session on a 500 before committing to the full DAS. Although my 125 gave me general bike road craft and used to the controls imo was detrimental once I got on a bigger bike as I got into all sorts of bad habits in only a couple of months riding.
Do a taster session on a 500 before committing to the full DAS. Although my 125 gave me general bike road craft and used to the controls imo was detrimental once I got on a bigger bike as I got into all sorts of bad habits in only a couple of months riding.
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