MattB

As long as you are riding in accordance with your licence it is valid throughout the EU.

The AA has most of the answers:

http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/overseas/index.html

I changed training schools half way through as I got fed up with instructors. But I found each school had its good and bad ones, so asked for the good ones and refused to take lessons with the bad ones.

The bad ones were the arrogant, seen it all, know it all shouters.

 

Its funny how you dont seem to get that bad attitude with driving instructors?

Because the process they go through is far more demanding than that for a DAS instructor. You could become a full DAS instructor having completed no formal training, as long as you pass both Cardington assesments.

I gained a Diploma in Motorcycle Instruction in May. Cost a fair amount in lost wages, hotels and the course cost but well worth it - even if only being able to put DipMI after my name

Hey that is excellent, well done you I wish more people would do the same.

Having worked in this industry I can tell you that it is filled with a large number of t**ts. There are also some great instructors out there but finding them is hard.

 

What do you think it is about the job that makes some instructors behave like this??

I wonder how many people are put off by rude/arrogant instructors??? these idiot instructors are harming our sport - they need to be dealt with so that more people are not put off biking

I don't really know tbh. A lot of them think they are some kind of elite rider, fall at my feet you plebs, kinda people who don't really have the skill set or the patience to teach novices. You know Cardington (despite what instructors will tell you) is really not hard to pass and the only real qualification you need is a few years riding experience.

I honestly think that instuctors should have to hold some kind of formal teaching qualification (like a C&G of some sort) and that schools should be checked far more regularly than they are.

I think the other issue is a lot of instructors don't actually like running CBTs. There is no money in it due to cheapskate schools screwing down prices, it is usually bloody hard work, and a lot of stress having 2 complete novices out on the road in your care. Some people just can't hack it.

I have heard too many stories about students being verbally abused/intimidated by instructors and the only way to stop it is to complain.

I haven't read all of the replies, but you should report these people to the DSA.

+1

Do this ASAP while the details are firm in your mind otherwise nothing will change.

Having worked in this industry I can tell you that it is filled with a large number of t**ts. There are also some great instructors out there but finding them is hard.

Why would you need to?

If it is misting up then get a pinlock or some anti fogging spray. You need to be in control of the machine. It would be a harsh examiner who faulted you for adjusting a visor but if you get a wobble on whilst doing it then you are asking for trouble!

May be wrong but that fat ring you have on the new exhaust doesn't look standard to me, and it seems like if it wasn't there it would all fit correctly.

Is it possible it was fitted to a bike with a non standard downpipe before and modified to suit?

Doesn't look like the baffle is removable ???

Looks welded in to me...

How many hours on average of on road experience would you say a new rider needs after completing cbt before sitting mod1,mod2?

How long is a piece of string - it depends on your ability to absorb the info and learn to ride. A 5 day DAS course will give you all the instruction you need, whether you put this into practice during the tests is up to you!

Would you say traveling 50 miles to a motorcycle training school for the sake of it being a little cheaper than local one would be a good idea or not considering am very unfamiliar with the roads in that area will this likely make things harder for mod2 ?

Bad idea. Intensive DAS courses are knackering. 100 mile round trips each day will leave you too tired to concentrate properly = dangerous.

What important questions should i ask a motorcycle training school before handing over cash ?

What is their pass rate?

Do they lay out the MOD1 circuit fully (with correct coloured cones) for you to practice on before the test? You are paying for them to get you through the test - if they don't lay out a full circuit then walk away.

Can you come and have a look one day, check out the bikes, instructors etc? If they say no, walk away.

Mine was about 7 hours on the road then mod 1 and 2 on the dame day.

Often done but be careful of this. Many schools split the 5 day DAS with the MOD2 taken on the following week. It gives you an opportunity to retake MOD1 if you fail and not lose your money for the MOD2 test slot.

The knee protection being down on your shins isn't a problem either as it SHOULD ride up onto your knees when you sit on the bike.

Is there a rotating ring type setup on the shock for adjusting preload?

DAS was designed to take a complete novice (never riden a bike) through to full licence. That's why day 1 is a CBT.

It's not the course, but your willingness to learn and the quality of your instructor that matters.

It's billing bike fest in a few weeks. I'm not sure I'll be going in case it's as rubbish as the one at the weekend.

Gotcha.

Awwwww feck! I just ordered Snake Oil and Magic Beans Additive, along with cat dusting slippers from Lakeland...

http://www.thisblogrules.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/cat-duster-slippers.jpg

not just to make it easier to do the nuts, apparently you dont need to use feeler gauges with this either,

as you say, it is a lot of money though for a not often done job

No feeler gauges, how does that work then?

Thanks for the invite mate. I had a lie in so was a little late up to make it over to Cambridgeshire. Maybe next time...

Went to billing bike show in the end, definitely won't be going again next year!!!

Billing Bike Show - thought that wasn't on for another few weeks?

Worth a look, cheers!

As for police bikers not being all you think they are... I guess everyone to their own... have you ridden with any?

Yes, otherwise I wouldn't of made the comment

I always wondered about that. Are they police first who have learn to ride, or are they bikers who joined the police??

Normally already bikers with a licence but I don't think they are too fussy about experience.

I remember one programme a while back (Emergency Bikers maybe) where a female officer had joined the bike team, she hadn't riden for years and then nothing bigger than a 250cc! Scary...

From what I remember some forces charge and some don't, some areas do not run the scheme at all. Places are normally limited and you may have to get on the waiting list.

I tried to do one a while back when I was instructing, just to see what it was like and have a giggle, but it was cancelled due to the riots. Can't honestly be bothered now and IMHO traffic police are not the riders they would have you believe they are...

Does it still do it if you turn off the fuel at the petrol tap from the tank?

Remembering of course that you should be turning the fuel tap (if you have one) off at the end of the day anyway...

Driving licences issued by countries in the European Community and three other countries in the European Economic Area (EC/EEA) are treated equally. The countries are:

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg,

Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Cyprus, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

Coming to live in Great Britain

If you have a valid EC/EEA licence, you can drive any vehicle covered by the categories shown on your licence for the periods set out below.

Ordinary licences - Until you are 70 or have lived in GB for three years, whichever is longer.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/motoring/driverlicensing/drivingingbonaforeignlicence/dg_4022556

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/motoring/driverlicensing/drivingingbonaforeignlicence/dg_4022562

Heard on BBC news this morning:

"The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has provisionally decided to refer the private motor insurance market to the Competition Commission after it found evidence that insurers compete in a 'dysfunctional way' that pushes up premiums by £225m a year"

But don't hold your breath!

Since when was the centre of the carridge way ever the correct line for much other than passing your test?

Agreed.

However, it seems he saw the lorry at the last minute - therefore not a completely open view of the bend. In a blind situation like this you would be foolish to not cover yourself with your lane positioning.