MattB

Ahhh that can of worms is getting opened again! I reckon you will get a 50/50 split of people telling you what to do. Personally, I would just go for DAS. At th end of the day you need to decide what you want, but I think you already answered your own question. So start phoning for DAS prices...

Some kind of cafe racer bobbed Harley Sportster thingy?

Congratulations

This is, to be honest, shocking. An instructor should NEVER put a student onto a bike without first going through the explanations of the controls. There is also a lesson where you should manually handle the bike - on and off the stands, wheel it round etc. to get the feel of it. You should then be taught how to get on and off correctly, the safety position, in and out of gear, find the biting point.... And so on I'm amazed you survived the day and I am concerned that you do not feel safe to ride on your own! The instructor that taught me always said - imagine they are your son or daughter, would you be happy for them to ride on their own at the end of the day? You didn't get a proper CBT, despite the fact he was a nice guy. This is your safety that is at risk here. Why do we stand for such poor service in this country?

Crazy Fox Cafe http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/w462/MattB70/IMG00060-20120518-1307a.jpg

Light rain according to the Met Office... Anybody decided to go? I can't do this as I have my 7 year old that weekend, but I'm going to stick him in the car and drive down to the Ace so we can watch people arriving and have a nose at the bikes.

Ahh yes, the "good old days". Although not being quite as ancient as tango they had cut this down to a 125 in my time. It does what it says on the tin Compulsory BASIC Training. But at least you realised this - a lot of people don't. Glad you didn't hurt yourself.

I would say this is the problem too. You are thinking about the fact it (in your mind) wont turn, so you start to look at the centre line/other side of the road, all of a sudden you are over there! Ooops... Happens all the time with people on CBT or DAS, and it's a mindset thing. Cornering is more about what you do with your head and eyes than anything else. Turn you head and keep your eyes on that vanishing point of the bend (where the two kerbs meet in the distance). Remember - Slow in, fast out. Knock a bit more off for the cruiser, go in slower and give it time to turn (like Tango said). As that vanishing point starts to move in front of you and open up you know the bend is straightening so you can start to wind on the power.

You need to take: CBT certificate Photocard AND paper counterpart of your licence Theory Test pass certificate Module 1 pass certificate Insurance and MOT cert. if required Your bike must be roadworthy and have mirrors fitted Failing to change your address is in fact an offence. I would suggets you fill in the section for address changes on the paper part and explain you have just moved. And good luck!

The only thing you NEED to take is your licence. Apart from that your instructor/training school should have told you what is or is not provided. If they have not, then ask them. How old is your lid? Is it legal? Don't analyse and over think it too much before you get there. Just turn up on time, listen, follow instructions and you will be fine.

If it was the kill switch then surely the engine would turn over but not fire

Exactly - CBT on a 500 if it is day one of a DAS course, and if your instructor is up for it.

Just remember that your instructor will have to beat all those bad habbits out of you that you have picked up riding in Indonesia. What size bike are you riding? If you want to cut down on time for a DAS course, and your instructor is up for it, you can jump in the deep end and do the CBT on a 500. Saves a days training doing it on a 125 then converting, but you both have to be confident!

The procedure is OSM/PSL when coming to a junction/roundabout etc. Observations - left right mirror Signal Move into your new lane Position ready to turn BUT BEFORE YOU MOVE - LIFESAVER Speed - adjust it Look - if it's clear then go (at a give way) if not, stop Moving from the junction you do not need to check mirrors or look behind. Out of the junction - cancel indicator, mirror check and away. No lifesaver. Remember there is an extra lifesaver when turning right major to minor. Pulling away after stopping at lights you just need a left right mirror check, do not need to look behind. You check mirrors and do a lifesaver and when you sacrifice that safe position in the centre of the lane either moving left or right. You check the mirrors when you change speed.

Cheers Decor

Excellent, well done.

It's a good cause, and I'm ex forces so would be nice to go. But, can't say I relish the thought of a motorway slog up the M1/M6, and looking at the pictures from previous years it looks a bit like a HOG Fest. Am I mistaken?

SERV - a noble cause. Good luck with it, hope it works out.

What makes you think you need an advanced test, not knocking it, just curious? Have you looked at the police Bikesafe scheme? You could do a day and see waht they say. The other alternative is the DSA backed Enhanced Rider Scheme.

Made a start with the local ones... The Crown Stony Stratford http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/w462/MattB70/IMG00045-20120504-1233.jpg Silverstone http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/w462/MattB70/IMG00048-20120504-1258.jpg Jack's Hill Cafe http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/w462/MattB70/IMG00049-20120504-1307.jpg Super Sausage http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/w462/MattB70/IMG00050-20120504-1318.jpg

Congratulations

True. You would not be insured to ride your own bike without passing your test, anyway how would you get it there, what would you do with it each day after training? Use the school bike, you really have no choice.

Doing a CBT, buying a 125, doing DAS, selling a 125, buying a bigger bike...... Sounds like a lot of work and lost pennies to me! You really should consider just doing your DAS and be done with it. It will save you time, money and grief. If you do the CBT there is no choice but to do it on the training school bike. You would not be insured to ride your own bike without the completed CBT certificate you get at the end of the day.

OK so another shake up of the current test format is on its way, no definite time frame yet but the DSA are saying by 2013... The long term aim is to provide a single event test that takes place on the road. The aim is to have module 1 and 2 taken at the same time. Having the test take place entirely on road rules out the need for MPTCs making the test more accessible for riders and reducing distances travelled. Hang on, having a bit of deja vu here!