Pitt's Blog - Getting my Full Motorcycle Licence

[Pitt]

Hello!

This is Pitt's Blog - Getting my Full Motorcycle Licence.

I hope that's okey with everyone and will be a way to keep us all motivated, especially the people who are in my situation and are dreaming of getting their full motorcycle licence.

Since when I was very young, I've always wanted to have a motorbike, but unfortunately my family and friends never supported me into having one, as they were and still are worried.

However, I set myself a goal to pursue all my dreams and this is my first dream to pursue - getting my Full Motorcycle Licence.

I've researched a lot during the past month and a half and I've planned the whole 'route' of getting my licence.

The First Step - Provisional Driving Licence

I sent out my documents and applied for my provisional driving licence.

It took me about a week or two to receive and now I have my first provisional driving licence.

Step Two - Equipment & Clothing

I went shopping in London with a friend on a nice sunny Monday morning.

We went to a shop called 'Infinity Motorcyles' and purchased all the equipment I need to ride a motorbike.

The staff was really helpful and understanding. It was a bit frustrating, as they didn't have my size, but that's only because I have a strange body structure, I guess.

You can read about the equipment I got here.

Step Three - Booked my CBT!

Yes, I finally did it! I just called in today and booked a date for my CBT.

I took the decision to book my CBT for Wednesday (28/09/11) and I have to be there at 08:00am.

The company's name is North London Motorcycle Training and is located in Edgware, London.

I looked at many videos on youtube and written material all over the Internet, just to make sure that I'm prepared for my CBT.

Thanks to Fozzie and Spafe2302, who gave me a free riding lesson outside of their house a couple of days ago, I now feel prepared to take on my CBT. If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't even know how to turn on the engine or how to even mount the motorbike safely. Great people! Thank you very much guys!

So, this is for now. My CBT will be on Wednesday and I'm confident that I will do well, but if you have any suggestions and tips that you think will help me, please share.

I will be updating this thread with more info, as soon as I progress further. Oh, I forgot to say, I will be making Vlogs as well and will be uploading them on YouTube. I will let you know, when I purchase my first camera.

[Ash]

All I can really say is good luck

[mealexme]

Thanks to Fozzie and Spafe2302, who gave me a free riding lesson outside of their house a couple of days ago, I now feel prepared to take on my CBT.

On their large driveway or other legal - offroad space obviously!

there isnt really anything you need to know before your CBT as it is a training course set up for people that havent riden a bike before, and its not something you can fail either (unless you dont finish it), so good luck and have fun!

[Pitt]

Thank you very much!

Yes, it was on the looooong driveway they have.

It was AMAZING.

I can't wait to do my CBT.

[Bonniebird]

Good luck for Wednesday.

Looking like the weather's going to be good down your way next week at the moment. 'Cause the Met Office never get it wrong

[Pitt]

Oh, I hope the weather is good.

I know that I need to know how to ride in all weather conditions, but I hope Wednesday is sunny.

[Guest]

Looks like you'll be fine, the weather is getting better this week

Good luck!

[Pitt]

Yeah, 25C on Wednesday.

Who wants to come watch me?

[spafe2302]

Thanks to Fozzie and Spafe2302, who gave me a free riding lesson outside of their house a couple of days ago, I now feel prepared to take on my CBT.

On their large driveway or other legal - offroad space obviously!

 

Well was actually on the back alley access to the garage (which is all private property ) as sadly my insurance on the 125 has run out so we couldnt go to a nice large carpark.

Good luck mate, and let me know if you stil lwant the bike and we'll sort it all out, if not it'll be going on ebay next monday (so gives you time to pass, celebrate then let me know if your after it).

Let us know how it goes

[Pitt]

Guys, tomorrow is my CBT!

I can't wait!

Wish me luck!

[Spacedeck]

Good luck and post what you thought of it in the CBT thread. I like reading them as it gives me confidence I can do mine

[Silverspring]

You don't need luck I'm a girl and even I managed to complete the CBT

Have fun today, looks like you'll have amazing weather for it!

[Pitt]

I was boiling hot as I was wearing full gear today!

Unfortunately, we couldn't make it today, as the other guy I was in a group with couldn't get the use of clutch control.

I'm set to carry on for a half day on Friday, which pissed me off a little bit as I was completely ready to finish my CBT.

Anyway, will see how it goes on Friday.

[techno]

Well that sucks!

[Boothy]

I was boiling hot as I was wearing full gear today!

Unfortunately, we couldn't make it today, as the other guy I was in a group with couldn't get the use of clutch control.

I'm set to carry on for a half day on Friday, which pissed me off a little bit as I was completely ready to finish my CBT.

Anyway, will see how it goes on Friday.

 

Do you have to pay again?

[Pitt]

Yes, for a half day. £50.00

Sorry for the language, but that's just STUPID.

Because of the other guy, I have to take a day off work and go on Friday.

Basically, I lost money because of this guy. But eh, can't do nothing about it now.

[Boothy]

Something more to this... Don't seem right... When I did my CBT I was in a group of 2, me and another guy. I passed... he had to come back the next day...

[Theboyparker]

Plus they shouldn't charge you again. Load of bull if you ask me.....

[Pitt]

Well, I wouldn't go back to this company, would I..

The problem was that we were two in a group and we had only one instructor.

It was already 4pm, because this other guy couldn't learn how to use the clutch to control his bike on slow speed and how to change gears, as well.

So the clock was ticking and the instructor told us that he is finished for the day as it was already 4pm.

I was very dissapointed.

But eh, £50.00 more and half a day.

[davefly76]

I'd be going somewhere else! Why should you pay for another half day just because someone else caused you to run out of time??

Edit: my CBT went into a second day because the weather got pretty bad, and it was getting dark and I didn't pay anything extra.

Edited September 29, 2011 by davefly76

[Boothy]

I'd be going somewhere else! Why should you pay for another half day just because someone else caused you to run out of time??

 

Because both of them failed.

[davefly76]

I'd be going somewhere else! Why should you pay for another half day just because someone else caused you to run out of time??

 

Because both of them failed.

 

But that wasn't down to the OP.. He only "failed" because the other guy couldn't get the hang of clutch control and prevented the CBT to move on to other things (if i'm reading it right), and subsequently they ran out of time. Basically he was being held back by someone else and is now expected to pay again.

[getready]

That's outrageous. Did he not realise that the other guy would have problems on the rideout earlier? When I did my CBT there was one lad who was obviously struggling who was told to go home and return another day (at lunchtime just before the ride out - not 4pm!)

I'd be off somewhere else and asking for a refund from the first guy!

[Boothy]

Exacly... some bs going on here. Either the op was not upto the required standard aswell or if this it not the case you need to get a refund and go somewhere else.

[Pitt]

I HAVE PASSED MY CBT! YEAAAH!!

It was great.

At first, I wasn't feeling confident enough with the U-turns, for some reason, but after a while I got the hang of it, without any problems.

We also did many emergency stops and then controlled stops.

When we got on the road, I found myself strugling a bit, as it was my first time on the road riding!

After I started leading the group, I felt great and had no mistakes at all.

All indicators were perfect and on time, all checks and observations were perfect and the speed, distance, road position was great also.

I'm glad that I've passed and I will be doing my Theory very soon, as well as Module 1 and Module 2 in about a month.

Yeaaaah! I'm so happy.