CBT conundrum

[Miguel the Penguin]

Hi everyone,

I went to go and do my CBT yesterday and wasn't able to go on the road as the instructor wants me to re-do the drills. I'm in two minds whether to return to the same place though and would really welcome advice from those who know more about it than I do.

I'll try to keep this as succint as possible!

- I am doing CBT with a view to riding a bike - I have no interest in scooters whatsoever.

- The training centre would only allow us to use scooters as they said "almost everyone fails if they haven't ridden a geared bike before"

- The practise area seemed very small. At a guess I would say the usable area was around 20 metres long and 8-10 metres wide. (Halved in width when we did U-turns). Maybe that's normal but it felt too small for me.

- The one geared bike we did look at when talking about pre-ride checks was in bad condition. The oil was thick and dark, the chain was loose and the headlight didn't work. On pointing these out the instructor said "Our boss is a c*ck and doesn't maintain the bikes".

- The instructor himself seemed far more interested in looking cool than actually wanting us to pass. The entire day was outside and he chain smoked the whole time. Now, I'm not completely against smoking, but he was literally never without one hanging out of his mouth and after fag #20 it just looked totally unprofessional.

- The instructor also made quite a few nasty comments about people on the course. He was rolling his eyes and making sarcastic remarks about one guy who had been asked to come back to re-do the drills and road section, and I'm certain I saw him laughing at me with one of the boys on the course when I came out of (another) wobbly U-turn. Needless to say this didn't exactly help with my confidence.

- There was no practice of junctions on the bikes before going onto the road - is that normal?

- The on-road session that the others got to do was only 45 minutes. I'm pretty sure they're supposed to be 2 hours?

So, as you can tell, I was less than impressed with the whole set-up. I actually don't think I was *too* bad on the scooter. Sure, I was wobbly and uncertain at points, but I never dropped it and I think with some proper tuition - and probably a bigger practise area - I could have gone onto the road.

Since I have to pay £60 for attempt #2 my cynical side says they see the money opportunity in telling people they need to come back and choose to do that instead of doing what they can to get them through it first time.

So I need to decide whether to just bite the bullet, pay another £60, and go back and hopefully pass the CBT on the Twist n Go and then go somewhere else to learn a geared bike with some one-to-one lessons without the pressure of the CBT. Or walk away now, chalk yesterday up to experience, and start again at a more professional place on a geared bike.

I've seen a two-day 'Start Biking' course on the Camrider website which uses a geared bike and does CBT on Day 2 which looks good to me.

I really am torn so if anyone has constructive advice or recommendations I'd really love to hear them.

Thanks very much.

Oh, on a more positive note, I nailed my theory test this morning!

[Tango]

Congrats on the Theory test.....

I'd be looking at the Camrider course.....that other place sounds like a bunch of cowboys.....

[Bonniebird]

If I were you, I would go with my gut feelings

It is quite common to have to go back and complete the cbt however most would start you off on a standard geared bike, unless you are 16.

The instructor does sound pretty unprofessional, a lot of instruction is about instilling confidence and this guy doesn't sound like its one of his strengths.

Camrider have a good reputation (up this way anyway) Although I think maybe a bit more expensive than some.

[thebendyfox]

In a nutshell - Go to a better testing centre, and check them out before booking or paying. You should have been given an option from the get-go to do the whole CBT on a fully geared 125 - one that was in a useable condition. If you have no intention of riding a twist n' go, then it is utterly POINTLESS passing the CBT on one just to get the pass. You need experience in riding and using a fully geared bike in a calm, easy going and supportive environment.

Don't let this put you off your chosen path, these shysters are all over the place. Just do a spot of googling. Best of british

[al_stu]

Definitely try somewhere else. Never heard of being forced onto a scooter. I did my cbt on a geared bike and although I passed they said they'd like me to do another half day before we went on to DAS as they were concerned I want quite ready for a 500. It was a great idea and really helped my confidence and most importantly they didn't charge me! There are great schools out there, yours sounds a bit pants

[Miguel the Penguin]

Yes, it does indeed sound pants!

I did do some Googling before booking with them and didn't find any negative articles or too many bad reviews, but never mind, we live and learn.

I'm going to pop up to Camrider's London centre tomorrow and have a word with an instructor there, so hopefully it won't be too long until I'm wobbling around on something with gears.

I'm glad my preferred option goes with the consensus - thanks for the input guys.

[fullscreenaging]

You can report the school and instructor the the DSA. Don't let them continue to take the public for a ride..... pardon the pun

https://www.gov.uk/cbt-compulsory-basic ... cbt-course

A bit more info here on regulations the schools have to adhere to

https://www.gov.uk/motorcycle-approved- ... atb-manual

[Miguel the Penguin]

Thanks for that, Deso.

It looks like the off-road practise of left and right turns is mandatory, as is the minimum requirement for 2 hours' on-road training, neither of which were followed.

I shal enjoy penning my disgruntled letter.

Meanwhile, I have high hopes for tomorrow and look forward to seeing the difference at Camrider!

[Bonniebird]

A lot of schools offer a guaranteed pass option so, if you have to have further training then you aren't charged any more, just for the hire of the bike. If you are going to go on to DAS fairly quickly it may also be worth looking at packages with cbt

[charliemopic]

+1 for Camrider Cambridge. Did my first CBT there last August 'ish, instructed by a guy called Nick. They were immensely professional.

[Miguel the Penguin]

Well, the Camrider set-up certainly seems much better from what I saw yesterday!

I'm booked in for the CBT with them later this month, and I went with the guaranteed pass option since I expect to have more than one day there.

Just a short chat with the instructor yesterday inspired me with a lot more confidence and seeing the two people there doing their pad work on the big bikes made me desperate to join them.

I'm umming and ahhing about whether to spend a few months on a 125 before going for the full license but I'll leave that decision until after the CBT when I've got more of a feel for the whole thing.

Thanks for the advice everyone

[al_stu]

Go for the day! More training = safer. Bigger bike = can keep.up with traffic and feel safer.

I was a bit wobbly on the cbt but felt much happier on the das. Seems lots of people either do better on cbt or das, probably all in the mind. Plus at this time of year you should be able to get a deal on das and a deal on a big bike as you're coming out of season

[MissBex]

That first school you was with sounded right dodgy! I went with Camrider (Peterborough), did a 1 hour free get-on session with them, straight on a geared bike and then booked my DAS which included CBT. I was the only one there doing it on a geared bike, the rest were all on scooters (By choice!). If the London Camrider is anything like the one I was at then you should find it a much more enjoyable experience

I passed my CBT that day I did it but still did an extra hour the next day on the 125 to get back into it before moving to the XJ6.

[Miguel the Penguin]

MissBex, I can only hope to take to it as well as you did! Congrats on getting your full license

I can't seem to stop looking at the Monster 696 so I guess that will be a big factor in whether or not I go straight onto DAS..!

[MissBex]

Aww thanks Miguel The Penguin! And best of luck to you, I'm sure you'll do great!

Keep us posted

Bex

[Joeman]

Sounds like the first place was deliberately dragging it out to two days to get more cash. That's a dirty trick and they deserve to be reported.