Intensive course or not?

[Vinnie]

Hi, 

I done a CBT last year and haven't rode since. I have my full licence book for September and I'm scared lol. The course is over 5 days with a test on the 5th.has anyone else ever done this? 

[Bender]

Yup plenty with no experience do das 

Good luck  

[Ferris85]

I did similar myself albeit a shorter gap between doing cbt and doing DAS, I was worried about having no experience but turned out to be worrying about nothing , I did 3 days with MOD1 on day 2 and MOD 2 on day 3 , best of luck with it all

[Gerontious]

Its not even a new idea.  I remember back in the 1990s - MCN and some of the magazines would be filled with adverts from training companies, where everything was included and often meant a week in a B&B in some small town out in the sticks. days of intensive training and then the test. So, you had a bit of a holiday and the test done in a comparatively quiet town.

[Bender]

1 hour ago, Gerontious said:

Its not even a new idea.  I remember back in the 1990s - MCN and some of the magazines would be filled with adverts from training companies, where everything was included and often meant a week in a B&B in some small town out in the sticks. days of intensive training and then the test. So, you had a bit of a holiday and the test done in a comparatively quiet town.

Used to do it for cars too  

[Stu]

2.5 days and I went from CBT to full licence! 

 

Depends on how you are and how quickly you learn 

[ChasXSR]

On 13/07/2022 at 18:45, Vinnie said:

Hi, 

I done a CBT last year and haven't rode since. I have my full licence book for September and I'm scared lol. The course is over 5 days with a test on the 5th.has anyone else ever done this? 

 

I'm in the process of doing this.

Mod 2 is tomorrow for me.

 

[S-Westerly]

Good luck.

[ChasXSR]

Cheers!

The good news is I passed :D.

2 Minors which I am happy with.

Regarding my experience

-Passed my CBT in August 2020
-Got a bike in September 2021 (Honda CG125), and I did 2600 miles between then and now, with most of those happening this year ; The bike was not used from December to March.
-Did 3 days of DAS in June 2022, 2 days of training, 3rd day was the Mod 1.
-I did the Mod 1 in June and failed due to a sidestand issue : I couldn't figure out why the bike was cutting out, as my CG until then never had one (the previous chap who was a known instructor locally, claimed I'd never need one for practising ironcially!)
-Passed the Mod 1 in July
-Bought the XSR in July, and I practicised locally with it on quite industrial estates on private roads ; luckily, my friend owns the complex even if it is small. That did help as the weight of the XSR is heavier than the 125. Cutting out an XSR mid corner when pulling away is very different to the CG!
-Passed the Mod 2 in August.

In some ways, the CBT experience enhanced my skills with roadcraft, and how to use footpegs correctly (one can of worms) ; But I'm aware many CBT schools err on the side of caution here. I actually became a bit too used to a smaller bike, finding many gaps in traffic! I may miss that thanks to the footpeg trick (balls of of the feet on the footpegs when not braking or changing gear).

However, in other ways, getting 1 year's of experience probably added a layer of doubt, regarding
-When I should do lifesavers with the OSMPSL routine

i.e if I'm in the left lane/moving, and going left, there are conflicting report about if they are needed during the OS bit (which I understand). I did them anyway. Same logic for turning right where there is a central reservation. Again, it seems folks are split about if they are needed for mini-roundabouts (there were none for me today).

-When is too close too close? I know when I can leave when it is safe, but is that safe to a tester on the day? It turned out it was.

-If there are parked cars on the left at traffic lights, but there is a half car's width that a bike can go through, but a car can't do I take it? That was a minor fault for me today (I didn't). I'd have taken it without the examiner there, but I didn't know how they would take it.

Maybe I watched a few too many YouTube videos or maybe it's just something that can't fully be covered in two days.

That said, I did drop off my CG myself 85 miles away from home last week with its new owner!

There is one thing however. The Mod 2 test goes by quickly! It doesn't feel like it's 40-50 mins long.

With the above, it took time to sink in that I have a Full A licence!

 

Edited August 2, 2022 by ChasXSR

[Fiddlesticks]

Congrats! It's a great feeling.

[S-Westerly]

Congratulations and well done you. Enjoy!

[Ferris85]

Well done !

[cloughie24]

Well done!! Happy biking 

[bonio]

If your local police run a Bikesafe course, you might be interested to give it a go. It's the sort of thing where you can ask the kind of questions you're asking and it's always useful to hear what experienced riders have to say.