Biker's Cafe Chatroom

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Syla5 said:
CBT is booked - 17th October for both of us.

Nervous but excited. I did double check with the school if we needed any additional training before hand and they said no, just come for the CBT. As a car driver I find this interesting and daunting at the same time. While i have years of road experience behind my, my daughter is totally fresh to it all, and to think after the CBT is done she can head out on the roads on her own is crazy!

Looking forward to it, any tips are greatly welcomed.
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If possible borrow a geared bike and practice for few days and go on a business park on sunday.

When I had a geared bike (SORN) I took time using that so when I did the CBT gears wasn't a problem. This time round I didn't have SORN bike so when I did the CBT a geared bike was to difficult.
 
tom_e said:
Everyone on the road is trying to kill you (not always intentionally).

That's not me trying to put you off, but it's the safest way to think before deciding to make a manoeuvre or take up a road position.
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Yep. I'd also suggest getting the highway code for your daughter to read. It's been a while since I did the CBT and DAS (2008 I think), and I had already been driving for a few years so knew what, you know, road signs etc mean! For you I'd suggest - after probably re-reading the highway code, stuff changes! - if you keep going with it, get the 'Motorcycle roadcraft: the police rider's handbook' book. You know, or don't :). And every time you're both in the car, play "name the roadsigns" or wtf. Especially if you live in a craphole/city.

On the actual physical side of things, your daughter will be fine on the geared bike, don't worry about that at all. CBT is the very start of the bike journey. It's meant to be just the single event, no pre-work needed. Provided you have hand-eye coordination and with half an hour practice can pat your head and rub your stomach, you'll be fine too :D.

And Jebus H do not do it on a scooter. Unless you two want to start a competitor to those delivery services. Give yourself the most options.

Other than that, hurrah! Motorcycling is the best thing since not motorcycling. There's a whole world of different bikes and experiences and avenues to explore physically and metaphorically. I'm on my Super Duke GT eyeing up an M1000XR for an extra 25hp and theft magnetism, whilst my neighbour just swapped out some Ducati adventure type thing for a Triumph modern retro twin thingy. And they're all super ways to enjoy riding. Another friend has just bought my CRF250 off me so he can start off-road riding... after just having a new hip! He rides a massive Indian too.

There. That's my attempt to gee you up :).
 
tom_e said:
Everyone on the road is trying to kill you (not always intentionally).
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Often said in jest, but it’s true.
@Syla5
Expect at all times other drivers to do the most stupid **** you’ve ever imagined.
Also, be wary of taking advice from people on here, 99% actually own a bike and give good advice, the other 1% is an idiot.
 
Syla5 said:
CBT is booked - 17th October for both of us.

Nervous but excited. I did double check with the school if we needed any additional training before hand and they said no, just come for the CBT. As a car driver I find this interesting and daunting at the same time. While i have years of road experience behind my, my daughter is totally fresh to it all, and to think after the CBT is done she can head out on the roads on her own is crazy!

Looking forward to it, any tips are greatly welcomed.
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I have some excellent tips for you that I always like to pass on:

Be comfortable. This goes for riding, the gear you wear, your position on the saddle, your mindset when out on the road. A clear head keeps you focused on what you're trying to do - enjoy the ride and stay alive.
That leads into: be vigilant - assume you are invisible. Just because you are there doesn't mean that you have been seen!
Thirdly, riding is not as hard as everyone thinks.
And last of all, buckle up. If you enjoy the CBT, you will have a new hobby on your hands very quickly...
 
Griffo said:
And Jebus H do not do it on a scooter. Unless you two want to start a competitor to those delivery services. Give yourself the most options.
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Aside from all the great advise in your post, i just needed to reassure you neither of us will be doing this on a scooter! Straight to manual 125cc bikes.

We did do a 30 minute try ride session and both of us were up to speed doing laps and figure of 8's (only in 1st gear) by the end of the 30 minutes.

As for everyone saying everyone on the road is out to get you, 100% cant agree with this more, even as just a car driver I am very much aware of this. It shocks me how so many people can be on the roads given the standards I see daily.
 
Providing you have a half decent instructor you should sail through, it's actually a fun day out on most occasions.
But if it hasn't already been said above make sure you wear suitable clothing, one kid turned on my course in shorts and trainers. The instructor gave a fairly long lecture on gear and you could see how annoyed he was at the kid, then told him he wouldn't allow him on the bike at all.

Now I doubt you'd do that but some thick jeans, jacket, and sturdy shoes at a minimum, even better if you have some bike specific gear already.

But good luck and enjoy it.. welcome to the club
 
Mickcas said:
Providing you have a half decent instructor you should sail through, it's actually a fun day out on most occasions.
But if it hasn't already been said above make sure you wear suitable clothing, one kid turned on my course in shorts and trainers. The instructor gave a fairly long lecture on gear and you could see how annoyed he was at the kid, then told him he wouldn't allow him on the bike at all.

Now I doubt you'd do that but some thick jeans, jacket, and sturdy shoes at a minimum, even better if you have some bike specific gear already.

But good luck and enjoy it.. welcome to the club
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Good schools should have suitable clothing for the riders.
 
tom_e said:
Ingrained with the stench of 16 year olds fear sweat...yummy!
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I believe PJ and or Duncan also caught face diseases as well as going blind, from those paintball masks!

If I recall, I had bought a hat already by the CBT stage - they make nice ornaments regardless! - and then just wore the aforementioned 'thick clothes' and some ankle-tasty walking boots. The day after I was in J&S spending more money :D.
 
hornetstinger said:
Good schools should have suitable clothing for the riders.
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Since covid, a lot of training schools no longer offer shared clothing and recommend using your own stuff.

Doesn't have to be top of the line stuff, I paid £30 for a set of textiles off fleabay to do my DAS. Once I passed, then i bought my proper kit.
 
Diddums said:
You can do a DAS on an automatic nowadays, Honda and their NC750 made this happen.

No chance I'd ever recommend anyone doing auto-only, do it proper or don't do it at all.
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Not to mention that with modern quick shifters, you barely need to do anything anyway.

Changing gear is also just damn satisfying. No one should deprive themselves of that experience willingly.
 
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