Are 1 hour tester sessions worth doing?

R.C.Anderson · 4 Apr 2012 at 19:41

Just wondering the above...

One of my local schools provide a 1 hour taster session for free, and I was wondering if it's worth doing it, before I look at booking a CBT.

Main reasons, is that I'm not really sure that just 1 hour is enough to get much more than just knowing where the controls are, so might not be worth it?

I'm thinking of doing it anyway, as at the end of the day, it's only 1 hour of my time, and doesn't cost me anything, so no real loss if I find it's pointless.

Has anyone else done one of these sessions & recommend either way about them? What's recommended to do beforehand, how much of a benefit would it be if I tried watching some youtube vids of how to ride a bike (so I have some familiarisation with the controls) beforehand? I've never ridden a motorbike (or scooter) before, hover I have driven quite a few different cars (both LHD & RHD) so I'm fairly confident driving etc & I've ridden a push bike quite a lot, so I have good balance etc.

So, if you could be bothered to read my waffling

what do you think?

Ghosteh · 4 Apr 2012 at 21:59

Is it actually free? Or just free if you end up doing a CBT/lessons with them? Either way, you may not learn much, but I knew from the moment I actually started riding on my CBT that I'd love biking, so it may be enough time for you to decide.

R.C.Anderson · 4 Apr 2012 at 22:30

Supposedly, yea, it's 100% free, with no obligation for anything. I'm not sure how it's funded etc though, I've been meaning to enquire about that (I don't really want to do it, if they sell my contact details to a load of marketing people...)

VoG · 4 Apr 2012 at 22:45

R.C.Anderson said:
what do you think?

All you losing is one hour of your time & nothing else, so you might as well just go for it.

Oh & it's funded by the motorcycle industry itself, so don't worry about your details being sold on to marketing types to pay for it.

Morbius · 4 Apr 2012 at 23:09

The scheme is called "Get On". http://www.geton.co.uk

Get On is a Motorcycle Industry funded campaign which aims to introduce as many people as possible to the fun, freedom and financial savings that can be made by a switch to a motorcycle or scooter.

The practical session lasts about an hour. You’ll be introduced to the controls and learn to get rolling and stop safely. Then you practice changing gear, controlling the motorbike or scooter at low speeds, and riding around a simple course. At the end, you get feedback about your riding and the chance to ask questions about further training, how to buy a motorcycle, or anything else.

pheebs · 8 Apr 2012 at 23:03

They're brilliant

We're involved a lot with Get On - as in they have helped support and advise us with our up and coming trip. The hour taster is down to each test centre as to how they hold it (I think they have guide lines) but the one I went on meant I had a chance on a 125cc and a 650cc... as well as fun around cones and what! So I liked it!

Tattysnuc · 9 Apr 2012 at 09:26

It sounds like a good way to get into it. Personally, I needed the full day to get me up to CBT levels, but there's no reason NOT to go on it. I mean, if you do it, then decide to do a full day CBT after, you've gained an additional hour in the saddle.... FREE!

smyth · 23 Apr 2012 at 10:52

I've just had one of the free taster sessions on Saturday at Wheels in Birmingham.

Didn't really enjoy it as I found the instructors explainations confusing. He said the YBR125 had 5 gears + neutral and showed this using his hand, which I took to mean that there were 6 positions for the gear lever. When he was showing me how to use the front brake he said squeeze it slowly and when I did this he just kept saying you're grabbing it! Only at the end of the lesson did I realise you just need to press the front brake very slightly to slow down when you're going slow. I also did a bit of reading and realised that the gear lever has 3 positions, Up, Down and the middle postion which you can get to neutral from 1 or 2.

The lesson only 20 minutes aswell which did let me do much, only go in a straight line in first gear a few times after all the explainations.

He then told me about the cost of the CBT and how it's a lot of information for 1 day so you will possible have to pay and extra £70 for another half day or that some people find it better to do it over 2 days for £240!!

Very disappointed with the day as I was looking forward to it too.

agnes · 23 Apr 2012 at 11:31

smyth said:
I've just had one of the free taster sessions on Saturday at Wheels in Birmingham.

Didn't really enjoy it as I found the instructors explainations confusing. He said the YBR125 had 5 gears + neutral and showed this using his hand, which I took to mean that there were 6 positions for the gear lever. When he was showing me how to use the front brake he said squeeze it slowly and when I did this he just kept saying you're grabbing it! Only at the end of the lesson did I realise you just need to press the front brake very slightly to slow down when you're going slow. I also did a bit of reading and realised that the gear lever has 3 positions, Up, Down and the middle postion which you can get to neutral from 1 or 2.

The lesson only 20 minutes aswell which did let me do much, only go in a straight line in first gear a few times after all the explainations.

He then told me about the cost of the CBT and how it's a lot of information for 1 day so you will possible have to pay and extra £70 for another half day or that some people find it better to do it over 2 days for £240!!

Very disappointed with the day as I was looking forward to it too.

I would complain, that is awful.

I would not take that experiance with you mate, forget about it, rebook for somewhere else and try again.

Souleh · 23 Apr 2012 at 13:25

Morbius said:
The scheme is called "Get On". http://www.geton.co.uk

Thanks for this. The mrs has been hankering to get going on a bike and this is the perfect way to see if its for her or not

bloodiedathame · 23 Apr 2012 at 14:45

I don't think an hour is enough to give you a taster really. Nothing more crazy than putting someone on a machine after 20 minutes briefing and expect them to 'get' the joys of motorcycling.

agnes · 23 Apr 2012 at 16:02

bloodiedathame said:
I don't think an hour is enough to give you a taster really. Nothing more crazy than putting someone on a machine after 20 minutes briefing and expect them to 'get' the joys of motorcycling.

Nope, a day out on the back of my 1098S will do that haha.

New GF wants a bike asap!

Infact, she fell in love with 4T5's 125 chopper, she has been looking at them! :eek:

Morbius · 23 Apr 2012 at 16:16

agnes said:
Infact, she fell in love with 4T5's 125 chopper, she has been looking at them!

If you're going to go down that road you need a much beefier engine.

bloodiedathame · 23 Apr 2012 at 16:39

agnes said:
Nope, a day out on the back of my 1098S will do that haha.

New GF wants a bike asap!

Infact, she fell in love with 4T5's 125 chopper, she has been looking at them!

And give the poor sod on the back sore knees.

Ghosteh · 23 Apr 2012 at 16:40

agnes said:
Nope, a day out on the back of my 1098S will do that haha.

New GF wants a bike asap!

Infact, she fell in love with 4T5's 125 chopper, she has been looking at them!

I'm trying to convince my GF that bikes are awesome. The last time she was on one was nearly 3 years ago on the back of my Bandit, when she had a hang over. Waiting to get my new bike, then take her out on that, see how she enjoys it.

And I read your last sentence without the 125 in it, sounds much funnier

.