CBT: To do or Not to do?

a03dugga

a03dugga

a03dugga

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694
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London
Hey guys,

My student discount on oyster travel has finally stopped and the price for travel has gone up quite a bit now. My mate suggested doing a cbt and getting a cheap bike. Is this a worthwhile option?

Im just over 6ft and weigh 120kg. Are there suitable bikes for a big guy like me? Im 20 at the moment, 21 in april so a full license is not applicable just yet. Bearing in mind that the rules are changing after Christmas. Any advice would be appreciated.

Whats the typical prices for cost of running a cheap 125cc or something?
 
Yeah thats not completely what i meant. The title is a bit vague, but i meant should i do a cbt and/or additional modules or go the car route.
 
Honestly I did my full test at 17 and after 1 dat of cbt i didnt feel safe. Save up do your full test or dont bother. You dont need to be 21 to do your full test theres the restricted full test so you can ride anything up to 33bhp
 
I'm 6' 3" and I had a 125 Honda Varadero for 6 months and it was fine it was mistaken as a 600, it's tall so would be great around London without getting stick for being on a scooter.
 
a03dugga said:
Yeah thats not completely what i meant. The title is a bit vague, but i meant should i do a cbt and/or additional modules or go the car route.
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No worries. I just read the first sentence and went "UH?!" :)

I guess it depends on you. If you go the bike route, are you prepared for all weather riding? Biking is generally cheaper than driving a car (and much more fun IMHO), but you don't get the luxuries .... like a roof and heating for when it's cold ;)

With a car you're much more likely to get stuck in traffic. You may do as well on a bike, it again depends how you ride.

I took my car test first, then a couple of years later took the bike test, but I had a bike first as I couldn't afford 4 wheels.

Either choice is going to cost you at the end of the day.
 
Righty'O.
At the moment im just revising for the theory test.
After my theory and cbt is out of the way, what would be my next step? After purchasing a 125 would i do lessons?
Or should i do some of these courses at some dsa approved school?

On this site:
http://www.moto-pass.co.uk/a2-standard
There is an A2 course which includes cbt and mod1 and mod2 of the practical. Would this be ideal?
Id rather do a full restricted bike test tbh.
 
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Cutting your teeth on the roads on a bike will make you a better car driver when/if you eventually go down the 4 wheel route in comparison to a car driver who has never been on a bike before.
 
maccapacca said:
I'm 6' 3" and I had a 125 Honda Varadero for 6 months and it was fine it was mistaken as a 600, it's tall so would be great around London without getting stick for being on a scooter.
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5'10", lump of a lad at 100Kg and got the 125 Varadero also. Perfect 125 for a taller/larger bloke.

Lovely to ride and has the advantage of having the physical dimensions of a bigger unit.
 
Sin_Chase said:
5'10", lump of a lad at 100Kg and got the 125 Varadero also. Perfect 125 for a taller/larger bloke.

Lovely to ride and has the advantage of having the physical dimensions of a bigger unit.
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Loved mine was like riding a sewing machine, reliable economical and not too 125 looking, hold their value as well.
 
I passed my DAS in May... I had never sat on a bike before, always drove cars (am 37 now)... so you're coming from a position where, once you do the CBT, get MILES and MILES under your belt as you neither have the road awareness (even if you think you have) nor the practice on the bike. Once I got my cert for the CBT, I'll be honest, I didn't feel safe at all on my CBR125... personally I think it's ridiculous that you can be deemed as safe based on a few crappy rides around cones and a 60 minute ride out I certainly didn't feel confident.. however they handed me the cert.

As I'd applied to do the DAS, basically I racked up 900 miles on the CBR125 in the few weeks while I was learning on the big bikes... so think I got my CBT pass 10th April and passed my full licence a month later rofl...

I swear the miles and miles on a 125 (multiple gear changes due to power) etc I learnt wayyyyyy more than just having the lessons. My mate who did his at same time I personally thnk suffered to me for not having a bike to ride around on getting those practice miles in.

Also, think of the weather, it's only going to get worse now.. it's autumn and soon be winter, you really do need miles over the next few weeks to ensure you're safe.

Good luck anyway... post if you need more infomration.
 
pugheaven said:
personally I think it's ridiculous that you can be deemed as safe based on a few crappy rides around cones and a 60 minute ride out I certainly didn't feel confident.. however they handed me the cert.
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Completing the CBT certainly doesn't mean you are a completely safe and competent rider, it simply means you have exceeded the minimum level of competency required to legally ride a bike on L plates.

It's purpose is to prevent people who are an obvious danger to themselves and others from getting on the road without further training.

Feeling completely confident in your abilities after only completing the CBT is probably not a good thing.
 
Pop down to a local instructors office. A cbt is a day long event that cost me £95. It qualifies you to ride a bike up to 125cc under provisional license conditions. I'm 17.5 stone and love my bike - got a Sym 125-K brand new, including lock/chain, a years insurance, Road tax, registration, jacket and helmet for £1600. Truly OTR cost. The bike does 93mpg and has been great.

You can look at other bikes and get similar performance very readily.

Don;t sit around talking about it, go out and try it! :) You'll soon realise if it's for you or not. If you don;t like it, then you've spent £95 for the experience... plus a window onto another world..... (dramatic pause.... ) :)
 
Thanks for the feedback guys, im currently revising my bike theory and hopefully once i feel up to it ill attempt the theory and will be doing a cbt after. Then hopefully if all goes well post-cbt i will be doing the two modules of the practical.
 
Personally I would do the CBT first, that way you have experienced what its like to ride a bike before answering related questions, and you also know if riding a bike is really for you!
 
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