First lesson was not what I expected...

[Cigaro]

Today I had my first lesson working up to getting a 33bhp license. And to be honest, I felt like I was back on my CBT again. My instructor had me ride around on the yard on the bike (GN125) on the biting point, which was fine, but then she wanted me to do a figure-of-eight between two cones, and it all fell apart.

I've not ridden a geared bike with a clutch for a bit, as when I had my Honda 90 I kind of got used to that (semi automatic). Every time I tried to do the figure of 8 it felt jerky and uncoordinated. When I turned the bars right the revs went up, a few times I turned them so much that I nearly dropped the bike, and though my slow riding is normally fine I just couldn't get to grips with it.

I think it's a combination of the bike (which by the way is great, just feels different to what I'm used to) and the fact that it has a clutch, as trying to balance the clutch and throttle whilst doing the figure of 8 feels a bit too much for me. I've not ridden a bike at all in the last few weeks. I don't think the problem is not being relaxed either because I was relaxed, the bike just felt a bit wayward.

Next lesson is in two weeks so hopefully things will be a little better next time.

Just feel a bit demoralised - feel like I'm back on my CBT trying to learn to ride a scooter again (that took me 4 attempts!) I just want to go out on the road to get used to the bike, but I don't think she'll allow that until I've done what I need to do in the yard.

Anyone else ever had this trouble? Any tips?

[iooi]

She will want you to prove that you can control a geared bike at slow speed before letting you loose on the road.

I always fine tight turns hard at slow speed, thank god they didn't have them when i took my test, still strugle now to do them, but can happly manage to keep it safe at real slow speeds in a straight line.

All you can really do is relax and it will come. The more you get frustrated the harder it is.
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Just because my bike was A DIVVY, does not mean i am......

[Runaway987]

I always found using the rear brake helped a lot when trying to keep the bike upright.

[Richard_Schmid]

Sorry, did you FAIL your CBT 3 times? I don`t mean to be patonising, but I wasn`t aware you could fail it..? News to me!

Good luck, and don`t panic. Same with anything, practice makes perfect

[Cigaro]

[Endless Nameless]

How long was the lesson?

This is worrying me, as I've booked my CBT then 2 training days over Easter... I hope I do OK...

I suspect he was "asked to return" 3 times for the CBT, as you can't fail it, but it's possible not to get the certificate.
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A2 passed 22/07/08; restriction up 22/07/10 (just so I don't forget)
'79 Suzuki GS550E. Yes, that's a GS550, not a GS500.
Supersports "In a video editing competition I'd kick your sorry ass"

[iooi]

[Cigaro]

I know I can ride having ridden a bike safely on the road for months now with no major incidents, it just seems like every time I'm under the eyes of an instructor everything goes to shit.

Should I be dragging the rear brake? My instructor only told me to slip the clutch.

[nick606]

Yer if you need to slow down on the u turn use the back brake, don't do what i did without thinking the other day and grab a load of front brake and end up dropping the bike.

[st3v3]

[deanoet]

You`ll get it
What works for one person doesnt for another person, i really struggled slipping the clutch and used the throttle, which worked for me

When riding round the cones dont lean in, you are going slow, leaning isnt needed, and if you lean too far by mistake or hit a bump which unsettles you then you will put a foot down / wobble / not make the turn, try pushing your leg against the tank with the inside leg to the turn. (right turn - right leg, left turn - left leg)


Just a confidence thing.
Dont dwell on it too much, like was said you will probably be a lot better next lesson as you know what to expect, and how the bike feels
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CBT Passed 18th July 2007 : Previous Bikes> CG125 : Current Bike> Hornet 600 : PASSED DAS 30th Oct 2007
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[Seb]

I had the misfortune of doing my CBT on a GN125, what a heap of shite it was

But as for low speed stuff, clarify how she wants you to do it, no back brake at all is asking for trouble and I find it odd she would not want you to use it.

But ya, plenty of revs (Helps keep the bike balanced and the power smooth), have the clutch just past biting so you've got some momentum then balance your speed on the back brake round the corners.

No braking in the figure of 8 will likely cause you to panic and pull the clutch or drop the throttle, end result is the bike literally flopping inwards resulting in you either dropping it or swerving around like a loon to keep yourself upright

If your really stuck and have a willing mate with a not too racy manual 125, get some practice in a big quiet carpark. This stuff might not seem important now, but its the basis of the u-turn and a vital part of your test.

Good luck, and as mentioned, don't get frustrated over it, you've got so much to look forward to
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2010 Triumph 1050 Sprint ST

[Seb]

I had the misfortune of doing my CBT on a GN125, what a heap of shite it was

But as for low speed stuff, clarify how she wants you to do it, no back brake at all is asking for trouble and I find it odd she would not want you to use it.

But ya, plenty of revs (Helps keep the bike balanced and the power smooth), have the clutch just past biting so you've got some momentum then balance your speed on the back brake round the corners.

No braking in the figure of 8 will likely cause you to panic and pull the clutch or drop the throttle, end result is the bike literally flopping inwards resulting in you either dropping it or swerving around like a loon to keep yourself upright

If your really stuck and have a willing mate with a not too racy manual 125, get some practice in a big quiet carpark. This stuff might not seem important now, but its the basis of the u-turn and a vital part of your test.

Good luck, and as mentioned, don't get frustrated over it, you've got so much to look forward to
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2010 Triumph 1050 Sprint ST

[ZRX61]

[strag]

From what I can see from your posts, the instructor is right to keep you off the road atm. You may feel comfortable riding on the road, on a C90. You have not yet got the skills to ride a geared bike safely. Master the gears, clutch etc first, don't stress about it. See it for what it is, training you to a certain level of competence.

Look at it from the instructors point of view, lets you on the road, you make a balls up of control at a junction, you get flattened.

Relax and enjoy it.
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carbon bling

[yambabe]

It's often hard changing from one bike to another, especially if you don't have much experience of riding never mind riding lots of different bikes.

The day I passed my test and took my 250 out for the first time I was convinced it was broken - darn thing just wouldn't go round corners! Same last week when I got back on the Zeph after a few rides on the Intruder, I was wobbling about all over the place, couldn't get the revs right, couldn't do the slow stuff at all cos the bike just felt "wrong", moving off and turning right at junctions was a bloody nightmare!

Just stick with it, chill out, relax, try to enjoy the ride and listen to your instructor. Unlike a lot of the riding gods on here riding a bike does not come naturally to everyone and some of us have to work at it a bit harder. Doesn't mean we won't get there at the end.
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Sod falling in love, I wanna fall in chocolate.

[Cigaro]

Cheers everyone, I feel a lot more confident about it now. She did say that after I have mastered slow riding we can go on the road, which hopefully means I can get readt to book my test.

Theory booked and paid for anyway.

I always thought that one was supposed to use the rear brake when slow riding, at least that's what I did on the C90 but then there was no clutch on that so you had no choice when riding in first gear.

[Blink]

I hadn't ridden for 9 months > did the two day course and was on the road on the first day. The instructor said "you've got great control". I was chuffed to fuck. Sorry bout the self-bummage but that was a fine day in my life!

Use your rear brake in corners (if you need to!) but use the front brake even when driving slow! More efficient!

Practise riding your bike really slowly, even if it's barely moving, you can stay upright with both feet off the floor!

Another tip - look ahead! (vital!)
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The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it.

[Cigaro]

[Richard_Schmid]

TOP TIP

When you do the U-turns, figure of 8, actually look where you WANT to be going, not at the floor to the side of your bike.

Took me a while to get the hang of it, but thats the way the instructor showed me and I'v never really missed one using that.

Hope this helps.

Richard

[Blink]

Make sure you look well ahead, don't focus on the immediate, focus on where you want to be!

Also, be really light with the handlebars.

Chin up mate, could just be one of those days.
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The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it.

[Richard_Schmid]

Another thing my instructor told me, was that if it rains on test day and you come to do your emergency stop don`t panic.

I beleive that theres no specific distance you need to stop within (correct me if i`m wrong someone), only you need to stop in a controled and safe mannor in the instructors opinion, oh and quickly. Not neceselery (Spelling?) slamming on the brakes, causing them to lock = fail.

He said that you could concentrate on the front brake and not really use the rear brake. Personally I would be warey of this, and didn`t use it for my test, however he was a top/well experieced biker, so it may be worth slow practise.

All the best

Richard

[Fahd]

You failed your CBT 3 times!?! Maybe you should stick to four wheels...
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I Ride: Honda CBR 400RR.
I Drive: Audi S3.

[Blink]

Richard, don't think he's at the stage of worrying about emergency stops just yet!

My instructor was fucking brilliant guy. Big up to RSJ in Hull!
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The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it.

[Richard_Schmid]