CBT advice??

[wyldkat81]

Hey guys and gals, I'm taking my first ever CBT in a few weeks and to be honest, I'm bricking it!!

I've heard that it's quite easy but does anyone have any pointers or words of wisdom??
I have never ridden a motorbike before so really nervous about getting on one for real!!

I've been looking on YOUTUBE for riding tips but still find it baffling

Cheers
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Smile, it's just another day!

[Paxovasa]

Listen to your instructor

The CBT is not a test, it is designed for a complete novice to be trained to ride a bike.

Enjoy the experience
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Suzuki GSF600 K3 (in the fastest colour, black).

[Kaph]

I had no experience when I did mine, seriously, it's actually really good fun. You'll enjoy it, trust.

[metalangel]

Just enjoy it.

If you want tips... ummm... wear decent shoes? Oh, and when you go to put the bike on the centre stand (if the time comes) stand with your full weight on the stand. With your other foot off the ground if need be.

Everything else is fine, you'll learn a lot, and the instructors will take their time to ensure you're ready for the next stage of the day.
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Previous: 2002 Honda CB500 (sold), 2007 Suzuki SV650SK6 (crashed), 2005 Yamaha FZ6 Fazer (sold). Currently bikeless
"A faired bike will get you 10x more clunge than a unfaired one." -Marlboro Matt

[arry]

Swot up on the highway code before you go - nothing like knowing your road signs. Listen carefully to the instructor. Relax on the bike and don't tense your arms out on the bars, use your knees to grip the tank. On low speed manouvres, get the bike to a point in the revs that feels comfy, get the clutch to the edge of biting point and hold it use your rear brake to control speed - that way you only have to adjust one control, rather than three, to be smooth.

You'll get the hang of it

[Rowey]

My girlfriend failed her first cbt. This wasn't down to her ability, but her confidence was shaken. There were four other guys doing it the same day, and each one had two years plus of riding experience.

Afterwards I took her out on my bike with her on the back and told her to imagine she was riding. And once insured on my scoot, took her out on that to a quiet car park.

She quickly got the hang of it and ended up passing easily and enjoyed the day loads.

So my advice would be to get a bit of experience, whether it's on/riding a mates bike or just pretending on the bus.
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ZX6R C6F.
Never argue with an idiot. They'll only bring you down to their level, and beat you with experience.

[DrDonnyBrago]

Rowey's woman excluded, you generally need to be pretty retarded to "fail" the cbt.

Guy I was doing my CBT with "failed" his but he was beyond rediculous - couldn't tell left from right, went out multiple times without his earpiece, crashed into a fuel pump when refuelling, couldn't for the life of him figure out how roundabouts work etc etc etc.

It was a total joke!

Just read the highway code beforehand and maybe go out with a parent in the car and watch how they interact with traffic at roundabouts, traffic lights etc etc etc.

[B10Hazard]

Its easy mate.
If you can ride a bike you can ride a moped
I was doing wheelies on my cbt when the instructors where not paying attention, well i say wheelies i was throwing the front end up with my weight lol.
Listen to them, do as they say and have fun.
Then do your big bike licence and have even more fun !
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Current bike .. The police stole it
No longer any socks
Let me take you on a trip . . let me show the world in my eyes.

[waffles]

[pa_broon74]

I just about rammed the bike I did my CBT on into a wire fence.

I still passed. Although 'pass' isn't the right word, it's more an assessment than anything else. One person was asked to come back the following day, but it was just confidence I think.

Its a piece of piss, as has been said; just enjoy it. I hadn't been on a bike before either.

Only thing I'd say is, if you feel the bike is getting away from you (on the low speed manouvres) just remember LEFT hand in with the clutch and get ready to put your feet down. Doesn't matter what you do with the throttle, with the clutch in, you can only slow down.

Oddly enough, on my first CBT, I never touched the back brake at all.


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Didn't catch anything.

[fiveus]

The one piece of advise i can give is when you get given your headset make sure you can hear the instructor clearly through it.if not get him or her to sort it out.will cause less confusion if it does.and good luck listen and enjoy.

[wyldkat81]

excellent....donnybrago - well at least I can kinda tell me lefties from the rightys!!! so I have some hope yay!!


Thanks all, it's given me a lot more confidence.

Oooohhh, getting all excited now
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Smile, it's just another day!

[Doovy]

when i did my second CBT just before i did my test, the instructor just told me to follow at the back of the group and enjoy the scenery (same guy i had 3 years previously.. yes i know a cbt last 2 years but i left it a year before doing it again... yes i still rode for that year )
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Yamaha RXS 100 > Honda CD 250 > Honda Hornet 600 > Honda CBR 600RR > Yamaha RXS 100 > Kawasaki ZX6R J2 > Yamaha FZ1

[Rowey]

Just to clarify. She didn't 'fail' as such. During the off road section her and the instructor decided it would benefit her to come back another day, rather than keep the more experienced people held up all day.

Plus she was getting frustrated that she was learning to ride a bike for the first time, yet the others were just whizzing about then having ciggy breaks waiting for her.

So go there expecting the people may be better than you. But don't let it get you all frustrated as it'll quickly go down hill from there.
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ZX6R C6F.
Never argue with an idiot. They'll only bring you down to their level, and beat you with experience.

[sweetleaf]

I did my CBT on Sunday. I have to say I was scared shitless, but the instructors were great guys (providing you paid attention - one of the kids got bawled at for putting his head on the desk during the classroom bit) and aside from the nerves, I had a great day.

I struggled a bit with the slow riding stuff and felt a bit of a plum when the others moved on to the next bit, but the instructor was great, adjusted my clutch to make it a bit easier for me (was right at the tips of my fingers) and then helped me catch up with the rest of the class once I was ready.

I was half expecting them to say I was too crap to go on the roads, and when they didn't, I thought about chickening out, but it was fine well, apart from dropping the bike on my leg when I stalled it trying to turn right uphill too slowly.

[Bambam3]

Learning road rules is the most important as they'll teach you how to use the bike.

I went with no knowledge of road use or the highway code, lanes, roundabouts etc.. indicating everytime I leant/went with the road lane turn, not even at junctions Basically clueless.

The instructor had his work cut out, saying I almost killed myself twice on a roundabout, cut junctions, let mobility scooters overtake etc..

Felt like a pleb and looking back now I have a bit of experience on the road I'm amazed he let me pass. (& that I didn't die that day).

The other lad with me got lost for half an hour and the radio couldn't find him as he was out of range so I was waiting at the side of the road for a while while the instructor went and found him.

To top it all off, as I've mentioned in another thread, he came off on his way down to us on some ice, messed up the side of his bike and textiles etc.. pretty badly so was in a foul mood.

But yeah, still got the certificate.

I'd say you have to either cause an accident or ask how to reverse to be in with a chance of coming back another day.

Good luck.