I did my free taster today!!!

[Emzieboo]

Well this afternoon I went with a mate to do our 1 hour free taster session. We ended up riding for almost 2 hours!!!
It was great fun, but scary! I've never ever done anything like that before. I've been driving for 12 years but a car is worlds apart from a bike. The instructor said we were naturals and he had us doing circuits and figure 8's within 30 minutes. He said this is very rare for tasters and complete novices....but is this just sales patter?

I felt wobbly, I struggled to get my head around looking where I want to go and feel a little bit under confidant as I did go into a hedge at one point....not looking where I should be going again. The instructor suggested I do a pre-cbt to get more experience as I have natural potential.

Does this sound right? Reading all this sounds like I should never ever go on a bike again...but do any of you guys have similar experiences? I enjoyed it but feel a bit confused now.

[Shall78]

I did my CBT in the summer having never been on a bike before, to be honest if you were doing figure of 8's then you should be fine, book your CBT and go for it, it is a day well spent.

[Darth]

Pre - cbt?
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Harold_Shand wrote: I suppose it's like anything, you get your fingers burned when you start out, you learn from it and eventually become a complete arsehole about the whole thing.

[Emzieboo]

[J.M.]

[andy_uk]

To be honest, I'd say forget the pre-CBT and go for the real thing!
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Aprilia Classic 125, GS500E, ER5-A1, ER5-C4, ER6 & an XJ6 project frame...

[Darth]

Sounds like a con to me. Just book the cbt if you are keen.
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Harold_Shand wrote: I suppose it's like anything, you get your fingers burned when you start out, you learn from it and eventually become a complete arsehole about the whole thing.

[anthony_r6]

But if they've never been on a bike before, they may not know whether or not they like it, and from £40 to £120 on a whim is a bit of a jump. Besides it gives you a better chance of leaving your CBT with the certificate.

I don't think it's entirely necessary, but I don't believe it to be a complete waste either. Glad you enjoyed it though, welcome to the world of bikes!
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Ted : "Maybe he's agoraphobic."
Dougal : "Jack scared of fighting? I don't think so, Ted."

[hedgehugger]

[FerretFing]

BTW Welcome to the forum

[Emzieboo]

[andy_uk]

[J.M.]

Towards the start of my CBT (first 30-60 minutes) I was having some troubles, like you, of looking at the wrong place sending me off course. Nearly went into a hedge because of that (doing u-turns) but soon got the hang of it.

I guess the pre-cbt is up to you really, but I'd judge it on the following:
If you're getting a bike of your own to ride straight after your CBT (on provisional insurance) then don't bother.
If you're not getting your own bike and are instead taking lessons on a hired bike then I'd consider buying it - just as it's more experience.
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2004 R1 & 2018 XSR900

[Quornholio]

I didn't have experience of riding a bike on the road, but did my CBT, left same day with certificate.

[sepher]

Would go straight for the CBT mate, you can't fail it - just if you don't get the hang of it the first day then you would come back for the second day. Normally you would pass it first time. I had been driving car for just under 6 years with no bike experience when I decided to get into biking. I wasn't the best at my CBT, ended up almost running over the instructor, with the figure of 8's they made us try and do a mod 1 figure of 8 just for fun and I was the only one who couldn't do it but still did the CBT standard figure of 8 and they made us do it again if we didn't get it the first time. Was actually a fun day and I was hooked from then on

If you're taster session went that well then dive straight in for the CBT!

[zHamzz]

Hey,

I suggest you do it. I recently done a taster session which i was a head of as i knew the basics. But im sure if u do the pre cbt thingy it will boost you knowlodge as the taster session is a basic ride.

Go for it!
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Hamza

[Ingah]

[Clanger]

[JoeDougieDoug...]

Sounds like my CBT that does I came off on the practice course

Glad you enjoyed it, the "looking where you want to ride" thing just takes time to get used it, I personally picked all that up quite quickly, but its fine.

Don't let going into a hedge knock your confidence either!
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CBT Passed - 22 / 10 / 11 >> Theory Passed - 16 / 02 / 2012 >> Mod 1 Passed - 07 / 03 / 2012 >> Mod 2 Passed - 18 / 05 / 2012.

[Rogerborg]

"Pre" CBT is a scam. I'd rat them out to the DSA's CBT section for that.

Compulsory Basic Training. It's not a test, it's training, and it's basic - it shouldn't rely on any previous experience. The clue is in the name.
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[Emzieboo]

[Emzieboo]

[waffles]

Think of it this way: You have already had your pre-CBT for free and got the hang of it. Now find a school that allows you to come back for a second day to complete your CBT if required.

Well done for giving it a go so far, get your CBT booked up and enjoy the freedom of two wheels!
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Theory test - 19/8/09, CBT - 11/10/09, MOD 1 - 16/8/10, MOD 2 - 27/10/10
Past rides Yamaha XT125X, Triumph TT600, Honda XR250
Current rides Suzuki GSXR 600, Honda MSX125

[Dean-J]

Pre CBT = Waste of time.

When i did my CBT i did it with a 60year old woman who had never ridden a bike before. For the first couple hours she was the same as you, drove into a bush, couldnt look/turn at the same time etc. By the end of the day she passed the CBT.

Its just their way of trying to blag an extra £40 off of you!

If it were me, id just book my CBT and get it done. As said previously, a lot of places will let you come back and do the road ride free of charge the next day if you aren't up to scratch first time round, but if you were doing figure 8's within 30mins, id say you shouldnt have any problems!

[mcfcbiker]

As most people have said, youve already been out on a bike for 2 hours and probably wont need the pre course. When you go for a CBT they will treat you as if you havent been on a bike even if you say you have and make you do the simple riding, slalom, figure 8's and the practice junctions with mirrors, shoulder checks and indicators plus u turns and emergency stop, they do this with everyone regardless.

My CBT was from 9am to 4pm and we didnt go out on the road until about 2pm the rest was done off road in their grounds and in the classroom, thats 5 hours training before going out then we did 2 hours on the roads.

I highly doubt you will need that "pre CBT" with whats included on the CBT.

My CBT was £85 with all kit provided, the £40 is better spent towards your CBT imho.
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Current Bike = 2011 Triumph Street Triple R
Previous Bikes = Yamaha YBR 125, Honda CBF 125, SYM XS 125K