Motorcycle training in SE London?

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Hello,

It's been roughly 6 months since completing my CBT and I'm now looking at passing the full test having passed the theory just before christmas. However, living in the SE of London, I want to make sure the training body i pick is well established and well respected...possibly from the people of BCF?

Eirth will be my test center, i'm 100% sure about that given my location and so the only 2 training bodies to pop up is either Moto-pass (Greenwich) or Alan Clark rider training (Abbeywood) Does anyone have some feedback on either of these places, or a recommendation of another training center???

As i'm sure you can understand, the quality and style of teaching you experience can really impact your ability to build confidence, enjoy yourself and obviously pass, so i really do apprieciate the advice.

Thanks.

[Kingstondavo]

I know it's not really SE but if you can travel the extra distance I would recommend BikeWize nr Morden to anybody, really amazing instructors, took me from never having ridden to a full license in 4 days (CBT was one of those days!)

[presquevu]

Well, have only done my CBT but I did it with Moto Pass in Greenwich. Think it's just a guy and his wife runs it, very friendly people. Going to use them again when I have the DAS money

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Thanks for the feedback. I will get in touch with moto-pass very soon. I've heard a few bad comments about southern rider even before i even thought about my CBT. Do you have some horror story manatee?

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Where to start with Southern? Did my CBT with them, this was my experience:

Right off the bat, they ask for an insurance waiver fee thingy which is not included in the prices they quote and they didn't mention this when I booked.

The website also said they'd provide all the gear. Again incorrect, they'll only supply the helmet.

So the guy spent the morning berating us, literally shouting and insulting us about how we thought we didnt need the gear when all we did was believe that they'd provide it when we got there.

The bikes were poorly maintained even for training bikes. The scooter I learnt on had holes in the footwell the size of my fist and visible rust on just about every exposed bit of metal.

The "off road training centre" they advertise is not tarmac. It is infact a gravel car park, filled with pot holes, lumps of gravel the size of your face and huge puddles all over the place. On this surface they expect you to do emergency stop and learn how to control a bike at 30mph!

Then if you're lucky enough they'll ask you to come back ater lunch to shout at you some more on road. The first thing you'll ever do as a first time road user is join an intimidating dual carriagewa, and the instructor won't wait, he'll storm off into the distance whilst you're working outhow to enter the flow of traffic.

If you haven't killed yourself here you only have another hour or two of constant name-calling and belittling remarks until you arrive back at the gravel car par. Once back in the classroom the instructor will tell you tat you'll either die or never pass your test because you're shit.

He'll sign the paper anyway, and you;ll go home with your certificate no safer than when you knew nothing about powered two wheelers.

And this isn't just me, the instructor there even offered to fight my friend on his CBT.

Do NOT touch Souther Rider Training with a 10 foot pole.

[Fizzer Thou]

It never looks very busy at Flamingo Park on the A20 whenever I go past there.I have heard about the gravel car park that they use as well,although I have never been there in person.
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Just talk bikes.What else is there?

Always have a 'Plan B'

[Kingstondavo]

A gravel surface isn't necessarily the worst thing in the world, I did some of my DAS training (not the swerve or stop) on a gravely surface and it made me more confident in my ability to do the manouvers if anything.

I genuinely think that when it comes to training it is all down to how good the instructors are to be honest, from the sound of Manatees review, I'd stay as far away as possible from those arseholes!

[Alex_B]

Oh, that's what they're called

I did mine there and yea, it's not great.

My CBT was on a Saturday and we were 10 riders going round a stupid little car park with pot holes.

To be fair, the Instructor (Dave I think) was OK and he didn't want to fight me.
My Bike, a Suzuki something or other (geared) was a bit beaten up but I guess that's to be expected, it ran OK I guess.

Their 'classroom' is pretty much an old, rundown shack and very dirty looking. It also smells a bit musty.
I had my own gear but yea, you will get a lid and (if you're lucky) gloves.
My chair was broken and very uncomfortable, it was the only one spare though.

All in all, I wouldn't wholeheartedly recommend them but I have nothing to compare them to as I have no experience of anywhere else.
Probably best to shop around
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