Newbie introducing himself & Essex training schools?

[pendulum]

Hi,
I'm 26, a car driver of 7 years, and my aim is to sell my car in 6 months when the insurance runs out and become an all weather biker. I don't do many miles a year and I've been using the car less and less. I think a bike would be perfect, and fun!

I've just booked my theory test for the 21st Feb. Quite excited. I did it on a whim about an hour ago because I want to get the ball rolling, otherwise it'll be another one of those "ideas that never go anywhere"

I've ummed and arred for days about DAS or the 125cc 2-year-restricted route to a full licence... after my CBT, I think the best thing for me is somewhere in between the two. I intend to get a 125cc, insure it, and practice practice practice! Get really confident through practice, then pay a school for some conversion lessons to get some practice on a big bike, then take the tests on a hired big bike. Does that sound reasonable?

After my tests, if all goes to plan, I see myself riding a 400cc or so: not too fast, not too slow, reasonable running costs? I've already done some mock insurance quotes and very impressed with what's coming back for a 400cc with a newly held full licence (£175!). The 125cc quotes aren't quite so good (£245) but still half what I'm paying for my car!

I'm near Southend-on-Sea... if anyone knows a good place to go for the CBT I'll certainly consider it, I'm also on the look out for recommendations for a good school to help when the time comes with some big bike lessons and tests.

When I told my mum she said "Oh ok, I might as well do equity release now because I was saving it for you, but you won't need the money when you're dead" But she's coming round. I'm not going to even tell my dad though, not until I've passed all tests, he'd try and stop me!

[darthbuttchin]

I did my CBT with Link in Chelmsford. They were really nice, patient guys that really inspire confidence. I'd never ridden before (despite having been around bikes since I was 7) and was done within a day. They really take into account your experience (or lack thereof!) and help you as much as you need. They're typical blokey bikers, as long as you don't mind a bit of piss-taking (e.g. if you drop the bike on top of you before when you take it off the stand for the first time ) and a bit of the blue talk, you'll get along with 'em fine.

They come highly recommended by everyone I know who rides in mid-essex.

[FerretFing]

Welcome to the forum

[neil.]

Hey from Rayleigh - any thoughts on which 125 you're gonna be getting?

[pendulum]

Thanks for the replies. I will consider LINK. I just tried their website (https://www.linkmotorcycletraining.com/) but unfortunately it's just showing "Website offline!" at the moment, I'll try again later.

Regarding which bike: No idea! I only intend to keep the bike for 3 or 4 months, so anything with a decent length of MoT (10 months or so) that's cheap to insure will do me! I'm not fussy about what it looks like. I'm not sure whether to get a "cheapie Chinese" and hope it lasts long enough to sell on, or a more respected and solid brand. I had better start thinking about it because I'll be buying one in the next few weeks if all goes to plan!

[Daytona Paul]

Link closed down last month

Try https://www.cbt4you.co.uk/ I know they have just started doing CBT's in Southend.
____________________
www.angliaroadtraining.com
CBT FROM ONLY £85
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[darthbuttchin]

[pendulum]

Shame about Link!

I've contacted CBT4you. They're showing the GetOn Free Ride scheme on their website, so I've emailed asking if it's possible to book one of those just to get a head start on the CBT which I'll also book with them.

I just wonder if I'll get a reply... I booked a GetOn session with Probike Training (via the GetOn website) with the intention of doing the CBT there afterwards, but never heard back from them.