CBT Mucked Up

[johnb]

I went along to the school on Tuesday morning to sit my CBT. Where do I start? I was nervous from the moment I arrived had only ever been on a push bike before so getting on a motorbike even just the 125cc Suzuki was something I wasn't prepared for.

I managed the yard work (eventually) and when we broke for lunch it wasn't excitement or a feeling of happiness I had it was a stressed out and not feeling confident that hung over me. When I returned from lunch I said the the lad sitting the course "I'm not looking forward to going out on the road and think I'll tell the instructor this". He replied "if he didn't think you could manage it he wouldn't let you out". So I gave it the benefit of the doubt, needless to saw it never went really well and was brought back to the yard after about 25mins and the instructor said "we need to get you back at some point for more time in the yard".

I've spent the last 48 hours now thinking was it a good idea after all? Can I get the hang of the different way of changing gears, braking and everything else that isn't driving a car (which I've been doing for 25 years).

Has anyone else had such an expiernce with their CBT and overcome it, I'd be greatful to know because I'm thinking maybe biking is not for me.

John

[FerretFing]

Hi John, sorry to hear your CBT went badly...BUT...of course you can do this! The wife & I left it late in life to start biking - we are in our early forties now & we both needed an extra day for the CBT having had no experience before at all & found it too much to take in, in one go. It comes down to this....do you want to do it? If yes, don't be so hard on yourself John.....pick yourself up & take it one step at a time, listening to all the advice given & it will eventually all come together.

You have come to the right place for encouragement & advice, plenty of good people on here willing to help & listen. Good luck to you

[groovylee]

i was in the same position as you, 15 years driving experience, only bike experience was on dirt bikes.

i would say try to be in the same mind set as you are when you drive - calm, comfortable, and not thinking too much about it all. once i got that bit right, i was riding much better. i still tend to over use the rear brake a bit (probably because i'm so used to pressing brakes with my feet rather than my hand) but other than that, no real issues.

i know it's easy to say, but try to relax a little, and i bet it will all come to you

keep at it, because it is like nothing else when you're riding down the NSL roads at 60 i really can't wait to get my Mod2 out of the way so i can really start learning

best of luck mate, i'm sure you'll be fine

Lee
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Past - 1988 honda revere 600, 1996 kawasaki gpz500s, 1999 Yamaha R6

Current - 2002 Aprilia RSV1000R & 1999 Kawasaki ZX6R

[CaNsA]

The fear. You have THE FEAR!
Whats the worst that can happen?

Huge ball of fire, flying backwards, screaming, getting a nod from St Peter, pearly gates, hot chicks.

Once you accept that, and deal with it then all your troubles will drift away.

[nick_houghton]

Don't give up. My CBT took two days, I couldn't do the slow control stuff!


Do you drive? I found the road ride much easier than the off-road training. It's easier to turn at junctions when there are real markings and so on.

Ask for feedback from the instructor and see what went wrong. It's a hell of a lot to take on board in one day.

If you don't drive, a have a read of the highway code.

Lastly, remember it's not a test, it's training and enjoy.

On day 2, when on the road, I found it was a lot better on the open road where I could relax.
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Cheers
Nick Houghton

[Kal]

It's horrible to suddenly find that you aren't competent at something after years of being competent at what should be related skills.

You are learning something new, don't stress it. You get stressed then you stiffen up and you have less control.

As the guy said, you just need some more saddle time to get used to the bike. No worries.

My first CBT I could not get the hang of using the clutch and stalled the bike all over the place. I got so stressed about that looking back I have difficulty believing it and nearly walked away.

Persist and you'll get to a point where the bike is under your control and you are relaxed on it. I promse.
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Kal...
I Like To Hoon It Hoon It I Like To Hoon It Hoon It I Like To Hoon It Hoon It Ya Like To (HOON IT!).
1984 GB250 Clubman,1983 CB250N Superdream, 1999 GPZ500S

[AlanC]

Well, you're not as bad as I was: by the end of the first day the instructor decided I wasn't ready to go out on the road and that I'd need to come back for a second day.

To say i got stressed out that first day would be an understatement. My left knee is FUBAR so I've always driven automatic cars meaning I didn't have a clue what to do with the clutch. Now add in the fact that I was nervous because I wasn't sure I could support the weight of the bike thanks to that knee. Things got to the point where I was losing confidence so badly that I asked the instructor if riding was something I should really be trying to do.

Fortunately for me he had more confidence in me than I did in myself.

Next day it all came together well enough that we could go out on the road, although I was scared shitless when I had do 40mph plus on a main road...

It takes some people longer than others to get comfortable on a bike. The fact you struggle first time you try riding doesn't necessarily mean you'll never be able to enjoy it; once I'd passed my test and got myself the bike I really wanted - and felt comfortable with - I started to have a lot of fun.

[Izzy]

Hi John,

I know what you mean about finding it really hard to get through CBT in one day. I definitely went back for a second go. And the second time I did it on an automatic scooter. Even if you get your CBT on an automatic, you can still ride a geared bike aftewards. I found it a good way to get used to being on a bike, but without having to worry about the gears.

Having got the CBT bit of paper, I found a very quiet bit of road and spent a few summer evenings getting used to the gears on my CG125 and practising in quiet back streets, without the pressure of being on a CBT day.

Good luck with it and definitely don't be put off by not getting your CBT first time.
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Izzy.

[Themightyimp]

Just hang on a minute mate,you did not muck your CBT up.
Lets look at what CBT actually means.Compulsary Basic TRAINING.
You are being taught the basics of how to ride a motorcycle.
When you were having car lessons did you expect to be able to drive the car after ONE lesson?
I'm 45 did my CBT last year and was very wobbly and nervous as I hadn't been on a bike for over 20 yrs,but I fortunately managed the CBT in one day.
Wether it takes 1 day,2 days,3 days however many days it takes,everyone learns at a different speed.
Now just get yourself back in for an extra day,relax and enjoy mate.
I'm sure it will come to you.

[ninja_butler]

Meh, no big deal. I passed my CBT first time but I failed the motorcycle test more times than I care to remember. I got my license eventually though.

[Flatbadger]

1st time, I didn't get as far as the road.. and I uttered a few swear words on the way to the train staion to go home!

But I rebooked to go back after 6 days and decided to grow more positive - I say give it another go and if biking's not for you, then you've given it a good bash.

[johnb]

Thanks everyone for your words of encouragement and memories of your own CBT. Going to see it through to the end, been wanting to do this for about 5 years and no sense in giving up after my first day.

[superleeds76]

lots of encouragement here but a couple of questions i would ask my self is am i enjoying this? and how much do i want this?
i struggled on my cbt but loved every second of it
ive ridden everyday since all weathers and still love it
im doing my das next week i know im going to find it hard but i want a bigger bike so much and cant wait for big summer rides
if you are enjoying it but just struggling trust me it will all come together and you wonder what all the panic was about
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do as i say not as i do!

[Sako]

[FerretFing]

[Andy_Pagin]

[Carlosrexx]

Unlucky on the CBT dude, I've just done mine and I've gotta say I wasn't too excited about doing it in the beginning, Luckily enough my instructor was a complete legend.

You know what they say, get right back on it.

[Maddsto]

Hey John,

Not CBT related but still simular... I've always been a scooter rider, but about a month ago I bought myself a geared 125, never ridden a geared motorbike in my life!

I got one of my biking mates to give me a few lessons... Well a few lessons turned into nearly a week of carpark training, but I eventually got the hang of it - now I do it all without even thinking

Clear your mind, listen to the engine, listen to the instructor, feel the bike and you'll be riding in no time!

All the best buddy
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Current : Honda XL Varadero 125
Old : Suzuki GN125, Suzuki GZ125 Marauder

[Matt B]