Suitable time of year for lessons

[aaronspence]

I'm pretty new to this forum, been reading a lot of stuff on it as of late but this is my first post. I'm 19 and im trying to get my A2 license at the moment. I completed my cbt 2 months ago and my instructor recommended that i make a block booking of 20 hours worth of lessons and tests included for £850. I passed my theory test a few days ago and i now have all of my gear although it is not waterproofs. I'd just like to know if you guys would advice me starting my block booking now when autumn/winter is coming in (I live in Scotland, shitty winter weather) or should I wait until winter dies out in january time to start doing lessons when the weather gets a bit better?

[yaigi]

Do it. You'll get valuable instruction in the worst conditions, surely that will set you up better for a lifetime of riding than only having experience in good weather. Safest way to learn to ride really. I remember doing my car lessons in ice once, instructor taught me all about getting out of a skid, was great fun
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What would you do in life, if you knew you could not fail?
Currently own - Fazer 600, 2000, Red. (But no riding as baby on board atm)

[Dave70]

[Rogerborg]

£38 an hour? For that, I'd want 1:1 tuition and for the instructor to swallow instead of spit. Who's that with? Ride-On, Bike-Rite? Is that a "guaranteed pass" course?

The weather doesn't get better until April and even that's not reliable. Go for it ASAP, but I think you can do better on the cost. Bear in mind you'll be doing it all over again in 2 years.
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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

[aaronspence]

Thanks very much for the replies. Yeah i was thinking of doing it now because surely if you can ride in the bad weather then you'll be able to ride in anything kind of perception. The school is called route 66 its based in motherwell just outside glasgow, relatively close to where i live. I thought the price was pretty steep but i thought it would be because the bike hire, fuel costs, instructors bike and all that other stuff is lumped into it. £850 too pricey? And i dont have a 125 no, was just gonna pass on an a2 and get a restricted sv650 or something? Also i think that place charges around £70 per lesson if i were to just pay as you go.

[Rogerborg]

I won't trash talk Route 66, but I'd suggest that you give Bike-Rite in Rutherglen a call as well and see what they can offer you for that money. I've give Harleys in EK a miss though.
____________________
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

[Dave70]

£70 per lesson

I pay £30 including bike hire (1:1 too) and that's pay as you go. Seriously, shop around or consider other options.

[totalllama82]

I passed with Route 66 a few years back. Superb instructors there and the bikes weren't bad either, 2 year old ER6 machines. The loan-er gear wasn't too bad, nor the radios.

From memory, they are quite expensive. Luckily I took 2 lessons then whatever it was for the MOD1 in Govan and MOD2 in Bathgate. Wasn't much more than £350-£400.

I spent 6 months commuting on my 125 through the winter then done the lessons and tests in January.
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Gone: Haotian HT125-8 / Yamaha YZF 600R Thundercat / Kawasaki ZX9R C2
Current: Kawasaki ZZR 1400 A7F

[aaronspence]

I'll have a look at bikerite then, Rutherglen is quite close anyway so i guess that would be ideal. Quite liked the instructor at route 66, guy had loads of advice and experience. Cheers

[JP7]

I did a 5-day intensive course a few years back.

I went with a mate and we booked ourselves in for a course in March. We got a huge discount for booking two at once, and in off-peak when they didn't have anyone else in.

You'll get a decent deal now, or in February/March time, so either should be fine. Personally, I'd wait until March when you have a slightly better chance of more pleasant weather.

[Rogerborg]

To be clear, I'm not recommending Bike-Rite over Route 66, just suggesting that you consider them both. There's also Bike-It over in Paisley who do (or did) capped price "guaranteed pass" courses. That's likely too far for you, but it's useful to know the local market.

Enjoy it, you do get extra Man Points for passing in winter.
____________________
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

[aaronspence]

Yeap, understood. Probably could get to Paisley I've got a car as well so i guess i could always park up somewhere. I'll have a good look before I make a decision anyway, cheers for the advice.

Haha, man points will be the reward after frostbite.

[j.silvs]

I passed in winter during the snow and ice in london. Meant by summer I was a lot more comfortable.

To be honest summer you are sweating and want it to be cooler
Winter you are freezing and want it to be warmer

Best times are spring/autumn, hopefully when dry and cool

[Pie-Roe]

6 years ago I paid 400 for a restricted test, and 100 quid for a days instruction plus retest.

I feel sorry for you lot.
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[Ste]

10 years ago... 2 x £48 for failed tests and 1 x £48 for the successful test attempt. Lessons are unnecessary.

[yaigi]

[pdg]