CBT / DAS in or around Milton Keynes

[Paul C]

I am a complete newbie when it comes to motorcycle riding but am looking (at the ripe old age of 35) to take the CBT and if that goes well and I enjoy it, carry it on with the direct access scheme. I've already sat and passed the theory test!

I have looked online and there appears to be three places locally; Horizon and Rebel Dogg both in Bletchley and learn2ride in Stacey Bushes.

Does anyone have any personal recommendations of these centres? As I said, I am completely new to all this so any advice would be gratefully received.

Cheers,

Paul

[Matt B]

You should give the schools a ring and ask if you can pop down and have a look/chat. The replies will give you a clue about the quality of the school.

Last I knew Rebel Dogg was working out the back of a van in a carpark with no real facilities. Piss in the bush, get wet if it rains, sit on the floor... May have changed now, not sure.

Learn2Ride have the use of the facilities inside the Snooker Club where they are based. They have (or had) an excellent pass rate.

Go with what feels right.
____________________
stinkwheel: He had an animated .gif of a cat performing fellatio. It's not socially acceptable. It can have real life adverse effects on other people.

[PattJakk]

Hi Paul.

90-one Education is the company that I recently passed my DAS with. I didn't do it in Milton Keynes but they list on their website that they train out of Milton Keynes, as well as Coventry and Northampton (their primary location). I did my CBT with a different company but the training I received with DAS was excellent. Instructor was down to earth, patient and reassuring.

I'd recommend giving them a ring. I did all the talking with Trevor and the training was with somebody else, but Trevor was really helpful in his explanations and patience in getting me booked in (as I had to rearrange a few things to meet work commitments). I'm sure he will be able to answer any questions you have and get you on your way to riding as soon as you're ready.

All the best with your biking venture.

Patrick

Edit: The website is linked above for you. I should mention that the site is a little outdated so it would probably be better to give them a call if you're interested, although if you submit an enquiry online, they should call you back.
____________________
Past: Honda CBF125
Present: Honda CBR600F
CBT 18/03/14 | Theory 25/03/14 | Mod 1 21/08/14 | Mod 2 01/09/14

[Paul C]

Hi Matt,

Thanks for the reply and the good advice about popping down for a look/chat.

Re rebel dogg, their website says that they operate out of the formula fast indoor race track in Bletchley so maybe things have changed recently? But again appreciate your feedback on them and learn2ride.

[Paul C]

Hi Patrick,

Thanks for the reply, hadn't heard of 90-one but looking at their website it's certainly worth consideration. I understand CBT normally start at 08:30 so would be a lot easier getting to Downs Barn rather than Bletchley in rush hour traffic!

Can I ask re DAS, how intensive it is? Do you do it over so many days or can it be done over a few weeks? Also, how long are the individual lessons? I work for a small family business and taking time off isn't always easy to do at short notice!

Many thanks,

Paul

[Matt B]

Schools in general prefer the intensive approach for DAS. It can be broken down into shorter lessons and spread out but personally I wouldn't recommend it and you may find it hard to find a school willing to do it.

Normally works like this over a 3 to 5 day course (depending on if you have a CBT already and how they work it).

1 full day CBT - will be a full day from say 9 to 5
1 full day conversion onto big bike and road riding practice
Practice for Mod 1 - this may be half a day or full day, depends if they tack some road riding practice on
Then add in the tests that's another 2 half days

Intensive DAS works and it's worth taking time off to get it done.
____________________
stinkwheel: He had an animated .gif of a cat performing fellatio. It's not socially acceptable. It can have real life adverse effects on other people.

[Monkeypony]

Horizon in MK are a decent bunch of lads.

https://www.horizonridertraining.co.uk/

Based at the MK Bowl.
____________________
Current bike - 2018 H2-SX, 2004 SV1000s, 2016 Aprilia RSV4 RF, 2017 Sherco SERF 300, 2003 Suzuki DRZ400 (stolen - AY53 JUU)

[PattJakk]

[Paul C]

Matt, Many thanks for the breakdown as to what I can expect, seems pretty intensive but guess that's the point! I'm sure it will be all worth it when I come out the other side!

Patrick, thanks for letting me know of your experience; it's good to hear from people who have been through it all. I'm owed plenty of holiday so shouldn't be too much of an issue. My one regret is that I didn't start this before the summer!

Oh and just noticed your signature, Congratulations on your recent passes!

[mattyfattyboo...]

I know it's slightly out the way but I used Aylesbury Motorcycle Training, Adrian is the owner and gives the training, top guy and was fantastic with me, I passed both Mod's first time with 1 minor (on the Mod 2).

[FriendlyEllis]

I trained with these guys.

https://www.pavilionridertraining.co.uk

Its about 40mins from MK but I chose these because I did my DAS on consecutive Saturdays to avoid taking holiday.

They were very good and I passed first time.
____________________
Honda CB600F Hornet 2013 -> Kawasaki Z1000SX ABS Tourer 2015

[_Chris_]

I did my CBT with horizon, about 3 years ago - no complaints, nice guys, decent bikes (I had a van-van, which was fun)

All the training is done in the MK Bowl which is closed off to other vehicles, loads of room and not much to crash into I looked at a couple of other places, but their training areas were tiny.

A friend used Learn2Ride and loved them, so pop down and meet both centres and go with the one that has the trainers you like.
____________________
Just getting started

[The Artist]

I have a voucher for 1x CBT at Rebel Dogg. Their website isn't loading for me at the moment but IIRC it is normally £120 but you can have this voucher for £85. Needs to be used by mid November though.