The questions that have been asked and answered 100 times..

[moffx]

So, as above. This'll be the typical n00b thread that no doubt all the questions will have been asked and answered 100 times. But I want my own thread to feel special. So...

I'm 20, had quite a bit of off - road biking experience through my teens, so I know the basics of off - road etc and I've had a car license for about 3 years so I know how to behave on the road as well.

Anyway, got my CBT booked for 10/03/15, £130 with bike and equipment hire included. Seems to fit a pretty standard pricing pattern so that's all good. Pretty confident in going into it, I'll obviously need to take in the advice of the instructor, with regards to bike handling on the road. As I'm used to just ragging about up a field. Any tips ?

The main goal at the minute is to successfully obtain my A2. Now this is where the questions start... I know I need to do my theory, that's fine, just need to get my head in the books. After that I know I will need to take a few lessons on a bigger bike. Now my local riding school have quoted the following;
6 lessons - £484
9 lessons - £644
12 lessons - £744
Do those prices seam about right ? Each lesson lasts 2 hours. With those prices it works out about £60 - 80 a lesson. Just seems a bit steep. I mean I want my license so I'll pay it, just don't want to get bumped lol. For tests they have also quoted;
Mod 1 - £45
Mod2 - £160
Now I haven't inquired as to what those test prices include, but I'm guessing bike hire, equipment hire, DSA test costs and I would like to hope maybe a bit of a practice before hand. So, again, do those prices seem reasonable yeah ?
And finally, whats the best way to go about the whole process. Should I first of all get my CBT, buy a used 125cc and get some on the road experience. Or should I do my CBT and go straight to the A2 and a bigger bike ? I know its essentially my decision. Just looking for any input.

If you're still reading at this point, gold star to you!!
Thanks in advance for any advice, tips, tricks and answers :)

[Andy_Pagin]

Since you're not a total noob I would have thought three two-hour lessons would be more than enough. Three or so years ago my lessons worked out at about £25 per hour.
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They're coming to take me away, ho-ho, hee-hee, ha-haaa, hey-hey,
the men in white coats are coming to take me away.
Yamaha Vity -> YBR125 -> FZS600 Fazer -> FZ1-S Fazer

[Clanger]

Lessons...?!
There weren't lesson's for bike riding when I first started...you hopped on, ploughed around the garden, crashed into the shed...then you were out on the road. Scary thought eh?
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Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter won't mind - Dr. Seuss

[moffx]

[pinkyfloyd]

My advice would be go do your theory test then get to a decent school and do a full CBT to DAS including test fee's. Not one that offers lessons at that price and test fee's as extra. Just a breakdown of our costs to compare.

Our school is not the cheapest in the area and without blowing smoke up my own arse (our students do that for us) we do not teach you to pass as a rule. We teach you to ride. You get what you pay for.

Our cost from zero to hero is £700. This is broken down into a CBT, 3 full days training and both motorcycle tests. Normally broken down as follows:

Friday, CBT (possibly with big bike conversion thrown in)
Saturday big bike work,
Sunday Mod 1 training (normally including access to the test centre mod 1 pad)
Monday mod 1.

The next Sunday mod 2 training
Monday Mod 2.

Look around, doing 2 hour lessons here and there is next to useless. If you remember your car lessons, you went through so many hours just recapping what you done the week before.

If you are going to go A2 licence, go intensive.
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illuminateTHEmind wrote: I am just more evolved than most of you guys... this allows me to pick of things quickly which would have normally taken the common man years to master
Hockeystorm65:.well there are childish arguments...there are very childish arguments.....there are really stupid childish arguments and now there are......Pinkfloyd arguments!
Teflon-Mike:I think I agree with just about all Pinky has said.

[Rogerborg]

The one thing I would urge you to do is to not pay a penny until you've met the instructor who will actually be teaching you.

If you're going to pay up front (and I would not), get a written contract.
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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

[Aceslock]

I agree 2 hours here and there is a waste, better to book 4 hour slots for Mod 1 & Mod 2.

I paid £95 last August for my CBT..... big bike lessons were £25 per hour plus test fees on top.
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Previous Bike: Skyjet SJ27
Sold: Yamaha YZF 600 R Thundercat. Sold: ZX636R
Current bike: R1 14B (Beast)

[pinkyfloyd]

[Bubbs]

Just to mirror what others have said, go have a chat with them and see what they are like. I went with a company that were made up of ex police officers and I really didn't get on well with them, they were like drill sergeants that make me feel very uncomfortable and nervous.

I failed both mod 1 and 2 completely because of this. When I went with a different company 1 month later I aced the Mod 1 and had one minor in Mod 2. It makes a big difference if you're in a good head space.

Can't remember how much I paid but think it was around the £4-500 mark for 2 day intensive course which included tests, bike hire etc.
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Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.

[moffx]

[Hefty]

[Rogerborg]

[Twofish]

[stirlinggaz]