Very new.. Well haven't even started!

[Alan1986]

Hi guys,

New to the forum and also new to the bike world really,

I have always been interested in bikes and was going to take it up last year, I didn't,

With the new year coming in I really want to give it a go now,

I'm 29 years old, a BMS engineer, drive nice company cars all over the country and stuff, so I just sort of want something for me to have on a weekend really,
I have never even rode a bike but the interest is there,

I have registered my interest on a website called 'geton' they give you a days experience on a bike to see if it's for you and things like that, Anyone used them?

They have no spaces available for the next three months and will be in touch when they do, is there anywhere else that does something similar? I'm from Birmingham the Midlands,
Seems wise for me to have a day on a bike in a training environment before I buy myself a learner bike,

Any input to someone really new like me would be appreciated,
As I am determined to give it a go this year!
Could be lifechanging and give me a great hobbie if all goes well,

Thanks

[waffles]

I know a few people who have used the GetOn scheme, they found it reasonably helpful as an introduction to biking. I got the impression that it was more a 'here's how to make the bike go forward, well done' kind of day rather than any actual riding. I'm sure someone will correct me soon enough though!

Why not take the plunge and book a CBT? You already drive so road skills are not really a problem, all you need to do is learn how to control the bike. Give a few local schools a bell and find out what they can offer you
____________________
Theory test - 19/8/09, CBT - 11/10/09, MOD 1 - 16/8/10, MOD 2 - 27/10/10
Past rides Yamaha XT125X, Triumph TT600, Honda XR250
Current rides Suzuki GSXR 600, Honda MSX125

[NJD]

[Alan1986]

Thanks for the replies guys,

As Njd has said the CBT is probably the way to go,

I have some looking into it to do myself, I am a Noob,

I didn't realise they would supply a bike,
This is why I was thinking of going down the 'geton' route first,
Have a go before I buy one,

So what is the CBT actually like?
Only had a quick read myself but will certainly look into it that's for sure, but always good to get input from people who have done it,
Seems like they give some training before the test?
Should I care about an automatic or manual?
Driving cars for years I always prefer a manual myself,
I think I would still feel more comfortable having a go on a bike before CBT,

Thanks for the replies

[NJD]

[Polarbear]

Even if you don't get your CBT that day, you will have ridden a bike and will either enjoy it or not. Most people going for their CBT have zero experience and fuck all road skills so you will have a big advantage there.

You have to have a CBT before you can ride on the road anyway so do that rather than those geton people whoever they are.
____________________
Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[Alan1986]

Thanks guys,

Also cheers for the link NJD,
I am going to go with those guys,
Just checked the dates and I can do it as early as next weekend,
I am thinking of doing it the weekend after,
Maybe a new years resolution should be to be less of a faffer!

My girlfriend knows I want to do it, I sent her the link you posted NJD, she said go for it,
Might even give it a go herself,

Seems like it will be a fun day to be honest, being someone who drives probably a 1000 or more miles a week I am confident on the roads so should be fine,

I'll look into the DAS part you mentioned, but I might be happy with the CBT and a 125, not sure yet, it's all new to me,
My budget for a bike would probably be 1000 or more if needed, not really one for sticking to budgets

Cheers for all your help,
Hopefully I'll add a post to this in a fortnight saying CBT done.

[finniee]

Could phone up some schools and see if they offer a taster, usually free. Lets you see if you would actually enjoy enjoy it.
____________________
Honda CBF125

[NJD]

[M.C]

[Val]

Hello and welcome

[Alan1986]

I appreciate all of the replies,

RMT the guys NJD mention do a taster for 20 pound,
60 to 90 minutes, if you book CBT with them that 20 pound comes off the cost of the CBT,

Seems like an option I am going to go with to be honest,
Also seems like they are local to me,
Good advice on mentioning the DAS course at CBT,
I could see them possibly giving someone a go if they seemed genuinely interested,

Thanks for all the replies, you have all been helpful and very welcoming

[Andy_Pagin]

I don't think anyone else mentioned it, but before you can do the CBT you will need a provisional motorcycle entitlement on your driving licence.
____________________
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

[arry]

[bamt]

[Aky208]

As others have said before, I would phone up some training schools and ask about free tasters. The school I did mine with offered me a free taster straight of the bat when I was calling about a CBT. It was an hour long session on a 125 and it went through many of the basic bike handling skills taught on the CBT. It gave me an opportunity to see if I wanted to progress further before committing any dosh and it gave them an opportunity to assess me and give me advice on what route I should take (they had several DAS options varying in length).

[Andy_Pagin]

[331X2]

[Rogerborg]

[M.C]

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

Me and Rog.
____________________
"Life is a sexually transmitted disease and the mortality rate is one hundred percent."

Mobylette Type 50 ---> Raleigh Grifter ---> Neval Minsk 125

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

[NJD]

[Rogerborg]

... depending entirely on the ability, attitude and standards of the instructor(s).

The inconsistency doesn't help. "Plenty" [citation needed] of folk report going out on a token road ride rather than the 2 hour minimum. I found that the talky-bits of mine went on for far too long. Those of us that cared already knew or would find out ourselves. Those that didn't weren't listening and might as well have been on the bikes.

Well, the good news is that instructors are being encouraged/allowed to tailor the course to individuals, whatever that means in the context of still ostensibly having to complete every element even if you're an eternaLearner.

What I'm meandering around to is: don't sweat the CBT. Sweet or salty, it's just the first lick.
____________________
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

[stevo as b4]

My experience is not really relevant as my CBT was 18-19years ago, I'm sure plenty has changed since then and there is more in the way of paperwork, theory tests and such like now.

But I can remember enough to say that I really enjoyed my CBT, it was a sunny day with showers, but it was great fun at the time, and two out of the three others there on the day picked it up quite quicky and had few problems on the training ground or the road bit. I think one had to go back to the instructor for a bit more machine control to be taught, but it's no surprise out of say 5 people if one of them can't learn or pick things up at the pace of the others?

I did go to a CBT taster first about a fortnight before, because it was free that's the only reason though. The school doing it were a bigger outfit with more instructors and bikes, but it was in Yardley in Birmingham, and I didn't fancy doing my CBT there or in that area at the time.

I'd suggest doing the CBT as soon as possible really, even if you then wait a month or so before doing anything else. Training I felt was far nicer or better in Autum/winter when it was quieter. I think loads of people suddenly want to do it come the spring/summer and so training availability/ and level of service etc often suffers then.

I went on to do a DAS course and back then the cost was probably not much over 1/2 what it is now. I had two brilliant days riding probably around 200miles on a CG125, and then a day and a half on a Kawasaki ER5, (one of the popular school bikes then), and then into my test.

I found getting comfortable with positioning, obs, etc on a 125 bike for a couple of days was a great way of doing it, and then it was only a case of changing bikes once id got some confidence in stuff and what to remember for the test etc.

The two guys I was with on the course were both late 30's-early 40's, and I remember we had lots of discussions over what bikes we fancied getting once we passed our tests. I had a head full of weird ideas, everything from a Honda Transalp, CB500, to a Thundercat.

It's true you start learning afterwards though, and the instructors were very 'whatever bike you get doesn't matter/isnt worth worrying or thinking about too much at that stage'

Last word is Insurance vs Budget. Until I was ready to buy a big bike I didn't have a clue about prices for cover, but if it's coming out of your bike budget, then getting plenty of quotes first is best. Back then internet price comparison sites didn't exist so, it was lots of phone calls with potential bike candidates.