Horrific CBT experience - almost put off riding for good

[ZachGed]

Hey guys, just registered solely to rant and ask for some reassurance/the bitter truth. Apolgies for the lengthy post.

So to give my background, I've been a car driver for 8 years and a relatively good one. My dream has always been to ride a bike and after waiting years to get a promotion at work, I finally achieved that dream so I booked and passed my theory, and booked my CBT, I was one step closer...or so I thought.

The CBT came round and it was devastating. It felt like nothing clicked. I could hardly control the bike at slow speeds, was stalling for England, was revving like a mad man and couldn't even harness the confidence to switch gears properly so I was rather embarrasingly stuck in 1st the whole time whereas everyone had been teasing 2nd/3rd. What made matters worse was that everyone else at the CBT (there were about 6 or so others) breezed through it, and it got to a comical point where they just started lapping me in circuits before I could finish my own run.

Eventually I was broken and told the instructor I had enough (there wasn't a chance in hell I was safe enough to go on the road). So I shook his hand, and took a depressing drive home essentially conceding riding wasn't for me and hence my bike dream was dead.

However that being said I can't simply accept give up something I've been working so long towards. So what I'm asking is whether I should give the CBT another ago or perhaps take up the offer of a couple hours pure beginner 1-1 lessons offered by another school nearby. Or judging by what you've read do you think it might not be for me.

Again apologies for the incoherent rant and thanks for listening or any possible inputs, its been a massive downer!

[anthony_r6]

Depending on what your approach is, you could take your CBT on a scooter, so you don't have to worry about gears, then get yourself a 125 and learn to ride/gears yourself without the pressure of being in a 'classroom' environment.
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[Bigvern72]

[bamt]

Also, look at other discussions on here. Riding a bike isn't like driving a car - you need an entirely new set of muscle memory skills and loads of new information to assimilate (e.g. even though mechanically changing gear is similar in terms of what happened in the engine, hand clutch/foot lever is totally different to what you'd do in a car).

For some people that comes quickly, others need to do a bit, have a break, then come back and try again. No shame at all in that, I'd go back and give it another go starting on a geared bike again. You'll probably find it much easier next time. As you've done your theory I'm assuming you are aiming for a proper license, so no point messing around with an automatic scooter. Also, don't be initimidated by how much better than you other people on the course appear to be; some may have been riding bikes for years (either on perpetual CBTs or off road), or it may just click for them faster. Doesn't mean that they will be any better than you a few months down the line when you've got a big bike license and a nice machine to go with it.

[alexknight200...]

Don't give up, that is my first bit of advice.

Perhaps you could try the following if possible.

Buy a 125 that has a solid resale value (just in case you decide it is not for you and you can sell it without losing money)

Find somewhere private and spend a day getting used to the bike and if necessary riding around in first all day and getting used to the clutch bite point and throttle control as well as balance.

I'm sure by the end of the day you will be using more than just the first gear!!!

Then go back and do your CBT.
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Current stable: Yamaha XVS 650 1996 - Honda Super Magna VF750 1988.

[ScaredyCat]

[Aceslock]

You say there were "6 or so others"......... How many instructors were there?

Also when i did my CBT i was told to only change to 2nd gear whilst in the yard..... I didn't need to change to 3rd to do the emergency stop etc. It was only whilst out on the road that we needed to go to a higher gear.

I would go for the 1-1 training if you feel it would be beneficial for you. It will inspire confidence, that you seem to have lost on your experience so far.......
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Previous Bike: Skyjet SJ27
Sold: Yamaha YZF 600 R Thundercat. Sold: ZX636R
Current bike: R1 14B (Beast)

[linuxyeti]

Hi

I also recommend, taking the option of 1-1 training, if you don't already have a bike, or know someone with a bike who can take you and give you a bit of training/confidence building, and then, when ready go and do your cbt again.

Basically, before my brother, stepson, missus & nephew all did their cbt's, I gave them a few days lessons on one of my 125's beforehand, on the local bingo hall car park !!. What was even more fortunate there, is that in that carpark, there was a ramp / mini hill up to another car park, which meant I could give them some hill start training as well.

If you want it, stick with it, it'll come, then you'll start to get narked off at the car drivers !!
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[Rogerborg]

[pinkyfloyd]

We see it all too many times. As a school we do not try and push you beyond what you are capable of and we will call a halt to the day, which your instructor should have done. Sounds to me that you reached over saturation, the point where the brain could not process any more information.

Go back, try a different school and you'll be surprised at how much easier you find it.
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Teflon-Mike:I think I agree with just about all Pinky has said.

[ToddUnctuous]

[bigdom86]

would go for 1 to 1 or just pass on a twist and go, buy yourself a geared and teach yourself over time, the classroom environment makes things much more difficult, especially if you make mistakes

[stinkwheel]

Also remember, some of the other people on the day may have done CBT before. It only lasts ?three? years.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
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[skatefreak]

Don't Give Up!

Seriously.
I had played on mini motos etc over the years but getting on a geared bike really threw me off.
I 'Knew' how to ride a bike but the 'pressure' (all in my head really) meant I just fudged everything for the first hour.

It wasn't until I was told to get off the bike, have a smoke and had an unrelated chat until I got on and it started to click.

Don't get me wrong though. When I say clicked I mean I was getting proficient to just about function on a bike, was still a hazard for a little while but got there.

Its all kinds of terrifying whilst learning out on the open road but after you get used to it and start automatically working the machine it really comes into its own. Don't think I'll ever not have a bike

https://www.oneyoufeed.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/persistence.jpg

[Hefty]

OP if you've been driving well for the past eight years then if anything you have a slight advantage, you know the roads and highway code etc. So don't let being unnerved by something that felt alien to you (it probably only felt so alien because you're used to a car..) put you off doing something that could well change your life.

Lets be honest, if you had actually given up you wouldn't have created an account here
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'13 Honda CBF125 // '99 Suzuki SV650s // '98 Honda CB600F Hornet

[arry]

[Hefty]

[UnknownStuntm...]

[ZachGed]

Really appreciate the responses guys, I'll try and address your points of advice.

Firstly, I can appreciate the rationale behind doing the CBT on a scooter and just practicing on a geared bike in my on time, but personally I wouldn't feel safe doing so unless I can walk out of the CBT satisfied I'm a safe enough driver on the road with a geared bike. Not to mention I pretty much live on a dual carriageway so practicing on a geared without confidence from a CBT would be terribly frightening not to mention bordering on suicidal

And let me clarify my 'good driver' comment , what I meant by it was I'd driven consistently for 8 years with no road incidents(touch wood), no incidents with the law(bar a few parking tickets), have driven from the southern-est part of England all the way to Scotland and have also comfortably clocked miles in other countries too. I also like to think I have a good understanding of road discipline and thats why I found the theory test an absolute breeze. This isn't me stroking my ego, but explaining why I felt so sucker punched by how poorly I took to getting on a bike for the first time.

I'm also glad you guys actually mentioned class size since I thought it was rather odd. There were actually 10 of us in total - one instructor took care of 6 of us on the geared bikes, and another instructor took care of the remaining 4 who were on scooters. This was done on the same parking lot which didn't feel terribly spacious to me if I'm honest. Now I'm not sure exactly how big a CBT class is supposed to be but I always assumed it was nothing more than a couple of learners at a time, am I hence right in thinking I may have been given a raw deal? Also one of the instructors smirkingly asked if I was sure I'd ridden a pushbike before - granted it was almost a decade ago since I had, but surely that time gap doesn't simply mean I've forgotten how to balance a bike?

So I've essentially gone ahead and booked a 1-to-1 for a couple of hours with a different school just to build some confidence with the slow speed stuff, and if I feel confident enough I'll go ahead and re-book the CBT at a different school, if not then I'll swallow my pride and do the thing on a scooter and very slowly practice geared off road.

Thanks for the boost of confidence guys, wish me luck!

[bigdom86]

im pretty sure by regulation it is max 3 per instructor? when i did it was lucky enough was 1 to 1. i would go elsewhere to be honest

[supZ]

[pinkyfloyd]

[Rogerborg]

[snomag]

[ZachGed]