Help with people in the NW

[J20a]

Hello, I have already decided that i am getting a Honda NSR because i love Honda! I trust the bikes and i am used to being pillion on them so i feel they run quite smoothly. Also i am a short 5'5" female so the lower the bike the better
But in terms of doing my CBT etc i don't know whether to go for somewhere in Preston or Blackpool. I was thinking of doing it all at Bill Head's in Preston because i heard they do a crash course in it that includes everything plus guarantee pass.. if i remember rightly. I have been told by many biker friends not to go to Blackpool because it's a rip off and the teachers are "rubbish".

Anyone with experience from learning in Preston or Blackpool.. any suggestions??

[Sheepy1209]

I used BCL in Blackpool for my CBT and I'm starting DAS in a couple of weeks' time with them.

I didn't bother to shop around because they're the most convenient for me (I live in Cleveleys) - price wise they're OK, though there's been no mention of a 'guaranteed pass'.

What matters to me is the personality of the instructors - and I've found the people at BCL to be really easy to get on with, firm but patient, and very down-to-earth.

That doesn't mean the people in Preston aren't better - I just didn't fancy driving that far.

[Villers]

Don't go anywhere that won't offer a guaranteed pass, the CBT shouldnt be a pass or fail situaton - they shoudl train you to the required standard on the day or have you come back the next at no extra charge. If they wont, tell them to stuff it - they only care about cash, not you or your safety.

Good luck!
____________________
RS125 > CBR6 > SV650S > ZX636R > GSX1300RZ Hayabusa > 06 RSVR Mille > SV1000S > Street Triple 765 RS

[Sheepy1209]

Sorry - didn't phrase my post quite right. By 'no mention' of a guaranteed pass I mean I didn't ask and haven't looked - I was confident enough not to be worried about the CBT. They seem pretty flexible people, just ask.

Given that your profile says you live in Preston I wouldn't have thought it worth your while travelling all the way to Blackpool, any more than I bothered going to Preston - familiar roads make life much easier. Having said that, one of the DAS trainees I've met travelled to Blackpool from Chorley.

Just book a CBT with someone local - if you like the people, and can work with them, then training for a test stands more chance of working. If you feel you don't like the instructors' style, then start looking around after the CBT.

Sometimes instructors and trainees must rub each other up the wrong way - and that trainee then tells everyone else the school is 'rubbish'. I've seen no evidence of that at BCL, but it must happen sometimes.

[Sheepy1209]

Sorry - didn't phrase my post quite right. By 'no mention' of a guaranteed pass I mean I didn't ask and haven't looked - I was confident enough not to be worried about the CBT. They seem pretty flexible people, just ask.

Given that your profile says you live in Preston I wouldn't have thought it worth your while travelling all the way to Blackpool, any more than I bothered going to Preston - familiar roads make life much easier. Having said that, one of the DAS trainees I've met travelled to Blackpool from Chorley.

Just book a CBT with someone local - if you like the people, and can work with them, then training for a test stands more chance of working. If you feel you don't like the instructors' style, then start looking around after the CBT.

Sometimes instructors and trainees must rub each other up the wrong way - and that trainee then tells everyone else the school is 'rubbish'. I've seen no evidence of that at BCL, but it must happen sometimes.

Edit 03/07: Just saw BCL's advert in Yellow Pages, and it does say Guaranteed Pass - doesn't on the website as far as I can see (but I know there's someone on this forum who can sort that out!!).

[J20a]

I live in Kirkham which is almost exactly inbetween Preston and Blackpool so i can go either way.

I just wanted to see if anyone on the boards had used any services in either town and which was better recommended.

I know that in Preston BH's has the garanteed pass and they also do have recurring training if you fail.

[yambabe]

[trevoriv]

Hi, i am currently using Riverview in Bolton but they are based in Preston as far as i know. They seem really good but ive only done my CBT thus far. They are very helpful here in Bolton so i presume they would be in Preston as well. Think there are a few good places on Lancaster as well but the names of those places escape me at the moment :/

[kaillum]

I can't praise BCL in Blackpool highley enough! Both myself and my wife have been through CBT's and DAS with them.. Both passed first time (and bear in mind that my wife had never sat on a motorbike in her life before doing her CBT!

If you have a look at www.bclblackpool.co.uk and any more questions then give them a ring...

If you ring them, tell them Andy & Linz say hi

[J20a]

Alright then will do. Thanks alot for the suggestions! Will look into BCL, everyone gives them praise so they can't be half bad.