Clutch control, braking and cornering

Soaring Eagle · L Plate Warrior Joined: 05 Dec 2011 Karma :

Hey guys, just a quick question, i failed my CBT recently due to what's mentioned in the title. Even though i asked my instructor, he wasn't clear on how to use the clutch properly or how to go round a corner in what gear or anything like that. I'm wondering if any of you guys can give me a basic 101 on all that before i go back this weekend? Any help on this would be so helpful, not passing was the worst feeling and i'm very eager to pass this time round,

Cheers,

JoeDougieDoug... · World Chat Champion Joined: 25 Oct 2011 Karma :

Soaring Eagle · L Plate Warrior Joined: 05 Dec 2011 Karma :

Thanks for that, and he didn't really say anything, there was not a lot of input from the instructor(s) at all,

And yeah lol i should've been a bit more precise in my question, right so say i'm coming up to a corner in 2nd-3rd, before i reach the corner i brake, do i then need to switch down a gear and do i need to apply the clutch through the corner or just let go of the accelerator?

And yeah it's next Saturday so fingers crossed i won't muck up this time Thumbs Up

Howling TerrorOutOfOffice · Super Spammer Joined: 05 Dec 2008 Karma :

I suggest asking him/her to explain things properly. You're paying for it.
If he's a gibbering goon or a mr angry type then ask for a different instructor.

If you're the meek type then time to man-up abit and don't be afraid to ask them to repeat instructions.
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JoeDougieDoug... · World Chat Champion Joined: 25 Oct 2011 Karma :

iMark · World Chat Champion Joined: 13 Nov 2011 Karma :

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

_Chris_ · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 25 Apr 2011 Karma :

Did you make it to the on-the-road bit?

you should have already been quite comfortable with turning after spending half a day riding in circles and figure of eights?
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blade023 · Trackday Trickster Joined: 09 Oct 2011 Karma :

Sounds to me like your instructor isn't particularly instructatory. You should be able to get feedback about where you're going wrong if you're not 'up to scratch' with riding a geared bike. And what you've mentioned in your posts pretty much covers it all.

Clutch control; when you're moving off you find the 'biting point' (when the bike starts to pull forward) slowly releasing the clutch. When you have this point, give a few revs and feed the clutch out slowly to accelerate to a steady pace, then throttle control takes over for acceleration.

Clutch control for gear changes; when you want to change up gently push the shift lever up (this is pre-loading.) Simultaneously squeeze the clutch lever about 1/3 to 1/2 in while releasing the throttle. The shift lever should click up to put you in the next gear, but it might help to push it up a little harder to make sure. Now feed the clutch out while increasing the throttle.

Changing down; if you're slowing for a corner while in 3rd, slowly release the throttle to bring your speed down. Use some brakes if you need to slow down faster. When your revs drop to around 2k (best not to look at the rev counter, you'll learn to judge it by the tone of the engine) squeeze the clutch in, again about 1/3 - 1/2, and at the same time click the shift lever down. Feed the clutch out.

With a junction where you might or will have to stop, simply click down a second time with the clutch squeezed, use your brakes more to slow you and 'feather' the clutch to crawl forward.

As for cornering itself, the most important thing I could tell you is LOOK where you want to go. The bike will follow. Take it easy around corners at first, until you get used to judging the speed and angle etc. It becomes second nature.

If you're anywhere near me we could meet up for some practical pointers, as it's much easier to show someone than tell someone how it all works. Although it's not too hard to put into practice and you should get it without too much trouble. Hope that helps.
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Soaring Eagle · L Plate Warrior Joined: 05 Dec 2011 Karma :

Thanks everyone for your replies so far, i have a much better understanding now of what to do when cornering etc,

Basically what happened on my CBT is the guy just gave me a bike held together in places with duct tape on the dials and other places, and told me about the biting point...that was it,

I asked a few times what to do but it was made no clearer so for the first part of the CBT i was very much guessing what to do, which obviously resulted in some unpleasant experiences and when it came to the road riding obviously i was not allowed out on the road, (i agreed with this as it wouldn't have been safe obviously, but it wasn't like i hadn't tried to actually even find out what to do and how).

All in all i felt cheated out of my money at the end of the day, but i've got it rebooked for half price this Saturday so i'm hoping it all goes well, just one quick question here, assuming the speed is reasonable for the corner, would it be okay to go around in say 3rd gear, or is it always the best idea to go down to 2nd or 3rd?

iMark · World Chat Champion Joined: 13 Nov 2011 Karma :

Raine · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 03 Feb 2011 Karma :

You really should discuss your experience with the DSA - you should not have left not knowing how to use the controls correctly.

Also, at what time were you 'sent home' - CBT is supposed to be a full day's training and so if you were sent home early - you are still 'owed' the time.

For future reference - we accept that all of our clients learn at a different pace - if somebody needs to return for further training (it is not a pass / fail), we do not charge - however long it may take Smile

Soaring Eagle · L Plate Warrior Joined: 05 Dec 2011 Karma :

JoeDougieDoug... · World Chat Champion Joined: 25 Oct 2011 Karma :

blade023 · Trackday Trickster Joined: 09 Oct 2011 Karma :

Firstly, either the school or the instructor you were with is crap. Talk to DSA about it, I'd even try to get a refund especially as you got half of what you paid for. Go somewhere else, even if it's a bit further away/harder to get to. The CBT is a days training as people have said, and you pay for it. One guy who did his CBT at the same time as me stayed on the pad when the rest of us went out. He didn't get sent home, he carried on with the off road practice.

Secondly, contact these people and ask them where we should send the bill for the training we've given you. We are doing their job after all; they should be doing everything short of riding the bike for you to teach you how to ride safely on the road. That's what you've paid for. CBT isn't a pass or fail test, it's Compulsory Basic TRAINING. They're supposed to train you.

I'm rather annoyed about this on your behalf Rolling Eyes

don't let them dick you around and take your money.
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