BikeSafe on a CBT or Lessons

[LustyLew]

So,

the o/h has now had two offs on his 125. He's has a CBT for about 8/9 months. I'm unsure on the circumstances as I was not there either time, but the front tyre does look a little shonky.
He's stated he wants more training as 'something must be going wrong'... My own suspicion is that it's just a combination of being tired, roads are wet and it's dark.
I've checked and BikeSafe run by the Met do allow CBT riders.

What do you guys think? Save the £45 to put towards lessons and a full license? Or get BikeSafe first?
He does want to get his full license before Summer 2015.
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Like a Yorkie - I'm not for the girls

[map]

With BikeSafe if they're not many 125s he may have problem keeping up and with the overtakes. Depends on the route(s) used and how they do the groups.

Also BikeSafe is more for tuning your riding rather than outright training. So not sure if appropriate if already too many rough edges. Although it's only a quick ride out, not really IAM or RoSPA training stuff. I'd say something is better than nothing though so may be worth it.

I'd probably opt for some training though first. Maybe consider a trial observed ride with the likes of local IAM bike group (they're usually free or just contribute fuel cost of observer). Check if they do them though over the winter shutdown period. That could identify riding points that need some work. Then go from there.

HTH
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...and the whirlwind is in the thorn trees, it's hard for thee to kick against the pricks...
Gibbs, what did Duckie look like when he was younger?

[esullivan]

Remember that BikeSafe isn't training. It's an assessment that's supposed to be used in subsequent training. They start with the assumption that you've passed your test and aren't dead yet, so the pointers are pretty basic and tame, and they will only mention really dangerous stuff.

I did the Met one, starting at the police station on the north side (M1). You go out on the roads with one police and two riders. The guy I was partnered with had a very weird riding style where he splayed both his legs out like an albatross coming in for a landing, at anything under 30mph. He never, ever used the back brake. For anything. He also had a tendency to ride in the right lane of a dual carriageway at well under the speed limit.

From the perspective of a traffic copper, who might have to scrape his carcass off the road at some point, none of this was a problem. He never mentioned either issue. He focused on positioning around bends and lifesavers. They were good points -- it wasn't a waste of a day -- but it also wasn't training.
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Current: '14 VFR800X Test passed 31/10/12.
Previous: '12 NC700S, '11 CBF 125, '04 SH 125.

[Rogerborg]

Buy better tyres or a brighter bulb.
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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

[Minty]

Gor for a ride (steady on ) one evening, in the wet and offer what guidance you deem necessary. It could be glaringly obvious he is doing a few things wrong.
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My fingers smell of your mum.

[map]

[fatjames]

I tend to agree with what's been said already. I'd also suggest checking his tyre pressures.
Following him I think is a good place to start, you'll be able to see when he's coming on the brakes and you might be able to offer some advice. If not, training then full test and then roadsafe.

I'd recomment roadsafe for you too (or anyone), it's good fun, helpful and very good value for money. In fact, the first aid training was worth my £25 alone.

[LustyLew]

Thanks for the advice!

I've seen the pics, nothing major was damaged, headlight bracket is a bit wonky (two days prior to the MOT). The tyre is made by Chen Shing... So doesn't ooze confidence. When I first saw the front, I thought it was from the 70's. Luckily I have a day off Friday so will sort out his front end (fnar!) and get the tyre replaced.

Any recommendations for Riding Schools in SE London? O/H is a school teacher, so kind of limited. If I could buy vouchers to put towards training then he can book it when it suits...

Thanks again!
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Like a Yorkie - I'm not for the girls

[ScaredyCat]

Bikesafe is pointless in this instance. It's not for people on their CBT, without a full license.


More training, better tyres, better bulb (although 125 lights are dire anyway) much less grabby-graby-breaky-breaky and much more looky-looky-many-anticipation.
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Honda CBF125 ➝ NC700X
Honda CBF125 ↳ Speed Triple

[map]

[talkToTheHat]

If he's going for full licence training, bikesafe will be counterproductive as they will encourage advanced techniques that may be test fails, particularly as far as road positioning goes. Train for test, pass test, get bike with some go, do bikesafe and/or join IAM.

Oh and get the front tyre checked. It is the most important part of a bike.
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Bandit. does. everything.

[Minty]

[Dave70]

After I'd been riding around for about a year or so, I paid an instructor to follow me riding around on the road for an hour, just to assess my riding. I found it quite useful and thankfully there wasn't anything major worth mentioning, just a few little pointers here and there.

Your OH would probably find it pretty helpful too.
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There ain't no devil, there's just god when he's drunk.

2012: R125 killed by white van. 2016 R125 killed by 30,000 miles of redline. Current: 2016 Kawasaki ER6f.

[davebike]

It not really what BIkesafe is for
I say talk to one of the local schools about getting a lesson or two
Most are not that busy at this time of year and can do odd bits

Where did he do his CBT??
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Dave
NC750Xdct + others at work !
davebike1@gmail.com

[civvy]

[davebike]

I don't think any IAM group will take a rider on L plates
Not least as the Advanced methods are not test acceptable (go figure that )

And yes I know what I am talking about only quit observing pearler this year after 15 years

The OP needs lessons from instructor who is used to working pre test
Friends can help with a conference ride but be careful not to learn their bad habits
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Dave
NC750Xdct + others at work !
davebike1@gmail.com

[wr6133]

[map]

[talkToTheHat]

[Minty]

Lowside < Highside.

Would much rather lowside my bike than highside it. Each to their own I guess.
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My fingers smell of your mum.

[FriendlyEllis]

You mention his front tyre.

Unless it's cracked plastic or he's hooning along its more likely it's grabbing the front brake thats causing loss of grip.

Dark..... under estimates corner..... Lack of confidence....grabs brakes.

You know.... that ol' chestnut!

Pass test, then further training.

Not directed at this post at all but..... It amazes me that some bikers try their abosulute best to not have any additional training somehow believing that they can self train to a high level.
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Honda CB600F Hornet 2013 -> Kawasaki Z1000SX ABS Tourer 2015

[talkToTheHat]

[iooi]

[davebike]

Been that way for years !

Remember DSA not whatever are Civil servants few if any of the senior guys will be experienced driver and even fewer motorcycle riders
And the same applies to the politicians that are supposed to run team

Common sense is not part of the UK Civil service job description Let alown and specialist skills !
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Dave
NC750Xdct + others at work !
davebike1@gmail.com