Is Saltire Suzuki Edinburgh a good riding school?

[RuthC]

I have had my full bike license for 6 years now, I got it while living in the Netherlands.

My partner decided to go for his bike license and chose Saltire Suzuki, Edinburgh. His first lesson, first ever time on a big bike (650), he went straight onto the road, A68 to Galashiels. The lesson was also a full day. They started at 9 am and wouldn't finish till about 4pm. Around 12 he had a (small) accident. He took a bend too wide and ended up on the side of the road crushing his fingers between the barriers on the side of the road and his handle bars. No one actually saw what happened because his instructor was so far ahead he couldn't see him. We spent most of the evening in hospital and he will probably need surgery on his hand.

Now, I know these things can happen. But I do not understand how they think it is responsible that the first time ever on a bike is on a road like the A68, an 7 hour lesson and the instructor wasn't keeping a close eye on him. They are now also saying he has to pay for the damage on the bike.

Is this a normal way of teaching and handling an accident in the UK? Has anyone else dealt with Saltire Suzuki?

I went to Saltire Suzuki once when I first moved to Edinburgh. I was going to import my Kawasaki Zephyr 750 and needed am MOT. When I took it there, they said I would need at least £700 worth done it to make it road safe. An example of what needed done was replacement of the entire front fork because the front fork seal was leaking! I obviously instantly rode out and went somewhere else!

Please advise..
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Ruth

[struan80]

Hi,

Sorry to hear about the accident. I haven't heard bad reports about Saltire training in general.

That route A68 to Galashiels is part of the test route, you only go up it a couple of miles and either take one of two turn offs, it is not a particularly challenging part of the test route I thought so would see no reason not to go that way on the first outing, it's the test route way out of the city.

Did they not take him out on a 125 first to ensure he was capable before going on the 650?

Hope he gets back out soon. if your not happy with Saltire then Two Wheels were good with me. I reckon if I crashed their bike I'd still have to fork out though! But only upto a certain amount, £1000 if I remember. Same as when taking a bike for a test ride.

Best of luck!

[RuthC]

[Rogerborg]

Sorry to hear about this.

It does sound harsh, but in terms of liability for the bike, you bend it, you mend it is the default position. I'd suggest that you check your contract with them. If you don't have one, then... see the default position.

As to why the instructor was ahead, that'd be down to the circumstances, which we don't know.

I am surprised that he went out on a 650 as a first ride straight after a CBT (presumably done on a 125?), but I do have to ask: what sort of course had he booked?

Lessons as needed, or some cheapo cram-it-in 2 or 3 day special?
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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

[struan80]

[Rogerborg]

I'd imagine that they've got fully comprehensive insurance on the bike, but with a hefty excess.

However, nothing compels them to claim against it.

If it's a substantial amount then you might want to speak to 'arry' on here about it, since this is his day job.
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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

[RuthC]

[Spamalittle]

Sorry to hear about your boyfriend's tumble.

I did my lessons via Saltire and couldn't rate them highly enough (although my instructor was a bit of a marmite character but luckily I fell into the love 'im category). I did however get my licence under the old regime and on my own 125 so can't comment on whether it's their standard practice to just throw you on a 600cc + and hope for the best. My flatmate used Saltire for her DAS recently and they did have her pootling around for an hour or two on a VanVan before she jumped onto a Gladius. She dropped the Gladius twice and didn't have to pay for any damage, but having said that they were both slow speed lay downs as opposed to crashes so likely not too much damage.

If your OH did want to change instructor, CSM down in Seafield are also very good. A nice little family run business, although they are a bit more expensive. I did my CBT with them back in the day and they didn't mind me dropping by and pestering them with questions before my tests. Mind you, their yard is utterly atrocious. If you can navigate your way around that potholed, gravel strewn, lunar landscape without a wobble then you're a dead cert to get through your Mod 1 with distinction.
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Story so far: RV125 VanVan > SV650 > Indian Scout > Triumph Thruxton, SV650 (again) & CG125