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Really looking forward to getting my full license so I can join mates on local trips and eventually holidays aboard. Not too interested in fast bikes (at the moment) but a 250-400 do it all bike seems to fit the bill.
Any tips for the CBT from any motor bike riders on STW? I roughly know what is involved and have borrowed some kit to make it safer.
I guess the main thing is just getting used to the controls to begin with.
Good luck and just enjoy it. It's very straightforward and you'd have to do something seriously wrong to fail. You'll have some time to learn the controls before you hit the road. If you can drive and ride a bike it should come to you pretty easily.
I passed my test in November and unbelievably I didn't run out and buy a bike immediately. I'm also not interested sports bikes but I live near a Royal Enfield dealer and the Meteor looks like a nice, lazy cruiser. Insurance is the big killer for a new rider, I've had some outrageous quotes for pretty average bikes.
Where are you doing it? I did all my riding in Rotherham and I swore I'll never visit the place ever again.
You are normally given the option of using a twist and go moped or a geared 125. If your not already a motor biker, choose the moped!
Does that mean you can pass on an auto moped then ride a geared 125 straight away?
CBT is easy, on mine someone pulled a wheely and fell off tho, he clearly hadn't practiced.
Good luck
Definitely dont choose the moped, its compulsory basic TRAINING for a reason, so they can train you how to ride a motorcycle.
Riding a 125 geared bike is the easiest thing in the world just go and have fun, I dont know anyone who hasn't passed on the say and I know people who fell off twice.
I did mine before it was even called the CBT. Part one, back then.
Just enjoy riding the bike. Take a few moments to set yourself up and breathe.
Did mine a few years ago - great fun.
One interesting thing was that apparently a 125 needs to be revved whilst slipping the clutch when doing low speed manoeuvres.
Remember to do a lifesaver before doing almost anything and ride in a dominant position on the road.
(there's probably more but those were my takeaways!)
Thanks guys,
I'm doing the test in Thatcham (Berkshire) so it should be pretty quite. I will have to sell one of my MTB's to afford to buy one though.....not sure how that will go down!
I've never ridden a motorbike before, so defo most concerned about the controls. But I guess you let the clutch out and twist sloooooowly!!! Not just rip it.
I’ve never ridden a motorbike before, so defo most concerned about the controls. But I guess you let the clutch out and twist sloooooowly!!! Not just rip it.
Actually you rev it as much as you like and let the clutch out really slowly to slip it.
Try not to do this.
You are normally given the option of using a twist and go moped or a geared 125. If your not already a motor biker, choose the moped!
F*** that! 🙂
Listen and learn, I'd say. 🙂 Did a couple, years ago now, but a really enjoyable and educational day on someone else's bike. 🙂
No video evidence will be provided.
But I guess you let the clutch out and twist sloooooowly!!! Not just rip it.
Sorry to break it to you, but it's a 125. Ripping it makes no difference!
It's still possible to completely spanner yourself though. Just do everything slowly and smoothly.
I remember mine was a nice day out. I hadn't ridden a bike before so I had a silly grin on my face while cruising along in the sun.
It's training as well - not a test. So go, enjoy and learn.
It's the trainer's job to make sure you learn everything you need - just concentrate and learn a new skill.
Just relax and enjoy the day.
You slip the clutch for low speed maneuvering which is weird and seems wrong at first. You can just hold the revs at say 3k, and just slip the clutch more or less to speed up or slow down at walking pace.
Easier to balance at low speeds than a bicycle. If you relax and ride it like a bicycle (look where you want to go) its easy. Try not to over think it.
I disagree about a 125cc being the easiest thing in the world to ride. I found after my CBT doing the proper test on the bigger bike that the bigger bike was much easier to ride than the hateful little 125... If you are local to Thatcham give us a shout when you have a bike!!
sharkattack
Where are you doing it? I did all my riding in Rotherham and I swore I’ll never visit the place ever again.
Me too although pushing 20 years ago now & I already knew to avoid the place back then. Sheffield isn't brilliant but Rotherham really suffers from being the poorer neighbour.
On my CBT my clutch control was rubbish so they got me to clear up the cones at the end of the session by riding up, kicking them over, hooking them on my foot and scooping them back to the storage hut. Brilliant way to fine tune my skills.
Haven't ridden a motorbike in 5 or more years now, would love another but cost & storage says no, shame there isn't more hire places about, I'd have one every other weekend for a Sunday razz in the Peak.
I found after my CBT doing the proper test on the bigger bike that the bigger bike was much easier to ride than the hateful little 125…
This is what my trainer was telling me when we were doing the cones bit.
I must have not looked convinced so he threw me the keys to a CB500X and told me to ride it around - it was very much easier in probably every respect (other than picking up I guess).
Use the 125s. They will have the worst brakes, the worst suspension and worst clutches of any bike you'll ever ride. They're deliberately like that - a sort of mechanical filter for the inept. Your challenge is to ride it. The idea is if you can ride one of those you can ride anything you might thereafter go out and purhcase for £50 off marketplace and hopefully not render yourself into a kidney donor too quickly.
If you really don't get on with the normal 125s, they will almost certainly have a gem of a 125 varadero (yes honda did actually make a V-twin 125cc varadero!) out the back for those that don't fit their usual intake of scrots and who they can see potential in to go on to make motorcyclists on "good" machines. It'll have proper brakes, a non-random clutch and an engine with actual torque. It will be grey.
Go gently - gentle throttle, gentle clutch, gentle brakes and steering. Look EVERYWHERE - possibly read up about headchecks now. Both brakes are for slowing down, but only the back brake is for stopping! Slip the clutch all you like - it's sloshing around in a bucket of oil, you can basically treat it like an adjustable fluid coupling.
Being taught to ride was one of the stand out best things I've ever done. Enjoy it.
Me too although pushing 20 years ago now & I already knew to avoid the place back then. Sheffield isn’t brilliant but Rotherham really suffers from being the poorer neighbour.
There are parts of Rotherham where there are giant waves in the tarmac, like the breaking bumps you seen on the trails in Les Gets. Usually when you're leaning over on a roundabout.
Throw in the bumper to bumper traffic and all the young scrotes in their 300bhp PCP machines trying to drag race everyone and yes, it was an interesting place to do a load of lessons and then a Mod 2.
Sheffield isn't much better in terms of traffic and horrible driving which is part of the reason I don't have a bike yet.
Did my CBT last year and had a ball even though the one of the other two fellas, who were just there so they could ride for Deliveroo, nearly took me out in a petrol station. He also kept going off on his own little jaunts and peeping at every car on the road........he was politely invited back for more training on another day
It took me two days to wipe the smile from my face, much to the disgust of my non-bike-loving wife.
Plans pretty much the same as the OP, something for going on little adventures, nothing Ducati'ish in my future but I hope to start going for the rest of the license in the next few months........don't want to have to go through the theory test again, that was murder .
Just enjoy it is my advice, It'll go all to quickly, if you're anything like me you'll roll the throttle a few times making an arse of gearchanges because your old brain is thinking too hard about it.
As others have said,
The T in CBT is Training not Test (and the B is Basic). They'll teach you the answers to all the questions you're asking right now. How to make it go, how to make it stop, how to make it turn, how to pick it back up when you've dropped it on the floor.
It's not something you can fail. If you are truly dreadful - and if you're already a cyclist and not a complete gimp then you won't be - then you'll be invited back for extra practice.
This notion some folk have discussed of choosing between a bike and a moped is weird to me. Unless it's changed radically since I did it, the only people on mopeds were 16-year old scallies who were going to buy mopeds. You're learning to ride a bike so having lessons on a bike shouldn't be rocket surgery.
Relax, have fun. Worst case scenario, if you decide it's not for you after all, you've had an experience day.
It's a fun day although not as much riding as you would hope. There's a lot of theory they go through on the day but it's mostly focused around safety. 125s are an absolute hoot to ride around on so you should have a great day. Most of the day will be in the car park but the final evaluation part will be out on the road. I seem to recall we had about an hour and half riding out on the roads. Most memorable part of my CBT was the rather loud crashing noise as a female ride was getting some one-to-one training with an instructor and she dropped it. More than once. I wouldn't be surprised if she was still getting lessons....
Also, your CBT is only good for 2 years. I would make sure you are also cracking on with your theory test as you will need that before you can get your full license.
Both brakes are for slowing down, but only the back brake is for stopping!
Not sure I follow that. If you need to stop, then progressive front braking is what's needed. The back brake is next to useless as the weight shifts forwards.
A tip for slow speed riding (i.e. riding in heavy traffic). Keep the throttle steady (not too high) - ditto with the clutch (keep it slipping but steady) and just use the rear brake to control the speed.
I've not used my back brake in 20+ years apart from when sitting at traffic lights.
Not sure I follow that. If you need to stop, then progressive front braking is what’s needed. The back brake is next to useless as the weight shifts forwards.
I sort of agree, the front brake is by far the most effective at quickly scrubbing speed and is the main one to use. But I also understand (I think) the poster you quoted. When coming to a smooth controlled stop, it is sometimes better to do most of your slowing down with the front brake, but for the last few feet ease off with the front and actually stop with the rear. This avoids excessive fork dive and makes for a much more composed and smoother stop. If you haven't tried it, give it a go. I'd ridden for years before I learned this but now do it all the time. It looks much better too.
Ah okay, that makes sense then - perhaps I misunderstood the post then (likely!).
And yeah, for a controlled stop I do try and ease off the front brake then switch to the rear when waiting at lights, etc.
That’s exactly what I meant. You take real speed off with both, but unless you’re doing an emergency stop, you feed in more and more back brake as you get to walking pace, pulling up with 0% front brake.
Hello, I’ve been an instructor since 2008, teaching CBT, DAS and keeping the SERV blood riders current. The best advice I can give is just relax, listen and don’t be hard on yourself if you struggle; the syllabus has a lot to cover in a day! You can do the day on either bike (manual or auto) but I’d always say try the manual first.
Its terrific fun, have a great day!
So how’d it go?! Hope you enjoyed it. Mine a few years ago was one of the nicest days out ever. I just remember riding along up out of Rossendale in glorious sunshine, on a clapped out old Honda CG 125, buzzing along looking out across to the Dales, and feeling so damn chuffed to be actually riding a motorbike. Mint. Hope it’s the same for you.
It’s like a cycling proficiency test. But on an engined bicycle.
(Having said that I never did one 🙂 )
I did DAS years ago, don't recall that involving a separate CBT bit at the start, but was 20 years ago....
I did DAS also and I definitely needed the CBT first, that would've been early- to mid-2000s too. I still have the cert somewhere. You needed to complete CBT before you could start on DAS (or any other training programme), it was a separate thing.
OK, mine was mid 90s. Pretty sure it was all rolled into one only ever recall using a Honda 500 at the centre.
There was no theory test either whole thing was 4.5 days, just rock up for 4 days on a 500 and on the am of the 5th day you sit ride your test.
what an excellent idea. Hope your test went well
Come on OP. We need to know.
he'll be out robbing many a man to get his vincent machine, then make his way to cafes to pick up a girl with red hair in black leather.
OK, mine was mid 90s.
Youngster. I did my bike test in 1981. Turned up wearing Belstaff, dayglo Sam Browne, L-plates properly fixed to the bike. A couple of times round the block whilst the examiner stood on the corner, emergency stop when the examiner raised his clipboard. Read the number plate on a car in the car park, answer pointless question about stopping distances and all done.
Those were the days!
I hope the OP was as successful despite having to work for it.
Yeah. Those WERE the days. I did mine in 1987. Same for part 2 test. Some bloke watching you go round the park. Once clockwise. Once anti-clockwise. Hand up for emergency stop.
Unless you were really stupid. Bike test passed.
None of this following you around on s bike with intercom stuff
Part 1 of the test was round bollards in a car park. Slow bike control. Easy peasy.
No hp restriction either.
Well that was and absolute blast. Passed of course. Not everyone on the course did.
Getting the handle of slipping the clutch and controlling the bike needs more time for me to be really comfortable in traffic; but on the open road...what a hoot.
From changing position around corners to smelling the outdoors and feeling the wind was sooo cool. Still buzzing today.
My mates want me to get a Hanway scrambler 125 and they do look really cool. Just need to start hawking loads of crap to make some funds.
Cool, glad you had good fun 👍 I really enjoyed doing my CBT - the sensation of riding a motorbike is just fantastic.
I pootled around on a 125cc for a year or so before doing my DAS and think it helped me loads and they're great fun to ride.
But if you're hooked then get the theory & hazard perception tests booked and get cracking on the DAS. And start saving 🤣
Well done - isn't it great? 🙂
Excellent.
There was no theory test either whole thing was 4.5 days, just rock up for 4 days on a 500 and on the am of the 5th day you sit ride your test.
Theory test came in in 1996 (I just looked it up. When I did mine they waived that requirement as I already had a full car licence.
I didn't do it in one block like you, I did regular lessons over a period of a few months. Can't remember why, presumably I couldn't afford it.
I'll never forget the day I did my CBT, around 6 years ago on a cold, windy and wet day in March. Coldest day of my entire life bar none.
Great fun though, paid for by my employer at the time (perks of working at JLR was they offered a bit of cash each year for any sort of training) and I was the only student.
Clutch was my weak point, very stiff and I ended up cramping up mid ride. Pulled over to rest and nearly fell as I managed to line up perfectly with a small ditch on my left side. Had to pull up quick as the cramp pain was getting rapidly worse!
Lens steaming up so open it up and face felt like it froze solid.
I understood why a mate of mine has incredible amount of peripheral vision after being on bikes for many many years, you feel so exposed but free whilst out on the road.
Needless to say I never rode a motorbike again but maybe one day.
I did DAS years ago, over a weekend I think it was. We had Yamaha RXS100's to ride. The actual test back then was so easy as well. Go down there and turn right, keep on turning right till you get back here. go down there and turn left, keep on turning left till you get back here, emergency stop then some highway code questions and that was it - then off to the shop to buy a Fireblade!
Well, I’ve just ridden my first ever motorbike home. Swindon to Newbury and I’m still buzzing yet still rather nervous.
I picked up a Derby Terra 125; other than a few knocks and scratches it seems to be in good working order. Other than the faulty fuel gauge and yes I did run out of petrol 😂 but there was only a short walk.
I’ll see if I can post some pictures later.
Excellent. I got my licence three years ago and have not looked back. I’ve hired a Harley and I’m riding from LA to San Diego next weekend on a work trip.
I wonder if this guy completed his CBT Oh Sweet Jesus!
Enjoy it,nothing beats that feeling of your first bike!
Yep, that first bike feeling is great 👍
I remember going out on my 125cc for the first time. Exciting and utterly terrifying in equal measures 🤣
Other than the faulty fuel gauge and yes I did run out of petrol
Fuel gauge? Luxury!
Does it not have a reserve tank? Do they not do that any more?
I did my test in 84, Pt1 was easy enough as I had been riding bikes for years. Pt2 was done with a normal car examiner who walked around a set route watching for key things like position down a one-way street where you will turn right at the end.
The best bit was my mate and his cousin and his friends all did the same route, so he helped me practice it for a weeks before, pointing out all the issues and where the examiner might be next on the route. I then showed my best mate who also passed 🙂
I didn’t do it in one block like you, I did regular lessons over a period of a few months. Can’t remember why, presumably I couldn’t afford it.
My instructor advised against doing it all in the same week simply because if you arse up your MOD 1 you can’t do your MOD 2, and you’re too close to it to reschedule or get your money back. But that’s just one thing to bear in mind, doesn’t mean it’s a bad idea to do it in one go. I booked my MOD 1 at the end of my CBT, then had a couple of hours on the MOD 1 test area beforehand to practice. Then booked MOD 2 for a few weeks later and had a day out getting familiar with the test routes and where the quirky roundabouts etc. we’re. Just waiting to do my IAM test now but there’s a shortage of examiners.