Bad learning experience

[wully]

Today Diane had a taster lesson at a training center in Glasgow
the name of which sounds a bit like a make of stone age motorcycles...

She had decided after being on the back of the GS a few times and listening to you lot egging her on, that it might indeed be fun to learn to ride one herself so she booked a free 1/2 hour taster lesson and I went along too- armed with a video camera to capture the thrills and spills which proved fortunate as it turned out.

Everything seemed to go well with no spills and a lot of thrills and grins- which must have been of high quality as I could see them through the helmet...

Of the other three students we can discount one who was on a scooter, the other two were on a par with Di as far a machine control went. Now I know I'm biased but I'd rank Diane as equal first in ability if only on the number of time the bikes were stalled...Most of the time I was watching I was thinking she was looking really comfortable on the bike and in control- the rest of the time I was trying to think of good places to hide the keys for the GS.

At the end the instructor told the two bloke to go straight for their 5 day direct access- along with the scooter girl but told Diane she needed more lessons which destroyed her confidence as she felt she was on a par with the others on the course- saying her control wasn't good when it is obvious that it was as bad/good as the others which ruined the whole experience For the life of me I can't see why and I'm glad we have the video that shows she was every bit as good as the rest and that has gone some way to restoring her confidence.

We've got the number of a different local training company and she'll be going ahead with some more lessons that hopefully will lead to a full license but it so easily could have ended in her jacking the whole thing in if I hadn't filmed it- I'm really pissed off with them. I know it was free but the whole point should be to positively encourage people to take biking up, especially as there is no reason to knock their confidence in such an off hand manner...

So, if you've a partner or pal who wants lessons........

 

[H.R.H. Nashskye]

Hi Wully - sounds like Diane was just as capable as the others there and as you say a comment like that can really knock someone's confidence.
I got my lessons in Inverness, with the choice of 2 bike training centres. This first one I went to for my CBT had me in tears (and that doesn't happen easily) but the bloke was so dismissive of me - despite the fact I'd never been out on a bike. My confidence was at such a low, I then went to the other teacher, who I will always remember. He was such a great bloke and built my confidence up in no time.
I'm glad Diane's going to another centre, as by the sounds of it she's more than capable.
Best of luck to her and a big to the bloke that was teaching her!

 

[wully]

I'm back in Glasgow on Tuesday for some new tyres and might go past and tell them what a twat the bloke was

 

[Alte Wolf]

A bad learning experience is often the result of bad or inadequate training/teaching ... two edged sword.

If the student is competent which is very often the case, especially when they are really interested or committed, the fault is invariably with the trainer/teacher ... one edged sword.

The instructor sounds as if he/she needs to get some training himself/herself.

Criticism should always be constructive and never destroy the confidence of a student.

I reckon Di should not be deterred one iota by her experience and follow her instincts to ride a GS like everyone else here.

Go for it SIS we is all behind ya

 

[Gav]

You'd think a wee shottie like this should leave you looking forward to getting on a bike again, not leaving you feeling sour. That's a shame. Perhaps you have to accept that they did find something in particular needed more practice but if that were the case, you would have thought they would have said exactly what the problem was. To just say it was a lack of control seems a bit galling when they felt they could properly assess the girl on the twist & go scooter to an extent that they thought her level of control was greater. Sounds like you might have made the right decision to go somewhere else. Best of luck Diane. Let us know how you get on.

 

[wully]

Things is looking good!
There is a company in Oban doing CBT's but they are really busy ( which is great) so she's going to get booked in there as son as we can find a suitable date.

This morning instead of the expected " Why do you need a new exhaust on a new bike?" it was " Can I get on and start it up?"

Thanks for all your encouragement- it's really helping

 

[Womble]

My wife is learning at the moment and her experience with training has been varied to say the least.

The chap who taught me was selling the business to a new chap, but the new trainer was a bit unreliable. One day, the new chap couldn't make a lesson, so he got Pete to stand in but, without briefing him properly. Unfortunately Mrs W has a BIG PROBLEM with dual carriageways - and guess what he does first . While dealing with the resulting flood of tears and stress, he had the gall to tell her she wasn't a real biker. She may not have a licence, but I've seen her brush the snow off the seat off a TZR125 and go riding, which is fine by me!

In comparison, we found another school who have female instructors and they are great. On her first lesson, she returned from the ride to find that they had radioed back a set of notes and she had a breakdown of good and bad points, and homework I really recommend that you keep looking and find a school with the knowhow and attitude that suits your wife, it makes a world of difference.

Unfortunately, we've moved house and her CBT has lapsed in the meantime. Oh well, maybe next year...

 

[wully]

I'm back in Glasgow on Tuesday for some new tyres and might go past and tell them what a twat the bloke was

Went in but he wasn't there. Had a chat with the very nice girl on reception who did a good PR job and called Di later on to explain what had gone on so they did go a good way to redeeming themselves.

She won't go back though- why risk it when there are loads more places with instructors like the one Tash had?

 

[Ogmios]

Mrs Og replies,

this is a common complaint among female Bikers.
Male instructors - and unfortunately it's the majority of male instructors are condescending toward female Bikers.
i've been on the road for 30 odd years - and nothing has changed.
To the extent that when asked for recommendations in Ireland i have a pool of 3 or 4, that i happily recommend.
this is coming from somebody that is a founder member of the Irish Rider Training Association and know the majority of instructors in the country.

Go for It Girl- you'll find one who's ego isn't threatened!

 

[Debidy]

Come on Diane

I had a nervous instructor for my CBT who didn't even want me on the road for a start .. he had two 'perfect' boys to train too. Guaranteed I've never been big at driving anything that close to a wall in a small playground.

When we did eventually get out on the road the hour was spent with him constantly barking at the perfect ones to switch off indicators, get position on lanes, etc. etc. oh, and watch you dont scrape your shiny white safety trainers

My Terror bought me an XR125 which basically stayed in the garage for a year because I was so nervous at what I learned. I eventually booked lessons in Arbroath this year .. My instructor was fantastic !! If I did something silly he told me, If I did good he told me and ... ok, if I dropped the bike he picked it up, called me a silly C*, told me to dry my eyes, then took the piss out of me which is exactly what I needed !

Once you get an instructor that speaks your language it will be great ... I actually miss my lessons now.

Good luck Diane !

Deb.

 

[Uinneag]

Tash done her CBT and the instructor wore a stetson say's it all really and was more interested in himself than his pupils


Changed instructors for her Direct Access and what a difference, when she sat and passed her test the Stetson clad instructor had 3 pupils all going for their test and all failed.


Two wheelers and Donald

 

[Barrmill Biker]

bad experience

I had a very bad experience with same said company and I go out of my
way to make sure I send nobody to said training centre.

I booked up to do some advanced training and they cancelled twice on me
I had also explained that I may have to cancel at short notice as my
sister was in hospital and it was terminal this was agreed to be OK.

They arranged a new date and everything was OK. But sister took a turn for the
worse and I had to cancel when I contacted said ********** training school
I was told tough bereavement isn't there problem an no training or refund would be
given. I wont go into all the details but you can imagine how I felt.

So I will continue not to recommender this training centre to any one.