passed CBT, what next ?

[turnipbmw]

Her indoors passed CBT this morning.

So whats next ?

direct access is the obvious answer but she thinks its a lot of money.

Long term plan is to do an India/Himalaya trip late next year with trailblazers/ 500 Enfield

 

[mr_magicfingers]

In a similar situation, girlfriend passed her cbt on saturday, I'd spent a couple of afternoons in the car park teaching her the basics. She's bought a varadero 125 so she can commute to work and gain experience, she's not got a chance of getting 5 days off to do a DA course and doesn't fancy given up precious weekends.

Our plan is that to start with I'll ride behind her on the trips to work, so she has a bit of support and some advice. Aiming to commute for a couple of months and do weekend ride outs together while I train her up above test standard. It helps that, many years ago, I used to be an instructor, so I can teach her good riding habits and then she'll do one of the shorter 2 day DA course to get her test and unlimited license.

Once she has that the varadero will be changed out for an f650. Next year we plan to ride to either the pyrennees or norway and tour. The year after that we're looking at overlanding to Australia, just the two of us, when we take a year off from work.

 

[sparkplug]

Depends on her confidence / ability etc but unless she's a natural and / or very confident why not let her pootle around on the 125 for a couple of months and make a point of racking a few miles up in different traffic conditions.

Buy a copy of Roadcraft and get her to read through it and try to ride according to the Roadcraft way *every* time she goes out.

That way when she comes to do the test, whether it's DAS or not, she will in effect have been rehearsing for it for a couple of months. The biggest change will be in handling a bigger bike but she won't be bogged down with all the other stuff too.

Oh, and U-turns. Do lots and lots and lots and lots of U turns. Then go and do some more.

Depending on where you live, but if the road is suitable why not get her to make it part of the routine to come into your street so she's on the other side of the road when she gets home and to do a U-turn up to your driveway.

It's boring as anything, but it's good practice.

 

[advancedbiker]

Next step after CBT - Looking at Roadcraft

Just a word of warning here. The theory in Roadcraft is completely different from the standards required to pass the full DSA motorcycle test. I commend anyone who starts looking at it early in their riding career, but word of warning....... The DSA do not like the way Roadcraft looks at positioning, so my advice is by all means look at the book, but get some further training with a DSA instructor who knows what you need to do to pass the test. Once you have passed your test, then ride the Advanced Way.

Good Luck

Nigel

 

[Lord Snooty]

advancedbiker speaks sense.

Do not use Roadcraft as it teaches advanced lines and positioning which is not what they look for in the DSA test - she will fail!

She needs to buy a DSA publication called "Riding - The Essential Skills" This is a great book for learners and will help her a lot.

 

[mr_magicfingers]

advancedbiker speaks sense.

Do not use Roadcraft as it teaches advanced lines and positioning which is not what they look for in the DSA test - she will fail!

She needs to buy a DSA publication called "Riding - The Essential Skills" This is a great book for learners and will help her a lot.

Thanks for that, I'll get her to pick up a copy. That's also why she's going to do the 2 day direct access course, so that they can tweak the things she needs work on.

 

[Lord Snooty]

Don't forget the test is now in two parts - Module 1 and Module 2. Mod1 takes place offroad at one of the purpose built Multi Purpose Test Centres (MPTC)

The Mod1 test consists of a number of skill elements:

1. Taking the bike on and off the stand
2. Wheeling the bike from one parking space into another
3. Riding a slalom
4. Fig 8 - normally at least 2/3 to satisfy the examiner
5. The Avoidance "Swerve" Maneouvre after triggering a speed trap at a minimum of 50kph and then stopping the bike with the front wheel in a pre-designated position.(The controversial discipline that has caused so many problems)
6. U Turn
7. Ride the bike under slow control in a straight line.
8. Emergency stop, again after triggering a speed trap at a minimum of 50kph

Failure to trigger 50kph or touching a cone, or dabbing a foot down during the slow control exercises will result in failure. Two attempts at 5 and 8 are allowed if the required speed is not reached.

You can probably help her with all of these elements except 5 and 8. If she is not trained properly on these then she will struggle to pass. Our training school books use of our local MPTC every Sat and Sun when they are not used for testing. This enables us to take our students to the MPTC and train them on the actual test pad - specifically focusing on the swerve maneouvre and emergency stop. I suggest that you check out your local training schools and make sure that you use one that makes use of your nearest MPTC in the same fashion. Only by practice and familiarity with the cone layout and consistently hitting 50kph at the speed trap will she become test ready. This means that she will have to book at least one of her days training on a weekend.

An ATB should also be able to show you a schematic of the cone layout and the skill elements required.

If you need anymore info then pm me.

 

[DollyRocket]

Book

Thanks for that, I'll get her to pick up a copy. That's also why she's going to do the 2 day direct access course, so that they can tweak the things she needs work on.

PM me your address and I will send you a copy - Mine is about 8 years old but most topics covered will still be valid.

 

[Dave78]

Similar situation too...

Mrs has her CBT.. were are booked on the ferry to Ireland in this Sept.. then her was knocked off early december.. now she is a few weeks away from getting back on.. but is thinking that it'll be quicker to go resticted so she can ride something not on L-plate in Sept.. but would really like to go DA, but is worried she will not pass in time if going the DA route..

 

[Lord Snooty]

Similar situation too...

Mrs has her CBT.. were are booked on the ferry to Ireland in this Sept.. then her was knocked off early december.. now she is a few weeks away from getting back on.. but is thinking that it'll be quicker to go resticted so she can ride something not on L-plate in Sept.. but would really like to go DA, but is worried she will not pass in time if going the DA route..

Dave, there is no reason why she should not pass DAS by Sept as there is loads of time. Where in Warks do you live? If you are reasonably close to Redditch why not give us a call and have a chat about her requirements?

Contact details are on our website here RMT Motorcycle Training http://www.rmtnet.co.uk/Home.htm

Mike

 

[mr_magicfingers]

Lord Snooty, thank you very much for the information. She wasn't very happy with her cbt instructor (I was ready to go over there an punch him after the way she and her fellow students were treated) so I'll look into alternative schools and take your advice about access to training places with my when I do.

Dollyrocket, thanks very much for the kind offer, I'll pm you my address.

Cheers,

Justin.

 

[turnipbmw]

some useful stuff there (when this site is working) will look out the book and give her the choices.

Was thinking an off road course would help learn some bike handling skills, any thoughts ?

 

[Dave78]

Dave, there is no reason why she should not pass DAS by Sept as there is loads of time. Where in Warks do you live? If you are reasonably close to Redditch why not give us a call and have a chat about her requirements?

Contact details are on our website here RMT Motorcycle Training http://www.rmtnet.co.uk/Home.htm

Mike

Hi Mike

She was getting on really well before the bird hit her.. the training school she is using have been really good with her and she is keen to go back.. but her confidence has taken a huge great big knock having come off.. we have a good female friend who is giving her lots of girlly encourgement (apparently this is different to bloke encourgement ) She says thank you very much for your offer though.. she is quite supprised at how nice and encourging every other bike has been with her over coming off.. I think she can pass her DA by Sept.. once she is back on two wheels (physical heeling and fixed bike) I plan to be out with her as much as poss.. with her taking lessions to find out what to do.. then time with me to get time on two wheels then back to the instructors to knock off the rough edges type thing..

She can do it.. we almost know one of the blokes from the local IAM group who has offered to go out with her (and me as am thinking about more training) before the Ireland trip too..

Dave

 

[mr_magicfingers]

.Was thinking an off road course would help learn some bike handling skills, any thoughts ?

We've just booked my girlfriend and myself onto the offroad course run by i2imca.com. They have had good feedback on this forum and we have a friend who's done all their courses and raves about them. I wrote to them asking about whether a new rider would be able to cope with the course and their reply was that they wished every new rider would go and take them as soon as they can, as they teach machine controls skills rather than traditional advanced riding. We'll be taking the mc2 course in april together and will gradually work our way through the other courses they do as well when time and money allows.

Take a look, and ask them any questions you might have, they've been really helpful to us so far.

J.

 

[Packer]

I'm involved in advanced riding as an observer and realise that newly qualified riders have been taught a system at odds with what the IAM.Roadcraft recommend.

I cannot think of any good reason why the DAS test should require that a rider be taught differently to Roadcraft, at least in terms of the urban environment. Lower speeds on a small machine in a rural or dual carriageway environment clearly require differnet positioning etc.

It seems to be crazy. Is this just another case of UK Government idiocy?

 

[advancedbiker]

The Enhanced Rider Scheme ?

I'm involved in advanced riding as an observer and realise that newly qualified riders have been taught a system at odds with what the IAM.Roadcraft recommend.

I cannot think of any good reason why the DAS test should require that a rider be taught differently to Roadcraft, at least in terms of the urban environment. Lower speeds on a small machine in a rural or dual carriageway environment clearly require differnet positioning etc.

It seems to be crazy. Is this just another case of UK Government idiocy?

Hello Packer

You thought this was a poor situation, have you looked into the DSA Enhanced Riders Scheme.......

Nigel

 

[Dave78]

From what I can work out, from talking to my instructor a few years back and the mrs and to others involved in advanced training.. I think they want learners to stick to safe lines, i.e. if you sit just left/right of the centre line 99% of the time that will be nice and safe as it puts you in the middle of your lane.. yes it will give you a better view around the left hander by moving out towards the centre.. but you are then nearer to oncoming traffic.. type thing

The logic I think they are applying is that a learner has only a limited amount of what they can a) take in and b) experience.. therefore keep it simple.. let them look at the advanced stuff once they have got and demo'd the basic's by taking and passing the test..

I think that makes sense.. or am I talking out of my ar5e..

 

[Packer]

Hello Packer

You thought this was a poor situation, have you looked into the DSA Enhanced Riders Scheme.......

Nigel

No, I haven't. Have you got a link to a concise summary/analysis?

P.S. SOrry to the OP for the thread highjack!

 

[turnipbmw]

We've just booked my girlfriend and myself onto the offroad course run by i2imca.com. They have had good feedback on this forum and we have a friend who's done all their courses and raves about them. I wrote to them asking about whether a new rider would be able to cope with the course and their reply was that they wished every new rider would go and take them as soon as they can, as they teach machine controls skills rather than traditional advanced riding. We'll be taking the mc2 course in april together and will gradually work our way through the other courses they do as well when time and money allows.

Take a look, and ask them any questions you might have, they've been really helpful to us so far.

J.

looks good, pm me your dates and I will see if we can do the same - be useful to have someone in similar situation

 

[advancedbiker]

Link to DSA Enhanced Rider Scheme

No, I haven't. Have you got a link to a concise summary/analysis?

P.S. SOrry to the OP for the thread highjack!

Try this link : http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/LearnerAndNewDrivers/RidingMotorcyclesAndMopeds/DG_4022666