The authors comments below are only a personal
view & are not intended as representative views from the industry.
Why do I have to do a CBT
- Isn't this anti-biker legislation?
- NO! CBT saves lives. It has a proven track record & it should
have been introduced many years ago.
Is the CBT a test & can
I fail it? - No it is not a test
but a very wide & basic course. CBT certificates will be issued
once your instructor feels that you have reached the basic level of safety
& bike control.
Is it easy to ride a bike
as I already drive a car! - In most
cases trainees find it harder to ride a bike than a car but do not realise
this until they try. A much higher level of road safety & defensive
attitudes are required .
I havn't ridden a motorbike
before but I reckon I only need 2 days training at
most! - Go away & use another
training school. Anyone riding a motorbike for the first time is usually
in for a reality check. Good bike control is vital which often takes time
before you can concentrate on learning safe riding
skills.
Hello - I'm a guy & I
only want to do the DAS training!
- OK Mr. Testosterone! - but are you really going to ride a big powerful
bike straight away? Is it really wise to do so? Do you really have the
budget available for expensive insurance & the bike? Most new riders
actually start off by having a mid range bike (250 - 600cc) so
what's the point of spending on the additional training costs when the standard
Class 'A' licence with the two year probationary power limit of 33BHP will
do. Even bikes above the 33BHP limit can usually be restricted & most
people couldn't tell the difference anyway. Remember, that the next two years
will be your most important in developing your riding skills further &
'jumping in at the deep end' can have serious
consequences.
Why is it so expensive to
learn to ride a motorbike? - It needn't
be if you are prepared to purchase your own 125cc after CBT & practice
on your own account. You then only need minimal lessons to learn the test
& safe riding techniques as you are developing bike control skills in
your own time. Make your learning experience fun over a longer period. Nobody
likes 'L' plates but at least you're out their doing it. Remember
- there is no substitute for putting the saddle hours - its called
experience! When you have passed your test you may even recover the near
full cost of the 125 against your new bike!
After I have completed my
CBT, I suppose I am unable to ride a motorbike by myself until & have
passed my test? - A common misconception.
Refer to the paragraph above.
If I take my test on a 125cc
machine I can only ever ride a 125cc
bike? - Another common misconception.
You will be able to ride any bike up to 33BHP for the first two years.
After two years the power limit is automatically
lifted.
If I take my test on a 125cc
machine I won't be able to ride a 'big bike' for 2
years? - Wrong! Its the power (BHP)
& not the cc of the machine that determines what bikes you can ride.
Even if your chosen bike is greater than 33BHP most makes & models
can be restricted for a small charge or even free. It's a fairly simple
modification which can be reversed later on.
It must be just as easy to
ride a big bike for DAS as a 125cc
machine. - Wrong! Due to it's
light weight & ease of handling, most 125cc bikes are relatively easy
to master up to test standard. If 'things' go wrong, it can often be
recovered. A 'big bike' on the other hand has harder characteristics
to master & if 'things' go wrong here then they can go wrong 'big time'.
Often, passing your test is about 'keeping all together' & not making
any major mistakes for 30 - 40 minutes which is often easier to do on
a 125 than a 'big bike'. Just ask anyone about the test 'U' turn (a
common failing point).
After I have passed my test
will I be able to 'safely' go off with my mates for weekend
rides? - Sort of - provided you always
ride up to your own ability level & not your friends who may have had
several years additional experience. Unless the ride out is responsibly led,
you are very vulnerable especially with regard to speed into bends &
overtaking so always ride for yourself & not
others.
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FAQ's Marlow
School of Motorcycle Training - MSM
