The Honda Owners Club

Having not posted on here since almost a year ago - I'm back.

I completed my CBT almost a year ago - but unfortunately due to various reason (mainly death in the faimly and me having a trip to A&E and being signed off work for best part of 3 months) I haven't been on a bike since... but this year I've said it will be the year to get on two wheels (turning the big 30 might also have something to do with it)


Anyway first couple of questions

1) Do people think it would be worth re-doing a CBT (Ok I know mine is still valid - but having not been on a bike for a year would it be a good re-fresher - only ever did the day CBT - never been on a bike before or since?)
2) What are peoples view on intensive courses - managed to get a bit of paid overtime at work, so wondering whether to use this to just pay for a course - now I've always been worried about intensive courses as they might give you a qual, but not the experience type thing.
3) Carrying on from 2) anyone know of any good trainers whether intensive or not....

Right enough of the questions for now

Need to go and chat to the bloke across the road - has Honda VFR


Cheers All

Dave

Hi and welcome back - don't know of any training organisatins personally in your area but the police Bike Safe guys are always a good start for advice and further training.

My advice would be it never hurts to re do your cbt - tell them you passed last year - and then dry direct access but when you pass buy something like a Hornet or a CBR to start off on and get some mileage in.

Hope this helps!

Cheers, will do

another question I'm aware that the test is changing later this year, so undoubtly going to get more expensive, so in order to crack on, I need to get my theory test sorted and passed. Which books did anyone use/recommend as being worth reading to help me get through this.

Also how different is the bike theory to the car theory - managed to pass my car test prior to any of these theory test, but I've seen a couple of the car ones.

Have a look at these guys http://www.i2imca.com they did a talk at Northants the other week I was very impressed and intend to try the off road day this year, to refresh my riding skills and decide whether to start riding again.

The Driving Standard Agency have a book - The Official Motorcycling Manual which I bought when I was taking my test 8 years ago. I know the IAM also do some good reading books.

Just to update this post.. I went back to the place were I did my CBT.. explained the situation, and they were great...
Took me out to the bike, give me a quick recap of what we did on the CBT to refresh my memory, what did what etc. As soon as I started the engine, and letting the clutch out, it all started coming back to me.. I felt happier out and about then I did when on CBT.. About 3 hours of on the road, lots of junctions, round-abouts, turns in the road etc etc I'm booked in for 2 weeks time (on holiday next weekend) to have a go on a big bike (400cc) and if I'm ok on that look at going for my DAS.

Well done- go for it !!!

Just to update.. had my first lession on a 400 today... wow it's so quick.. zoom zoom and how did I get this far down the road so quickly

ok am guessing it's actually not that quick compaired to some of the bikes others on here have, but when all you've ever ridden is a cg-125...

Anyway really enjoyed it.. another lession for next week, than prob weekly lessions for a bit, and hopefully get my full licence before the summer..

Thanks for all your words of support and encouragement

Dave

Hi Dave

Only just discovered this thread... well done on getting a cbt refresher and now... yay! Lessons on a 400 - fabulous!

Did you get your theory sorted? I borrowed the official DVLA book from a mate and that was incredibly useful and also the official dvd set which has the hazard perception on it too.... really can't stress how much help all this was to getting me through my test with pretty good scores.

I hope you continue to enjoy your lessons and keep us posted!

Safe riding

Hello, yep managed to pass my theory test last friday.. I got the theory book and DVD.. the theory book was very useful as was the DVD to a point, however the actual how the hazard perception part of the test was to work, the DVD just confused me.. the freebie DVD that came in the post when I booked the theory test made more sense about how the test was to work.

Got another lession booked, just takeing it mile by mile, lession by lession.. obviously I want to pass but don't want to rush it.. better safe then sorry... and as someone once said to be..

better late in this world, than early to the next.

Dave

Dave78 wrote:Hello, yep managed to pass my theory test last friday..
Got another lession booked, just takeing it mile by mile, lession by lession.. obviously I want to pass but don't want to rush it.. better safe then sorry... and as someone once said to be..better late in this world, than early to the next.
Dave

Super! Well done (again!)

As for the taking it easy and not rushing... good advice that ... someone said as much to me but I ignored them...

Dave, sounds like you have it under control

Had another lession today (again on a Honda 400).. for the first good 30minutes it was if I had never been on a bike in my life... I was rubbish (to put it politely), it just seemed I couldn't do anything.. I felt like I could only use all the controls in one of two positions. i.e. clutch in or out, throttle idle or some 8,000rpm..... agggrrr.. I was actually very close to saying s*d this and calling it a day.. but then the bit of me that says, s*d this if 3 friends at work can do this so can I.

Anyway, after a talking to by my instructor (most of which he spent trying to get me to chill out and relex.. don't know why but was sooo tense riding today.. ) I seemed to get on much better... managed 6 U-turns in 3 different locations and no foot down - yippee...(still a bit wobbly but for me knowing that I can do it without putting a foot down is a major achivement)

Thank you again to all of you guys and girls with your continued encourgement and support...

and before I go just a quick question... How do you remember what gear your in?

Keep up the good work.

As to remembering - you don't. Many times, you go to change up and find you are in top gear. But as you get to know the bike, a quick glance at the speedo and rev counter and you can work it out.

New bikes seem to come with a gear indicator - my FJR has one and it's a great help. [My 1976 kettle has one too - so nothing new there!]

Alan

Dont worry about the gear thing, I've been riding a while and regularly forget (or dont know) what gear I'm in, question is if your in the correct gear for the speed and road conditions does it matter that you cant recall what gear you're in
Keep up the lessons, its a whole new world once you've passed