Going to book my CBT. What should I expect?

[eggchaser1987]

Well, as the title, I am going to book in for a CBT next month and wondering what to expect.

I have been driving for 16ish years and I have always fancied a bike but never got around to it/not been alowed. The plan now os to do a CBT get a 125 for a year old so, ensure I enjoy it then go for a full licence.

I have found a local company that does CBT and you can hire the bike and gear. I have ridden the odd off road bike, trials bike and scooters but not for a while.

Is it a case of going in a straight line around corners and stopping or os there more to it than that?

[deebs]

Going, stopping, going round corners, emergency stop, going in and out cones, figure of 8, u- turns, first in the yard then road riding safely. Cant 100% remember if slow controlled riding is part of it (walking pace as if in traffic) or if that's only full license. Stopping behind an obstacle like a parked car and setting off again. All fairly basic once you consistently get the bike moving without stalling.

[HustleRussell]

The first thing which sprung to mind when I read "Going to book my CBT. What should I expect?" was "a pass". It's dead easy.

[nute]

It is pretty easy although im aware that some people need another couple of hours.

I don't recall doing a figure 8 on mine but there was a U turn/ emergency stop & other very basic bike control exercises. Then it was follow the instructor who basically spends a couple of hours just constantly repeating "cancel your indicator".

I did the same as you and got a 125 for a couple of months. TBH, riding a bigger bike is a lot easier.

[300sl-24]

Have a read through this, all training schools must comply with this syllabus

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/compulsory-basic-train...

[Bungleaio]

Expect to get hooked. There's nothing else like it.

I'd never ridden a motorbike before I did my CBT and I passed it no bother. There will be a bit about the highway code which I found quite alarming, not because they covered it more that the 2 other guys I was doing the CBT (16 and 25) had no idea what the highway code was.

Loads of videos on youtube to give you an idea too https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r10hoyJTMzg

[Tribal Chestnut]

Just turn up, relax and enjoy.

[eggchaser1987]

Thanks all, inwill have a watch of the YouTube videos and brush up on the highway code.

I already have an idea on a bigger bike i would like so ready to be a bike convert. Its just getting the forst few months/year out-of the way and used to being on two wheels rather than 4.

[hiccy18]

You've probably heard this repeatedly already, you'll hear it repeatedly again:

Do the CBT, if you enjoy it, do DAS and get the bike you want.

[eggchaser1987]

hiccy18 said:

You've probably heard this repeatedly already, you'll hear it repeatedly again:

Do the CBT, if you enjoy it, do DAS and get the bike you want.

Thanks, yes that is the plan but bigger bikes are more exciting to look at and dream than smaller ones!

[Markgenesis]

It's not really a test but they can get you back for more training if they feel it's needed, one 17 year old was on his third day when i did mine in 2019, sure you'll be fine though, i did mine, thought about a 125 but decided to skip it (the used ones i looked at were overpriced heaps of junk TBH), did my DAS over a few months (one lesson a week), treated the lessons as a hobby so no pressure to pass tests, passed Mod2 in Feb 2020 now have three bikes and cars have pretty much taken a back seat.

So i'd say skip the 125's, do the DAS and get on a big bike.

[trickywoo]

I hated the CBT. They spent quite a bit of time telling us all the ways we would be killed on the road.

[Hugo Stiglitz]

Enjoy it. DONT feel pressed into booking a DA course.

Ride a year, take it easy. Tbh I wish I'd stuck to getting a PCX125

[ghibbett]

I did my CBT in January.

Absolutely loved it. Just turn up, listen to the instruction and enjoy the day. However if you're used to any kind of performance, I would recommend going on to do your DAS as 125s are slow as hell.

I went on to do my DAS as detailed in the 'Failed MOD 1 Test' thread.

Collected my first ever bike (660cc, 80bhp) last Sunday and have clocked up 300 miles this week. Absolutely love it and my Caterham hasn't moved a wheel since getting the bike.

[BigFatNinja]

Plenty of good full runs downs of what you will be required to do on YouTube they will help give you an idea of what’s expected it’s over very quickly just stay relaxed don’t over think any of it

Personally I did not get on well with the 125 felt too flimsy and lightweight did not enjoy them and DAS bikes not much better it all really clicked once I bought my first bikes 750 / 1100 respectively

Good luck it will be a decision you won’t regret

[HybridTheory]

Don't get too stressed out with yourself if you stall as you probably will.

[PT1984]

If they do a full day I would opt for that. Get some more time on the bike before the course in the afternoon. And it is a course, not a test.

One thing that surprised me is how little experience a 17 year old needs to ride a 125 on the road. A short afternoon.

For me buying a 125 was the best move. I can absolutely ride confidently. I’d also say do not buy a $hit box. Buy something you would want to ride. I have a CB125R and it’s a joy to ride.

Passed the theory last week. I’m starting my DAS in a few weeks.

[Steve_H80]

Expect the start of an insatiable and expensive addiction

[spaximus]

People say the CBT is easy, it is if you have coordination. When I did mine there was one guy who no matter what they did he could not get the hang of it. Even then they decided to take him out on the road to see how he coped.

We did a lot of talking before setting off, which was good to highlight the dangers of self inflicted accidents and others inflicting them selves on you.

A good bit on suitable clothing before we got to the bikes. Then how to check before riding .

Then was the off road bit which was basically learning clutch control balance and slow manoeuvring. you had to be able to do the cones figure of eight all without putting a foot down.

Then after lunch out on the road taking in turns to lead whilst instructed by radio. At the end a debrief and results given. The guy failed even though he thought he should have. I was relieved for him as he was not ready in anyway but they offered him a free retest day.

Whether it was nerves or skill he was not safe.

I passed and then did direct access. Even though you have a car licence you will still have to do the Theory test as well which I found harder as it is so dumbed down and set so that you only have a 5 second window to react to dangers on the screen, which any experienced driver will see a mile off. Hit the button too soon and you fail.

You can buy revision material from DVSA and that gives access to the type of questions and tests you will do on the day.

After that Mod 1 is a beefed up CBT test in a yard, Mod 2 out on the road. I would not go for a small bike as you might pick up bad habits before the test.

People on my course failed CBT, Mod1 and Mod2 so take your time and get it right fist time. The thing I noticed is that everyone I came in contact with wants you to pass, even the examiners

[User2109]

spaximus said:

The thing I noticed is that everyone I came in contact with wants you to pass, even the examiners

I think this is certainly true for the more mature learner, after my mod 2 i was chatting with the examiner and he mentioned that he tends to be less 'strict' with the older rider as statistics show they are less likely to go out and kill them selves.

I went straight from CBT to DA, theory was the hardest part of it in my opinion, for the reason above that it was too easy to be too quick on the hazard perception part. I passed everything first time (lucky on the mod 1 TBH) and the CBT was pretty good fun even though it was raining hard on mine!

2 yrs on bikes now and covered over 8000 miles in the last 12 months, glad i did it!