Intensive courses

[firey1]

Hi all,
I passed the bike theory the other day and now need to book the CBT. Whilst looking for a reputable instructor I came across this " Five day CBT to test (unrestricted licence)". This is advertised as a course for beginners , having never ridden a bike before would you recommend this or has anyone tried courses similar to this one?

[Reddit]

Hi Firey and welcome
Pop into new members and introduce yourself - it might also be helpful to know where you are?

[firey1]

Hi mate,
Done that and updated my profile. Cheers

[Rerb]

If you have never ridden before I would personally discourage a 5 day course, if you chat to most first time riders it's hours on the road that's required. Doing what you propose especially this time of year with all the conditions against you with the option of jumping on something that will probably frighten you half to death.

I would advise getting some miles under your belt on a 125, sorry if this rains on your parade.

[lady clara]

Not sure about this as didn't do one. Only thing I could think of is that when I was learning, I rode a 125 in between lessons for practice. That gave me valuable experience and if I came up against things I'd never experienced before I could talk them through with my instructor on my next lesson.

The only thing I'd be worried about with an intensive course is that you'd go from no experience to on your own on the road on a big bike in 5 days. Personally I'd wanted a bit more practice before I was out on a big bike. However, there are probably people on here that have done an intensive course and think differently. Good luck!

[grotbag]

Like you I had never ridden before. My plan was to do CBT then theory then DAS course, after all how hard could it be? and I had road experience after driving for nearly 30 years. I did my CBT in horrendous rain, came off 3 time's and went home with my certificate, a very bruised leg and a cracked rib with DAS course booked over 2 weeks.

Although I was a high as a kite for passing the CBT I was nackered, riding and learning for a full day is very tiring! Went back to start my DAS and sacked it after an hour or so as the bigger bike was to big (size wise) for me to manage with confidence.

Like a lot of other people, I bought a 125 to get riding experience before I book some lessons and take the test.

It's an individual thing and everyone's different. Think back to when you took driving lessons, could you have coped with 3 or 4 x 7 hour driving lesson? With the addition that learning to ride a bike is harder than learning to drive a car.

My advice to you is make no plan's until you've experienced your CBT day.

[Reddit]

Hi (again) - where are you thinking of doing the intensive course? Is it local to you? A lot of places start to wind down now for the winter, as it's not the best time of year to learn. Just interested to know.

[Dave321]

I passed the same way having never ridden a bike before, but what i did was do what you are planning theory then cbt. After my cbt i purchased a small bike to get used to the road and other bits i was on the road two months before i booked a course. i Then booked a 4 day course and passed first time. I would not recommend a 5 day course to anybody right away having not no prior bike experience. i Beleive some road experience is requiered as it's to much to take in all at once switch off the indicators, looking here and there and when your should, gears to remember i reckon all have to be natrual to a rider before undertaing a 5 day course.

I'm not trying to say this is the best method of passing nor do i say other's should follow what i did im just passing on what my experience of what i felt was best for me.I Believe it's all down to the indiviual and how they feel they can learn and how quick.

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

Dave321

[Spinaltapper]

Yeah, this is an interesting question.

These intensive courses are proven to work for people who've never been on a bike. I think it's a good option depending, importantly, on the attitude of the person doing the course.

If you've got someone who just wants a fastrack to a big bike, from nothing and is clearly over-confident then I would recommend first that they have a 125 for a while.

If, on the other hand, you've got someone who's mature, sensible, knows the dangers and is determined to take it steady when they pass, then perhaps it could be right for them. I've heard of inexperienced people who've done the course, got on a big bike afterwards and not had a problem.

From my own experience after the CBT I'd planned to get a 125 and get some experience but my instructor said that he thought I was good enough to pass the big test. I know he was probably coaxing me into doing the DAS, hence handing them a few hundred more quid but I think it will work for me. I've got a couple of years on a 125 scooter around a busy city, so I have road experience on a bike. Also, I'm not a idiot either.

But like I've said I think it depends a lot on the attitude of the person doing the course.

If you're worried about whether you can pass the test after a five-day course, the best thing to do is do what I did. Do the CBT and see if the instructor thinks you can pass it.

Good luck anyway.

[firey1]

Thanks everyone for your replies, It's very much appreciated. To be honest I didn't want to waste money on a 125 if I could do an intensive course for around 500 quid but reading your replies has given me food for thought. I think I'll do the CBT and see how well I do before deciding what to do next. The intensive courses do look very appealing to a noob like me but as I said I'll do the CBT then take it from there. I'll let you know how I get on.