Training for full bike test? (UK Only)

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DRider

DRider

Wannabie Member
Hey folks,

So, seeing as I'm going to be paying my Insurance, MOT, Tax and CBT again in the next two months, I figured I might try to do my full bike test within the few months after that, but I had a few queries.

Firstly, do I have to get training on a bigger bike in order to do the full test? I've been told that I apparently have to get training on a 400+cc bike, and then do my test on that bike in order to even take the test; is that true?

And, in the event that it's *not* true, do you think I should try and save enough money to get training on my 125 *anwyay*? My mate who's been doing CBTs for about 12 years and is also thinking of doing his full test has said that even he'll be taking training, as he simply won't be good enough. The training round my area is... rather expensive, so if it's not absolutely essential, I'd rather take a miss.

Any help with these two issues? Cheers.
 
You need to take the test on a bigger bike, there is NO WAY I would recommend attempting it with just having ridden a 125. The bike is bigger, different breaking and acceleration etc not to mention you still need to do the MOD1 (cones etc) and that initself is very different on a bigger bike.

Personally I found riding the bigger bikes easier than the 125's.

Sorry to say it is a case of borrowing some ones bike or paying out for the training, with the 125 experience you might be able to do it all with 2 days of training on a DAS style course.

How ever you proceed, good luck!

OH BTW

https://www.gov.uk/ride-motorcycle-moped/bike-categories-ages-and-licence-requirements

Depending on your age you may be restricted to the 125 route anyhow?
 
Just do a 4 day course and job done!

It's so worth it! As said above, a big bike is a lot different to 125s
 
Well, I'm 19 now, so it looks like I could do my A2 Unrestricted. As for the training; isn't it bloody expensive? I was told that to include training and the full test including theory, it'd be around £800, which is more than a month's whole wage for me.
 
I'm 19 doing my training now. Done 3 hour lessons. 1-Getting used to GS500, 2-First time on road, 3-On road doing decent speeds as well as school leaving time chaos. My next lesson is MOD1 practice. £800 is over 2 months wages for me. So far it has cost me less than £100, MOD1 is £15, MOD2 is £90 (I think). I've been riding over a year now, but £800 seems a lot.
 
For e training was £60 for 2 hours and I needed 6 hours for mod1 and 6 for mod 2 so altogether after tests I had probably spent £800 :/ wow hadn't actually worked it out yet. I spread mine over a few months so it was comfortable


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Personally, my advice is spend whatever it takes to make you safe.

If you are confident and safe enough to take the MODS with a 400 without training then go for it.

However, if you have even a slightest doubt in your mind or the smallest hesitation (as you seem to have with the thread) then spend what you need to do to make it go away

I passed almost a year ago, at the age of 40.... I took my time and I'm glad I did
 
So, how long were you just taking CBTs then Kimi? I'm going to get my insurance, tax and MOT out the way and payed for on my bike, and then re-do my CBT (I may not even pass, I tend to rely more on my mirrors instead of shoulder checks for a lot of junctions, which is a big no-no.) The CBT should hopefully let me cover a few of my bad habits, and then I'm thinking of taking a couple of days worth of training, and if they don't think I need more, do my MOD 1. Then maybe a month later when more money comes in, do more training for my MOD 2. I'll probably start reading up and doing mock tests for my theory test *now*.
 
Remember, the training isn't just about getting you through your tests. It's also about teaching you how to be safer on the roads and to handle situations. It will save your life on many occasions. What's that worth to you?
 
£700-£800 to train to ride a bike - why is it going to cost me that much?

Then I read about all the crashes and injuries. And about the value of more advanced training after the test. And I considered if I would ever think about doing scuba diving without training. Would anyone? No chance, you'd die pretty quick.

No doubt some can pass with little training. But they will be a very small minority I would presume.

For younger male riders, with the scientifically proven predilection for thrills and risk taking, I would go so far as to suggest that more wider training is needed than just that required for passing the test and proving you can ride a bike safely under test conditions where someone is watching your every move
 
DRider said:
So, how long were you just taking CBTs then Kimi? I'm going to get my insurance, tax and MOT out the way and payed for on my bike, and then re-do my CBT (I may not even pass, I tend to rely more on my mirrors instead of shoulder checks for a lot of junctions, which is a big no-no.) The CBT should hopefully let me cover a few of my bad habits, and then I'm thinking of taking a couple of days worth of training, and if they don't think I need more, do my MOD 1. Then maybe a month later when more money comes in, do more training for my MOD 2. I'll probably start reading up and doing mock tests for my theory test *now*.
Click to expand...

Take your mirrors off or tilt them down. Seems stupid yes but will make you check over your shoulder. The mirrors on my CBR get taken up with my elbows so it's made me shoulder check more often.
 
My mod 1 is booked, and as soon as that's done I'm booking my mod 2. So far cost me £200 so should cost £300-£400 overall if I pass first time :P
 
Got my training and mod1 booked too and if all goes well mod2 a few days later. Looking forward to the training - if am not ready for mod1 after two days training, will delay it til I am. Theory was a piece of cake once I had bought a dvd for the hazard perception and have been familiarising myself with slow riding u turns slalom and figure 8s on the scooter which is a bit different to a clutched bike but same principles
 
I actually rather like that idea of turning the mirrors down; I still do shoulder checks when changing lanes, or coming off roundabouts, etc. but I don't do them for all junctions; time to start training myself up. I'm actually getting really nervous that I'll fail my CBT now. Gosh darn! Stressing out because of all the things I've got to pay for soon, I think I'm just beginning to stress out over everything else as well.

Thanks for all the advice my fellows; it is very greatly appreciated! I'm almost ashamed that I've taken two years on my CBT and will have to take it again, but hey, it's how it is. Just got to carry on. And good luck to the lads taking their full tests, also!
 
Only just gone and passed my Mod1 today. Bit of a cock-up on the booking - was meant to be in Wakefield this morning, but it wasn't confirmed in time, so switched to Blackburn (!) in the afternoon.

Good job too - slept terribly, would have been so tired if I'd had to get up real early.

Two hour ride on Yamaha XJS600 (or is it an XJ600 - I have no idea) to Blackburn, in this heat, got lost in Blackburn and only just made the test centre with 10 mins to spare of what we thought was the scheduled test time. Then it turned out the test wasn't for another 45 minutes.

So nervous my slow stuff was the worst I have done, but the examiner was brill - chatted away, smiled, told me stories of this that or the other, and generally kept letting me know I was doing well. Great guy.

Had to redo the swerve as I was off the speed by 1kph, nailed it second time, and he let me know I had passed before we even re-entered the test centre. All the adrenaline left me and I was suddenly too tired, too dehydrated and too sweaty to even care that much.

The other two lads also passed, one of them doing his second test after skidding the emergency stop first time round, went for a bite and a drink, then got lost coming back, so another two-hour ride back.

My arse and my hands are sore as hell. Don't much like the ride position of the bike, and am quite happy sticking with my 125 scooter. But just the Mod2 to go now.
 
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