Are you happy with the current motorcycle training schemes

[The Stig]

There are so many routes a beginner can take to complete his/her motorcycle test these days
what are your thoughts?

Should they have a higher pass mark?

Are there any other tests they could do to improve riding skills?

Should motorcyclists be made to driving other vehicles during the build up to a test to get a fair feel for everyones perspective of the road?

Whats your thoughts?

[gsxr6k4rob]

The training systens will always be flawed when people who have passed their tests look at them.

Its a fine balance between teaching someone to ride a motorcycle and pass a test in a short space of time, even after my 5000 miles on a bike, I still don't think my skill level is good enough, would you take your test if it took 2 years training?

[yoyo]

I'm new to bikes and had to go through the new process but I was amazed that after an hour on the road I could ride a 125 with could do 70mph (just!) It was ok for me as I've driven for 20yrs but some 18yr old who's never been on the road before could be lethal. The CBT should be over 2 days to include more riding.

The new test is fine but it's due to change again soon isn't it, from my understanding the DSA are not going to allow any learners without instructors, that's a bit much really.

[paula4u]

well while I am back on a learning curve was looking at this.. mmmm  we could do with places to try out our skills.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCQXdgJypqw&feature=related

[stuey]

Well speaking as someone who is going through this learning process and is new to motorbikes, I feel I'm concentrating more on wanting to just pass my test rather than focusing on the key riding skills of control, observation, etc. Exactly like when I passed my car driving test (some 20+ years ago!), I felt I was concentrating on producing the 'ideal' drive to pass my test rather on fundamental driving basics.

I know I shouldn't be saying this but in a couple of months time I want to find a training school which will get me through the Mod1/2 tests successfully. I know that passing the tests should be my secondary goal and safe confidence riding the primary (and hopefully I find a school that does both), but as I am alluding too, take away my stress levels that I feel I place on myself to pass the test will re-focus me on actual riding, etc.

I realise the CBT and DAS courses do focus on safe driving, the lifesavers, etc. but with the 'short route' to getting a full license being possible within several days of getting on your first bike, I think this leads to a misaligned focus. Experience I believe, comes with age and practice and maybe 'forcing' new riders to get more "miles under the belt" before being entitled to ride larger bikes is one answer (I know there are alot more alternatives out there).

Even in the few weeks I've been riding my bike, when I jump back into the car, I'm alot more observant especially for bikers - the "been it, seen it, done it" approach makes you appreciate others perspectives.

There is also the thought that with experience comes false confidence in ones ability, maybe a re-taking of the test for all qualified/passed riders or some other ability measure would re-focus all riders on safer riding?

Well I've run out of cliches, so will stop now! Hope I haven't upset anyone too much :-)

Stu

[paula4u]

I used stuart of 2wheels training as soon as I passed my CBT, I was trying to prevent bad habits before they developed.  Its incredibly hard for a new rider to remember them life saver checks, I hope I do them now automatic as I did pass my auto test last year, however once gets lazy and relies on their mirrors... which is not a good move. 

The life savers are what they are to save a life, yours, the cyclist the daft moped rider the car.. add observation and the traffic rules.. its a bit much but in the end you become a good rider.  I highly recommend taking module 1 and practice for it.Why?  because the emergency stop, the slow riding the swerve is exactly what you need when riding, so practice it hard and pass that test.  Compared to the old test I feel module 1 was exactly what I needed, I felt so much more confident knowing I could do a Uturn and a circle of 8 after practicing. Honest its a skill you need on the road.

but I am not happy with the lack of places where you can practice module 1.  We need places where we can learn at our own pace in a safe place. 

[lewy]

I'm new to bikes and had to go through the new process but I was amazed that after an hour on the road I could ride a 125 with could do 70mph (just!) It was ok for me as I've driven for 20yrs but some 18yr old who's never been on the road before could be lethal. The CBT should be over 2 days to include more riding.

you should have had a minimum of 2 hrs on road, but everybody is given the chance to take more training(at a cost) but in 6yrs nobody has taken any unless going for a test

The new test is fine but it's due to change again soon isn't it, from my understanding the DSA are not going to allow any learners without instructors, that's a bit much really.

still be able to ride a 125 on L plates BUT the upgrade to a full power bike will not be automatic like present( if a test is passed on a 125 no automatic upgrade after 2 years)

[Blodyn]

I think the tests themselves are fairly comprehensive, they just need some tweaking.
Such as the speed expected on the swerve test and emergency stop. Yes we all know its easy once you've been riding on the roads with some real experience behind you but not when you're a green rider. The expense of doing the training and the test are forcing people to take their tests too early.  To do DAS you have to get some real time in with a qualified instructor and that works out very expensive, its strange how some instructors seem almost apologetic for the high price they charge and consequently push you to take your tests as quickly as poss. This serves no purpose at all and in my own experience proved costly. I knew realistically I wasn't ready yet my instructors attitude was have a go! I did and failed first time. When I changed instructors things improved dramatically, there's good instructors and bad, which is a pity. They should all have the same goal, to make you a competent rider which enables you to pass your test.
Things they should consider to make the roads safer for all, is all car drivers should be given some sort of simulated bike riding experience pitting themselves against other car drivers so they have some understanding of what its like to be a biker using the roads. They are never made aware of how their actions affect other road users. The experience could be finished off with a film clip of mangled body parts of unfortunate bikers due to poor car driving skills and lack of awarness.
We could also do with dedicated training yards (not the actual test centres) but seperate yards that all instructors could hire so that their pupils can do intensive practice for the swerve, emergency stops etc.

[TristanC]

Well said Blodyn   

[triple595]

i have to say i'm glad i did my das when i did, i took my test with a company in lampeter 5 years ago, and i have to say i had cracking training from day one, it was a bit of a journey for me to go down there and i did it in early spring so the weather wasnt the best. but thank god i past my test an away to go.

[trecastle mark]

Following on from Blodyn, I believe when they first introduced the two part test they did the cbt part in school/factory carparks on sunday mornings, from what I gather at no cost to the people supervising the course, don't see why they can't revert to something similar now.
As I've said somewhere else on here, they should make all learner drivers do some off road stuff so they can actually control the car before being let loose on the public roads....... dual controls or not

oh and I'm sooooo glad all I had to do was ride round a circuit the only down side ... it was a long time ago and that makes me a miserable old git

[The Happy Welsh Girl]

I am currently a learner!! I have done a theory and a CBT, I am now riding a 125 to gain experience and to boost my confidence levels before doing direct access in a couple of months.

Although I'm happy I have passed my cbt and I am 125 legal, I am a 31 year old mum of 3 who has been driving for years! The thought of a 17 year old kid taking a CBT whilst not legally having to do a theory, and after 2 hours on our dangerous roads being let loose is terrifying. no road skills, no riding skills, no life skills and certainlly less common sense than an adult what chace have they got on a machine like mine!!
I have an NSR125 and it goes some! and will brake any speed limit on a road!

Personally I think if they are under 21 then they should do a theory and a CBT before they start learning then have to pass some kind of test before they are actually allowed out without an instructor, you cant drive a car on your own as a learner you have to have a driver with you....on a bike this is not possible |I know but is why they should be given more than a couple of hours off road and a measley 2 hours on road, it just not enough on the roads of today, I know exactly how little you have to do to pass, on that small amount of training anyone who then goes on a road is not only a danger to themselves but to other road users!

[trecastle mark]

I'm not sure but I thought  you had  to be 21 to do direct access, and in a while I believe it's going up to 24 or 25 to do DA, but I could be wrong, 

But totally agree with what you saying anyway,

[The Happy Welsh Girl]

yes your right you do have to be 21 for the direct access, my fault what I was trying to say was currently you dont have to do a theory all you need is to be 17 and do a cbt to ride a 125 with L plates and this is what I dont agree with. 

[squidgy]

i personally dont agree with that because then there are people like me who when i was 17 was riding and just because i am young does not mean i have no common sense because of my age yes i agree most 17 year olds dont have it but alot do and the ones that do stay on a bike at 17 are normally the ones with common sense because that means they want to stick with it most 17 year olds ditch the bike and get cars i agree with what your sayin but for 16 year olds not 17