
Learn how to ride a motorcycle
Learning to ride a motorcycle is not as easy as people say. If they have ridden before or have prior knowledge then they will say it is easy but in reality it isn’t.
The CBT is NOT an attendance course
The Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) has been looked at as an attendance course for many years, this is the common perception but is totally wrong. The process of turning up and just riding around in a car park and then having a short ride on the road has long gone.
The CBT Course has been upgraded and trainers must now go though a proper training plan to ensure their students are safe and able to ride on their own after the CBT has been complete.
There are still problems with some trainers not being thorough enough but that is changing and poor training schools are being closed down.
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CBT or motorcycle licence?
Learning to get the bike moving and understanding how to operate it may take more than a day. The CBT has for a long time been sold as a one day course. If you are honest with yourself learning how to ride a motorcycle will take more than just a few hours.
This is why the CBT Course should be thorough and be much longer than one day. Just riding around a small car park for a few hours and going on the road with guidance and instruction for two hours does not give you all the skills you need to ride on your own.
If you are a little bit weak and still achieve a CBT certificate, you will now have to learn how to ride a motorcycle on your own, on the road. This is probably the last place you should be on your own, with very little knowledge or skill. A much better training program would be for you to ride on the road ofr a full day (at least 6 hours) with a qualified instructor, so that you have more chance of being in control before being let loose on your own.
Many riders who gain their CBT certificate in one day, do not feel that they are ready and learning how to ride a motorcycle on their own is a daunting prospect. Many do not feel ready to be on there own.
Is it a broken process?
To some extent, it is a broken process, trainers will always cut corners and until the legislation changes they will continue to do what they normally do. Old school methods do not fit todays busy and congested roads when teaching new riders how to ride a motorcycle.
Learning to ride a motorcycle is not easy, it can be demanding and frustrating but having a good foundation will help you in the future.
An attendance course is not good for your personal development. If you are choosing a provider because it’s cheap or easy, that’s the wrong thing to do. Choose on standard and good training, best practice means that they care about your life and learning plan.
Make sure you research and choose a good place to learn to ride a motorcycle. After all it is your life in their hands, cutting corners and having a rushed or below standard training program will only elevate your risk.
The skills you need to learn
When you learn to ride a motorcycle you will need to learn and understand how to operate the 5 Basic Control. They are the clutch, throttle, front brake, rear brake and gear lever. There are many other controls to get used to but you must master the 5 basic controls first.
Learning how to pull and stop is next, then some slow control riding skills to get to grips with the clutch and throttle as well as balance. After you have learned to do that you’ll need to know how to stop the motorcycle properly and change gear.
Once you have progressed to a higher speed, stopping as in an emergency is important in case you need to stop quickly. Learning how to negotiate junctions is a good thing to learn in the safety of the car park too.
After you have completed the car park section and discussed the road ride during an in-depth briefing, you’ll go on the road for a couple of hours to practice the skills you have learned on the car park.
If you don’t feel ready or happy
Learning how to ride a motorcycle is not a formality, if you are not happy with your skills (or lack of them) do not go on the road. Ask for more time in the safety of the car park. If you do not feel ready or confident, do not just go out to keep the trainer happy. This is not an attendance course and you must only go on the road if you are in control, safe and ready.
Taking further training will ensure you are capable of riding on the road but this is down to how you feel and your standard of rising. If you struggle with any aspect of learning in the car park alarm bells should start ringing and you must listen to you instinct.
The road ride is not and should not be a formality and just part of learning how to ride a motorcycle. You must be comfortable and happy that you can safely ride on the road and be in full control at all times.
After gaining your CBT certificate
Passing the CBT and treating it like you have passed a test is wrong. It is not a pass or fail course, it is a development of your skills and control to make sure you can ride unaccompanied on the road. Getting it wrong can lead to huge problems for you and your confidence.
When you ride alone of the first time, take it easy, do not rush and slowly develop your skills and experience. remember, this is only the first rung on the ladder and there is a lot more to learn.
Make sure you undergo further training and development and if you are preparing to take a motorcycle test, home study will help you learn and understand what too do before you attend a training course. It will make you more confident, understand more when you attend and save you time and money as it won’t be a brand new experience as you will already have knowledge.
Good luck, ride safe and Keep It On The Black Stuff.