Any friendly instructors out there?

13-11-2007, 08:33 PM

Forgive me if this is in the wrong section....but it seemed the most suitable.

I passed my CBT at the end of June and have done 3,000km on my 125 Vespa since then. I have recently done about 8 hours training on a geared 125 in 2 hour after work blocks. This was thanks to a friendly 'moonlighting' instructor. I also hired a geared 125 for a week just to get the bike control absolutely nailed. I finished with half an hour in a carpark on a 500.

I feel that I am now very close to pass standard (this was agreed by my instructor) but I could do with a little bit of on road experience on a 500 and perhaps a little bit more drilling in of one or two 'routines' that need to be observed to pass the test.

I am now looking for a friendly instructor with a 500 that is happy to do either a few after work sessions or one full day and then my test. Every company I've spoken to refuses to do anything less than two days....I understand their reasons but don't particularly agree with them given the slightly unusual route I have taken thus far.

Are there any friendy instructors on this forum in the London area? I'm 30, have an unblemished car license (no crashes or points), and am not a tit!

Oh...and I've passed my theory and really need to get me a Monster 620

Cheers,

Dan

Headhunter · 13-11-2007, 08:39 PM

Hi Danstable.

Was the same as you Vespa 125 then on to a Monster.

I'm not sure if Metropolis Vauxhall do one day training. The only thing they are good at, which is worrying.

If not, I'm sure someone will be along soon who can point you in the right direction.

13-11-2007, 09:30 PM

I did my practice with Bikewize http://www.bikewize.co.uk/ who I found very helpful and honest.
They taught me how to ride and not to just pass a test.

They will let you do as many days as you want but will tell you if you are good enough to pass the test but it is your decision at the end of the day to take their advise or not.
Bearing in mind I hadnt been on a bike for 20 years they did 3 days with me on BMW F650's and then I did my test.

Probably the best way to do it with them would be to book a day then book the test through them, an afternoon slot, and have the morning going over anything you or they think you need to work on. This way you get to use their bikes for the test.

They are based in Cheam or Tolworth so not sure how this stacks up with your location. The guy who runs the place is Gary and is, in my opinion, a nice bloke and good instructor.

Hope it helps.

G

13-11-2007, 10:13 PM

Unfortunately the school I went with are in Norfolk, but they do 2 hour sessions and are brilliant. If you can get up here I'm sure they would be more than willing to help. They have an excellent pass rate and of course we don't have the loony drivers for when you do your test!

14-11-2007, 11:08 PM

Thanks guys, all very encouraging replies....which is somewhat different to the response I got when I posted the same question on another bike forum or two. Makes me think that you Monster riders are my kind of people!

The Norfolk setup sounds ideal....except for the location unfortunately.

Looking forward to joining you all soon.

15-11-2007, 08:29 AM

hi im replying using my other halfs account as my one is not activated yet.
I am a qualified instructor and whilst i could give you training on a 500 it would be illegal as only insurance through a school would cover me however it is not a problem on a 125 as you have your own insurance and technically i could just be following you or just giving you riding tips. Your legal to ride on a cbt on your own but i have to be part of an atb (approved training body) to train you on a 500. Hope that makes sense talk to Ray at academy in Romford tell him Rich said he might be able to help .
Regards
Trix

slob · 18-11-2007, 07:36 PM

you could try giving these guys a call if it's not too far afield for you
http://www.absoluteridertraining.co.uk/

19-11-2007, 03:02 PM

Not sure if that's link to the folks who my partner did her refresher with - If so they were really great and she couldn't speak highly enough of them - if not I'll get the linkn to their site too - plenty of good folk out there so hope you get someone local and great to help you into the world of biking - even if it is a little wet!!!!

slob · 19-11-2007, 05:45 PM

They were the only ones I found at Royston so I figured it was probably the right link

19-11-2007, 10:52 PM

Think you'd be right Mr Slob!!!

20-11-2007, 01:58 PM

Thanks everyone, I might already have it sorted but will follow up your suggestions if I turn out to be wrong!

Cheers.

13-11-2007, 08:33 PM	#1
Danstable Guest Posts: n/a	Any friendly instructors out there? Forgive me if this is in the wrong section....but it seemed the most suitable. I passed my CBT at the end of June and have done 3,000km on my 125 Vespa since then. I have recently done about 8 hours training on a geared 125 in 2 hour after work blocks. This was thanks to a friendly 'moonlighting' instructor. I also hired a geared 125 for a week just to get the bike control absolutely nailed. I finished with half an hour in a carpark on a 500. I feel that I am now very close to pass standard (this was agreed by my instructor) but I could do with a little bit of on road experience on a 500 and perhaps a little bit more drilling in of one or two 'routines' that need to be observed to pass the test. I am now looking for a friendly instructor with a 500 that is happy to do either a few after work sessions or one full day and then my test. Every company I've spoken to refuses to do anything less than two days....I understand their reasons but don't particularly agree with them given the slightly unusual route I have taken thus far. Are there any friendy instructors on this forum in the London area? I'm 30, have an unblemished car license (no crashes or points), and am not a tit! Oh...and I've passed my theory and really need to get me a Monster 620 Cheers, Dan

13-11-2007, 08:39 PM	#2
Headhunter THFC Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: London Bike: M620ie Posts: 829	Hi Danstable. Was the same as you Vespa 125 then on to a Monster. I'm not sure if Metropolis Vauxhall do one day training. The only thing they are good at, which is worrying. If not, I'm sure someone will be along soon who can point you in the right direction. __________________ Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing ever happened. Sir Winston Churchill

13-11-2007, 09:30 PM	#3
Gimley Guest Posts: n/a	I did my practice with Bikewize http://www.bikewize.co.uk/ who I found very helpful and honest. They taught me how to ride and not to just pass a test. They will let you do as many days as you want but will tell you if you are good enough to pass the test but it is your decision at the end of the day to take their advise or not. Bearing in mind I hadnt been on a bike for 20 years they did 3 days with me on BMW F650's and then I did my test. Probably the best way to do it with them would be to book a day then book the test through them, an afternoon slot, and have the morning going over anything you or they think you need to work on. This way you get to use their bikes for the test. They are based in Cheam or Tolworth so not sure how this stacks up with your location. The guy who runs the place is Gary and is, in my opinion, a nice bloke and good instructor. Hope it helps. G

13-11-2007, 10:13 PM	#4
gremlin Guest Posts: n/a	Unfortunately the school I went with are in Norfolk, but they do 2 hour sessions and are brilliant. If you can get up here I'm sure they would be more than willing to help. They have an excellent pass rate and of course we don't have the loony drivers for when you do your test!

14-11-2007, 11:08 PM	#5
Danstable Guest Posts: n/a	Thanks guys, all very encouraging replies....which is somewhat different to the response I got when I posted the same question on another bike forum or two. Makes me think that you Monster riders are my kind of people! The Norfolk setup sounds ideal....except for the location unfortunately. Looking forward to joining you all soon.

15-11-2007, 08:29 AM	#6
lilabs Guest Posts: n/a	hi im replying using my other halfs account as my one is not activated yet. I am a qualified instructor and whilst i could give you training on a 500 it would be illegal as only insurance through a school would cover me however it is not a problem on a 125 as you have your own insurance and technically i could just be following you or just giving you riding tips. Your legal to ride on a cbt on your own but i have to be part of an atb (approved training body) to train you on a 500. Hope that makes sense talk to Ray at academy in Romford tell him Rich said he might be able to help . Regards Trix

18-11-2007, 07:36 PM	#7
slob . Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: East London Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 9,736	you could try giving these guys a call if it's not too far afield for you http://www.absoluteridertraining.co.uk/

19-11-2007, 03:02 PM	#8
benson Guest Posts: n/a	Not sure if that's link to the folks who my partner did her refresher with - If so they were really great and she couldn't speak highly enough of them - if not I'll get the linkn to their site too - plenty of good folk out there so hope you get someone local and great to help you into the world of biking - even if it is a little wet!!!!

19-11-2007, 05:45 PM	#9
slob . Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: East London Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 9,736	They were the only ones I found at Royston so I figured it was probably the right link

19-11-2007, 10:52 PM	#10
benson Guest Posts: n/a	Think you'd be right Mr Slob!!!

20-11-2007, 01:58 PM	#11
Danstable Guest Posts: n/a	Thanks everyone, I might already have it sorted but will follow up your suggestions if I turn out to be wrong! Cheers.