Granted, I’ve only just started riding, but I’m already thinking about when and how I should be getting my full license.
I’ve got the CD Rom with Theory questions, which I got 28 out of 35 before even doing any kind of revision, so I don’t think that will be hard. I have a DVD to revise the Hazard Perception part of the theory test too. If I pass my Theory, how long does that give me to pass the actual test? (I mean, for how long is the Theory valid? For ever?) I also have the ‘BSA Guide to Riding’ to read
I live in North London, I did my CBT at Elite Motorcycle Training. They seem nice guys there (at Wembley) would I be fine to go back to them?
I’ve been riding maybe 10 days… how long should I wait so I’m comfortable enough on a bike (I feel very comfortable now) but not long enough for me to settle into any bad habits?
Go for your practical asap IMO, so you don’t have time to pick up bad habits. If you do a five day DAS you should feel pretty comfortable but it depends on you as a rider, if you feel confident, then go for it. Elite are good from what I’ve heard.
The thing with a 5 day, the first 3 days are on a 125, which I’m already riding every day. (Manual at that) Even a 3 day course, day one is still on a 125.
Most schools will take into account what your individual experience is, particularly as you’ve done the CBT with them.
But I wouldn’t knock having a day on a 125, even if they do insist. The sort of thing you’ll do on the DAS is a bit more in depth than is required for a CBT, and as you’ve been familiar with riding your 125 for the last 10 days, getting some of the instruction on a bike you’re familiar with is not a bad thing, honestly. That day on a 125 definitely won’t be ‘wasted’.
I reckon you wouldn’t need a 5-day course, they’d probably suggest 3 or 4, as the 5-day course often includes CBT for the first day. Give them a ring and see what they say.
Thanks for the advice guys. For some reason I really struggled with the U turn on my CBT. I keep having this urge to lean and end up putting my inside foot down Anyway, I’m practicing that when I can. Glad to hear it’s maybe a bit easier on a bigger bike
Do as much practice on the u turns as you can! I failed my first test because of the same problem Get good at it on a flat road and then give it a go on a hill going up and down. Don’t worry i’m not trying to kill you but most testers will stick you on a hill and you probably won’t face that in any practice situations. Rex Judd up in Edgware was really good well John and Simon in particular. I think John may be over at the Hendon test centre now though.
I did my CBT and test with Elite at Wembley, and found them to be excellent. You’re in a great position to take the test, as you can practice in between lessons. You’ll get those u-turns down no bother
I also used the same trainers in Edgeware and they got me through my test first time. I just did CBT and DAS with nothing in between. My test was the 6th time I got on a bike
Like Drei, I also found it easier to do the U turn on a bigger bike, I would say just go for it!!
I did mine with Elite, they’ll give you an assessment if you ask to recommend how many days you should do. Also U-turns, practice makes perfect, and also. HIGH REVS. The giro of the engine helps keep u upright.
High Revs and lots of clutch and u can do it on anything.
One of the reasons i have found why u turns are easier on bigger bikes is the speed you do them at,
A smaller bike needs less revs and less power to get round so you take longer to do it, a bigger bike will stall if you dont give it enough throttle so you get round quicker, and i dont mean that you blast through your u turn, its just the smaller cc bikes are a bit more forgiving on the throttle and as a result you have more time to mess your manouvre up and put your foot down
I’ve been practicing them again tonight. By repositioning myself at the back left of the seat and leaning out as necessary as I come round, I’ve got much better at them
I too trained with Elite in Wembley and for a couple of days in Wimbledon where they have another branch. They were excellent and I feel that they went beyond simply what was needed for the test, so that you are actually equipped to be a good rider.
I would not worry about spending an extra day on a 125. The focus of the training how to pass the test. I failed first time because I had not had enough recent riding practice, but I hired a 125 for a couple of weeks, and that coupled with another day on a 500, was enough to get me through with only 4 minors. Although you can practice on a 125 by yourself you need the trainer to help you with what is needed for the test.
I never really felt safe on a 125 and it was only when I got on a bigger bike that I felt comfortable. I struggled with U turns too. I just practised every day on the hired 125 and did loads of practice with Elite on the 500.
I’ve done a couple of the mock Hazard Perception video’s and I don’t do so well. Sometimes they want you to click when there is just some spec on the horizon, that turns out to be a pedestrian as you get nearer. Is it as tricky as it looks?
I’m happy with the 35 multiple choice questions. The last 3 times I’ve gone through I got 31, 32 and 31 again. With a little revision I think I’ll pass that easy enough, but for the perception you need, what, 60 of 75? From 15 clips? That means you need to get 4/5 on each clip? Sounds tricky to me?
Hazard Perception is easy when You do it meny times. This kind of exam was boring after I did it hundred times before. Simpy I known when klick… Thing about test on the road… First time i fail was that I do not did a live sawer during U-turn. There is no tricks in this videos. Just do them all many times.
Anyway, I’m practicing that when I can. Glad to hear it’s maybe a bit easier on a bigger bike 
Get good at it on a flat road and then give it a go on a hill going up and down. Don’t worry i’m not trying to kill you but most testers will stick you on a hill and you probably won’t face that in any practice situations. Rex Judd up in Edgware was really good well John and Simon in particular. I think John may be over at the Hendon test centre now though.
