Category Archives: CBT

Information regarding the Compulsory Basic Training motorcycle test.

Advanced Training, Advice, Cardiff, CBT, Events, Motorcycle Training, Motorcycles, News, Police Class 1

Slow Maneuvering & Emergency Braking Day

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1st Class Rider Training-Cardiff are holding another Slow Maneuvering & Emergency Braking Day.

Sunday the 12th of July to be held at Cardiff County Council Road Safety Centre, Briardene, North Road Cardiff.

Come and learn the skills that Police riders have to master before being let out on the road.

Under close supervision you will be guided through the skills needed to maintain balance and clutch control to aid slow speed riding. Filtering through traffic, tight left and right turns etc.

Also you will get the chance to practice emergency braking, again under controlled conditions.  We believe that emergency stops are rarely practiced by riders after passing their test.  But we believe that this skill, above many others may save your life one day.  If it is something that you last tried on your test, then now may be the time for you to refresh your memory…before it’s too late.

Give us a call on 0845 467 0165 for details and to reserve a place, or visit my newsletter blog to sign up for future up dates on courses and events.

www.1stclassriderblog.co.uk

It’ll be the best thing you ever spent your money on!

Advice, Cardiff, CBT, Direct Access, Motorcycles, News

New Motorcycle Test

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Well it is in and what a start.  I’m pleased to say that 1st Class Rider Training-Cardiff has had a success with our first student going forward for the New Part 1 of the 2 Part Test, passing with a fault free ride.

Others were not so fortunate and reports in the press showed four crashes and one broken arm on the first day of the new safety manoeuvres part of the test.

With no motorcycle test centre in Cardiff we have to travel to Swansea or Newport for the Part 1 of the test.  We then get a choice for the Part 2 (on road practical riding) and the choice is Swansea, Newport or Merthyr.  Yes, again, No Cardiff motorcycle tests.

What this means is that the demand for motorcycle tests has far out stripped the availability.

Tests which could have been taken in Cardiff, Abergavenny, Bridgend, Cwmbran and many other regional, ‘local’ test centres can now only be taken at the limited number the DSA have provided for us.

The DSA are proud of what they have achieved!  But now you try getting at test for students.  At Newport last week there were training schools from Monmouth and as far as Hereford with students for tests.  Newport is now their ‘local’ test centre.

So take away the misfortune of the crashing test candidates on day one, it is the ‘crashing’ of the testing and booking system, buckling under the strain of there not being enough test centres that will carry the lasting damage.

The industry is struggling, and the DSA think they have met their targets.

Advanced Training, Advice, Cardiff, CBT, Direct Access, Motorcycle Training, Motorcycles, News

World of BMW Motorcycle Training

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The next series of Blog News pages gives a summary of how 1st Class Rider Training-Cardiff came to be formed.

As a result of my close association with Peter Cramp, the Sales Manager at Rydale BMW Motorcycle Dealership, Cardiff I was able to become involved in the World of BMW Motorcycle Training School, based at Ystradgynlais.

Run by Kevin and Julia Saunders I was invited to join them and train BMW clients at all levels from CBT right through to their Advanced and Refresher Courses at the Swansea Valley site.

I am still licensed to train for them but concentrate my time now on 1st Class Rider Training in Cardiff.

As with the other organisations mentioned here and below, I am grateful for the opportunity to work with them, sharing ideas and helping them grow.

Advanced Training, Advice, Cardiff, CBT, Direct Access, Motorcycle Training, Motorcycles, Police Class 1, RoSPA

Harley Davidson Rider’s Edge

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Just another chapter, in the 1st class Rider Training-Cardiff formation history.

When Harley Davidson was looking to set up a Europe branch of their Rider’s Edge Motorcycle Training scheme, I wasn’t far away.

The Director’s of the training school based in Builth Wells, Mid Wales needed Direct Access qualified Instructors and in the early stages of the development of Rider’s Edge I was able to assist in setting up an Advanced Motorcycle Training and Testing scheme. (Based on the RoSPA Gold Silver and Bronze grading system), and carrying out training at all levels from CBT right up to the Rider’s Edge Gold standard.

Working closely with Pat, the Motorcycling Director at the time I gained much useful experience and this was another stepping stone towards the formation of 1st Class Rider Training-Cardiff.

Advanced Training, Advice, CBT, Direct Access, Motorcycle Training, Motorcycles, News, Police Class 1

Cardiff Motorcycle School

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What am I doing advertising Cardiff Motorcycle School, on the web site of 1st Class Rider Training.

Well I am often asked how I got started in Motorcycle Training and it was Stef & Simon at Cardiff Motorcycle School who got me into it.

I was still a serving traffic cop at the time and in the process of introducing Bikesfafe to South Wales. It was through this connection that Stef & Simon suggested I take up CBT training as well. They trained me and sent me to the DSA assessment centre at Cardington and the rest as they say………..

We still have a good working relationship, (and long may it continue) even though strictly speaking we are in direct competition. Any clients that I can’t accommodate (on 50cc ‘twist n go’ scoots for example) I recommend to stef and his team.

He in turn sends any inquiries for Advanced Motorcycle Training to us.

So I must say a big thank you to Stef, Simon and the team at Cardiff Motorcycle School for getting me started and helping me along the way.

Advice, Cardiff, CBT, Events, Motorcycles, News, Police Class 1, RoSPA

29th Bristol Classic Motorcycle Show

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Why not join us for a Ride Out.  At 1st Class Rider Training-Cardiff we run a Rider’s Club and organise a Monthly Ride Out.

Starting in Cardiff, we meet at MacDonald’s at Coryton Interchange at junction 32 of the M4, just off the A470 on the Northern outskirts of Cardiff, on the 15th of February the next Rideout is to the 29th Bristol Classic Motorcycle Show, at the Royal  Bath & West Showground at Shepton Mallet.

For full details click on the ‘Newsletter’ tab on the left.

Why not join us….you know you want to.

CBT, Motorcycle Training, Motorcycles, News

Top Ten Selling Bikes for 2008

Whilst bike sales did drop last year they didn’t drop as much as car sales overall.  Listed below are the Top Ten Selling Bikes in the UK for 2008.

The figures in brackets are they actual numbers sold.  1st Class Rider Training is pleased to see that we helped the Yamaha YBR 125 into Second Place, as we bought two for our studetnts to use, and very popular they have proved to be.

Maybe no surprises with the number 1 best seller, as it has appeared well up at the top of the list many times since it’s launch.

Here’s the List.

1  Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade.  (2156)

I’ve seen a few Fireblades…… but never from behind!!!

2  Yamaha YBR 125  (1866)

3  Yamaha YZF  R125 (1813)

4  Suzuki GSX R1000 (1754)

5  Yamaha YZF R6 (1686)

6  Yamaha YZF R1 (1590)

7  Piaggio ZIP 50 4T (1430)

8  Honda PES 125 (1429)

9  Peugeot V CLIC 50 (1306)

10 Honda CBR600 RR (1305)

Well fancy that… a Honda CBR600 was beaten by a Peugeot 50 Clic….. I bet he won’t tell his mates about that down the pub!

Advanced Training, CBT, Direct Access, Motorcycle Training, Police Class 1, RoSPA

Motorcycle Training Cardiff

For Motorcycle Training in Cardiff 1st Class Rider Training is the perfect choice.  Run by Andy Smith, a former Police Motorcyclist.  We only use Police Class 1 Riders as our Instructors to ensure the highest lever of Motorcycle Training in Cardiff.

Established in 2003 by Andy after he worked initially  for Cardiff Motorcycle School and later United Motorcycle Training, before exclusively teaming up with the local BMW dealership to provide 1st Class Training on Top Class BMW machines. And so it was that 1st Class Rider Training-Cardiff was formed.

1st Class Rider Training is based at the Cardiff County Council Road Safety Centre, at North Road, centrally sited to be in easy reach of all parts of Cardiff and South Wales.  This means that we can carry out CBT in Cardiff on a unique secure site made up of a mini road system with authentic road layouts, traffic signs, traffic lights, a roundabout and box junction.

Our Instructor base has recently been expanded so now you can recieve 1st Class Training right from your CBT through the Direct Access Scheme and up to an Advanced level taking an Advanced Motorcycle Test under the RoSPA scheme.

Looking for Motorcycle Training in Cardiff, there is only one choice.

Advanced Training, Advice, CBT, Direct Access, Events, Motorcycle Training, Motorcycles, News

Welcome to the Official 1st Class Rider Training Blog

Welcome to the 1st Class Rider Training Blog.

I will be updating this blog with news and updates on everything that will affect you as a potential motorcycle learner.

I will also post advice and tips for those taking the CBT, Direct Access or Advanced Training courses.

Stay tuned!

For those of you who may have visited before and are logged in to my Newsletter Blog then you’ll be pleased to know that this will still continue with news of ride outs and social events etc.  We are in the process of re-vamping our Newsletter and this Web site Blog is just an added bonus.

Please bear with us whilst this transistion takes place, all courtesy of my very clever Son Lewis who is taking over my computer from his apartment in Amsterdam.  (No… don’t ask me how!), as he redesigns the these pages.

Andy