Basic skills recommendation in Christchurch?

[Redmoggy]

Hi guys. Can anyone recomend a learner school in christchurch?
Thanks
Rod

[Gibbo89]

Hi guys. Can anyone recomend a learner school in christchurch?
Thanks
Rod

mainland driving school is where i'm heading for my learners test soon. its of Annex road i believe. they also do beginner courses and courses for the more experienced drivers too. i have a pamphlet i could scan and email to you if you like.

hope that helps?

[Redmoggy]

thanks for the reply i will check them out.
I would be interested to know how you get on with them. Im trying to get the girlfriend on to wheels and want someone reliable etc.
Good luck with the test

[Gibbo89]

thanks for the reply i will check them out.
I would be interested to know how you get on with them. Im trying to get the girlfriend on to wheels and want someone reliable etc.
Good luck with the test

bit of an update for you. im sitting my basic handling test on the 21st of this month. i was also given two other numbers. 1 of them was for a guy who has lately moved down to christchurch and he said he might not be ready for that kinda stuff in a month or so. and the other number i tried, the bloke said the guy that used to do it left and they dont have any1 else at the moment that can do the basci handling test. so i guess were stuck with the 1 place in chch at the moment.

its around 70 bucks for the minimum to pass the test and a bit of practice and no specific tuition. but u can pay 130 ish for a 1 hr session, involves 45mins of tuition stuff and 15 min od the actual test.

i'll let you know how i get on with them.

[KiwiPhoenix]

I done mine through Mainland. I can definitely recommend them! The guys there are really good. Best of luck!

[Gibbo89]

I done mine through Mainland. I can definitely recommend them! The guys there are really good. Best of luck!

thanks, got any tips for a learner about to sit the basic handling test? :)

[cromagnon]

thanks, got any tips for a learner about to sit the basic handling test? :)

I went through mainland, just pay the extra to get the tuition + test and you are pretty much guaranteed to pass. The tuition is basically just going through each aspect of the test and then you do the test right at the end. You will also learn some of the basics like looking through corners etc...

[Gibbo89]

I went through mainland, just pay the extra to get the tuition + test and you are pretty much guaranteed to pass. The tuition is basically just going through each aspect of the test and then you do the test right at the end. You will also learn some of the basics like looking through corners etc...

ahh ok, so maybe its worth paying double? i thought id just pay the minimum and risk it!

[cromagnon]

ahh ok, so maybe its worth paying double? i thought id just pay the minimum and risk it!

I wouldnt say it was worth the risk, unless you have had a lot of experience on motorbikes before.

[Gibbo89]

I wouldnt say it was worth the risk, unless you have had a lot of experience on motorbikes before.

fair call, maybe il change... i was told that you get two trys at each stage. ie 2 dabs at the cone weave if needed. 2 dabs at the 'emergecy' braking etc etc

[SMOKEU]

I was quite happy about the service I got at Mainland driving school as well. I would recommend the lesson before you go for the actual test.

[KiwiPhoenix]

thanks, got any tips for a learner about to sit the basic handling test? :)

Yeah, just what Cromagnon says. If you haven't had any time on a bike (I only done about 10hrs on a dirt bike) then having the tuition is well worth the money! They also give you some hints and tips on what to work on when you do get out riding!

[Flip]

Don't forget about the Saturday WNR. We have a couple of new riders there this week. Glowing Plug and myself had a lovely wee ride looking after one of them.

Mainland are fine.

[Gibbo89]

Don't forget about the Saturday WNR. We have a couple of new riders there this week. Glowing Plug and myself had a lovely wee ride looking after one of them.

Mainland are fine.

sweet, i hope to be on the saturday rides soon. poosibly the 26th after i do the practical and theory test that week.

sorry for hijacking your thread redmoggy! I changed my booking to include a lesson etc before the 15min test. thanks for all the feedback guys.

[Qkchk]

fair call, maybe il change... i was told that you get two trys at each stage. ie 2 dabs at the cone weave if needed. 2 dabs at the 'emergecy' braking etc etc

Only get 1 shot at the Straight Line,
2 shots at the Stop in the Box,
2 shots at the Cone Weave,
2 shots at the Emergency Stop
1 shot at Indicating in the Curve
2 shots at Stopping in the Curve.
PLUS The Instructor will be looking for a few more things like High wrists, Stalling etc and if you don't listen to the instructions your test could be over before you know it.

Any money you put into training is only beneficial for yourself, its a form of self improvement. If you try and do it cheap you are only cheating yourself in the long term. Our students are very happy when they spend the extra $$ and get some tutition - everyone walks away with a new skill or two.

Good luck for the BHS.

[JudaBaker]

Would definitely recommend mainland and the full hour test. Went through them earlier in the year..

Good instructor, took me through all the steps of the test which I probably would have failed with only 15 minutes being quite uncomfortable on the gn250 they provided for the first 20 or so mins. Plus he offered good advice on safety gear and further training, extra time and money well spent. Go for the hour long session it is well worth your money and you are guaranteed to pass (assuming you aren't completely useless).

[Gibbo89]

Would definitely recommend mainland and the full hour test. Went through them earlier in the year..

Good instructor, took me through all the steps of the test which I probably would have failed with only 15 minutes being quite uncomfortable on the gn250 they provided for the first 20 or so mins. Plus he offered good advice on safety gear and further training, extra time and money well spent. Go for the hour long session it is well worth your money and you are guaranteed to pass (assuming you aren't completely useless).

cheers, yeah i changed to the hour long one. nah, not too useless. stalled my zeal once so far, thought i was in 1st when taking off. guess not though... you'd recommend using their gn compared to my bike?

[JudaBaker]

you'd recommend using their gn compared to my bike?


I don't think you have a choice but to use the gn, not sure.. But turning up on a bike without a licence wouldn't be a very good start anyway. :no:

Parking up around the corner would be a good idea.

[Gibbo89]

I don't think you have a choice but to use the gn, not sure.. But turning up on a bike without a licence wouldn't be a very good start anyway. :no:

Parking up around the corner would be a good idea.

yeah, i see what you mean.

i meant more that i could get someone to drive my bike down for me, and i could do my lesson on that. but if the general consensus is that their bikes are the best for the 1 hour lesson and test then il just drive a car down and hop on one of their bikes.

[Gibbo89]

I don't think you have a choice but to use the gn, not sure.. But turning up on a bike without a licence wouldn't be a very good start anyway. :no:

Parking up around the corner would be a good idea.

ahh, maybe i misread ur reply. yeah possibly i can only use the gn, not supply my own bike.

[Gibbo89]

I don't think you have a choice but to use the gn, not sure.. But turning up on a bike without a licence wouldn't be a very good start anyway. :no:

Parking up around the corner would be a good idea.

ahh, maybe i misread ur reply. yeah possibly i can only use the gn, not supply my own bike.

[JudaBaker]

It doesn't matter what bike you are on you just have to be able to do really basic manoeuvres and not be a danger to yourself and others. Halfway through the training you will be comfortable with the bike and by the time the test starts there will be no worries at all.

There's nothing to worry about at all they want you to pass you just gotta listen and there will be no problems, it's really really easy just pay attention to the advice you get and evrything will be all good. :yes:

[JMemonic]

For future reference Dan one of the trainers from Mainland left a while ago and has set up on his own, he took my wife through her basic and additional training, we both felt he gave he good skills which started her off well.

http://www.motorcycletraining.co.nz/

[Gibbo89]

For future reference Dan one of the trainers from Mainland left a while ago and has set up on his own, he took my wife through her basic and additional training, we both felt he gave he good skills which started her off well.

http://www.motorcycletraining.co.nz/

ahh cool, maybe i could try him for my restricted or other courses. i only was given 3 contact that do learners tests in chch, but wasnt given his number.

[cromagnon]

For future reference Dan one of the trainers from Mainland left a while ago and has set up on his own, he took my wife through her basic and additional training, we both felt he gave he good skills which started her off well.

http://www.motorcycletraining.co.nz/

Yea I went through mainland with Dan and he was good. I have no idea what the other instructors are like. I would recommend going through Dan.

[Gibbo89]

went in and sat my basic handling this morning (didn't realise it was in a warehouse). found the whole test VERY basic, did the lesson too and got a few good tips from my instructor. now i have to sit down and learn the theory stuff all over again... cant wait.

[orsem]

Well done!
I found mainland great, quite daunting riding in such a small warehouse. I actually felt sorry for the instructor when he asked how much experience I had with motorbikes............I had never ridden a two wheel motorbike and had only limited experience on a quad chasing cows on the farm(which counts for nothing when it comes to two wheels). I signed up for the absolute beginner package, which was a couple of hours training, then the test and I have another 3 hours training to do next month.
(I was quietly pleased balance from years of riding horses, and track/road cycling actually paid off for once)
I suprised myself and passed the test, then the theory, and have my learners. Now looking forward to the day my bike arrives, so I can get a bit of practice in before my next training session.

[Gibbo89]

Well done!
I found mainland great, quite daunting riding in such a small warehouse. I actually felt sorry for the instructor when he asked how much experience I had with motorbikes............I had never ridden a two wheel motorbike and had only limited experience on a quad chasing cows on the farm(which counts for nothing when it comes to two wheels). I signed up for the absolute beginner package, which was a couple of hours training, then the test and I have another 3 hours training to do next month.
(I was quietly pleased balance from years of riding horses, and track/road cycling actually paid off for once)
I suprised myself and passed the test, then the theory, and have my learners. Now looking forward to the day my bike arrives, so I can get a bit of practice in before my next training session.

ahh cool, sounds like your learning is coming along well. i take it that the 2010 intruder is the bike your awaiting, whens your bike due? u must be pretty excited about it?!

[orsem]

Very excited about the Intruder, it is supposed to arrive in a shipment tomorrow, and should be ready for me by the end of the month

[Redmoggy]

I got bogged down with other things. Thanks every one for your recommendations and thoughts.
We got a little 50cc scooter for the missus to try. Help her concentrate on balance,corners,braking etc before she has to worry about clutches and gears. To date she is doing great and i hope to be looking at proper training in the new year.

All the best

Rod