Christchurch motorbike riding schools?

[KelvinAng]

Hi everyone,

I'm a new Kiwi and KB member. Just arrived in Christchurch three weeks ago. Got myself a job in a place no bus would go, so I went and got my Driver Learner's license and a moped.

I know it's not exactly a motorbike but I love riding it. I've always wanted to ride a bike and I know I'm going to want a bigger bike someday. That 'Busa in the showroom in town has been calling out to me since I arrived :lol:

I've been trying to find a riding school in Christchurch that would do the basic handling test so I can apply for a Motorbike Learner's license but the only school listed in the Yellow Pages doesn't do tests on weekends or after 5pm weekdays, and it's difficult for me to get time off work, being new and all that. Does anyone know any weekend-friendly schools that would conduct that test?

[sefer]

Hmm, I think there's only the one in CHCH... but at least they're cheaper than most elsewhere who make you hire a bike to sit the basic handling test.

[kerfufflez]

What about this one? It says they are open Sat and Sunday. (I did mine there at the weekend, but it was a few years ago now, so things may have changed.)

http://yellow.co.nz/companies/Motorcycle-Riding-Schools/Mainland-Driving-School/100648330_1186.html

http://www.driveschool.co.nz/Courses/Motorcycle/Basic_Handling_-_Learners_Licence/

Good luck with it.

[KelvinAng]

Yes that's the school I was referring to actually. They are opened on Saturdays but they don't do basic handling tests or training on weekends. There's also a 2-3 week waiting list as well!

Thanks for the replies.

[homer]

mainland driving school

[Romeo]

+1

Mainland Driving School. I went in there, never ridden a scooter before, and within 20 minutes I had my BHS. Sat it on their automatic scooter ma-jigg. Did the $100 for 45 minutes deal (teaching + test), but didn't need it all. He showed me the ropes and just ticked it all off as I passed the requirements.

Was a total piece of piss, if you do the 45 minute job you're guaranteed to pass!


Basic Handling Test with Training - If you want some practice with some instruction then this option gives you half an hour of riding and instruction time with our assessor going over the skills required for the Basic Handling assessment which will then take an additional 15 minutes. This option uses an Automatic Bike.

[MyGSXF]

Hi there & welcome to the nut farm!! :whistle:

Keep an eye on this thread.. & if ya licensed by the time it happens.. would be great to have ya along!! :2thumbsup

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=62082&page=6

Oh.. & watch put for that Cantab rabble.. they're dodgy.. :Pokey:


:chase:

[KelvinAng]

Thanks for the welcome!

Right. I'm set for my basic handling test on 22nd April. I hope my employer approves of the half day off...

[samnz]

Brilliant! Thanks for starting this thread. My mate's son sat his BHS at Mainland yesterday. Only took him half an hour so they only charged him $45!

I'll be putting my name down - for sure.

Thanks again.

[The Lone Rider]

And not quite what you wanted - but I always find it helpful to find another biker who you trust a lot to do some puttering around with you.

[SDU]

Hi there & welcome to the nut farm!! :whistle:

Oh.. & watch put for that Cantab rabble.. they're dodgy.. :Pokey:


:chase:
Dodgy but nice:pinch:

Welcome to the city that loses people in the one way system:crazy: good luck with your test & look out for drinks/rides with the locals

[KelvinAng]

Thanks for the welcome!

My employer actually approves the time off for me to get my bike handling test done (I'm only 2+ weeks into the job). This is amazing :niceone:

Now the problem is looking for an affordable 250cc motorbike after I get my Learner's and they are anything but affordable from what I read here! The 250cc is definitely a temporary bike - the 50cc scooter for commuting, and a much bigger bike for play. At least that is what seems to make $en$e to me at the moment...

[Mikkel]

Welcome to the garden city. I hope you'll enjoy it here! :)

Where are you from?


Thanks for the welcome!

My employer actually approves the time off for me to get my bike handling test done (I'm only 2+ weeks into the job). This is amazing :niceone:

Now the problem is looking for an affordable 250cc motorbike after I get my Learner's and they are anything but affordable from what I read here! The 250cc is definitely a temporary bike - the 50cc scooter for commuting, and a much bigger bike for play. At least that is what seems to make $en$e to me at the moment...

He'd better approve considering how many people are riding without the proper license in the first place :yes:

As for finding good 250 ccms at a good price - good luck ;)

[KelvinAng]

I'm originally from Singapore (incidentally it also had the nomenclature of "garden city" for a couple of years, before dropping it for "city of possibilities" which the locals sneer at endlessly).

I love Christchurch. It can be a bit bleak in winter I guess (from my very limited experience in the winter of 2006) but the rest of the time it's beautiful. Maybe it's because I still got my rose-tinted glasses on at the moment but I'm really enjoying it here the past 4 weeks.

The people here are awesome as well (I suspect that applies to Kiwis in general). I don't actually drag going to work in the cold mornings (yet) so that's saying quite a lot!




Welcome to the garden city. I hope you'll enjoy it here! :)

Where are you from?

He'd better approve considering how many people are riding without the proper license in the first place :yes:

As for finding good 250 ccms at a good price - good luck ;)

[sweetp]

Get your self a good pair of winter gloves and a belaclava. That should hold off the early morning dead for a little bit longer....

Good luck on the test mate, and safe riding

[KelvinAng]

Thanks mate.

When I got my scooter I also bought a nice padded jacket with detachable lining which is quite warm (for now), and a pair of "DriRider Nordic" gloves. My everyday shoes is actually a pair of jungle boots so that's pretty warm as well. Now I need pants because I'm feeling the cold in places that err aren't very comfortable when cold, and I've got no fuel tank placed strategically to help divert the wind... And probably a nice pair of boots for better protection (read: style).

I'm wearing an open face helmet not by choice but because none of the full face helmets I've tried fit my face + specs combo (I've probably tried all styles of all prices and brands from all the shops in town...). A flip lid works somewhat, but are heavy and expensive and I'm not convinced of its protection level (but that's just me). Still searching for a full face that fits. Currently, on a cold morning it means I have to choose between foggy glasses with a face mask on, or a frozen face with nice clear vision.

And after all that, I need a matching 'Busa :devil2:


Get your self a good pair of winter gloves and a belaclava. That should hold off the early morning dead for a little bit longer....

Good luck on the test mate, and safe riding

[KelvinAng]

I passed my basic handling test! Yeah no big deal, I know, but I've always had that fear of doing that cone-weaving salem course and I'm glad I made it!

Also found my full face lid. A HJC CL-SP. Kinda pricey in NZ but I'm so happy I found it to suit me and my glasses I bought it without batting an eyelid. Maybe I should mail order one more... after all, one can never have too many bikes or gear, right? Right?