Experiences with Stephens Driving School BHS?

[GingerMidget]

Morning all,
I was lucky enough to be given a voucher for this by my mum yesterday, and haven't heard a lot about them. Based in Lower Hutt, so if anyone else has used them, or knows much about them, some feedback would be great!

I have until april to use it, but I'm itching to get out and use it.

[GingerMidget]

Right, so this is next sunday, Guess I can do a write up after for anyone else who wants to know about them.

[Ender EnZed]

Mike Stanley is the owner/operator, I got my Class 4 truck licence from him last year. I thought he was a great teacher and I'm sure you'll be fine.

[GingerMidget]

So I need to work on my clutch control a bit more, but that was fun. I got the stopping in the box nailed though. First time came in a bit hot and everyone laughed cos I overshot by about a foot. It was a small group, would have been 5 but one guy didn't show up til about halfway through. It was actually easier than I thought it was going to be, but then i knew target fixation from downhill, and working out a clutch isn't hard if you drive a manual car.

Can't wait to get out on the road for real and see how things go from there. Sadly that is still a little while away, but good things take time right?

[Laxi]

Only know 1 person who mannaged to fail bhs, and that was cause she launched a riderless gn125 across the carpark

[GingerMidget]

I know a person who dropped the bike and still passed!

[Cloggy]

A week or two ago we watched one of these BHS being run by Stephens Driving School.
The one thing I immediately noticed and thought a bit strange was that the pupils were not wearing any protective gear other than helmets, not even gloves. Granted it was it hot day. But I would have thought as an instructor, you would send your pupils down the right path and start them the way they should be carrying on, wearing protective clothing. Not jeans, a t-shirt, sneakers and a helmet.

[GingerMidget]

Thats one thing I found bizzare too. No mention of gear beyond helmets. WTF.

I had all my gear in the car, but didn't bother with my pants because I was wearing reasonably thick jeans already and low speed didn't worry me too much. Then I got a bit hoon happy and started giving it a big too much gas just to see what would happen. Yea, even on an ax100 thats older than me I'm a bit special. God help me when I buy a real bike!

[hellokitty]

A week or two ago we watched one of these BHS being run by Stephens Driving School.
The one thing I immediately noticed and thought a bit strange was that the pupils were not wearing any protective gear other than helmets, not even gloves. Granted it was it hot day. But I would have thought as an instructor, you would send your pupils down the right path and start them the way they should be carrying on, wearing protective clothing. Not jeans, a t-shirt, sneakers and a helmet.

When I did my BHS, I got criticised for wearing "flash" gear - basically a nice leather jacket and nice leather gloves, and my own helmet. I told the bitch that my ex bf worked in a bike shop and I got it discounted.... I found it seriously weird to be told off for wearing the correct gear.

[GingerMidget]

Wow. Thats screwed up. I'm slowly but surely building up my collection of gear (aiming to have textile and leather sets) because I can't stop idiots hitting me on the road, but I can protect myself so I don't end up as just another statistic.

As you can tell I've been at my parents tonight explaining the logic of why I need leather AND textile pants.

[GrayWolf]

My partner did her BHS with Andrew Templeton,
in a similar fashion most on the course were not ATGATT on arrival. She was, and Andrew DID point out to the others that she was dressed how you should be to ride. Downside was? Hot day and even though she is a 'lizard' foe heat, she had to remove the linings and wear jeans after a hour or so. Not enough 'wind factor' to cool the clothing/rider down.
So maybe the fact BHS is 'off road'? many dont arrive fully geared up, or simply have'nt yet learnt the 'NEED' for the right gear?

[JustNick]

My partner did her BHS with Andrew Templeton,
in a similar fashion most on the course were not ATGATT on arrival. She was, and Andrew DID point out to the others that she was dressed how you should be to ride. Downside was? Hot day and even though she is a 'lizard' foe heat, she had to remove the linings and wear jeans after a hour or so. Not enough 'wind factor' to cool the clothing/rider down.
So maybe the fact BHS is 'off road'? many dont arrive fully geared up, or simply have'nt yet learnt the 'NEED' for the right gear?

At that point in my riding progression when I was sitting my BHS, I didn't have a bike or even basic gear. I would expect it would be the same for a few others going through the process. I do have to wonder how dangerous it really could be idling around a carpark in first gear.

[GingerMidget]

Car park in first gear? hahahahaha

I quickly discovered how fast I could make that little AX100 go, and very quickly got told to tone it down.