Yehah! BHC and Learners on one Saturday morning.

[Tryhard]

That's right all complete today!

Loving it.

I have a question about learning skills.

A mate of mine who has been riding for over twenty years said just get out there and ride every day to up the skill level.

The guy that took me for the BHC said to go to a quite place and practice what he was showing me.


Your thoughts and or experiences please.

[sil3nt]

I say quiet roads that you know. I learnt out in the country so riding around town was quite daunting at first. It could be the opposite for you. But just get on and take it easy. They should have given you some good riding advice at the BHS so just remember that. Don't try and be Rossi or you will end up on your ass again

[The Everlasting]

I went for the hard stuff straight away,rush hour traffic etc...had no choice tho..at least you get confident faster.

[Tryhard]

[ Don't try and be Rossi or you will end up on your ass again [/QUOTE]

Thanx for reminding me LOL.

Still not quite healed!

I found the old cone weaving a bit hard at first. I think I want to practice that some more. Is there any point?

[p.dath]

Come along to some free NASS sessions.
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/wiki/Nort..._Street_Skills

[Tryhard]

Come along to some free NASS sessions.
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/wiki/Nort..._Street_Skills

Thanx m8 will do in time but I think I am too useless for that at this stage.

[Scorp]

Went for my BHS training yesterday (Sunday). My first time ever on a moto, and I was anticipating an hour of training followed by the test. The instructor was fantastic, very encouraging, seemed to think I was pretty natural for a first timer, then after about 35 - 40 mins he said, congratulations, you just passed. I was like: "What? That was the test?"

It turned out he was testing me while I thought I was just pretest training. I found it much, much easier than I'd anticipated. Perhaps too easy? Cones, turns, stopping, no problem. (The only real hitch was a very unforgiving clutch on an older 125cc bike. Took a while to get used to without stalling).

Anyway, the point I'm getting too is this... I walked away feeling, "great, I've done my BHS test, I can now get a license and a bike and ride on the roads... but, hang on... I don't feel remotely close to having what I would consider the necessary skills to do that."

It felt great being on the bike, very comfortable, very natural... but I was never out of first gear! So even though I could legally put myself on the road tomorrow, I don't feel like I'm close to having yet "learned" how to ride a motorcycle. In fact, I find it hard to believe anyone is allowed on the roads with such a low skill level.

So I'm left thinking, "where next?" Rather than buying a bike straightaway, finding a field/paddock/quiet stretch of road to practice on, I'm thinking of the following:

1. Go back for another skills training session, to become fully acquainted with the way a bike actually works, including gear changing and some clutch control.
2. Do a roadcraft skills session with an instructor.
3. Rent a bike for a day and do some solo practice.
4. Then, and only then buy a bike.

I know it's gonna cost me more this way, but I've got kids and a hide I'm rather fond of. I want to be confident and in a comfort zone of adequate ability before I put myself in the same space as other road users.

Interested to hear from other bikers who've been through this though... am I being sensible, or just a bit of a pussy?

[sinfull]

1. Go back for another skills training session, to become fully acquainted with the way a bike actually works, including gear changing and some clutch control.
2. Do a roadcraft skills session with an instructor.
3. Rent a bike for a day and do some solo practice.
4. Then, and only then buy a bike.

I know it's gonna cost me more this way, but I've got kids and a hide I'm rather fond of. I want to be confident and in a comfort zone of adequate ability before I put myself in the same space as other road users.

Interested to hear from other bikers who've been through this though... am I being sensible, or just a bit of a pussy?

Sensible yes

Remember the BHS is not a serious training option its just to assertain whether you can even hanle a bike at the very basic learners level !

Renting a bike would be a waist of good money you could spend on an advanced training session, would it not ?

If you had your own bike you could hire (if you didn't have your own or borrow) a trailer and take the bike to a quiet area to practice stopping startng weaving if your local streets were too busy !

Do the advanced training, but buy the bike and GEAR, good Gear ! Helmet, boots, jacket, pants, gloves, back protector ! then go out and have fun

EDit: Or if you were serious about hiring a bike, make it a trail bike and go to your local dirt bike area and practice there ! Or by crikey buy a dirt bike lol

[CookMySock]

after about 35 - 40 mins he said, congratulations, you just passed. I was like: "What? That was the test?"

That was in Tauranga wasn't it..

Steve

[R-Soul]

Went for my BHS training yesterday (Sunday). My first time ever on a moto, and I was anticipating an hour of training followed by the test. The instructor was fantastic, very encouraging, seemed to think I was pretty natural for a first timer, then after about 35 - 40 mins he said, congratulations, you just passed. I was like: "What? That was the test?"

It turned out he was testing me while I thought I was just pretest training. I found it much, much easier than I'd anticipated. Perhaps too easy? Cones, turns, stopping, no problem. (The only real hitch was a very unforgiving clutch on an older 125cc bike. Took a while to get used to without stalling).

Anyway, the point I'm getting too is this... I walked away feeling, "great, I've done my BHS test, I can now get a license and a bike and ride on the roads... but, hang on... I don't feel remotely close to having what I would consider the necessary skills to do that."

It felt great being on the bike, very comfortable, very natural... but I was never out of first gear! So even though I could legally put myself on the road tomorrow, I don't feel like I'm close to having yet "learned" how to ride a motorcycle. In fact, I find it hard to believe anyone is allowed on the roads with such a low skill level.

So I'm left thinking, "where next?" Rather than buying a bike straightaway, finding a field/paddock/quiet stretch of road to practice on, I'm thinking of the following:

1. Go back for another skills training session, to become fully acquainted with the way a bike actually works, including gear changing and some clutch control.
2. Do a roadcraft skills session with an instructor.
3. Rent a bike for a day and do some solo practice.
4. Then, and only then buy a bike.

I know it's gonna cost me more this way, but I've got kids and a hide I'm rather fond of. I want to be confident and in a comfort zone of adequate ability before I put myself in the same space as other road users.

Interested to hear from other bikers who've been through this though... am I being sensible, or just a bit of a pussy?

No point in learning skills on one bike and then buying another- you might as well get used to the one you will own.

But definitely do a couple of courses as in 1 and 2 first . And spend time practicing alone in known empty roads.

And renting abike will be costly if you drop it- they have excess fees payable provbably up to about $1000/$1500. You can buy a starter bike for about double that!!

[Mrs Shrek]

............... system

[Mrs Shrek]

Went for my BHS training yesterday (Sunday). My first time ever on a moto, and I was anticipating an hour of training followed by the test. The instructor was fantastic, very encouraging, seemed to think I was pretty natural for a first timer, then after about 35 - 40 mins he said, congratulations, you just passed. I was like: "What? That was the test?"

It turned out he was testing me while I thought I was just pretest training. I found it much, much easier than I'd anticipated. Perhaps too easy? Cones, turns, stopping, no problem. (The only real hitch was a very unforgiving clutch on an older 125cc bike. Took a while to get used to without stalling).

Anyway, the point I'm getting too is this... I walked away feeling, "great, I've done my BHS test, I can now get a license and a bike and ride on the roads... but, hang on... I don't feel remotely close to having what I would consider the necessary skills to do that."

It felt great being on the bike, very comfortable, very natural... but I was never out of first gear! So even though I could legally put myself on the road tomorrow, I don't feel like I'm close to having yet "learned" how to ride a motorcycle. In fact, I find it hard to believe anyone is allowed on the roads with such a low skill level.

So I'm left thinking, "where next?" Rather than buying a bike straightaway, finding a field/paddock/quiet stretch of road to practice on, I'm thinking of the following:

1. Go back for another skills training session, to become fully acquainted with the way a bike actually works, including gear changing and some clutch control.
2. Do a roadcraft skills session with an instructor.
3. Rent a bike for a day and do some solo practice.
4. Then, and only then buy a bike.

I know it's gonna cost me more this way, but I've got kids and a hide I'm rather fond of. I want to be confident and in a comfort zone of adequate ability before I put myself in the same space as other road users.

Interested to hear from other bikers who've been through this though... am I being sensible, or just a bit of a pussy?

Congratulations, well done.
As to the ease of it, it is no different than doing your learners car license, you take the test then you go out and practise....ok so you have someone sitting in the passenger seat but they don't have a lot of control.
So find somewhere quiet like a carpark after the shops are closed and get some confidence, then go for small rides in your comfort zone.
Happy and safe
Have to go and sit mine now

[_Shrek_]

So find somewhere quiet like a carpark after the shops are closed and get some confidence, then go for small rides in your comfort zone.

buy the bike and GEAR, good Gear ! Helmet, boots, jacket, pants, gloves, back protector ! then go out and have fun

Or if you were serious about hiring a bike, make it a trail bike and go to your local dirt bike area and practice there ! Or by crikey buy a dirt bike lol

would sugest that after you feel comfortable on a bike that you take it to a beach (dirt & or duel purpose bike) & ride on the sand, because you will get use to the bike moving in the sand, & when you are out on the tar seal you wont freak when you hit a bit of grit or slip on the shiny stuff but ride with & through it.
have fun what ever you

[Tank]

Come along to some free NASS sessions.
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/wiki/Nort..._Street_Skills

Thanx m8 will do in time but I think I am too useless for that at this stage.

Nonsense. and I will tell you why.

I did the same as you - learnt to ride and was legal in a day.

I had no idea what I was doing - and whist remaining on the road was getting a ton of bad habbits.

I did the NASS (pre to them being called NASS) and seriously - was the best thing I did.

People give their time and advise out of a real desire to help. You are not "too useless" you really are exactly the kind of person that they are trying to help.

When I did it - people would even come pick you up and ride with you to and from the practice place (which is the Albany carpark - I assume still is anyways).

There is no teasing - there is no acting like a moron and racing - it really is good and a great, safe, friendly place to learn.

Go for it - you will not be disappointed.

(oh and its free).

[Scorp]

Thanks for the advice guys...

@ Sinful & R-Sole: Think I'll drop the idea of renting, you're both right. Better to spend the money where it counts - training, and learn on the bike I'll be riding. Streets are actually pretty quiet round here TBH, so I think after some more skills training I'll do as you suggest - test drive a few bikes, buy one & some gear, then practice locally. And I love you're idea of having a go a trail biking Sinful.

@ Shrek (& Mrs Shrek): Thanks for the encouragement! I was actually thinking of the beach to get a feel for losing traction, but I was a bit worried that bikes chains and sand and chrome and salt spray might not be a good mix. What do you think?

@Steve/Dangerous: Yep, it was in Tauranga. Don't suppose there's a Tauranga equivalent of NASS / SASS you know of by any chance? Looks like a fantastic way to learn riding skills, be great if there's something like that round here.

Thanks guys!