At the start of your motorcycling or scooting career, you are face with many choices when it comes to equipment and clothing. One thing that everyone should agree on though is the need for a quality, well made, good fitting helmet.
One of the first things you are taught about on your CBT Training is what to look for in a helmet. Listen to your instructor, he or she will know what they are talking about and will also have local knowledge of the shops which will take the time to fit your helmet correctly. Remember a helmet with the correct fit is crucial to its safety performance.
Full face or open face helmet? There has been an explosion in the amount of open face helmets available recently, they certainly seem to be ‘in fashion’ while it is hard to disagree that they do look good, you have to weigh up what the extra protection of a full face helmet gives you. Think about it this way – if you are unlucky enough to come off face first and hit the ground in an open face helmet then what will take the impact? Protecting your jaw makes it worth seeking out a good full face helmet in our opinion.
We have had plenty of questions recently about the equipment needed for the CBT. Just as the CBT is not a test, there is no CBT or Test equipment required.
Most CBT Training centers will provide everything you need, from helmets, gloves and jackets to mopeds, scooters and motorcycles. If you don’t have any equipment yet then we would recommend that you hold off buying any until you have taken your CBT. The reason? Well, most instructors will be able to give you great advice on what to look out for and have local knowledge of where to buy it with the best service and price.
You won’t need a bike for your CBT Training either, which is great news because you won’t want to be spending out an a machine before you know if a life on two wheels is right for you. Read the rest of this entry »
Someone asked me the other day if I would ever consider owning an electric scooter or motorcycle. It is not something I had really given that much thought. My immediate answer was ‘if it has the range I need and is well made then, yes’. I decided to have a look into the whole electric scene a bit more to see if the scooter I had in mind already existed?
There are plenty of reasons why you might want to consider an electric scooter or moped after taking your CBT. From the obvious environmental benefits to the simpler running gear it all makes sense.
I am looking here at scooters that can be ridden on a CBT, so for those of you who have to ride under speed restrictions due to age you are not going to gain anything in speed, however when i first started riding I remember that although my moped at the time was not bad on fuel, at that age there was usually something better to spend it on. With that in mind imagine having an electric moped that you never had to fork out for (I’m sure Mum & Dad would take more kindly to you plugging your moped in rather than asking them for petrol money . Read the rest of this entry »
Chances are if you are looking to take your CBT Training then you also have your eye on a scooter or motorcycle. You only have to open up a scooter or bike mag and you can immediately see that there is just so much choice. It is easy to want more than one, in fact I remember my short list being far far too long. So how do you cool your motor and pick the right bike for you?
Well the first thing to think about is how you are going to use it? After taking your CBT will it be a weekend fun machine, a commuter vehicle, or your sole means of transport? Answering this question can help you to write a list of ‘must have’ items. For example if you are planning on commuting how will you carry your work clothes?
What size engine will you need? Well, if you are just starting out then you may well be restricted to a 50cc anyway, but if not you will want to think about the speed of the roads you travel on. For example if you ride from home to work in a constant stream of traffic then a 50cc might be more than enough and also safe you some money. If you ride on more open roads then the extra power of a 125cc might help to stay with the flow of traffic and keep you safer.
Do you want a geared machine or a twist and go? If you are planning on getting your bike licence then a geared motorcycle is the way to go, but if not then a scooter or moped might be fine for your needs.
What size do you need? There is no point buying a tiny machine if you are a big person. The only way to really tell how you are going to fit and feel on it is to get around to a few dealers and try some for size. Ok, you may not want a new one, but even just visiting a dealer will give you an idea of the other services they offer (many of which you may need in the future). Read the rest of this entry »
Good video here from UKScootz giving an overview of the basic scooter controls. If you have riden a scooter before then it won’t teach you anything new. However, if you are thinking of riding and taking your CBT for the first time it is quite a good primer so that you don’t turn up to your CBT totally clueless.
CBT Training centers should ask you to read up on the lastest version of the highway code before you arrive to take your CBT. For some people this might seem like a boring task, but it is very worthwhile for a safe and long lasting life on two wheels.
The more you learn about the laws of the road, the less you will have to think about it when you are on the road thereby improving your reaction times and preventing you from getting into unnessasary situations.
Even those who already drive a car (especially those of you who plan to ride a 50cc moped on your driving licence) would do well to pick up the latest copy because it is always being updated and expanded. Read the rest of this entry »
Petrol Scooters are fast becoming a real alternative to a car, larger bike or for those that are not on the road yet, a great cheap way onto the road. With the price of petrol rising (almost daily) people are looking to find alternative means of transport. If you still like the idea of an engine, then a petrol scooter could be just what you are looking for.
So why does owning a petrol scooter make sense then?
1. Petrol scooters are very economical . While some cars can now reach around 50 mpg they still can’t touch the ever rising fuel figures of petrol scooters. Most are around the 80mpg mark which means you will become a stranger at the petrol station.
If you are taking your CBT Training then you will need to ensure that you have, or can hire the correct safety equipment. If you don’t have these already then it is best to contact a CBT Training center and see what you will need and what they have available.
As a general guide you will want to be as well protected as you possibly can. The very minimum you will need is -
1. A crash helmet. This must be in good condition and comply to British Standard BS 6658:1985 and with UNECE Regulation 22.05 and have the BSI kitemark on it. If it has been in an impact then it must be replaced. Remember – it is your head at risk! If in any doubt then buy a new one.
2. Gloves. Good gloves keep your hands comfortable and warm when riding in cold weather, or at speed. More importantly than that they keep the skin on your knuckles should the worse happen and you crash. Read the rest of this entry »
Mopeds are starting to take a bigger role in modern motoring life. They provide a cheap, fun and often stylish way onto the road. They appeal to both novice users and experienced road users looking to downsize or just have a bit of fun. All over Europe the Moped is a sign of Independence
If you are thinking of buying a Moped then there are are few things you need to be aware of -
If you currently hold a full car licence and you passed your test before 01/02/2001 then you can already ride without L plates, you do not need to take your CBT training.
If you hold a full car licence but passed after 01/02/2001 then you will need to take and pass your CBT Test Training before you can take to the road.
If you want to ride a moped or small motorcycle as a way to get on the road or as a spring board to getting a bigger motorcycle then you will need to complete the CBT Test (Compulsory Basic Training).
While it might seem like a pain it is there for a reason – to keep you and other road users safe.
The CBT Test is made up of five parts -
1. Introduction
2. On Site Training (Practical)
3. On Site Riding (Practical)
4. On Road Training (Practical)
5. On Road Riding (Practical)
The CBT training is completed in stages and you move from stage to stage as your instructor is satisfied that you have gained the necessary skill and understood the stage. Your on road riding will consist of two hours riding time.
At the start of your motorcycling or scooting career, you are face with many choices when it comes to equipment and clothing. One thing that everyone should agree on though is the need for a quality, well made, good fitting helmet.
. 
