Learning to ride a motorbike

RTNI

Hi everyone,

I'm interested in taking motorbike lessons in June with a view to passing the tests by the end of June if at all possible.

A few questions:

1) Is this possible to complete all aspects of the motorcycle license in a month? I'm currently waiting to start a new job in July so am free during the weekdays and weekends

2) I'm in the Comber / Ballygowan area, does anyone have any recommendations of who to get lessons from?

I've had a look through the threads but they have not been updated in quite some time. I had a look at Rider Training scheme in Prince regent road, looks to be a hut in the grounds of the Honda shop. They quoted me 6 two hour lessons plus the use of the bike for both practical tests for £250. Ian's school of motoring in Newtownards want £350 for the bike for the two tests and 10 one hour lessons. So there seems to be a big variation in price for two options that are more or less equidistant from me.

I don't have a bike myself at the moment but have been driving a car for 7 years if that helps! Preference would be to do the practical test in Ards as I know it very well as opposed to Belfast test routes.

Any and all responses welcome!

Robin.

Wookey

Hiya, can't offer any help or info on the current test or the training that is needed for it but i would think though that passing the bike test in under a month might be pushing it a bit, more so if you have never ridden one before. Having a car licence will stand you in good stead for all aspects of actually knowing what to do with regards to road craft, that said with a bike its not only just a case of watching the road in front but also looking at whats on the road in front. Gravel, oil spillage, bottles, cans, manholes etc don't give a car driver much concern but can be lethal for a biker, that said you have no passengers bending your ear, no radio blasting out crappy music or the wrong score in the footy to annoy you

Bigcammy

I've no personal experience of this, but see a lot of people using the place on the Prince Regent Road. They seem professional to me. I think they have a van that follows you round too, while keeping in contact by radio.

RTNI

Thanks for the info so far folks - I assume that RTS in prince regent road is training for a group of learners but do they do 1-1 training or can you request this does anyone know?

Going to phone Ian's in the morning and see if they will move on their price as its £100 of a difference but this may be as Ian's training is 1-1 rather than groups I assume?

Robin.

Paddy2eyes

Doing your test within a month will depend on your competency and the availability of test dates. You can't apply for your main test until you have passed the off road manouvres test and you will need to do a theory test before either of these. I learned to ride recently and paid £40 per 2 hour lesson and the number of lessons you need will depend on your riding ability.

Francophile

My DH thought because he'd driven a car for x number of years that the motorbike test would be a doddle. Not so, he failed it first time and had to go and have lessons. He used a guy in Ballynahinch who was very good and does 1-1. If you want I'll ask DH for the guys contact details.

RTNI

Francophile wrote: »

My DH thought because he'd driven a car for x number of years that the motorbike test would be a doddle. Not so, he failed it first time and had to go and have lessons. He used a guy in Ballynahinch who was very good and does 1-1. If you want I'll ask DH for the guys contact details.

Yes please, that would be great. I saw in the yellow pages that there is "Mobile Car & Motorcycle Tuition" in Ballynahinch - is that the same place he used?

Robin.

Francophile

RTNI wrote: »

Yes please, that would be great. I saw in the yellow pages that there is "Mobile Car & Motorcycle Tuition" in Ballynahinch - is that the same place he used?

Robin.

I'm not sure. DH says the guy's name is Paul Hunter tel. 97565572 or mob. 07801832572.

RTNI

Francophile wrote: »

I'm not sure. DH says the guy's name is Paul Hunter tel. 97565572 or mob. 07801832572.

Yep that's the same number that's listed in the yellow pages. Thanks!

ruiner99

I recently had a few lessons with swift motorcycle training school and i can't recommend it enough, if you are will to travel to belfast i would suggest giving them a call.

Paddy2eyes

Another possibility for finding a good instructor is to ask in a local motorbike dealers. They will know who the local instructors are and probably have heard the gossip about how good they are.