All posts by Andy Smith

Advice, Motorcycles, News

Air Bag Jacket

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Air Bag Jackets.

A UK Surgeon has today called for Air Bag Jackets to be made Compulsory for Motorcyclists in the UK.

A demonstration was shown on the evening news, where a stuntman, wearing an Air Bag Jacket threw himself from his bike.  The jacket which is attached to the bike by a low resistance clasp, releases and deploys the air bag when the bike and the rider part company.

In the demonstration the rider then tumbled, apparently harmlessly, along the road as he was cushioned by the Air Bag inside the jacket as it immediately inflated prior to him hitting the ground.

Quite an impressive demonstration….but what happens if you forget to  unclip yourself when you nip into the shop or to re-fuel…… a bit embarrassing eh?

Anything that can reduce rider casualties needs to be given due respect and consideration but I feel it is early days yet to talk about making the wearing of such a device compulsory.

Visit our Newsletter Blog for another view of the product.  Just click on the Newsletter link on the left.  And don’t forget to sign up for automatic up dates while you are there.

Advice, Cardiff, Motorcycle Training, Motorcycles

Your Bike & The MOT

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MOT’s (Ministry of Transport) Test Certificates are needed on all motor vehicles once it reaches 3 years of age, and every year thereafter.

Everyone who uses a vehicle on road must keep it in a roadworthy condition.

The MOT looks at some of the more important items and components on your bike but you should be aware that an MOT certificate is a not a guarantee of the general mechanical condition of the bike.

Listed Below are the main components which would be inspected during the MOT test.

Lights

Steering/Suspension

Wheels & Tyres

Frame

Brakes

Fuel & Exhaust System leaks

Wheel Alignment

Sidecars (where fitted)

Body & Structure

Horn

Registration plates/vehicle identification/frame numbers.

An MOT certificates that at the time of the test, without dismantling, the vehicle met the minimum acceptable environmental and road safety standards required by law.  It does not mean the vehicle is roadworthy for the life of the certificate.

So in more detail what is inspected in each category.

Lights;

Condition, operation, security and correct colour of headlamps, read lights, indicators and reflectors.  Also the aim of the headlamp is checked.

Steering/Suspension;

Condition, security and operation, including forks, mountings, controls and bearings.

Wheels & Tyres;

Wheel condition and security. Tyre condition, size/type and tread depth.

Frame;

Free from cracks, damage, distortion or corrosion which is likely to affect the steering or the brakes.

Brakes;

Condition, operation and performance with an efficiency test, and brake controls.

Fuel & Exhaust System Leaks;

Complete, secure and not too noisy.

Wheel Alignment;

Correct Alignment of front and rear wheels.

Sidecars(Where Fitted);

Includes checks on the attachment, suspension, wheel bearings, wheel alignment, lights and tyres.

Body & Structure;

Condition and security of final drive, footrests and seat.

Horn;

Correct Operation and the correct type.

Registration plates/VIN/Frame No;

Present and legible.

Who Supervises the Scheme.

Even though we still call them MOT’s the Ministry of Transport, as such is no more and the Testing Scheme is now supervised by VOSA (Vehicle and Operator Services Agency)  In other words….the Ministry of Transport!

Where can I get my bike MOT’d

There are around 1900 motorcycle approved test stations in the UK.  Look for the Blue 3 Triangles Symbol which they have to display at the entrance.

In Cardiff it is Fairwater Garage, at Norbury Road, Fairwater that checks and tests all the bikes used by 1st Class Rider Training.

Fairwater Garage is situated opposite Fairwater Police Station.  (If you don’t know where Fairwater Police Station is…….well, it’s opposite Fairwater Garage!)

What if I disagree with the result.

(I guess they mean a failure – I can’t imagine you disputing it if it passes)

There is an appeal procedure but the Testing Station itself is the first point of complaint.

If you are still unsatisfied then you can contact VOSA on 0870 60 60 440. You must complain within 14 working days and you may be offered a further re-test to re-check the original findings.

The full appeal procedure can be obtained from VOSA.

Look After it…..you expect it to look after you!

Advanced Training, Advice, Cardiff, CBT, Direct Access, Motorcycle Training, Motorcycles, News

World of BMW Motorcycle Training

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The next series of Blog News pages gives a summary of how 1st Class Rider Training-Cardiff came to be formed.

As a result of my close association with Peter Cramp, the Sales Manager at Rydale BMW Motorcycle Dealership, Cardiff I was able to become involved in the World of BMW Motorcycle Training School, based at Ystradgynlais.

Run by Kevin and Julia Saunders I was invited to join them and train BMW clients at all levels from CBT right through to their Advanced and Refresher Courses at the Swansea Valley site.

I am still licensed to train for them but concentrate my time now on 1st Class Rider Training in Cardiff.

As with the other organisations mentioned here and below, I am grateful for the opportunity to work with them, sharing ideas and helping them grow.

Advanced Training, Advice, Cardiff, CBT, Direct Access, Motorcycle Training, Motorcycles, Police Class 1, RoSPA

Harley Davidson Rider’s Edge

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Just another chapter, in the 1st class Rider Training-Cardiff formation history.

When Harley Davidson was looking to set up a Europe branch of their Rider’s Edge Motorcycle Training scheme, I wasn’t far away.

The Director’s of the training school based in Builth Wells, Mid Wales needed Direct Access qualified Instructors and in the early stages of the development of Rider’s Edge I was able to assist in setting up an Advanced Motorcycle Training and Testing scheme. (Based on the RoSPA Gold Silver and Bronze grading system), and carrying out training at all levels from CBT right up to the Rider’s Edge Gold standard.

Working closely with Pat, the Motorcycling Director at the time I gained much useful experience and this was another stepping stone towards the formation of 1st Class Rider Training-Cardiff.

Advanced Training, Cardiff, Direct Access, Motorcycle Training, Motorcycles, News

United Motorcycle Training

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This, together with the Blog page below, is part of the 1st Class Rider Training-Cardiff, story.

I was asked by Peter Cramp, the Sales Manager of Rydale BMW Cardiff, at the time, if I knew a training school that wasn’t tied to a dealership to pass on any refferals for CBT or Direct Access Training that came into the BMW salesroom.

I approached United Motorcycle Training and it was agreed that I would be issued with an Instructor’s Certificate with them.

Any enquiries that I recieved through the BMW dealership I passed to United, but later found that I wasn’t always given the work that arose ftrom those enquiries.

After a short time, it was decided, in conjunction with Peter Cramp that I would form my own training school, and so 1st Class Rider Training was born.

So, as with Cardiff Motorcycle School, my time with United Motorcycle Training forms a stepping stone in the development of 1st Class Rider Training.

Advanced Training, Advice, CBT, Direct Access, Motorcycle Training, Motorcycles, News, Police Class 1

Cardiff Motorcycle School

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What am I doing advertising Cardiff Motorcycle School, on the web site of 1st Class Rider Training.

Well I am often asked how I got started in Motorcycle Training and it was Stef & Simon at Cardiff Motorcycle School who got me into it.

I was still a serving traffic cop at the time and in the process of introducing Bikesfafe to South Wales. It was through this connection that Stef & Simon suggested I take up CBT training as well. They trained me and sent me to the DSA assessment centre at Cardington and the rest as they say………..

We still have a good working relationship, (and long may it continue) even though strictly speaking we are in direct competition. Any clients that I can’t accommodate (on 50cc ‘twist n go’ scoots for example) I recommend to stef and his team.

He in turn sends any inquiries for Advanced Motorcycle Training to us.

So I must say a big thank you to Stef, Simon and the team at Cardiff Motorcycle School for getting me started and helping me along the way.

Advanced Training, Cardiff, Changes, Direct Access, Motorcycle Training, News, RoSPA

New Motorcycle Test

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Sorry but it’s the New Motorcycle Test Again.

a Newsletter recieved from the DSA today reveals that the New Test will be split into 2 modules and from the date of implementation will no longer be able to be taken in Cardiff.

The actual date of the first test to be taken under the new procedures will be 27th of April. The last test under the old scheme will, we understand, be the 24th of April and there will be no tests over the weekend.

This is to allow the DSA staff to leave the country with your ill gotten test fees, that they should have given back to you last September, and to leave the system in a melt down mess as the new booking system starts.

I still feel that April the 1st would have be a more appropriate date to bring this in.

Was it Willy Wonka who said….. “A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men”…….

He may not have said it first but in the Gene Wilder film… he definately did say it. Way ahead of his time he was.

Willy Wonka for DSA Chief!

Advanced Training, Advice, Cardiff, Motorcycle Training, Motorcycles

Filtering?

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Filtering? Can We?, Should We?, Do You?

How many of us do it.  I would guess, at one time or another all of us have, or have considered it.

It has always been a bit of a grey area and the subject of much consultation between Lawers and Insurance Claims Advisors when things go wrong. As a Traffic Cop in Cardiff I attended many collisions involving bikes that were filtering.

In the most recent edition of the Highway Code, for the first time it mentions it in the ‘Rules for Motorcyclists’ section.

Previously it had only ever been mentioned it as a word of caution for ‘other motorists’, when it said ‘beware of motorcyclists who may be filtering through traffic…’  But it never explained what it actually was.

The latest edition in the paragraph entitled ‘Manoeuvering’ it states quite simply, “…Additionally, when filtering in slow-moving traffic take care and keep your speed low”.

Motorcycle Roadcraft, The Police Riders Handbook, for some time has mentioned filtering as a valid manoeuvre open to riders, but it must be remembered that Roadcraft is not a Road Traffic Law book and would always come off second best against the Highway Code in a Court of Law.  Again the Highway Code is not ‘Law’ but is published as a set of guidelines  which if not adhered to can be cited against an errant rider and used as supporting any prosecution.

The fact that it now does include filtering does tend to lean towards giving motorcyclists some protection when things go wrong.

But if things have gone wrong then the Highway Code won’t ease our pain, or repair our bike any quicker.

So how do we minimise the risks and ensure that things don’t go wrong in the first place.

So this is where Motorcycle Roadcraft does have a major value and it advises that we can use our maneuverability to filter through ‘stationary or slow moving traffic’

Good advice, if you decide to filter;

* Take Extreme Care.

* Keep your speed low. You need to be able to stop suddenly if circumstances change.

* Always identify a place where you can rejoin the traffic flow before you move out.

* Make yourself visible-consider using a dipped headlight.

* Be ready to brake and/or use the horn.

* Use the opportunity to make progress but be courteous and avoid conflict with other road users.

* Watch out for and anticipate;

* Pedestrians crossing between vehicles.

* Vehicles emerging from junctions.

* Vehicles changing lanes or U-turning without warning.

* Doors opening.

* Reflective paint and studs which could throw the bike off line.

* Traffic Islands.

* Other bikes also filtering.

*********************

Nobody likes being stuck in a queue but overriding the need to make progress remember that SAFETY is paramount.

Be patient and courteous and plan you ride rather than just hoping a space will develop. Don’t just cut in without thought for how this may be interpreted by other road users, and the effect this might have.

Use good observation and proper planning.

Remember if it does go wrong, it doesn’t matter who is at fault it is us that will get hurt.

Advice, Cardiff, Changes, Events, Motorcycle Training, Motorcycles, News

New Motorcycle Test

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Once again the Introduction of the New Motorcycle Test is a topic for conversation for Instructors and clients of 1st Class Rider Training-Cardiff.

Due to be introduced last September, it was postponed as the DSA had failed to meet the requirements for the building of the New Multi Purpose Test Centres.  (This meant that large areas of the Country would have been without a Motorcycle Test facility).   So the test was postponed until the end of March 2009.

Well March is here and still the DSA are not much further advanced and still students in certain areas of the Country face a long journey to take a test under the new scheme.

So the DSA master plan?  Split the new test into 2 separate modules.  Now the DSA think that this may be a good idea as it allows them to build New Multi Purpose Test Centres in areas where the surrounding roads ARE NOT suitable for the On Road section of the test.  (This, they say has allowed them to get sites into areas which otherwise planning permission or use of the surrounding roads was an obstacle.)

What this means to our students is that they have to take the first ‘Off Road’ part of the test on one particular day and return later, on another day – possibly for some at a different Test Centre – to carry out the On Road part of the test.

1st Class Rider Training-Cardiff has access to a choice of 2 New Multi Purpose Test Centres and we are told that we fall (luckily apparently) within the DSA guidelines for access to a New Test Centre.

Our choice is Newport or Swansea.  Not too far away really, but you try getting to Swansea from Cardiff – with ‘L’ Plates, not making use of the M4 Motorway.

Also, as the DSA say that the roads surrounding the Newport Test Centre ARE suitable for the on road section we will not be given a choice of taking the On Road part of the test at a ‘Local’ test centre, such as Cardiff, Bridgend or Merthyr, as at present.

Considering that the ‘Off Road’ part of the New Test will take about 8 minutes if done in conjunction with the on road part (all in one go), we have been given an estimated time now for the Split 2 Module Test as about 20-30 minutes, to allow for the admin either side of the start and finish.

What else does this mean for our Students.  MORE MONEY.  Off course it does.  You wouldn’t expect any else from the DSA- they don’t put their prices down.  An increase of the cost of the test is due to be introduced in October 2009.  Rising from£80 as it is now to over £90 (Yes… just for the test)

In a recent DSA Consulatation I protested that the increase implemented late last year (supposedely to cover the cost of the new test) which raised the test fee from £60 to the now £80 jumped the gun a bit.  As the new test wasn’t introduced last September then the test fee should have been dropped back to the £60.  The DSA have declined this kind offer, saying that they still need to pay for the New Test Centre. (‘They’ need to….no no ‘You’ need to – It’s your money they are keeping and spending)

For us, as a training body this means a more complicated booking system as we need to Set aside 2 separate days of your training course to allow for ‘Test Days’.  Also we are given considering as to how much training is going to need to be given to prepare students for the new ‘off road’ manoeuvres.  So this again has cost implications for our students.

The date now for the indroduction of these new procedures has now been given as the 27th of April.

What this means is, If you want a motorcycle licence – GET IT NOW.

Advice, Cardiff, CBT, Events, Motorcycles, News, Police Class 1, RoSPA

29th Bristol Classic Motorcycle Show

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Why not join us for a Ride Out.  At 1st Class Rider Training-Cardiff we run a Rider’s Club and organise a Monthly Ride Out.

Starting in Cardiff, we meet at MacDonald’s at Coryton Interchange at junction 32 of the M4, just off the A470 on the Northern outskirts of Cardiff, on the 15th of February the next Rideout is to the 29th Bristol Classic Motorcycle Show, at the Royal  Bath & West Showground at Shepton Mallet.

For full details click on the ‘Newsletter’ tab on the left.

Why not join us….you know you want to.