Category Archives: Cardiff

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

Free Stuff – When you buy stuff!

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At 1st Class Rider Training-Cardiff I have a quantity of vouchers to give you whopping discounts on bike gear. Some free stuff, when you buy stuff.

As part of The Think campaign we can offer you these vouchers and combined advice leaflet aimed at encouraging riders to wear the correct gear when riding. With an approved helmet being our only legal requirement it is sometimes easy to forget about the rest. So take advantage of these vouchers to get yourself covered. Because Riding Shouldn’t cost you an arm and a leg!.

The vouchers expire on the 31st of March 2011, so hurry if you want one. The combined vouchers cover items of protective clothing to compliment your kit.

Offer 1
Get 10% off motorcycle gloves, boots, jackets or trousers at Infinity Motorcycles.

Offer 2
Free knee protectors – worth £14.99 – when you buy any pair of Draggin Jeans at Hein Gericke.

Offer 3
Get 10% off Knox FastBack CE approved back protector vest. RRP £59.99.

If you want one of these vouchers please call in an collect one from 1st Class Rider Training or send me a stamped addressed envelope and I will return it to you immediately.

Don’t miss out, get yours today. (While Stocks Last- I’ve got approximately 100 to give away).

Cardiff, Events, Motorcycle Training, Motorcycles, News

Cardiff Classic Bike Show

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The 2nd Cardiff Classic Motorcycle Show takes place on Sunday the 8th of May, at Whitchurch High School, Manor Way, Cardiff.

This was a fabulous event in it’s first year last Spring so is not to be missed.

1st Class Rider training will be supporting the show and once again we will have a stand at the show.

Promoting our training courses and our European Tours so come along and have a chat.

An excellent day out.

Cardiff, Events, Motorcycles, News

Motorcycle Monthly October Issue

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The October Issue of Motorcycle Monthly is now available at  1st Class Rider Training-Cardiff and it’s still free.

In this issue you have the chance to win a 1001 piece Mega Masters Tool kit, worth £5800. Also read read the revciew of Yamaha Fazer 8 versus Honda VFR 800.

Lots of articles, features, product reviews and offers.  This has to be the best Monthly Motorcycle Paper, that’s why they call it Motorcycle Monthly.

Pick up your copy form us here at 1st Class Rider Training, or from any of our Instructors.  Or join us on a ride out and collect your copy from us there.  See our Newsletter Blog for Ride Out details, offers  and tour news.

This month there is no photo of the October Issue…..because it looks a bit like the September issue, and the August issue… And if you want to see what it looks like, come and get your copy.  Did I tell you it’s free!

Advice, Cardiff, Changes, Direct Access, Motorcycle Training, Motorcycles, News

Publication of Test Routes to Stop

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The DSA have announced that they are to stop publicising the Driving Test Routes.

Here at 1st Class Rider Training- Cardiff, we welcome that move.  We are a firm believer that it is no good to teach a candidate simply to rehearse a test route, but to teach them to ride, and then passing the test is easy.

If you go to any area which has a test centre nearby you will see the same driving/ riding  schools riding around and around the test routes.  We believe that this does not do the candidate any good in their decision making and enhancing their own ability to read the road and road signs.  They are simply learning a test route by rote.

As trainers we must be looking to produce the next generation of road users who are safe and make good timely decisions of their own accord and not simply turn out drivers and riders who get rid of the L plates as quickly as possible.

We have a responsibility to our students to ensure that they can get the best from their bike, before it gets the better of them.  We make a point of training and riding anywhere other than the test route to fully prepare our students for life on the road.  That way they have to develop their own skills at reading the road and taking notice of road signs.

This is why we take students for tests at any test centre we can get to and back in day.  It all counts in their favour and the fact that they ‘”don’t know the area” shouldn’t have any affect on their ability to ride safely and with confidence.

Let’s produce Riders…. not just get rid of L plates.

Good move DSA,  Well Done.

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

Motorcycle Training & Testing (South Wales)

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There are more changes to come with regards to the new Motorcycle Practical Test.

From the 4st of October Module 2 of the Test, which is the practical, on road ride, will include a section of independent riding.  What this means is that the candidate will simply be asked to follow a series of directions or traffic signs.  For example the instruction might be, “Follow signs towards the M4 and then follow signs for Cwmbran” (if your test is in Newport that is!).

The purpose of this to make the test  a more natural and realistic ride, taking more responsibility for their own actions rather than just following step by step directions given by the examiner.  It is anticipated that this would take up approximately 10 minutes for the whole duration of the test.

Students won’t fail for going the wrong way (unless they end up heading for London along the M4 !) but they will be tested on their ability to make decisions in a timely and well managed way taking account of route and traffic conditions.  It will give the candidate the opportunity to ride as if they are on their own, and unsupervised.

This shouldn’t be too much of problem for 1st Class Rider Training students. As it is now, when training we give directions like, “Take me to MacDonalds and then follow signs to Burger King”…..

Advice, Cardiff, Motorcycles, News

Motorcycle Monthly September issue

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The September issue of Motorcycle Monthly is out now and available at 1st Class Rider Training-Cardiff

Just call in and we’ll give you a copy or they are available free from any 1st Class Rider Training Instructor.

This is a great read and is packed full of features, reports, reviews and competitions.

The Seotember issue includes a report on the issue of Westminster Council imposing parking charges on bikes, and how you can join the fight against it.

A quirky comparison of a Harley Electra Glide versus the BMW S1000RR.

And you can find out who is the MotoGP brightest Bunny Grid Girl. (what do you mean it doesn’t matter)

All this and more…… And it’s free.

Call and get your copy now. It looks a bit like this …..

Advice, Cardiff, Changes, Motorcycles

Cardiff Bike Swap Scheme

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Bike Swap Scheme is launched in Cardiff.

In an intiative to reduce the illegal use of ‘Off Road’ vehicles namely motorcycles and quads, it has been anounced that the owners of these ‘nuisance’ vehicles can swap them for a Mountain Bike and Accessories.

In an amnesty being planned for 23rd – 29th of August a hotline will be set up where residents can call to arrange the exchange.

This scheme (presumably being run by Cardiff Council – although the press release didn’t give details) is aimed at relieving the off road nuisance particularly in Cardiff East.

Interesting.

If the rumour is true about the people with seized engines on their BMW GS 1200 (07 & 57 plates) they might be keen to swap their out of warranty Beemer for a new pedal bike. There might be quite a take up.

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

Ride Out…Ride Right

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Further to my News Post dated the 16th of May about assessed and observed rides offered by South Wales Fire & Rescue Service, 1st Class Rider Training can now give more detailed information about this new Motorcycle Safety Scheme.

The Fire Service literature details how the scheme will operate. It explains ;..

“”” South Wales Fire and Rescue Service has now launched ‘Ride Out…Ride Right’ to help keep motorcyclists safe on the roads.  If you are interested in taking part in our free observation rides then please read on,

You will be met by one of our three team riders at a pre-arranged meeting point.

You will ride to a fire station at either Abergavenny, Usk, Merthyr or Maesteg where you will be given a short presentation over a beverage.

The presentation includes Observation, Hazards and the Principles of Cornering.

Following the presentation you will then go out for an observation ride which will last for approximately an hour.

At the end of the ride you will be asked for your feedback and thoughts on the ride.

What we would like you to get out of this is to consider further training through recognised bodies, i.e. Bikesafe, RoSPA, IAM, MAG etc but most of all we want you to enjoy your riding and stay safe on our roads.

All you have to do is reply to us at RORR@southwales-fire.gov.uk confirming when you would be available, morning, afternoon, weekdays or weekends with a contact number and we will arrange your ride. “””

I have met the Fire Service Riders and their enthusiasm is unquestionable and they are keen to make this new scheme a success.

At 1st Class Rider Training-Cardiff we support any initiative that is intended to make riders safer, and to reduce casualties amongst all road users, but particularly motorcyclists and we wish them well.

We are happy to support the scheme.

Advice, Cardiff, Events, Motorcycles, News

Motorcycle Monthly August Edition out Now

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The August Edition of Motorcycle Monthly is out now and available at 1st Class Rider Training-Cardiff.

This is Britain’s best Motorcycle read and it’s absolutely free.

In this issue there are reviews, competitions, news and test reports and much more.

You could win VIP passes to British Superbikes or a Nick Sanders DVD or even a pair is tyres from Metzeler.

Read the report on BMW’s new 1600cc Super Tourer or pick up a second hand bargain in the ‘For Sale’ section.

To get your copy call and see us at 1st Class Rider Training or get one from any 1st Class Instructors.

Join us on a ride out and pick up a copy. The next ride out is this Sunday to Aberdare Park Motorcycle Races – meeting at Hein Gericke Cardiff for 10am.

Motorcycle Monthly. It’s free, it’s all about bikes, and it’s free.

It looks a bit like this……….