Category Archives: Motorcycle Training

Motorcycle Training news, from 1st Class Rider Training – Cardiff.

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

Launch of our Site for Motorcycle Training in Cardiff

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1st Class Rider Training are pleased to announce the date for the official launch of our New Site for Motorcycle Training in Cardiff.

Thursday the 29th of October will see the Lord Mayor of Cardiff officially open the New Cardiff County Council Road Safety Centre at Maindy Stadium, Crown Way, Cardiff.

Since 1st Class Rider Training was established we have been fortunate to work closely with the staff at the Road Safety Centre and we have enjoyed their hospitality using Briardene Road Safety Centre as our Training Base in Cardiff.

The move to Maindy stadium will see the opening of a luxury suite of offices and training rooms with computer simulators and lecture facilities.  We are also able to make use of SID, the portable Speed Indicator to fully prepare our students for the speed related elements of the Part 1 Motorcycle Test.

The new training area is made up of a large ‘Dexterity Area, and mini road system with authentic signed junctions, bends and a full sized roundabout.

Secure on site storage for our motorcycles allows us immediate access to these new facilities and for when we have finished work……there is a swimming pool and a fully equipped Fitness Suite!

1st Class Rider Training on First Class Machines on a First Class Training Site…. 1st Class !

Advanced Training, Cardiff, CBT, Direct Access, Events, Motorcycle Training, News

Motorcycle Training Cardiff

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The face of Motorcycle Training in Cardiff is about to change.  1st Class Rider Training-Cardiff are pleased to announce our imminent move to our new training site.

Since 1st Class Rider was formed delivering high quality motorcycle training in Cardiff we have enjoyed a very special relationship with Cardiff County Council Road Safety team.  Our existing training site at The Road Safety Centre, Briardene, North Road, Cardiff is soon to move to our new home.

A new purpose built site is now open at the Road Safety Centre, which has relocated to Maindy Stadium.

The training areas, which has been described by the DSA Examining Officer, as a perfect CBT training site, has a dexterity area together with a private road system consisting of bends, junctions, pedestrian crossings and a roundabout.  All with authentic road markings and road signs.

Still enjoying on site toilet facilities and refreshment vending machines.

So you don’t have to train on some featureless industrial estate car park when you can train with the best n this purpose built training site.

The new face of Motorcycle Training in Cardiff is here and waiting for you.

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

1st Class Rider Tours

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1st Class Rider Training-Cardiff are pleased to announce the launch of their new web site.  www.1stclassridertours.co.uk

The launch recognises the success of our European and War Graves Tours so far this year.  The new web page is being constructed but will hold a full calendar of trips for 2010.  The Somme, Normandy, Battle of The Bulge, Bruges and Ypres to name but a few.

These are biking trips professionally lead by Police Class 1 Riders to points of interest along some of the best biking roads on offer in Northern Europe. Conveniently packaged into just a long weekend.

The web site will also hold links to our main training page and our popular Newsletter Blog where you can sign up for automatic updates on Advanced Training, Special Events and Monthly Social Ride Outs.

These are exciting times for us here at 1st Class Rider Training as we expand our successful training company.  We will still be offering ‘Learner’ & Advanced Training and we will still be available for the many corporate classroom training sessions that we currently present, but these tours are a natural progression as we look forward to changes in the biking industry in the UK.

Come and join us.  Watch out for news on the completion of www.1stclassridertours.co.uk

Advanced Training, Advice, Cardiff, Events, Motorcycle Training, Police Class 1, RoSPA

Advanced Motorcycle Course & RoSPA Test

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1st Class Rider Training-Cardiff Four Day Advanced Motorcycle Course.  Leading to the RoSPA Advanced Test.

This is it.  The long awaited (by some) 1st Class Rider Training-Cardiff, Four Day Advanced Motorcycle Course.  This is a four day course spread over a number of weeks.  It contains a classroom based, theory element, followed by periods of self practice before on road instruction, with an option to undergo the RoSPA test at the end of the course.  All the training is based on the Police System of Motorcycle Control and is run by RoSPA Examiners & Diploma Holders.

The venue for the theory sessions, we hope, will be our new ‘home’ at Cardiff County Councils’ New Road Safety Centre at Maindy Stadium, Cardiff. (This will be confirmed)

I don’t run many of these through the year so don’t miss your chance for this one.  The cost of the four day course is only £500.  That is only £125 per day.  What?  We charge £125 for a CBT!!

You’d better book your place before I realise my mistake and charge the proper price for this.

The course start date has been set as Saturday the 15th of August, with day 2 the following Saturday the 22nd of August.  Later course dates will be arranged to suit the course participants and will be mutually agreed for the practical road riding sessions.

Visit our newsletter blog to sign up for free up dates on Advanced Training, Social Events and Rideouts.

Just click the link on the left.

Advanced Training, Advice, Cardiff, Events, Motorcycle Training, News, Police Class 1

Slow Maneuvering & Emergency Braking Course

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Slow Maneuvering & Emergency Braking Day.

I am running another one of these popular courses. For just £60 you can learn to….well um…Ride Slow and Brake Fast!  The date of this is Sunday the 12th of July.  So, if you want to gain an insight into the sort of training that I had to undergo before being let loose on a patrol bike book yourself a place.

I don’t run many of these through the year but those who have been before said they were of great value…and What?? I’m only charging 60 quid.  Now that is great value. Come and have a go at some of the manoeuvres included in the new motorcycle test.  Would you pass???

I will be limiting this to 10 riders so be quick!  Let me know if you want a place.

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

BMW Motorcycle Technician

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Here at 1st Class Rider Training-Cardiff we enjoyed a close working relationship with Rydale BMW when it was the BMW dealership in Cardiff.  The Sales Manager at the time was Peter Cramp who was very supportive in our early years of setting up a Motorcycle Training School.

Peter has moved on and now manages the Bike Sales at Ocean BMW in Plymouth.  He has emailed me with the following appeal.

So if anyone is looking to re-locate with the opportunity to work for a really nice bloke in a fantastic BMW dealership now is your chance.  Have a read.

Skilled Motorcycle Technicians

At Ocean Plymouth Motorrad we are currently looking to recruit skilled motorcycle Technicians for our state-of-the-art dealership.

We need top quality Technicians to help drive the business forward, to put in the hours to ensure the company succeeds and who are capable of rattling through the work with an attention to detail and a quality focus that is second to none. The successful candidates must be skilled in all aspects of diagnostics, servicing and bike repairs, along with excellent customer handling skills and the ability to work to the highest standards.

Combine this with a passion for motorcycles and you could be right for the job.

If this sounds like you, we want to talk to you.

Call Ocean Plymouth Motorrad on 01752 202828 and ask for Peter Cramp.

Ocean Plymouth Motorrad
St Modwen House, Longbridge Road, Plymouth PL6 8LD
01752 202828

Advice, CBT, Events, Motorcycle Training, Motorcycles, News

Thunderroad Motorcycles

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I have been asked recently to clarify an issue that has arisen from a recent radio advertising campaign by Thunderroad Motorcycles of Bridgend & Cwmbran.

They are advertising a new 125 cc bike and the radio ad claims “and it can be ridden on a car licence”.

In the ‘small print’ at the end of the ad it does say “CBT required”.  To say it can be ridden on a car licence is not strictly correct as a car licence alone is not sufficient and you must have a licence which shows Category A (Which is Motorcycles).  Most car licences do show Category A as a provisional entitlement, but not all do. Of course you would be riding this 125 (or any 125 for that matter) on a Bike Licence- which may be included on a Full Car licence.

But it’s a bit like saying I can drive a Bus on my Bike Licence.

So you need to check your licence to make sure it shows Category A, otherwise you will not be able to ride it at all, or you will be riding it without a licence, whether you’ve passed your car test or not!

Advanced Training, Advice, Cardiff, CBT, Events, Motorcycle Training, Motorcycles, News, Police Class 1

Slow Maneuvering & Emergency Braking Day

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1st Class Rider Training-Cardiff are holding another Slow Maneuvering & Emergency Braking Day.

Sunday the 12th of July to be held at Cardiff County Council Road Safety Centre, Briardene, North Road Cardiff.

Come and learn the skills that Police riders have to master before being let out on the road.

Under close supervision you will be guided through the skills needed to maintain balance and clutch control to aid slow speed riding. Filtering through traffic, tight left and right turns etc.

Also you will get the chance to practice emergency braking, again under controlled conditions.  We believe that emergency stops are rarely practiced by riders after passing their test.  But we believe that this skill, above many others may save your life one day.  If it is something that you last tried on your test, then now may be the time for you to refresh your memory…before it’s too late.

Give us a call on 0845 467 0165 for details and to reserve a place, or visit my newsletter blog to sign up for future up dates on courses and events.

www.1stclassriderblog.co.uk

It’ll be the best thing you ever spent your money on!

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

Motorcycle Training South Wales

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The face of Motorcycle Training in South Wales has certainly changed recently.  With the implementation of the new, split practical motorcycle test.

With just 2 Multi Purpose Test Centres serving South Wales it means greater pressure is being put on the testing system as motorcycle training schools from as far afield as Hereford and Mid Wales, converge on South Wales to take the new test.

Motorcycle Training Schools in South Wales have the choice of just 2 new test centres for the Part 1 test.  They are situated at Newport and Swansea.

Previously the motorcycle test could be taken at test centres at;

Cardiff

Bridgend

Merthyr Tydfil

Neath

Swansea

Newport

Abergavenny

Cwmbran

Monmouth

Llandrindodd Wells

So you can see how losing these numerous test centres has put pressure on the test booking and testing systems in the 2 South Wales sites.

We at 1st Class Rider Training-Cardiff are pleased to say that even with the added test booking demand we have been able to obtain tests for our students and we have the use of an excellent training area where we can simulate the new test centre layout.

We are more than satisfied that we have been able to meet the new demands for Motorcycle Training in South Wales, head on and we have been able to continue to enjoy a very high pass rate for the new 2 part motorcycle test.

So if you are looking for Motorcycle Training in South Wales please give us a call and we will be happy to advise you on the best course for you.

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!