Category Archives: Motorcycles

Information and advice about buying a motorcycle in Cardiff

Advanced Motorcycle Training 3 Countries Advanced Course

Here are the details for our next 3 Countries Advanced Motorcycle Course.  We retain our 100% pass rate for the RoSPA Advanced Motorcycle Test.  Here are the details.

Six Day 3  Countries ADVANCED MOTORCYCLE COURSE.  

On Road Dates for our next course. 

Wednesday 17th September – Sunday 21st September 2014.
( Plus one classroom based day prior to departure to be arranged)

Is this the closest thing to a Police Training Course currently available?  We think so.

1st Class Rider Training-Cardiff are offering a unique motorcycle training experience. We believe that currently there is nothing like this on offer anywhere else.

We believe this is the closest thing you will get to a Police Advanced Course and is aimed at fully qualified  riders.

Running a Course early in 2014 we retained our 100% pass rate for the RoSPA Test and Candidates were also successful in gaining a ‘pass’ certificate for The Enhanced Rider Scheme.

We are offering a Six Day course which includes Bed & Breakfast Hotel Accommodation on two nights, and Bed, Breakfast & Evening Meal Hotel Accommodation on two nights, with 5 days on road & 1 Classroom based day prior to departure.

This course will take you across Three Countries and will include riding in Wales, England and Scotland.  You could expect to cover approximately 2000 on this intense motorcycling experience.

Using only the highest qualified Instructors our trainers are either Police Class 1 Riders, RoSPA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) Advanced Tutors, RoSPA Advanced Motorcycle Instruction Diploma Holders. RoSPA Advanced Motorcycle Test Examiners, or members of the Register of Post Test Motorcycle Trainers. (Some of them former or still serving Traffic Cops who hold the coveted Police Class 1 Motorcycle Grade). You will be in good and very experienced hands.

You will be in radio contact with your instructor and will be riding in a maximum ratio of 3:1 with your instructor. ( Although on occasion 2:1 & even 1:1 may be possible).

The training will all be based on the Motorcycle Roadcraft, The Police Rider’s Handbook, and this is essential pre-course reading.    (ISBN 978-0-11708188-8)

You will be taken on some of the most challenging and breathtaking roads that the UK has to offer.

The course structure is as follows.

About a week or so prior to departing for Scotland we will conduct a group theory, classroom based day to cover the essential theory behind expert control of the bike on the road.  Light refreshments will be provided during this classroom session. You will get to meet the other members on the course and also get to meet with your instructors.

Day 1 on Road. On departure day we will meet as a group in South Wales and depart through the Heart of Wales before joining the motorway near Chester for a relatively short run before heading cross country through the picturesque Lake District and into Northern England, crossing the border at the infamous Gretna Green before settling for the night at our chosen 4 Star Spa Hotel in the Scottish Town of Paisley, where a quality evening meal and a comfy bed awaits.

A slight change from our last course will see us use one centrally based Headquarters Hotel for the four nights. This will remove the need to pack every day and any wet kit from the day before can be left and dried throughout the day.

We will still be able to train on some of the most spectacular & challenging roads that the UK has to offer.

Day 2, 3 & 4 on Road, we will train across the Highlands of Scotland, The Isle of Skye and as far North as Ullapool region, passing Lochs and spectacular mountains along the way, taking the road through the magnificent Glen Coe.  No evening meal is arranged for day 2 or 3 leaving you free to make your own choice of dinning at the Hotel or visiting one of the many local hostelries in the vicinity of the hotel. So you will be free to make your own choice.

Weather permitting we will take the challenging road to Applecross.  This mountain cattle pass known as ‘Bealach Na Ba’ rises to over 2000 ft with 1 in 5 climbs & hairpins, this is an experience in any weather!

Day 5 on Road will see us head South for home and for those wishing to do so, the opportunity to take the Advanced RoSPA Test can be arranged for along the way.  On our last course the Students chose to take the Tests on Saturday leaving the Sunday for a relaxed day to finish the course.

This is an intense experience and on some days high mileage will be covered but you will experience the kind of riding that Traffic Officers have to undergo before being let loose on patrol.  With a Standard Police Course being of 4 weeks duration we aim to give you a taste of that training rolled down into 6 days.

The inclusive cost of this training and accommodation and meals as described above is just  £1250.

This does not include your own personal incidentals and daytime refreshments or petrol which will be at your own expense.

This will include your test fee and membership to RoSPA for those wishing to take the test, and your assessment for The Enhanced Rider Scheme. You will also get full use of the Spa & Health Club facilities at our chosen Hotel.

A RoSPA Grade is also recognised by some insurance companies for you to qualify for a discount on your premium.

For our courses that have previously been run locally we have a 100% pass rate for candidates taking the RoSPA Test. So this is an opportunity to take your riding to the next level.  Thinking you’re good is one thing, but knowing you’re good is even better!

We expect demand for this course to high so get your name on the list as soon as you can.  A deposit will be payable at the time of booking, as this will be used to secure your accommodation for the course.

When this was first published, within half an hour we had taken bookings for this course, so don’t miss out. Already one of the candidates from the first 3 Countries Advanced Motorcycle Course has enrolled for this second course to repeat the experience.

To get your name on the list please email me your details to

andy@1stclassrider.co.uk  or text 07545567273.

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We are Back! Ride Outs are restarting.

We’ve been away… but now we are back.  I do apologise for the missing ride outs.

We have been extremely busy with ‘Learner’ training through the last few months, (and we are still heavily booked up now) but I have been asked a few times when the ride outs will start again. So here we go.

To make up for the missing ones I will be running 2 in November.

Sunday the 6th of November.  Tintern Abbey, Wye Valley and the Banks of the Severn.

Starting from our new meeting point. 9.30am at the Caerphilly Mountain Snack Bar, (which is a snack bar….on Caerphilly Mountain).  The snack bar has been revamped and now offers covered seating – and still has the same range of burgers, rolls and drinks etc. that we (I) have grown to love over the years. It is the home of the ‘Mountain Monster’ which is a massive breakfast roll – and not the woman who works there!

Sunday the 20th of November. Motorcycle Live 2011.  (The NEC Bike Show to you & me).

This is an old favourite taking a scenic route up to the M5 near Worcester and jumping on to the Motorway for the last run in to the NEC.  Starting at the ‘Mountain Monster’ for an early start at 8.30am.  Tickets for the Show are £19 on the door or £16 if you buy them in advance from the ‘Motorcycle Live’ website.  If you don’t want to visit the ‘New’ bike show there will be an opportunity to visit the British Motorcycle Museum, which is just the other side of the NEC roundabout.  Either one is a great bike day out.

Sunday the 11th of December.  The Teddy Bear Christmas Run to the Children’s Casualty Unit at UHW.

We have done this before and we will do it again.  All I ask is that you bring along a New Teddy Bear or similar, (at least 1).  Please don’t bring along a massive bear as the idea is for the Bears to be given to the children who are unfortunate enough to find themselves in the Casualty Unit as Christmas approaches.  As an idea, IKEA sell small (pocket sized) soft toys for around 40p up wards.  So for a couple of quid you could fill your panniers!

The reason is that it is believed that if a child becomes attached to the toy whilst they are being treated, it aids their recovery if the are allowed to take the toy home with them afterwards.  Obviously there is no funding for this in the NHS.  So please support this one and dig deep for your Teddies.  So remember it is better to buy a few small ones rather than one big one (which can become cumbersome in the confines of the Casualty Unit).

So I hope there is something here for you and you can join us on one or all of these.  As before these ride outs are free but all I ask is that you buy a ‘Full Stop’ badge in aid of the NSPCC.

Also, get your free copy of ‘Motorcycle Monthly’ plus discount vouchers for clothing at ‘Infinity Motorcycles’ and also ‘Bikegear’ at Bridgend.

If nothing else…. come and see the Mountain Monster!

Come on…… you know you want to.   We are back!

Follow us on Facebook.  Just search for ‘1st Class Rider Training’ and see some things about some stuff and some pictures with things in….. 1st Class!

Motorcycle Training Cardiff

When you need to get it right first time, you need to spend time with the professionals.  When it matters who you spend your cash with and what you get for you money, you need to choose a company that will give you the best, consistently, time after time.

Just read our testimonials, and google reviews.  You don’t get a second chance so spend your money wisely.

If it’s ‘Motorcycle Training Cardiff‘ you are looking for…..you just found it.

1st Class Rider Training – Cardiff, for all your motorcycle training needs, ride outs, European Trips and more.  CBT, 49cc Scooters, 125cc, Direct Access, 500cc 600cc,  and up to an Accredited Advanced Test Grade.  we are the ‘one stop shop’.

Scooter CBT Cardiff. Motorcycle Training Cardiff.

Here we see Jody & Hannah, the first two, 1st Class Rider Training students to complete a cbt on our ‘new’ scooters.

We have a fleet of five Piaggio Free 50cc ‘Twist ‘n’ Go’ Scooters and they are something special.  A rare find of 5 almost unused Piaggio Free scooters from 1995.  Never registered or used on the road and with only 200 miles on the clock these scooters are in pristine condition.

Having a larger wheel than many more modern scooters, this makes them more stable.  Light and easy to handle they are perfect for starting off your biking life style on today’s busy roads.

Previously owned and used by Cardiff Road Safety Department, they had recently become redundant at the road safety centre and were looking for a new home.

We are thankful to the Road Safety Centre Staff for being given the opportunity to offer them a new lease of life, whilst still maintaining the primary use for them, as promoting Road Safety, and safe riding for life.

At 1st Class Rider Training we take our responsibility towards our students very seriously and we are pleased to be able to offer our students training on these new bikes.

Piaggio Free, 50cc Automatic Scooters…… cheap to run, cheap to tax, and fun to ride…. life doesn’t get any better than this.  Just ask Jody & Hannah.

For Motorcycle Training Cardiff it has to be 1st Class Rider Training.

CBT Training Cardiff

1st Class Rider Training are pleased to be carrying out motorcycle training in Cardiff on our new training site at The Sports Pavilion at Whitchurch High School.

It is a DSA approved site, approved for up to six students for CBT Training.  Here we see one of our students practising ‘Wet Weather’ braking and emergency stops in the wet.

We can’t make it rain….but we can carry a bucket.  We find that it is far better to experience braking in the wet, rather than simply having it explained.  This takes away the fear factor and boosts the confidence of our students, and prepares them better for riding on the road.  After all if you are motorcycle training in South Wales….it will rain eventually!

 

 

 

 

 

A full debrief is given at each stage.

Motorcycle Monthly June Issue (2011)

It’s out now.  The June 2011 issue of Motorcycle Monthly and it’s free.  Filled once again with tons of bike related info, advice, articles, test reports and competitions.

Get your copy free from us at 1st Class Rider Training. Either pop in and see us when we are training, or grab a copy from one of our instructors out and about (probably very close to a bikers cafe somewhere between Swansea and Newport).

News, views and reviews. All good stuff.  And it’s free.  If you cant be bothered to get a copy at least you can read the front cover right here!

Join us on a ride out and I’ll bring some along.

Motorcycle Monthly… it’s exactly what it says on the cover.

Riding in France

New measures are being called for by French Ministers who want to see the introduction of regulations to make it compulsory for motorcyclists to wear ‘dayglo’ fluorescent and reflective clothing.

For some time it has been law whilst motoring abroad that you need to have a reflective/fluorescent jacket easily accessible in your car, to use in the event of an accident or breakdown on the road.

But now the new measures call for a step further requiring bikers to wear hi viz clothing at all times.  As you can imagine this is being resisted by our biking chums from France and a call to action protest day for June the 18th has been arranged.

The UK Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) are in the process of arranging a UK response in an attempt to deflect the measures from crossing the Channel.  The feeling being that if it becomes law ‘over there’, then soon it will be here.

Personally, anyone who knows me, knows that I wear hi viz out of choice but for it to become law, it won’t suit everyone.  (Does my bum look big in viz….)

Biking fashion aside, another measure being called for is the immediate imprisonment of anyone caught exceeding the speed limit by 30mph or more.  Currently in the UK anyone doing this is almost certain to face a period of disqualification, but the French are proposing to offer Bed & Breakfast too.

For further information visit the MAG web site, and whilst you are there, why not join up.  They are fighting for your rights and we at 1st Class Rider Training are pleased to support them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the picture…. Motorbike, France, Yellow Jacket….. ‘Freedom’ (and an old French bloke going for a beer).

TT 3D, Closer to the Edge

‘TT3D, Closer to The Edge’  is a film in Cinemas now.  It is a documentary behind the scenes look at the Isle of Man TT Motorcycle Races.  The TT is an iconic event, where ordinary men (and recently women) risk their lives to compete in the World’s most dangerous race.  For no big prize money they pitch their wits against the clock and against the course rather than against each other.

The film features Guy Martin and centres on his efforts to turn his 8 podium places into his first win in 2010.  This film is not just for the bike enthusiast, although if you’ve ever ridden you will be sure to appreciate it, but it shows the human spirit and determination of those not only riding but friends and family behind the scenes.  It’ll make you catch your breath, it’ll make wonder, it’ll make you laugh and it might just make you cry.

Go and see it.

CRASH Card

What is a CRASH Card?

The CRASH Card was designed by Paramedics who are passionate about motorcycles.  The purpose is to pass on essential information about you, the rider, to paramedics at the road side and medical staff in A & E, in the event of you having a crash and not being able to communicate yourself.

Here at 1st Class Rider Training-Cardiff I have just received mine.  It was sent out when I renewed my Bike Insurance.

How does The CRASH Card work?

You will be supplied with a small Green Dot Sticker which you place on the right hand side of your visor or helmet.  (I think the helmet is better in case the visor comes free in a collision).  The Green Dot sticker alerts Paramedics that you have joined the CRASH Card scheme.

The sticker comes with a small (credit card size- but not plastic) card on which you put your name and contact details together with any essential medical information or history. You then place the card inside the lining of your helmet.  The Green Dot Stickers tells the Paramedics what to look for and where.

So if you are unlucky enough to have a crash, and unlucky enough for that crash to be that serious that you can’t speak for yourself then the CRASH Card will do it for you.

Please note if you lend your helmet to a mate make sure you take your CRASH Card out first!

Also remember that the removal of a helmet after a crash is a skilled ‘two man’ operation and unless the casualty is not breathing, should never be attempted without medical or trained assistance. So never attempt to remove another rider’s helmet on your own.

Hopefully you will never need it, and may even forget that it is there….but just in case.

Here at 1st Class Rider Training we support this initiative and I am trying to get a supply of the cards and stickers which we will be happy to distribute.

 

Honda CG 125cc For Sale.

Here is a Honda CG 125cc Bike for Sale by one of 1st Class Rider, Rider’s Club members.  The CG 125 is an ideal fuel cost busting commuter bike and has recently been serviced and MOT’d.

It is the 2002 model with both Electric and Kick Start and has covered  just 2,600 miles.

The asking price is £1000.

If you are interested please give me a call and I will put you in touch with Martyn who is the proud owner at the moment.

 

Please note hat this is a private sale and is not connected with 1st Class Rider Training and for your peace of mind this is not one of our CBT training bikes so has never been used for learner training.

So just think,  cheap to run,  no toll on the Severn Bridge, free to park in a lot of places and (out of Cardiff) able to use the Bus Lanes.

If you are thinking of buying a small commuter, then this is it.  If you want a bike and haven’t done any training yet, then we can assist you with that.

All you need to ride this is a CBT (Compulsory Basic Training) and we do CBT in Cardiff at our training site in Whitchurch High School.

Don’t miss this opportunity.