Hi,
I want to learn to ride (from scratch), and am wondering if anyone knows anything about rider training courses in UK. I have seen a BMW course which runs in wales on 650GS. Has anyone done this? Is it good? I am based in London at present.
Maggs

Hey Maggs! Very exciting decision.

Now, there are a few options open to you.
The BMW course, if it is the one I am thinking of, is an off-road riding course. That's a brilliant option and a pretty steep learning curve (but they're the best kind!).
Honda, Yamaha and KTM run similar courses. KTM does a womens only course a few times a year, if you think the boys tend to go too bananas

I found that the off-road course was something that I opted for to improve my riding and to prepare me for the rough stuff, after I had my license.
I got my license in a couple of months by first doing my CBT (compulsory basic training - I think that's what it is) and then doing my full license over 4 days, in London.
I had never riden before (I don't count the couple of goes on a boyfriends bike that amounted to covering about 100m). The guys teaching the course were very good - completely comfortable teaching women, and great with the basics for everyone (some of the blokes battled far more than I did!).
As soon as I had done the one day CBT, I contacted the DVLA to sit their multiple choice exam that you have to have before doing your license, and then put my name on the list for the very next Full License course.

There is a Direct Access option, which is a quick route to a full license, if you are over 25.

The instructors on my course had had a group of motorX riders on one course and had found it difficult to change their off-road (leg-out-around-corners)riding styles so that they could adopt the street riding behaviours that the examiners would pass.

Depending on how keen you are to be 'legal', it may be worth considering the CBT before an off-road course?
(if of course I have the right end of things with the BMW course in wales that you mentioned! And naturally, this is only a thought - try it on and see if it fits or not)

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Trial bikes are very stabile and here you will lern how to handle the bike in very strange positions.I took such one in Germany many years ago and still use it every day in city traffic.
Remember that confidence in your own style is very important.
My 2 centavos
KH

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Too bad you aren't in the states. Here in montana we have a two day course that gives you the driving part of the license. Then a simple written test and you get your motorcycle endorsement. I would still recomend somehow riding a dirt bike in the dirt to polish skills before any serious road riding. In 30 years of working in bike shops I have seen a fair number of bikes crashed, dented or just dropped on the pavement in the first week of ownership by new riders. But whatever it takes.....get on your bike and ride.

Thanks
Shells - BMW course is not the off road one - It is direct access intensive course (i was going to build up to off road course later). BMW direct access course is new - only started in APril this year. It is quite expensive though (650 pounds) but the entire course is done on a 650GS. I am going to keep looking in London and see what other courses cost - i am sure must be able to get cheaper than this. ANd I want to save some cash to do the off road course.
Anyway I will keep looking and see what happens.
thanks for advice
Maggs

Aaaah, I share your passion for BMW, so completely understand considering travelling to Wales and forking out moochos cash to do the course on the F650!

I shopped around a fair bit for my course (not quite as technical as choosing a bike, but more around cost and appeal... at the time, any bike would do - I'm more picky now LOL)
I ended up going for a Direct Access course that was probably a good middle of the range option - the providers were friendly, antipodean and local, and very good teachers (at the end of the day sometimes it IS just how good the website is or how friendly the person is on the phone that makes the final decision easier). My CBT was about 120, if I remember correctly, and the 4 days of direct Access brought the total to around 550.

The CBT is very standard, so perhaps you could shop around for the cheapest local CBT option and then spend a bit more to do the balance with BMW?

Happy researching! Lots of fun ahead

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