DAS Training in Reading..

[StreetHawk]

Got a mate at work who wants to do an intensive DAS course in Reading, can anyone recommend somewhere? :-)

[DanAbnormal]

Got a mate at work who wants to do an intensive DAS course in Reading, can anyone recommend somewhere? :-)


http://www.3cmt.com/

It's my mates training school. He has a site in Arborfield which is right next to Reading.

[stevehaskew]

I'd recommend 3CMT too. I did my DAS with them. The routes for training go around the Reading area generally. Even did a rideout to Fox's one of the days!

[DanAbnormal]

I'd recommend 3CMT too. I did my DAS with them. The routes for training go around the Reading area generally. Even did a rideout to Fox's one of the days!

Yup, Stu is a great bloke and one of the best riders I've known. There are so many dodgy trainers out there and not only is he cheaper than all the others but you know you are being trained by the book and then some. He really gives insight into why you need to do certain things. Once you pass your test things become interesting if you do any advanced riding with him.

[ASM-Forever]

Lightning Motorcycle Training.

http://www.lightningpass.com/jkcm/

Located Reading side of Caversham Bridge. Did mine there a few years ago and they were great. Instructors were highly competent/a laugh. They also know all the Reading test routes so will take you everywhere you might go. There are only 3 places that the examiners ask you to do a u-turn in Reading!

The bikes are all pretty new(few years max), nice mix of CB/GS/ER so you can choose the one that suits you.

[Colby]

Not in Reading, but I would recommend Bristol Motorcycle Training. I went there cos they can get a DAS course and test with 2 weeks notice. Was also shed loads cheaper. oh and they put you up in a caravan onsite for free.

I liked doing it in Bristol as it meant that I didnt know the roads or have any bad habits to un-learn on the roads like I have in Reading

[ASM-Forever]

Not in Reading, but I would recommend Bristol Motorcycle Training. I went there cos they can get a DAS course and test with 2 weeks notice. Was also shed loads cheaper. oh and they put you up in a caravan onsite for free.

I liked doing it in Bristol as it meant that I didnt know the roads or have any bad habits to un-learn on the roads like I have in Reading

LMAO!

All inclusive then. :D

[DanAbnormal]

Please for the love of kittens don't use lightning.

[ASM-Forever]

Please for the love of kittens don't use lightning.

You're going to have to elaborate on that.

I did my training there and they were great. I also know a lot of people that have been there and passed/been impressed.

If you want to rubbish a companies reputation then justify your comments ffs!

[Warthog]

Put up or shut up

:lol::smt070

[ASM-Forever]

:lol::smt070

Well i think thats quite a reasonable request!

Maybe Dan had a bad experience with Lightning and he is welcome to share that, however i don't like it when people criticise a company without explaining why. It hardly helps people make up their mind about where to go.

I stand by my previous comments about Lightning. In my experience and that of 20+ people i know who have trained/passed with them in the last few years, they have been nothing short of fantastic.

N.B. I am talking about Lighning Reading, i have no experience of the Oxford branch, although i know some of the instructors sometimes work at both.

[SDMF]

I trained with lightning (CBT only) and they were pretty good.

[StreetHawk]

Cheers all, info passed onto him :)

[DanAbnormal]

You're going to have to elaborate on that.

I did my training there and they were great. I also know a lot of people that have been there and passed/been impressed.

If you want to rubbish a companies reputation then justify your comments ffs!

The list would be too long. Besides, in the days when you can be taken to court for what you post on a forum (it's happened on this site before) I'd rather not elaborate. I just know that I would never use them.

[ogden]

Well, I don't know about you guys, but that's me convinced. Argued like a true pro!

[Demonz]

Well i think thats quite a reasonable request!

Maybe Dan had a bad experience with Lightning and he is welcome to share that, however i don't like it when people criticise a company without explaining why. It hardly helps people make up their mind about where to go.

I stand by my previous comments about Lightning. In my experience and that of 20+ people i know who have trained/passed with them in the last few years, they have been nothing short of fantastic.

N.B. I am talking about Lighning Reading, i have no experience of the Oxford branch, although i know some of the instructors sometimes work at both.


21+

I did mine with Lightning a few years back. They were great.

My brother did his there a couple of weeks ago and said they were great.

[DanAbnormal]

Ah good I'm glad my expert tactics worked.

All I know is that many students went elsewhere as the training over a certain period was very bad quality. Allegedly many things were not taught and people who had come from doing a 5 days course barely showed any control skills at all. Not an isolated incident but many cases over a period of months. Many students complained that in the space of their course they had several instructors, many different machines and all in all felt the quality was not up to scratch. This was not from me but from many previous customers. So again, unless they were all making it up they seemed to have an element of truth. From what you say though it sounds like things may have improved. I would just be quite wary personally. I guess you pay your money and you takes your chances.

[ASM-Forever]

Ah good I'm glad my expert tactics worked.

All I know is that many students went elsewhere as the training over a certain period was very bad quality. Allegedly many things were not taught and people who had come from doing a 5 days course barely showed any control skills at all. Not an isolated incident but many cases over a period of months. Many students complained that in the space of their course they had several instructors, many different machines and all in all felt the quality was not up to scratch. This was not from me but from many previous customers. So again, unless they were all making it up they seemed to have an element of truth. From what you say though it sounds like things may have improved. I would just be quite wary personally. I guess you pay your money and you takes your chances.

Finally a response. ;) :p

What you've said is valid and people should take it on board when they choose where to go. No training centre is perfect and it may well be the case that they were poor at one stage.

Steve and Mike who did most of my training were brilliant. Steve no longer works there but i think Mike still does. I saw Lee and Jon training people/talked to the trainees and they were happy.

Ironically the one person i head a few gripes about was the female instructor.

I used to pop along whenever i was in the area for a chat with Steve and the students looked well trained and more importantly were enjoying themselves. I concede hardly an accurate way of judging the training, but virtually all people pass(over 90%) and if you remove women then it shoots up to like 98/99%.

I've seen two people wobbling along, even after intensive training and both were members of the fairer sex. One passed on a 125 and the other gave up.

Every test school i've been to has always slagged off one or a few others. It seems part and parcel for the business. The people at Lighntning made similar complaints about a place towards Henley/Oxford. I can't remember its name.

Like most schools Lightning offer an assesment so i reckon the best thing is to go along and see how you get on with the trainer/their techniques. :cool:

[Colby]

I've seen people form the Pinewood training place in Crowthorne riding up and down the highstreet in jeans trainers tshirt and helmet.

Surely as part of their CBT they should not be allowed to ride if inappropriately dressed

[DanAbnormal]

I've seen people form the Pinewood training place in Crowthorne riding up and down the highstreet in jeans trainers tshirt and helmet.

Surely as part of their CBT they should not be allowed to ride if inappropriately dressed

Like ASM said, all schools seem to hate each other. There are quite a few stories flying about regarding Lightning and also what used to be Cobra training in Farnborough. I have to say though I went for an assesment with Dave from Pinewood. Before I'd even got on a bike he'd told me I would need about 30 hours training. He came across as money was his main interest, and to a point this is the case but he never once made me think he was thinking of my safety. Seems that things have not changed with them.

[Stig]

I've seen people form the Pinewood training place in Crowthorne riding up and down the highstreet in jeans trainers tshirt and helmet.

Surely as part of their CBT they should not be allowed to ride if inappropriately dressed

CBT training has nothing to do with wearing protective clothing. The law says wear a helmet. That is all. Anything else is personnel.

[StreetHawk]

Shouldn't CBT'ers be asked to wear protective clothing? I took my own helmet & gloves to CBT but was asked to wear one of their armoured jackets. They told me on the phone when booking to wear sturdy shoes/boots.

[DanAbnormal]

CBT training has nothing to do with wearing protective clothing. The law says wear a helmet. That is all. Anything else is personnel.

Not true. The CBT goes through all the essential protective requirements including:

Essential clothing requirements for CBT
*Helmet - BSI 6658 and ECE 22-05 standards *British Standards approved visor*Comfortable fit but snug*Tough jacket*Tough trousers*Good pair of sturdy over the ankle boots*Winter clothing for winter, summer clothing for summer*If it's wet bring some waterproofs*Remember tough, warm, waterproof, roomy and bright

When you do the Cardington Assesment (the place where you have to demonstrate you're good enough to teach CBT's) you have to teach and demonstrate all of these points or you won't get or keep your card. All schools are assessed by the DSA every 2-3 years. If you fail Cardington you have your card taken away and you have to be re-assessed. You won't be able to teach CBT's until you pass again. Bearing in mind training schools are teaching individuals who will then go on to ride on the road alone, they should be making sure students are training with the correct gear. Clearly Pinewood are letting their standards slip here. Put another way if it were my son/daughter I would be most annoyed if I saw them about in jeans/trainers. Sadly, most young scooter riders wear this gear.