I'm rather disappointed

......in the Motorcycle Maintenace Course I'm doing.


I thought I'd best give it a proper go before I started moaning, so after three sessions and I'm still none the wiser, here goes my rant.

When I registered I was told the course was suitable, for complete beginners, which I assumed meant the likes of me. On the first session, we were given sheets of paper with names of bike parts and asked to identify them on the bike. Now had I been asked to point out the wheels, handle bars, clutch lever, horn, headlight (get my drift?) then I'd have been fine, but I was expected to know stuff like CDI (???) starter relay, carburettor, HT coils (???) bushes (????) etc etc etc. There's 12 of us in the group ( and there's no order at all to the session, so everyone's clamouring for the tutor's attention) and one tutor and he just goes around checking that we've managed to find these parts and gives a quick explanation of its function.

Second session, was a pre ride check. Once again, we were given a sheet of paper with a checklist and told to get on with it.
This is all explained in my Haynes Manual but what I needed is to be SHOWN how to do it. Even when I do get the tutor's attention, its only for a couple of minutes before someone else calls for him. So I came away from that session, knowing no more than I did at the start.

This week we had to change sparg plugs and torque settings. We had to identify various torque settings (using the manuals) and get on with. We were shown where the tools were kept and so were expected to get the torque adjuster thingy and use it!! I didn't even bother with that.
We weren't shown HOW to take out the spark plug, but I had some idea (from watching Chris when he worked on my bike a couple of weeks ago), so I kinda knew how.

I think I had far too high expectations for this course. To be honest, it's no different from just refering to the Haynes Manual. I was expecting to get some one-to-one training and be shown the absolute basics.
I actually learnt a whole lot more from working on my bike with Yorkie Chris a couple of weeks ago.

Next week, we'll be doing oil and filter change. Again, we'll probably just be expected to get on with it.BUT, I've done this with Chris so at least I'll know what I'm doing


Rant over

[TSM]

The spark plug socket usualy has a rubber washer in the middle that once you have unscrewed the sparkplug it will hold it onto the socket to take it out.

At least you are using someone elses bike, not yours.

how much is it costing? if you dont mind me asking?

a freind of mine did one & she was very plesed with it, she stripped her brakes & gave the bike a service in class

maybe it will get a bit better?

[Shellywoozle]

OMG that's terrible. Are you doing it at a local college? Have you paid? If yes I would complain, you could read a manual for free.

I would expect some tution too on a basic course. Sounds like there are too many people on the course first off if you can ony get a few minutes after bartering for his time.

Good on you though for going for the course, I would love to do something like that, may look into it when I have 2 arms.

i looked into a tiling course at the chase tiling academy in cannock http://www.chasetiling.co.uk/default.aspx and after applying i found out that a £500 course only taught me what i already knew? i needed to go on a £1500 course to start picking up things i did'nt know.

That is quite bad really. I'm quite lucky that im an engineer, all be it an aircraft engineer but the principals are all the same. I just taught myself using haynes, gen on here and a bit of common sense/guesswork.

Ive seen similar courses advertised but 3 different levels.
Basic (no basic engineering knowledge)
Intermediate (Some knowledge)
advanced. well you get the idea.

If it doesnt get any better i'd stay behind and have a chat.
Good luck though mate.

[northwind]

I'd be none too pleased with that either, if it's pitched for complete beginners they should be prepared to explain what a spark plug is, never mind where it lives and how to remove it. Personally I learned just by jumping in and doing stuff, on the assumption that I couldn't make my 125 any worse (it turned out I could, mind) but I'm glad I didn't have to do that with the SV.

The absolute best way to learn, if you ask me, is by doing but with an experienced person to assist- you can watch and learn tricky bits, repeat them, etc... Wish I'd had one of those to hand.

[jambo]

Originally Posted by northwind

The absolute best way to learn, if you ask me, is by doing but with an experienced person to assist- you can watch and learn tricky bits, repeat them, etc... Wish I'd had one of those to hand.

I have been very very lucky in this case. When I started working on my SR125 It took me (I'm deadly serious here) 5 minutes to find the oil filter. With the help of the haynes manual. By the time I joined the forum I could do an oil change on the bandit 600 and remove wheels and that was about it. I was determined to learn more about this but it being my only form of transport ballsing it up wasn't on the cards. I had a very helpful day with a mechanic and we did a major service on the bandit 600 together, I changed fork oil, wheel bearings and checked valve clearances.

I now do all my own servicing and would be very unlikley to trust many others to touch my bike with tools. This week I have mostly been servicing 2 ZX6Rs, including adusting valve clearances, re-building brakes and changing fork oil. I've only been able to do this due to very patient efforts from people like Sid Squid and Rictus who have been prepared to answer my questions and take dozy phone calls.

Find someone who knows what they're doing, bribe them with cash and beer, and have them go through stuff with you when it needs doing.

Jambo

i'm guesssing you don't want to waste the course entirely, so why don't you catch the tutor at the begining/end of the next session and say that you're really struggling and can they give you some extra help at the start of each task?

BTW girls can always get away with more on this front cos
a) we have no shame and will freely admit to being mechanical morons
b) all the guys like to help a girl in trouble and
c) we can do the big eye thing which guys can't

Originally Posted by Fizzy Fish

i'm guesssing you don't want to waste the course entirely, so why don't you catch the tutor at the begining/end of the next session and say that you're really struggling and can they give you some extra help at the start of each task?

BTW girls can always get away with more on this front cos
a) we have no shame and will freely admit to being mechanical morons
b) all the guys like to help a girl in trouble and
c) we can do the big eye thing which guys can't

d) you have boobies