never again! Word of warning

Hi all,

Just thought I might give you all who are embarking on the motorbike journey a word of warning (I do however realise it is your choise to go with whom you wish)...

I went to the company in question to learn to ride (Direct Access)...which I spent £610 for a four day course as they said that is all that I will require. (didnt actually realise that it is actually 3.5 days in total)...

Anyway, I have to say I have never in my life been talked to like he did! Telling me that “I might as well have shoved my left f**king hand up my f**king arse” all because I didnt do smooth gear changing (bearing in mind I had never ridden a bike before, I dont drive and I had only been on the bike for aprox 5 hours)...

He was more concerned about his bike and money than anything else...

I thought that the first day was doing the CBT?? Well I started my first day quite well, it took me about an hour to pick up how to get the bike moving (going round in circles). He put me down saying that I was slow...this day was one of the hottest on record for the time of that month...27 degrease outside! I was wearing my leathers while he stood leaning on the fence texting. I started at 09:00 and he didnt give me a break till we finished at 15:00! Yes, thats right I nearly collapsed I was so ill and thought I wouldnt make it home at one point!. I asked for a break which I got off the bike undid my jacket just so he could tell me how slow I was going (progress wise)...

The second day was swindon! I tell you I was so scared I had not really been on the road so, needless to say I was bricking it! Then he drops a bombshell when I was doing 60! to countersteer! So, I did and I nearly dropped a bomb myself! We got to Swindon and thats when he let rip at me swearing etc...I felt like I was so small...I nearly dropped the bike it was being balanced on my knee and my other leg was stuck. Any normal perosn would have helped me as the bike was being suspended in mid air with my legs (if I dropped it I would have had to pay for repair). He stood their and watched me for about 5 minutes! I just couldnt get it up right as the bike was twisted and so was my legs...I eventually got their but he just didnt help! Needless to say I am actually scared of him...

On Tuesday he even admitted that I wouldnt pass my test but didnt cancel them, I had my moduel one and two the same day so, if I failed my mod 1 I would have lost the money for mod 2...also he informed me that he thinks I wouldnt pass my DAS so said to do the ristricted one for two years...(I though because he decided this that I would have been given some money back but no it didnt happen).

I informed him (after a lot of thought as I was so scared and we knew I wouldnt pass as I wasnt confident enough (no wonder why)). He then informed me to fake an illness to try to get my test fees back! He said to get an emergency appointment with my doctor to get signed off sick then I can get my money back! Can you believe that he wanted to get me to commit fraud!

He then informed me of a Russian woman who was do her CBT but according to him she was not picking it up so, he asked her she will need another day (which would mean she would need to pay) she turned to him and said that you are only doing that for more money. He then informed me that he told her to go away and escourted her from his premises...

Obviously I was not going to inform him that I want money back because of the aggressiveness...I can honestly say being swore at and doing dangerous manovers is disgusting when I am new! surley the countersteering should be done at slow speeds to start with then build up...he knew I was Dyslexic and I told him to explain things but didnt...

I have lost money but I just want to be safe with another company!

Also he told me to ride the clutch (as in doing 30!) I had to ask him the 2nd day if this was right where he then changed his mind!

Has anyone had any bad experiences like this?

Like I said I do, understand some might have had good experiences with this company but mine has been the worst, I am still upset and scared to even see him again...

Word of warning to new riders please look around get information about the company before giving the go ahead! Also he told me that he found a buyer for my bike! what a nerve! I am not selling my new kawasaki ninja 250r (its only did 3 miles)!

I cant wait to eventually ride even if I am scared I am sure with the right instructor I will be fine!

Sorry for the negative post...and rant!

I cannot wait to meet with you all.... :D

Maz

Sounds like an awful experience! I recommend you get in touh with Able Training - mark and his guys are friends of the forums and are simply brilliant!

No experience of this company so can't comment.

Mark Able is the training company many of WB have used and recommend.

BB

Sounds appaling, I had a similar experience when I did my CBT, can't remember the company I used it was back in london but the instructor or was rude and unhelpful
I would whole heartedly recommend able training did my a2 licence recently, passed both mod 1 and mod 2 first time and they were brilliant. If you struggle with somthing they'll do everything they can to help you!
Good luck and I hope you pass your test soon :)

Thanks! I need to jump back onto the bike and I have date thats all booked and ready to re learn!

Cant wait I hate looking at my bike thinking its not being ridden! Then I shall be going to meetings on Wednesday! To meet u all :D

Plenty of them sort of people about ,hope you chinned the muppet,you dont pay £600 + TO BE INSULTED because thay fail to teach you correctly.Think i would put your experiance in a letter to the head office and report the muppet/s and demad compensation. :)

Sounds like the guy's a right cock. Having the right instructor makes the world of difference.

That it is one hell of a traumatic story.....its a wonder you're still riding.

Well done on keeping going

MARK ABLE and the guys from ABLE TRAINING are ace......I took 4 attempts at my Mod 1 and not once did they belittle me, make me feel stupid or rubbish.
They kept on persevering with me, encouraging me and above all believing in me....and I finally passed.
They are a fantastic bunch of guys who make riding a fun experience and I will always sing their praises 'cos they got me through.....and were as pleased as I was when I eventually got to take my L plates off.
GOOD LUCK and before you go anywhere else give Mark a ring and have a chat....he'll get you through !!!!

Sorry to hear about your experience - I have known Ernie for many years (I passed with him a few moons ago tho) I know he can be aggressive in the way he speaks but no need to make you feel this way. Personally that wasn't my way of instructing nor is it Marks @ Able training - Mark will vouch I will vet a instruction company before I recommend them and Mark is highly recommended.

Get booked with Mark and get the initial bad start behind you - you'll never look back!

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Originally Posted by Nooj

Sounds like the guy's a right cock. Having the right instructor makes the world of difference.

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Absolutely! The instructor should build your confidence, not erode it. Try and put it out of your mind and start again. Good luck!

Thanks all so much! It has knocked my confidence but ne'er mind I am sure I'll be picked up! I am hoping in a few mints I'll be posting a topic on I'VE PASSED lol!

Also would love o meet everyone which I am sire I will do eventually!
;) x

As said ^^^ get something in writing; you may well have a case with a small claims court. Gather all the marketing and paperwork, and try to put together a timeline of what happened and what was said to you.

Bear in mind that whoever was 'training' you may be reading this thread.

Don't let this put you off. I did my CBT in 95 and the bloke was pretty unpleasant, seemed to think all motorcyclists should wear bandanas when not riding and like guns-n-roses :-?

personally i find these 0-motorcyclist in 4 days slightly odd, but there are many folk who have got on well with them

GL

Sounds awful Maz! But everyone on here always says Able Training are good, and I did mine with Kickstart in Keynsham who were really friendly and confidence building, so there are good companies out there.

If you ever want someone to go for a gentle ride out with to build up some confidence then just ask - I've only just moved up from a 125 so I'm not a particularly fast rider ;D

Gezzz!!!!

that sounds like an horrible experience, what a $%@£%@£ of a guy!!!

Some guys get their kicks of speaking to females like that, they like to feel superior... geezzz!!!

If that had happen to my other half, believe me I would sort him out in no time and he would think twice before even thinking about training someone else again.

that description is just insane, never heard of anything that bad

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jpssantos

Gezzz!!!!

that sounds like an horrible experience, what a $%@£%@£ of a guy!!!

Some guys get their kicks of speaking to females like that, they like to feel superior... geezzz!!!

If that had happen to my other half, believe me I would sort him out in no time and he would think twice before even thinking about training someone else again.

that description is just insane, never heard of anything that bad

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if he spoke to my mrs like that he would need a specialist designed bike to ride again ;)

that is truley a awfull tale...................put it behind u ......everyone reccomends able training....i cannot reccomed him directly as i have no dealings with them......but 100's of WB's cant be wrong ;)

Geeezzz.... thats not good. :o There must be some mechanism to recover your money.

Have a chat with Able Training. Top guys, never heard any complaints.

Just had a look at their website. Wouldnt inspire me a lot. Just had a friend asking me about training so i think i'll tell her to avoid that one. Word of mouth is a very powerful thing.

Dont let it put you off Maz. Go do it!
:)

Thanks! I got on my bike last night just in our car park to park the bike and it felt good! Just want to take her out for a spin but want tO be confident am sure I will be fine and looking forward to learning the right way all over again x

Thanks for all the recommendations WB people. We'll do our very best to get Maz back on the right track. [smiley=thumbsup.gif]
Unfortunately, there are still some cocks in our business, as Stu will vouch for. I know Ernie, and although I'm reluctant to comment, I wouldn't train with him. I don't take kindly to be being belittled all the time... >:(

How do guys like that stay in business? People being too afraid to complain and get their money refunded? :(

Good luck with the rest of your training Maz; like a lot of others on here, I highly recommend Able Training ;)

Yep and I've not commented on who is goig to train me but I think we all know and what a difference already but talking brilliant! ;)

I sent my letter to the wrong address could someone give me te DSA address so I could resend it please?

I don't want to get it wrong again...

Got the address off the Internet but it came back to me... :-?

Thanks in advance

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mark_Able

Thanks for all the recommendations WB people. We'll do our very best to get Maz back on the right track. [smiley=thumbsup.gif]
Unfortunately, there are still some cocks in our business, as Stu will vouch for. I know Ernie, and although I'm reluctant to comment, I wouldn't train with him. I don't take kindly to be being belittled all the time... >:(

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That there is - and I gave Mark a right grilling before I'd recommend him even though others said he was good- but takes a bit more for another instructor to recommend someone as we look for something different. Big thumbs up he's not let anyone down!

When I trained with him I was a serving member of the armed forces and used to people barking orders but can see how it will put people off, frustrate, annoy or generally make the training awful

Same, I am actually used to drillings (childhood issues) but this was terrible and letting me struggle when the bike nearly dropped! I can cope with a lot of things but I nearly lost the bike goig 60! Because he done something that shouldn't have been done to an inexperienced rider or at least u do it slow moving...

I knew I should have packed another set of trousers that day ;D

I just want to get started again

X

I passed my test with Mark Able in March, I cannot recommend him enough, He'll build up your confidence Maz... you'll pass...go for it!!! :) :) :)
What an arrogant swine that Ernie bloke sounds like. :o :o>:(
Don't let him put you off Maz, there's no feelin' like 2 wheelin'!!!! :D :)

Toph - good little rhyming phrase at the end their!

well I need to pass (don't care how long it takes) my bike is sat doing nothing apart from looking pretty xx :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Maz

Toph - good little rhyming phrase at the end their!

well I need to pass (don't care how long it takes) my bike is sat doing nothing apart from looking pretty xx :D

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Get booked in with Mark asap - then you can use your pretty bike :D

:-[ Never noticed you were a lady til that last post - thought it was a bit of a camp statement for a bloke lol

Lol! That's good yep I an a lady well, last time I looked i was!

A small lady at 5ft 2! ;D