CBT Element 'A' the introduction

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CBT Compulsory Basic Training
Element 'A' the introduction

Once everyone is comfortable and the licence's have been checked the course will begin
We will start by giving you a brief talk on when and why the CBT was introduced and the effect it had on reducing accidents for new and young riders.

However, before the CBT course can start you will be given an eyesight test.
You must be able to read a number plate

In good daylight
Containing letters and figures 79.4 mm ( 3.1 in. ) high
At a distance of 20.5 metres (about 67 feet)
With the aid of glasses or contact lenses if you normally wear them

We will explain the need for protective clothing and equipment, making the following points

Equipment & Clothing

Motorcycle clothing is designed to protect its wearer from impact, abrasion and the weather; it's important to buy the very best protection you can afford. (This need not be new)

For a training course at Shires you can hire helmet, gloves. jacket, water-proof clothing and boots.

Motorcycle Helmets

There are several different styles of motorcycle helmet to choose from but whichever style you decide to buy you must make sure that the helmet is an approved motorcycle safety helmet.

Any helmet you buy in the UK for use on the road must be an approved motorcycle safety helmet.

You can verify this by looking for the "EC" mark on a sticker on the back of the helmet and for the capital "E" in a circle on the strap. There must also be a capital "E" in a circle on the visor if one is fitted; this shows that the visor is approved. You may find the BSI Kite mark on older helmets instead of the EC mark. These helmets are also approved motorcycle safety helmets and legal to use on roads in the UK.

In the UK everyone must wear an approved motorcycle safety helmet while riding a motorcycle except those who wear a turban as part of their religion, usually the Sikh religion.

Styles of Helmet

There are three basic styles of helmet

Full Faced Helmets		A full face helmet, as the name suggests covers the wearer's face and provides some protection to the face and chin as well as the skull. It also provides a measure of protection from the weather. Full face helmets are generally fitted with visors. These are the most popular style of helmet and are used by most riders.

Open Face Helmet		Open face helmets protect the skull, provide limited protection to the face and leave the chin exposed. most come without visors so wether protection is minimal, They are popular with off-road riders because of the extra visibility they offer and with big city commuters due to the visibility and light weight. They provide limited protection from the weather.

Flip up or "System" Helmet		These are a full face helmet with a hinged section that lifts to show the face of the wearer. When closed they provide some protection to the face and chin as well as the skull. They also provides a measure of protection from the weather. Flip up helmets are generally fitted with visors. Flip up or "System" helmets ("System" because one of the first Flip up helmets was the BMW System helmet) are popular with riders who must deal with members of the public as part of their job and with those riders who enjoy the convenience of an Open Face helmet combined with the extra safety of the Full Face helmet.

Visors
A visor is not a legal requirement but, if it is fitted, it must be of an approved type and be suitable for the helmet to which it is fitted. Tinted visors are for daytime use only and are marked as such. Any visor sold in the UK must be legal for use on the road.

Goggles
Goggles are not a legal requirement but, if it it fitted to the helmet (by a prestud at the back of the helmet for example), it must be of an approved type and be suitable for the helmet to which it is fitted.
Both visors and goggles tend to mist up when riding in cold or damp weather and there are various products available which help to control this. When using a visor the Fog City and Pinlock visor inserts are both effective in controlling condensation on the inside of a visor.

Choosing a Helmet

Take particular care when choosing a motorcycle helmet. It's no coincidence that the helmet
is one of the legal requirements when riding a motorbike.

Make sure that the helmet fits properly, ask for advice when you buy it; good dealerships will always take the time to make sure that the helmet you buy is suitable for the type of riding you do and fits you properly. It is important that the helmet fits; too loose and it may come off during an accident and completely fail to protect you. Too tight and the discomfort (the pain, actually) will soon be the complete focus of your attention, rather than the road.

Fastenings

There are several types of fastening and new types seem to be frequently introduced.
There are, however, a few basic types.

Double D Ring
Seat Belt
Bar and Buckle
Rachet

The simplest, and most reliable of fastenings, is the Double D Ring. Choose a fastening you're comfortable with; there should be room to slide two (one, comfortably) un-gloved fingers between you and the strap when it is fastened.