Kickstart Rider Training
Motorcycle Instruction in London
Greenheath Business Centre
Three Colts Lane
LONDON
Greater London
E2 6JB
Contact Numbers
Fax: 020 761...
Reviews
Excellent instructors
Myself and a friend booked a CBT with Kick Start Riders recently, both of us having different experience levels at bike riding. We had two instructors between the four in the group which mean that different levels could be progressed independently. Our instructors were professional and at the same time relaxed and easy going. It made the CBT both fun and interesting for us. Moving on I intend to use the same company for training before my full license test. Being learner bikes they did have a few scratches and scrapes on them but they performed well. I have no hesitation in recommending Kick start riders. And also they gave us a free neck warmer which doubles as a bandana
Sean Magner - 14/11/2010 | report this review
Kickstart - Some nice people but a very poor school - look elsewhere
Summary I took two full tests with Kickstart and failed both. The owners are nice enough but the instructors are hit or miss (some should be in another profession) and the bikes provided are awful - this DOES make a difference to the new rider. Kickstart currently lack professionalism, avoid them - try Aspen Rider Training instead. DETAIL I spend a total of six days with Kickstart with three different instructors. I had previously only ridden scooters on holiday so took on the full DAS course before my first big bike test. The owners are nice people but this is a very poor school. Professionalism - Every day, the owners would be the last to arrive (and mostly late), leaving students and contracted instructors outside in the cold. After their arrival, it would take 60-90 minutes to prep the bikes and kit, drink their coffees and then get on the road. For the student, this could be time spent on the bikes learning. Instructors - I had two instructors during my DAS, and another excellent one for the day I booked in for my second test. I didn't realise at the time, (not until after going to another school - Aspen Rider Training) but the two initial instructors were not up to the job. One was diabolical, losing his temper continually and swearing at one of the students who was having problems - little could be learned and it was an unpleasant time for all. The other was mediocre. The last instructor was excellent, but only works at Kickstart intermittently. Instructor/Student ratio - was 4:1 for much of the time, 2:1 for the rest. 4:1 is not effective and Kickstart know it (instructors said so) but the bulk of my time was spent with too many other students. This meant that although I felt I needed little coaching, just time on the bike, I actually received zero coaching because two of the other student riders were having such problems. Bikes - old bikes ride like old bikes. The new rider doesn't know, and neither did I until I went to another school and then got my own bike; but old bikes feel loose and lack precision. This is important because most new riders need to work at slow speed control, at low speeds old bikes feel mushy and control is harder. Guess what - this means more failures for basics such as U-turns in the road. And results in imprecise slow speed manouevring - I learned later that some examiners look at slow speed control and if they see any weakness, make a pass/fail judgement just on this. As I said, I didn't realise how important the condition of the bikes is and Kickstart played this down when I asked. But the difference when I stepped onto the other school's bike was amazing! Everything could come together and confidence was right there. A good rider can control any bike and pass the test, but why put yourself in that position - the bike should assist you or at least not put obstacles in the way of a pass. Conclusion - pretty obvious for me really. Avoid Kickstart and try someone else. I passed with Aspen Rider Training. Other detail: I am male, thirties, experienced car driver with a clean licence. I've rallied and raced cars and took a diligent approach to learning to ride with Kickstart and Aspen. I passed my car test first time at 18 with no faults. I failed my first bike test with Kickstart with two faults. Failed my second with multiple faults (Because of unreliable bikes, Kickstart swapped my bike on the day of the test. I know another student was sent out on a bike with a dodgy starter motor- every time he stalled he would have to do a push start!!! Appalling for his nerves and confidence). Changed to Aspen Rider Training, spent two days with them and passed the test with no faults. I have no connection with Aspen and no grudge against Kickstart - but do feel a responsibility to let others know of my experience: Learning to ride in the UK is an expensive business. Better to do it right first time.
a a - 04/05/2008 | report this review
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