125 Courses
"Whether you are looking to pass your test or improve your riding, a racing circuit is the place to learn!" (Bike Magazine 2009)
Mallory Park provides a safe, controlled environment, where you can learn how to handle a big bike, before continuing your training on public roads. Quality training, backed by Honda, Suzuki and Yamaha bikes ranging from 500 - 1250cc, give you the confidence to pass your Direct Access bike test all in one week. All our courses include bike hire, track time, 2:1 instruction on road, clothing, helmets and on bike video analysis.
Look on our Direct Access page for full details.
Book your course online with a £50 deposit or call us on 01455 840645 .
Choose which days are appropriate for you to build your course from 3 days - 5 days.
3 Day (Mon, Tues , Wed or Thurs) (Experienced riders only)
3 Day Flexible (Mon, Tues, - Friday with Thurs optional)
4 Day (Monday - Thursday) (Little or no experience)
4 Day Flexible ( Monday - Friday with Thurs optional)
5 Day (Monday- Friday) (No experience)
5 Day Flexible (2 x Monday +Tuesday - Friday)
Before booking your motorcycle training course you should be aware of the three main reasons most bikers get into trouble.
Inability to corner correctly.
Poor slow control - especially at junctions.
Lack of ability to brake in corners between 40-70mph.
Circuit Based Training will help you understand and master these vital areas of riding a motorcycle. Based at Mallory Park Racing Circuit we have one of the largest, most versatile and best equipped training facilities in the UK. We offer our clients bespoke, flexible training packages that suit every individual.The emphasis is on having fun while learning to ride, but more importantly, making sure we produce good riders rather than just passing a test.
Everybody appreciates that you need room and time to practice, BEFORE embarking onto public roads, with this in mind, look at the training day content below and truly tailor make your own course. Remember, you can always call us for truthful advice based on your relevant experience.
MONDAY 9.30am - 4.30pm Track Time or CBT or a combination of both
Official CBT day incorporating all the legal elements of compulsory basic training.
One of the most important aspects of riding a motorcycle is confidence, so we're also on track, learning to handle big bikes (500-1,250cc, we don't stick you on a 125) at serious speeds. So if you want to pass your test on an R1 or a Bandit 1250GT you can. Cornering is fully explained in the classroom incorporating counter steering techniques to accurately put the bike exactly where you want it.
Emergency braking at up to 70mph, followed by the same exercise halfway round a bend. Let us prove to you that you can perform emergency stops at 70mph while you're banked over and still hold your intended line! Understand how ABS braking will help in an emergency. By the end of the day you'll be grinning at how much fun you've had and how much you have achieved on the racetrack, in comparison to the school playgrounds and public car park offered elsewhere. Module 1 test simulation may be introduced towards the end of the day.
TUESDAY 9.30am - 4.30pm OAS, Optional Advanced Skills (Not part of CBT)
A large element of mod 1 is concerned with slow steering, balance and control , this is where many people have the most difficulty. It's not the glamorous, fun side of riding a bike, but you need to master it. Road junctions require exactly the same qualities. Numerous drills and exercises together with unlimited practice time and space ensure that your slow riding is accurate and assured. Module 1 test simulation is continued at this stage. Practice each element thoroughly to ensure your test pass. Use a dedicated training bike (we don't mind if you drop it) to practice on, then switch to your shiny new 650 or 1250 to continue with confidence.
WEDNESDAY 9.30am- 4.30pm CBT Road ride/Test centre Mod 1 Practice + Mock tests
A mileage day out on public roads. Several hours on a variety of test routes with varying degrees of difficulty and speed. Finishing off the CBT road ride (Minimum 2hours) followed by a visit to your DSA test centre for Mod 1 practice on the actual test centre site with speed measuring to record avoidance and emergency stop procedures when available. This familiarity reduces stress on test day and builds confidence for everyone.
THURSDAY 8am-4.30pm Road ride, Module 1 and Module 2test
Test day for those who are confident and ready. Candidates who require an extra training day to polish and refine their technique do so today. Experience has taught us that time on the bike is essential to building confidence and boosting understanding. We want our clients not only to pass the test but to have all the skills required to enjoy riding their bikes for years to come.
FRIDAY 8am - Onwards. Road ride, Module 1 and Module 2 test
Extra time on the road to polish and prepare, invaluable for everyone. Test day for all with the option to take both Module 1 and module 2 tests on the same day with the same examiner. We don't see any point in taking module 1 on it's own and then taking module 2 on a separate day. It's just prolonging the agony, increasing training costs to you as well as taking more time off work. With our training schedule you'll be ready for both on the same day.
Book your course online or call 01455 840645
To book your motorcycle theory test call 03002001122 or visit dsa.gov.uk
For established riders we can improve your cornering with one of our advanced cornering courses at Silverstone Circuit or Mallory Park. We also run a variety of other courses throughout the year from advanced road training to knee down courses. So whatever stage of riding you're at, there is something for everyone on two wheels.
For those who are travelling, a choice of accomodation is available near to the circuit.
Oaks Lodge Guest House , LE9 7QE
www.oakslodge.co.uk
01455 848125 / 07860358495
Kirkby House , LE9 7QE
www.kirkby-house.com
01455 841153
Royal Arms Hotel , CV13 OAG
www.royalarms.co.uk
01455 290263
VOUCHERS are available all year round covering all courses, to book call 01455 840645
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Just a quick email from me after completing the Direct Access Course with yourself. Dave and Phil this week. I'll write a recommendation below for you to use on the website, if you wish, and below that some observations and feedback about the course.
CBT's Direct Access course was something I've been wanting to try for quite a while. Yes, it's an investment of time which is often difficult to carve out, but I decided that I had procrastinated enough and just blocked the dates in the calendar and booked the course with Sean.
Firstly, being located in the paddock of the Mallory Park gives both CBT and its course participants a unique advantage - access to a glass-smooth, confidence-inspiring environment in which to learn how to control and enjoy a motorcycle. As a novice. you can either make your normal mistakes like running well wide on a busy public road, heading straight for a wall (or an HGV!) or you can make them with only a wide grass verge to worry about. I know which I would choose.
Secondly, the theoretical instruction provided both during the course and in Sean's book, was invaluable. You want to turn left on your motorbike you just turn the handlebars left, right? Wrong. The principles of countersteering were well explained, demonstrated and honed on the track. This made all the difference in the world when riding with traffic on public roads.
The 4-day course was a big investment of time and money but it was worth every penny. Your health, safety and enjoyment of motorcycling is worth far more than you'll spend on an excellent CBT course.
Day 1 - the time on the track was really great and helped to instill confidence in me as a novice rider.
Road Rides: When we were on the road, using the radios, I think that this is a great opportunity to give almost constant commentary and feedback about what we should be looking at, feeling with the bike, techniques etc. Often the radio communication was great and also reassuring for brand new riders. We only had limited time with you guys and I wanted to absorb as much as possible from you.
I really enjoyed the program and I leave feeling confident in the essential skills that you have taught me. Thanks, and I'll definitely be back for some more training, perhaps this time next year.
Best,
Greg Clark 18.05.2012
I thought I will send you a quick email to thank you both for helping me to pass my motorcycle driving licence test.
It wasn't the first time when I tried to got into biking. In fact this was the third attempt for me to obtain a driving licence - I failed previously twice on the swerve manoeuvre. I was dreading this part of MOD 1! The previous schools I trained with in London did not have facilities to safely teach me how to do it properly. I am now wondering if they even had the know-how - no one mentioned to me counter-steering, using vanishing point to asses the turn etc. In one of the London Schools - we were practising swerve on an open road! Ridiculous and very dangerous idea. The other day we tried to practice it on a bus loop but were soon chased out from there. We could only swerve to the right - left was too dangerous because we would be swerving towards the curb; actually to me, not knowing much about it, swerving to the opposite lane of traffic was even more dangerous. After failing the same part of MOD1 twice and not being able to properly practice it, I've decided that enough is enough and I will not be wasting any more time and money on schools that don't even have facilities to train me in a safe way.
Luckily I have found your school. Be able to practice on a racetrack, feel the speed, learn all the manoeuvres before heading to open roads - what a great idea! Sounds obvious to me now. This should be the only way to learn how to ride a motorbike. For the first time I had an opportunity to practice counter-steering, to feel how that helps in bends, when using it. On a first day - we have all learned how to safely brake in the corner, while doing over 60mph! Before I didn't even know it is possible! Each day we could practice the elements that we felt we needed to work on, in our own pace. Area to practice MOD1 was laid out and ready for us to use when we wanted. I must have done, the previously dreaded swerve, hundreds of times - also in heavy rain, with speeds greatly exceeding required 31.2mph. The result? I have passed MOD1 on a day when it was raining and snowing! Guess what? After having such great instructors and so much time to practice, it was a piece of cake! Even though the roads were slippery. I have done emergency braking and swerve at required speeds on my first attempt - my intention was to try to use the first run as a practice and than speed up to required level, but even doing the exercises in the wet, at my "slow/practice" pace,was fast enough. MOD2 was equally easy - I have not been marked for even a minor riding fault! Quite a result for someone who previously failed twice! It's in large extent thanks to both of you and great training I received from you.
Looking back in time - I am glad that I have failed previously - because of that I had a chance to learn the basics right, from you, before starting to ride a motorbike. Because of that I am a much safer rider. At the same time, I know how much more there is still to learn. I will be back for advance cornering soon!
Advice to all people planning to get a motorbike licence soon or to those that feel like they might use some extra tuition: don't waste time and money on schools that don't teach you what they should do - how to be a safe and fast rider and have fun on motorcycle - this is exactly what you can learn from these guys! Highly recommended!
Thank you both once again. It's been great fun to learn from you. See you soon!
All the best,
Andrzej
P.S. Feel free to use any/all parts of this email on your website. I will be happy if it helps to convince anyone to use your school.
P.S.2. I attach mod1 and mod2 test report.
I wanted to drop you a line to thank you for getting me through my direct access course even though I tried hard to fail it by dropping the bike in front of an examiner - thankfully not during the test.
I had previously completed my CBT on a 125 and done some training on 500cc bikes with a local school in Bristol but failed my Mod 1 and just did not feel confident in my riding. The training had been very regimented with nothing that made me smile. Having seen reference to Mallory Park through the Triumph website & heard it mentioned on Top Gear, I found your site which said that you offered something different. How very true.
I arrived on Monday morning and shortly after a large mug of coffee, I was going round the track one handed counter-steering, a new concept for me. Being encouraged to ride standing up or kneeling on the seat and doing emergency stops on bends at 50+ mph all boosted my confidence levels & just as importantly, bought a smile to my face. By the end of day 1 I was completing all of the Mod 1 elements with ease even when the distance between the cones was less than that in the actual test.
Riding out on the roads around Leicestershire enabled me to put the previous days training into practice starting a little hesitantly but taking great pleasure in getting the right speed into the corners and coming out fast with a huge grin on my face.
I was very nervous during my test represented by the number of recorded faults by the examiner but I still passed. On my way home from Mallory Park I popped into a bike shop, did a 2 hour test ride, then purchased the bike I have been waiting 6 months to buy.
As said in other reviews the course time was spent around creating a safe and skilled rider rather than how to pass the test. I really enjoyed the course and learnt skills that I would not have picked up on my own. So a huge thank you and I hope to see you at Mallory Park again in the near future
All the best
Paul Collis
Many thanks for the training I received. You guys should be very proud of what you run at Mallory. Anyway my review is below and will be in touch very soon to get myself on your other courses.
Here is my review of the 4 day direct access.
My course started when calling CBT ltd to book my course, I was talked through their learning programme and then advised which course would match my bike/ road experience.
For people who do not know me, I have been driving since 2005 and the morning of the 13/02/2012 I had never ridden a geared bike.
My morning started with a nice hot cup of tea followed by a quick classroom session to give you an understanding of what you will be taught over the next few days.
In no time at all I was standing on track with two 600cc bikes.
I spent the next few hours learning techniques which will save my life one day. I was completely shocked when I was told that other companies do not and will not try to teach you these techniques. The classroom sections really link in with the track sessions and everything seems to link in seamlessly.
By the end of the first day I was riding around the local roads of Mallory which gave me a chance to put some of my new skills to use on public roads. Everything you learn at Mallory makes sense on track and on the road it makes MORE sense, it gives you more time at junctions so you are able to relax and just make you a safer rider.
All through the course I felt relaxed and CBT ltd is run very very well. I can not rate these guys enough. I haven't shut up about you guys to my friends and family and would say if you are thinking or about to book your bike training......Make sure its with CBT ltd it will make you a safer more relaxed biker with a bigger understanding of what is going on around you and if the worst should happen how to get your ass out of a situation quickly and safely.
CBT ltd even take the worries and hassel out of booking your test, when you are trying to learn a new skill such as riding and passing the test the last thing you want is having to make sure if you get your test booked in the correct centre, making sure your on time and making sure there are no mess up's with the DSA booking system. I turned up for my Mod 1 on Friday and got talking to another guy taking his test (or what he thought) there was a complication with his booking meaning he had to return the following week.
My test time was given to me half way through the week and all I had to do was book my course with CBT ltd.
In short :-
Monday morning - I had never been on a geared bike.
Friday 1pm - I had passed my Mod 1 and Mod 2.
A massive thanks to everyone at CBT ltd
When I decided to take this course with you, I wanted to learn how to ride a bike, not just how to pass the test. Thanks to your help, I definitely feel like I have achieved this.
I was not the most confident rider when I started, but spending time on the track and learning to handle bigger bikes really helped with this. I loved the fact that the course was so flexible: I felt able to learn at my own pace.
Passing the test was the best feeling in the world. My face still hurts from grinning so much!
Thanks again for everything; I will definitely be back for the advanced cornering course next year!
Jane
I am now back in Dubai – have not managed to buy a bike yet, but I am certainly on the look-out.
I just wanted to write a note to say thank you for all of your support and guidance, not just in getting me to a point where I could pass the test, but going beyond that to teach me how to actually ride a bike safely and properly – this was exactly what I was looking for.
I have been well aware of the potential dangers involved in riding a bike from the beginning, and learning things like countersteering and emergency stopping on a bend have made me feel a lot more comfortable and prepared to reduce the level of danger as much as I can.
In fact I think it was the fact that we had practiced emergency stopping on a bend that saved me getting into an accident when that moronic driver in the BMW didn’t look and came out flying onto the roundabout nearly taking me out.
Serious stuff aside, I had a great week and really enjoyed it. Learning on the track for the first couple of days was not only fun, but allowed us to learn the physical aspects of riding a bike and cornering at speed etc before getting out in front of traffic.
I will take the cornering course when I return to the UK to live (hopefully in about 18 months), and look forward to a bit more banter in the process!
Hope you are both well!
James
Anyway i had some lessons, and went in for my Mod 1 test. During my emergency stop, i panicked and grabbed my brakes which lead to a bad fall, smashing my shoulder and arm, so bad i was told there was a chance i could lose my arm. They managed to save my arm (well it looks ok) but 18 months later and after two major ops, i only have 30% use of it.
Mad as it may seem, i still wanted my bike licence.
This time i did my home work, i found CBT at Mallory Park, i read all the reviews about them and phoned them more than once to ask questions, then arranged a course.
My biggest worry (and i had lots) was lack of confidence, i needed to get it back.
WOW, these guys were just what i needed. They taught me more in my first day, then i'd learnt from the beginning of my biker days.
CBT only have a small group of 4 to 5 people, compared to my first school who had double. Everyone get the same tuition, and if you grasp it straight away, fab, go and practice, if not then they stay with you till you do. And if your a thicko like me, and dont understand, they show you another way to do it. Simple.
They encourage you to try all the different bikes they have, they never push you, its all about going at your own pace, and feeling comfortable and safe.
The classroom stuff, was so helpful too, showing you road positioning and so on. No question is too daft for them, they have heard it a million times over.
The first school i went too,told me i "not to use my rear brake i didnt need it",( i thought well why is there?But they know more than me, so i believed them). Dave instructed me on when and how to use it, and guess what? It really works.
Clutch control is something the first school gave me two minutes on, then it was left up to me to find out how it worked. Dave finally made it make sense, and its a lot easier when you understand how it works and why.
Counter Steering, the first school told me it was for experienced riders. Not So if you want to get round a bend safe, then you need to know how to do it, and guess what?. It works.
Emergency stops and the swerve test, were set up on the track, this was hard one for me, but Dave made it so easy. He told me to go at my own pace and practice, i could build up my speed later. And guess what, it works.
The first bike school told me, " we dont teach you to ride, we teach you to pass a test".Well maybe if they had taught me to ride, i would still have a arm that works 100%.
Sean and Dave taught me to control and ride my bike safely and with confidence, there was never any pressure just encouragement These guys have the facilities the knowledge, the patience but most of all, they have passion, and if you get to meet them, you will know what i mean by the passion.
Dont make the mistake i made, thinking every bike school is the the same, there is good and bad out there, find out all you can about the school, read the reviews people write. Im not the type of person to write a review i usually cant be bothered, but i think this is important, even if you decide not to go here, please be careful, i was lucky my accident could have been a lot worse. If your going to do it, go with the best and these guys are THE VERY BEST.
Sean and Dave i can never thank you enough. Its wasnt easy but you got me there. Ive been out everyday on my 650 Bandit and bloody love it. Will send you some pics soon. Im coming back for the cornering course in a few months and some of the guys i ride with are coming too. I will recommend you to everyone, because you are the very best. Lots of love to you both Catt xxxxxxxxxxx
Wow, what a week it has been. I started the week with a worthless CBT certificate from another training school and with your help and the superb training of your instructors I managed to pass the first hurdles of becoming a Biker.
The training was paced brilliantly and the flexibility to mix MOD 2 road riding with free MOD 1 practice was instrumental in my success. Combined with the ability to train on-circuit made the often dreaded high speed manoeuvres incredibly easy.
The whole experience has been fun and entertaining without detracting from the seriousness of risk involved with biking, I have already and will continue to recommend your services to anyone and everyone that is looking to take their bike test as I do not believe they could find anywhere better! Its been a long time since I got such value for my money.
Thanks again and I cant wait to see you again on the advanced cornering course as soon as time and money permits.
See you soon,
Gary
On 25 June 2010 12:55
To steer a bike around a left-hand corner, you turn the bars to the right?
The crucial difference between power and drive?
How weight transfer affects braking?
How to use the vanishing-point to tell exactly how fast to take a bend?
No? Neither did I! Yet after a 4-day DAS course at Circuit based Training not only have I learned this and much more besides, I’m also the proud owner of a full bike licence after passing Module 1 and Module 2 at the first attempt.
My week started focusing on slow speed control after an informative classroom session. Mastering the clutch underpins all other areas of riding, and it is fair to say initially I was rubbish! Day 2 saw us move onto the racetrack for circuit-based work both at high-speed and in preparation for Module 1. Day 3 continually revisited slow riding and once we were all happy with our ability we ventured out onto the roads where the tuition continued via radio towards CBT and Module 2. Throughout the week we had the chance to try riding many different motorbikes and there was a huge range of gear to borrow if we needed it.
From the very beginning, the focus was very much on developing a thorough understanding of machine control and riding safely. What some would call ‘advanced’ techniques (or ‘essential’ in my book!) were introduced right from the off and we soon became familiar with counter-steering, contact patches, weight-transfer, lean angles, entry apex and exit points on corners, and a whole host of other concepts that I know from speaking to mates simply aren’t touched upon on other courses. There’s no doubt biking is hugely dangerous, and Circuit Based Training’s ethos is summed up perfectly in the well-used phrase ‘Mortality-rate not Pass-rate’.
The use of Mallory Park race circuit should be reason alone to choose to train with Circuit Based Training. I struggle to imagine how it would be possible to properly develop skills without it. A ‘road’ to practice on without traffic, street lamps, kerbs and articulated lorries allowed us to build confidence and practice higher-speed riding while being able to focus solely on our bike control. Swerve-manoeuvres and emergency stops were all practiced at speeds that simply wouldn’t be possible to achieve safely on the road, and by comparison make the test feel easy. We were also instructed on areas like taking the correct line through bends and proper entry and exit speeds – things which do not necessarily feature in the test, but are of massive value for the rest of your biking life!
I hugely begrudge swelling the heads of our instructors, but it has to be said that they were both simply fantastic! Between them they have decades (and decades..) of riding and racing experience, have influential involvement in the biking community and with numerous biking organisations, and contribute to biking publications such as Ride and Bike magazine. Much of what I have written so far may sound slightly serious and staid, but in reality the course is an absolute hoot! Dave and Sean have a clear love of biking and a huge passion for the enjoyment of riding. They are genuinely top blokes and ensure that the laughter and mickey-taking is never far away. They are sensitive (despite the language used!) to the subtle needs of different riders and constantly adapt the course to the fit the individual. At no point did we feel we were being left behind and the emphasis was clearly placed on practicing an aspect of riding until we were happy with our progress. Sincere thanks to you both.
I’m convinced that there is no better start to motorcycling. There are cheaper courses available of that there is no doubt and if you really want to save a couple of hundred quid in order to blunder around a pub car park for half a day before heading down the road then don’t let me stop you! If however you feel that there is only one chance to get the basics right and want to experience an exhausting, eye-opening, satisfying and fun week learning to master motorcycling - I cannot recommend Circuit Based Training more thoroughly.
Dan Genders
Feb 2010
I just want to thank you both (especially Dave) for the training I received this week.
It’s a testament to the quality of the training and facilities at Mallory Park that after 23 years since I last rode a motorbike I confidently passed my test after three and a half days training. The self-assurance gained from being taught to ride on the track with high speed cornering and emergency stops cannot be underestimated.
Dave’s down to earth manner and instructions on the track and classroom made everything make perfect sense when we moved onto the road. We had a lot of poor weather (snow, ice, fog and rain) but Dave was happy to switch start and finish times to ensure I got maximum benefit from every day.
I will definitely be back for the advanced cornering course when in the summer and look forward to seeing you both then.
Many Thanks
Pat
Patrick Chard
Murrays the Printers Ltd
T: 01908 326561
F: 01908 326567
www.murrays-printers.co.uk
Just thought I'd drop you a quick line to say a huge thank you to Dave, Pete and yourself, for getting me through my Direct Access course last week. I can honestly say that it really was worth every penny.... not necessarily something that you get to say a lot these days!
I had looked at several places for doing my Direct Access course and am hugely glad that I chose to train with you guys. It was clear from the beginning of Day 1 that you are not just about getting people through their test, you are clearly above all committed to producing a rider who is safe. I was immensely impressed with your safety ethos throughout the course, and the facilities that you have for learning to ride help in no small way with this.
I still struggle to imagine how a 'normal' school would be able to teach you to ride in such a safe manner. All the other schools I looked at seemed to take initial training in either school tennis courts or car parks. Quite how you are supposed to get up to any meaningful speed or practice cornering before going out on the road when stuck in the confines of such a small area I'll never know. With you guys though, none of this was ever going to be a problem. The vast paddock training area that you have at Mallory is fantastic for the job of learning the basics and getting up to a reasonable speed. The gradients and differing surfaces available all mean that you get to experience these before ever venturing near a public road..... something I really wouldn't have felt comfortable with if I'd only been riding round school tennis courts.
The track time was also absolutely invaluable before venturing out on the road. The fact that you teach emergency stops from realistic 60 to 70 mph speeds, and make sure that we are able to get a big bike round a corner properly using counter-steering is I believe a massive boost to safety. I really cannot fathom how a school can in good conscience let you out on the road on a big bike without having taught these skills, to my mind it's just not safe. I very quickly realised that counter-steering isn't an 'advanced' subject, it's an absolute necessity from Day 1 when doing much over 30mph on anything much bigger than a push bike!
The fact that we were able to ride with different instructors was also hugely beneficial. Yourself, Dave and Pete all have slightly different styles which provided us with access to more years of knowledge and experience than one rider could hope to get in a lifetime. I'd also like to say thanks for the patience that you all showed during the course, each taking time to explain the finer points of riding technique, and make sure that we were completely happy with what we were doing before moving on. You didn't even take the piss too much when I was hunting round for where I'd put my helmet, only to have Dave point out that it was on my head already. I honestly thought he was going to have a hernia he was laughing so much!.... who'd have known a helmet could be so comfortable that you'd forget you had it on (....it was a long day!!).
I have to admit to being a little nervous before I started the course, but you guys ensured that quickly passed as the course progressed. When it came time to move out onto the public roads, thanks to the skills you'd instilled in us, I was able to do so confident in my ability to control the bike properly and safely. I still can't quite believe that I turned up on the Monday having never ridden a motorbike and then confidently passed my test on the Thursday, just 4 days later. I'll definitely be back for the advanced cornering course! In the mean time, be assured, if I find anyone who is looking to learn to ride I will certainly be pointing them in your direction.
Once again many thanks for such a great course.
Best wishes, and safe riding,