1st Gear Motorcycle Training Reviews 20

Big thank you to Steph, Dave and Jacko. Passed my A licence today with 4 day expert course. Really happy with the help and support. Dave had me very relaxed this morning for my test. Thanks to Steph for the MOD 1 practice tips too. Great team and great facilities. See you on the road.

Highly recommend. They took a 51yr old, absolute beginner, from CBT to full A licence in 6 weeks at first attempt!!! Thank you Jacko, Stefan and Dave for your instruction. 3 different styles of teaching but all hit home. Thank you Michelle for your attention to the booking of lessons and tests. A great experience all round!

I recently completed my A2 training with 1st Gear Motorcycle Training, and I couldn’t be more impressed. From start to finish, the team were absolutely brilliant – friendly, patient, and incredibly knowledgeable. Their teaching style made everything clear and easy to understand, and they offered great support throughout the entire experience.

The training grounds were excellent, giving plenty of space to practise safely and build confidence. The equipment provided was top-notch and well-maintained, which made the whole process even more enjoyable.

I would highly recommend 1st Gear Motorcycle Training to anyone thinking about starting their motorbike journey. The combination of expert instruction, supportive staff, and quality facilities made the experience exceptional.

A big thank you to the 1st gear team

In October, I completed my CBT and Mod 1 and Mod 2 training with First Gear, utilising their first-generation equipment. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the exceptional trainers, particularly Dave, who guided me through my CBT, and Jacko, who provided comprehensive training for my Mod 1 and Mod 2 assessments.

However, I acknowledge a significant error in my planning. I scheduled my Mod 1 and Mod 2 tests on the same day, despite having successfully cleared my Mod 1. Given the distinct nature of riding exams, it is advisable to allocate separate days for each assessment. Unfortunately, I was unable to clear my Mod 2 due to persistent mental barriers that required refinement or additional guidance from a different perspective.

To address this challenge, I opted to change my training school and utilised the services of Circa (Adam Omid & Russel). Through their expertise where psychological coaching was more important than riding skills, I was able to successfully complete my Mod 2 assessment.

It is important to clarify that I have no reservations about First Gear or their training methods. Their promptness and dedication were commendable. Additionally, their facility surpassed the DVLA testing centre in terms of comfort and amenities. The motorcycles were meticulously maintained and prepared for optimal performance.

I extend my best wishes to the entire team at First Gear and commend them on their ongoing efforts. Their commitment to excellence is truly commendable.

Just passed my MOD2 today and I couldn’t thank 1st gear enough. Dave and Jacko taught me everything I need to know to be safe on the roads. Couldn’t recommend this training centre enough, please book in when you can you won’t regret getting on a bike.

A fantastic experience. I started my training initially with another school and was not happy with the lack of consistency and poor facilities. With the knowledge of what else is out there, I can state with confidence that 1st Gear Motorcycle Training is in a different league and I couldn’t recommend it highly enough. The training centre is excellent, the instructors are great and made the whole process both educational and really enjoyable. If you want to ride bikes safely and pass your test 1st Gear Motorcycle Training is the place to go.

My review is based on having done my Module 1 training at two other schools previously. The basic fact is despite claims many schools just do not have adequate space and facilities to do justice to the Module 1 tests. 1st Geat have both the right sized facilities and good staff. Having failed my Module 1 on the avoidance/swerve I would have failed again was it not for 1st Gear and their facilities.

Everyone at first gear has been so lovely and helpful. From my hour lesson to get to know the gears last year to my cbt and then passing my mod 1 and the mod 2 today! The whole team really put you at ease and make you feel so welcome. They help you through the nerves and celebrate your successes with you. It's like your first little bike family. 100% would recommend for any part of your biking journey!

m nearly 72 but decided to take my CBT well you are never too old 1St Gear is the place . Firstly Andy thank you for giving me the confidence to take it after over 50 since I was on a bike. . Then the Amazing JACKO What a legend he is. Building your confidence stage by stage right through the whole day . JACKO can’t thank you enough but a HUGH THANK YOU. Also Paul good luck . Your Simple the best.

I came to 1st Gear with zero riding experience to do my CBT then a few weeks later a weeks intensive training for my MOD1 and MOD2. The Bikes supplied and instructors were instrumental in taking me from a novice to someone able to pass my MOD2 at the first attempt. A special shout to Michelle who organises everything and Andy and Stefan who helped me when I wanted a couple of 121 sessions before each of the tests as this definitely helped boost my confidence.
I loved the MT-03 and MT-07 bikes used for the training and they were well maintained and clean every time.

The guys at 1st gear are honestly the best , they make you feel like your part of there family, so helpful, friendly, and there training set up could not be any better , would recommend anyone to 1st gear

Thank you guy for everything you do for me

Facilities- excellent
Equipment- excellent
Key to the whole experience?
The instructors of course.
Andy, Stefan, Jacko, Jez, Dave all brilliant teachers and characters.
Michelle in the office is a superb front of house contact.
Not one element not to like.
I’m just a very happy customer - no other connection.

Amazing experience from start to finish - these guys are the best school in the area (and probably beyond). If you need to travel even a bit further to go to them, it will 100% be worth it. Supportive, encouraging and with the right amount of humour to make the whole thing a really fun experience. Outstanding.

Massive thanks to all the team at 1st Gear from day 1 instruction right through Mod 1 and Mod 2 tests, Andy and his expert crew of Dave, Jezz and Jacko helped me build the skills, confidence and practice time to pass 1st time. It’s the perfect set-up off-road to hone your bike-craft, and all the on-road stuff is actual test routes around farnborough, aldershot, ash vale and fleet. Well maintained and modern bikes, brilliant structure to the lessons and an impressive pass rate. I can’t thank you enough guys… and Michelle in the office planned it all perfectly. I’ll miss it!

A special team with a fantastic work ethic.

Right from the booking, Michelle was witty and very helpful. Being of an older generation, I wasn’t sure what training I needed or even if it was for me.

Michelle, was encouraging and knowledgeable, with her professionalism I was booked in and on my way.

Right from my CBT, the training team were absolutely amazing.

They all were passionate about their work and were really supportive.

I hadn’t ridden in over 40 years and they were all helpful in the way they pointed me.

I learned more on my CBT than I did in the 2 years riding experience on my own.

I couldn’t recommend 1st gear enough. I had a great time and a good laugh all with a pass at the end.

When a team !

A really great bunch of people that will do all they can to get you trained up.

They have a good space all set up for practice and a very confident, competent and knowledgeable set of trainers.

The course they run is forged from years of work and covers everything you will need. The admin is handled well so you know what you are doing and when. Top notch!

My only criticism would be the toilets. If they could improve them then it would be absolutely perfect!

The guys at 1st Gear Motorcycle Training are A****,really knowledgeable and assuring. Did my 5 day course for my A license, passed both MOD 1 and 2 first time and that's down to the brilliant training and great bunch of guys. Thank you very much 1st Gear!!

1st Gear Motorcycle Training excellent service past my mod 1&2 first attempt without any previous experience.

However, avoid Dave Mills motorcycle repairs Dave Mills was recommended to me by 1st Gear motorcycle training, after i decided to let him work on my motorcycle, the service wasn't anything near good I'm pretty sure with my knowledge working on cars I could have done a better job.

Work he carried out as follows;

(1) A new carb I supplied was fitted he just fit it and didn't even take the bike out to make sure it is working properly, when I got the bike back I took it out it is now bugging down on high revs contacted Dave to let him know he wanted me to adjust the jets myself when i already paid him for a service.

(2) A new rear brake master cylinder I supplied the brake light switch he supplied, he fitted a different switch and not the same one that came on the bike without consulting me first. I found one online for £5 he charged me £15 for his one which is intermittent, looks usual and awful because it is in the wrong place.

( 3) Full service. I was charged for a full service of £90 when I asked he said he only changed the oil and oil filter, the air filter and spark plug he didn't change because they were new, I also checked to confirm never replaced as he said. The oil appears to be the same colour before it went for service.

Bolts missing, 1x m6 12mm flair bolt was missing which I pointed out and he replaced with m5 bolt didn't even hold anything just rest in. 1x air box bolt and a screw completely missing.

My motorcycle went rust free and came back with signs of rust everywhere. when I asked he said when it went for MOT they left it outside over night I spoke to the MOT centre they said all bikes are kept indoors over night.

I contacted him several times asking for £100 refund from the total he received to take my motorcycle elsewhere for a proper service but to no avail. I paid to get my bike back in working condition now it is sat in my garage and I can't even use it what a service. I should have just worked on my bike myself like I do with my cars.

Lesson learned not because someone is recommended as good meaning they are, there good might not be yours everyone accepts different standard of work.

Good teachers, even tho im not that good at english we went through flying with ease🥳🤩

I had a very good experience with them.

I did my entire full bike license from scratch and passed everything first time.

The instructors are all bike enthusiasts, are very helpful and made it fun.

One top point is the facilities they use. They have their own built replica of the actual testing site so you can go through your practical test as many times as you want before your exam.
We had a fair few outings on the local roads so you get very comfortable on the test routes and the machines.

The bikes we used were brand new and they had several to choose from.
They are quick to respond to questions and return emails fast. They also book and give good advice on your theory tests-"listen to them".

There were people from Wales and London coming to attend the course, they really try to facilitate everyone regardless of experience and ability.

They are definitely one of the cheaper options and will get booked full in advance so make sure to start early with applications.