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1st Gear have been at the forefront of motorcycle training in the West Midlands for some twelve years. During that time we have been responsible for close on 2,500 successfully passed CBTs and somewhere in the region of 1500 tests passed. The vast majority of those being 1st time passes.
1st Gear has been run by Noel Fawdry since 1996 and in partnership with Neil Southall since early 2007
Noel has held a full motorcycle licence for 40 years now, having passed his test some three weeks after his 16th birthday. Yes, things were much easier then. His first efforts in the instructing field were with the old RAC/ACU training scheme as a volunteer instructor some 35 years ago. He has ridden just about everything on two or three wheels over the years and remains a dedicated biker. Currently riding a Yamaha Fazer 1000 among other things and a keen follower of the racing scene. Noel is ably assisted in his endeavours by a team of equally dedicated if rather younger motorcycle addicts.
Neil has not been riding quite as long as Noel, but then, not many have.
He is a qualified CBT instructor, but tends to take more responsibilty for our workshop and sales departments.
Neil currently rides a Kawasaki ZRX 1200 R on the road and, his latest aquisition, a Gas Gas TXT 280 Pro trials bike (look out Dougie Lampkin)
All our instructors are involved for the love of motorcycles and the desire to see more and more people enjoy the world of bikes.
Ian Ilsley. CBT instructor, Currently riding a Buell XB 1200 S. enjoys the motorcycle scene generally, and particularly given to continental touring.
Tim Charlton. CBT instructor, Rides a Suzuki Bandit 1200.Enjoys bike meets, road riding and commutes regularly by bike. Another long distance touring man, no stranger to John O'Groats to Land's End.
Darren Musgrove. CBT instructor. Rides a Yamaha FJ1200, hoping that he can clock as many miles as Noel did on his.
This is our team as it stands at the moment. Between us we feel sure that we can pass on enough information to get anyone through a bike test, or indeed , to get you doing whatever you may wish to do on a motorcycle. |
