So, you want to learn to ride a motorcycle. Slight problem you last rode one in the 80’s under a provisional licence and the bike was under 50cc.
Oh, how things have changed.
Being in possession of a full UK driving licence I can enrol on a CBT (Compulsory Basic Training) course and get a taster for two wheels again. Off I went with a colleague to a local training centre and with an early start and late finish were able to cram into one day the required training to pass. First and foremost a safety kit check, lid, jacket, gloves, denim jeans (allowed but proper biking ones preferred) and boots. Definitely not trainers.
Starting and bringing to a controlled halt was practiced endlessly, followed by slow, controlled manoeuvring on the enclosed yard. After a full morning and part of the early afternoon had passed really quickly and having been assessed as safe to do so we then went out on the open road. Unfortunately, this happened to be just after 3.30pm so school traffic was in full flow and a real learning curve. Being a cycle rider, I know what it feels like to experience vulnerability on the road but now on a motorbike it was a surprise and a shock to experience this again with, sadly the same indifference from other road users. Our instructor took us away from the main areas of congestion, noting our ability, road positioning, breaking, accelerating, cornering and importantly life saving observation techniques and after returning to the yard happily announced we’d passed. We were now able to ride unsupervised up to 125cc bikes (with ‘L’ plates displayed) for the next two years until we either passed the full test process or we needed to do another CBT.
Despite having passed my car licence in 1984 and classing myself as an experienced road user, the first step in getting on two wheels is to sit the DVSA theory test. This is actually a moderate wake up call to a seasoned road user and a reminder of how much was missing from my knowledge. There’s loads of free online tests to help with preparation and I’d heartily recommended spending time revising The Highway Code and becoming familiar with road signage and their meanings. I ended up feeling this was time well spent and ended up after a brief wait for appointments, sat in a room of other applicants, in front of a large screen working my way through the test. Hazard perception was relatively easy, as a car driver and regular road user spotting and anticipating problems before they manifest is bread and butter. Multiple choice on the second part (and there was a short break which I was surprisingly grateful for) followed and this was more of a challenge. Even after the time spent on mock tests it still left a gap in my knowledge and I realised too late how inadequately I’d prepared. Nevertheless, after using some old school nouse, getting the safe bet questions done I returned to the harder ones and through deduction and, if we’re being honest, an element of luck completed the theory. When the results were handed over, I was pleased to note I’d passed; hazard perception comfortably but on the multiple choice had just (and I mean just) passed by gaining the minimum pass rate of 86% (44 out of 50). Phew.
