Motorcycle Module 1 Test

Several weeks ago, I embarked on what many people tell me is an idiot course of action, at my age, ie to pass my motorcycle test and obtain a full motorcycle licence.

To be honest, most people told me it was an idiot course of action an any age!

The initial idea was to be able to ride a small (ie 100cc) scooter, (with Kathleen on the back), during our campervan trips.

But, I listened to various people, some supposed experts and some just enthusiasts, and allowed myself to be persuaded that the way to go was for a full licence, thus allowing me to ride any size of bike.

Accordingly, I enrolled on a Direct Access Course with D and J Motorcycle Training, Hebburn.

It has not been plain sailing, no problem with D and J, the problems were all mine.

Since I have been driving a car for 46 years, and I can  ride a bicycle, I thought it would be a piece of cake to learn to ride a motorcycle.

How wrong can you be!

Before you are allowed out on the public roads, you need to pass your theory and hazard perception test and complete a CBT, (C)ompulsory (B)asic (T)raining Course.

Son-in-law, Dave, loaned me his book and DVD's to learn and practice the theory test and hazrd perception. Many a happy hour was spent on this, during our recent campervan trip to France, Germany and Switzerland.

The Theory test was duly taken and passed, I was on my way.

Then the CBT, this I did on a 125cc machine. Not too traumatic, for me at least, I am not sure if Lisa, my instructor will share that opinion.

My next lesson was a "cross over" to riding a 500cc Kawasaki machine. I do not mind admitting, I was terrified. Alan (Instructor), patiently took me through the simple stuff, ie pulling away from rest without doing a "wheelie", and then stopping again, without falling off!.

I know anyone reading this, who is a seasoned motorcyclist, with think a Kawasaki E5 500cc is pretty tame, but believe me, to a beginner it was very scary, just a little twist of the throttle, blink,  and you are suddenly over the speed limit in an urban area. Press those brakes too hard and you screech to a halt in a most undignified way. The prospect of loosing your balance and having the thing fall on you, just does not bear thinking about!

Eventually, with lots of calming words from Alan, out we went onto the roads of Hebburn. It was fantastic. About five minutes of sheer terror as I negotiated two right turns in a row, followed by a set of traffic lights.

After the initial terror, I began to settle down, I had been told by many people that riding the 500cc would actually be easier than riding the 125cc. I did not believe them, but, amazingly, it is true. It is like being part of the machine.

Two hours later, at the end of the lesson, I was hooked, it is great. No 100cc scooter for me, I have set my sights on bigger things!

I rewarded myself with the purchase of a Safety Helmet (mustn't call them Crash Helmets, Lisa tells me) and a pair of gloves.

While buying the helmet, I got chatting to the fellow who worked in the motorcycle clothing shop. "are you a motorcyclist?", I asked him. "Sure", he replied, "but I would not dream of going on the roads, far too dangerous, with all of those cars, I just do off road stuff". Interesting.

Now, reality settled in. I was going to have to learn to manoevre this thing, in an off road yard, in order to pass my Module 1 test, that was only the beginning of course, then I have to do the Module 2 test!

Lisa and Alan in turns (I don't think any one of them could stick it for too long), patiently instructed me how to weave between cones (without knocking them over) in a slalom, do a figure of eight around two cones, move forward at a walking pace, and do a "U" turn, all without putting your feet on the ground. In between manoeuvres it was necessary to bring the thing to a controlled stop, neatly between a set of cones, without knocking any over. Then, the real excitement, doing a controlled emergency stop, and a controlled collision avoidance (swerve), without falling off, or knocking any cones over, both from a minimum speed of 32mph (50kpm). I thought I would never get it right, in particular the "U" turn was my nightmare, as I messed it up time and time again.

But, wonder of wonders, today, I managed to pass my Module 1 Test!

Module 2 here I come!

Sunday 14th August 2011

I have been a bit, well completely, out of touch on the blog, since I came back from my Campervan trip.


My only excuse, not a very good one, is that I have been busy doing my motorcycle driving lessons.


Today, went cycling with Kathleen on her new bicycle.

All very uneventful, we cycled to Whitburn, then through Sunderland to Dana's house. Arrived to find that Dana, Martin etc are out at the coast, but we are ably looked after by Emily, Lauren and Lauren's friend Nadine.

We head back, not so good now, a big black cloud has appeared, we are going to get wet. We make it to the Queen Alexandra Bridge, at which point, it begins to pour with rain.

We shelter in a bus shelter until it "brightens up" and is only raining quite heavily, before we cross the bridge and wend our way home by the shortest route we can work out.