Well, just before taking my theory test, based on the horror stories I had heard from others of a huge waiting list for the ‘on-road’ part 2 practical test, I decided to book my part 2 test before I had passed my part 1. The thinking being that it would be at least a few days after my part 1 test due in early August, so if I failed I could always cancel it and reschedule, but in any event, I should be able to get it in before my holiday with my buddy in Canada.
So I went on the website around mid-July. The earliest date I could get with a sensible time was 6th September! So the horror stories were true then! Well, I booked that on the basis that at least I knew where I stood.
Of course I then passed my part 1 easily the first time on 5th August, so a one month wait now.
I have now had a few lessons. Having been a car driver for many year, these are the main things I have learned about riding a motorbike that is different from driving a car (apart from the obvious handling differences, which I have no problems with).
Passing your test is a lot about observations and being seen by the examiner to have made observations, by that I mean looking behind you in both directions before starting off, checking mirrors before every potential hazard (crossings, traffic lights, roundabouts, etc.).
Then there is the essential ‘lifesaver’ look over your shoulder in the direction of the turn before turning. Then the ‘shut the door’ move over to one side of the road or the other before you actually turn, not something you really do in a car. Then the damned ‘remember to cancel your indicators after you turn’ gotcha – some of the high-end bikes have auto-cancelling turn indicators, but the ones we are learning on don’t, and if you are a car driver you are spoiled with self-cancelling indicators!
And the last sin of all, not indicating correctly at roundabouts! C’mon, we all do it, or more accurately don’t do it, but don’t do it in your test and expect to collect a fail!
So to ingrain these checks and the sequence of checks before a turn, I drive around in my car all the time until the test doing the things I must do on a motorbike. It is hard at first and I feel stupid, but after a while it becomes automatic. By the time I came to take my part 2 on-road practical test, I was feeling pretty confident of my observations and riding skills.
I have of course learned a lot about handling the bike, but as I had ridden before, most of it came back very quickly. Hill starts and pulling out from behind parked cars were no problem at all. Getting caught in the wrong gear happens, but it is very easily fixed. But what I have learned about riding from Keith is cornering. The idea of pushing down on the handlebar in the direction you want to turn is new on me and really works.
I have also read up and spoken to Keith about what happens on the test and in what order and what the examiner is looking for. We have also ridden the very streets that the examiner is likely to take me on and particularly gone through the ‘gotchas’ that would not be obvious if you didn’t know the actual roads. I am about as prepared as I can get without the luxury of being able to ride a bike with L-plates on whenever I like (as a ‘Direct Access’ student, I can only ride the bigger bikes in the company of a licenced instructor with whom I am in radio contact etc.).
