If you are brand new to the idea of riding a motorcycle then you might want to learn the basics before you go for your CBT, just so you aren't totally clueless when you get there. Here's a couple of videos that start at the very begining of motorcycle riding.
Learning to ride a Motorcycle - Part 1 - Shifting
Learning to ride a Motorcycle - Part 2 - Clutch
Wednesday, 10 June 2009
Wednesday, 3 June 2009
The MotorcycleTheory Test
If you want to sit your test to ride a motorcycle on UK roads without being restricted to a 125cc bike with learner plates then you are going to have to sit a theory test before you do so.
A lot of people dread sitting the test thinking it will be difficult, this is especially the case for those of us who haven't studied anything for more than a few years. The fact is, the theory test is pretty simple as long as you are willing to spend a few hours in revision be for you visit the test centre.
What does the motorcycle theory test comprise?
The theory test is in 2 parts. The first of which is a simple test of your knowledge of the highway code and is not dissimilar from the same test for car drivers although if you are like me then you passed your car driving test before the theory test existed so you have no experience of it. Basically you just need to memorise what all the road traffic signs mean and simple rules about using the public roads on a motorcycle. You can pick up a book which will give you all the answers you need to know so if you can read there is no excuse for failing this.
The second part of the motorcycle theory test is called hazard perception. You'll be shown a video of certain real life road situations on the computer and you'll have to click your mouse whenever you see a potential hazard developing. It like playing a really bad computer game but as long as you concentrate you should have no problem passing with flying colours.
A lot of people dread sitting the test thinking it will be difficult, this is especially the case for those of us who haven't studied anything for more than a few years. The fact is, the theory test is pretty simple as long as you are willing to spend a few hours in revision be for you visit the test centre.
What does the motorcycle theory test comprise?
The theory test is in 2 parts. The first of which is a simple test of your knowledge of the highway code and is not dissimilar from the same test for car drivers although if you are like me then you passed your car driving test before the theory test existed so you have no experience of it. Basically you just need to memorise what all the road traffic signs mean and simple rules about using the public roads on a motorcycle. You can pick up a book which will give you all the answers you need to know so if you can read there is no excuse for failing this.
The second part of the motorcycle theory test is called hazard perception. You'll be shown a video of certain real life road situations on the computer and you'll have to click your mouse whenever you see a potential hazard developing. It like playing a really bad computer game but as long as you concentrate you should have no problem passing with flying colours.
Sunday, 24 May 2009
The New Motorcycle Test
Getting your motorcycle test has been a bit of a nightmare the last few years with you having to first of all sit a crappy theory test, then your CBT and after that you've got your full test which is a lot harder to pass that the usual car driving test.
Well, the test wasn't THAT hard but it certainly wasn't easy with most people finding the U-turn to be particularly difficult. It certainly seems to me that 50% of the bikers I talk to fail their first motorcycle test because they put their foot down on the U-turn.
If it wasn't hard enough in the past, they've now made getting your motorcycle license even harder with the introduction of the European style test which meant we had to build hundreds of motorcycle test stations throughout the country just so we had somewhere where we could do motorcycle maneuvers at 31 miles per hour.
With a few people already having broken bones trying to carry out the skid portion of the test it doesn't look good for the future.
Well, the test wasn't THAT hard but it certainly wasn't easy with most people finding the U-turn to be particularly difficult. It certainly seems to me that 50% of the bikers I talk to fail their first motorcycle test because they put their foot down on the U-turn.
If it wasn't hard enough in the past, they've now made getting your motorcycle license even harder with the introduction of the European style test which meant we had to build hundreds of motorcycle test stations throughout the country just so we had somewhere where we could do motorcycle maneuvers at 31 miles per hour.
With a few people already having broken bones trying to carry out the skid portion of the test it doesn't look good for the future.
Friday, 22 May 2009
Learning To Ride A Motorcycle
If you are in the UK want to learn to ride a motorcycle then there are a hoops you have to jump through in order to keep the government happy. I like being negative towards the government at all available opportunities but I must agree that we really do need some sort of motorcycle proficiency testing before we let young hoodlums loose on the roads if we are to avoid total carnage.
This is not to say that the motorcycle testing system in the UK is perfect because it is far from it especially since they brought in the new European test. Talk about a total cock up! But at the end of the day we need to ensure that anyone on a public highway on a motorised vehicle has some semblance of control so tests are to be welcomed, even if it is a little begrudgingly.
This is not to say that the motorcycle testing system in the UK is perfect because it is far from it especially since they brought in the new European test. Talk about a total cock up! But at the end of the day we need to ensure that anyone on a public highway on a motorised vehicle has some semblance of control so tests are to be welcomed, even if it is a little begrudgingly.
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