Well I guess I am as close to the stereo-type as you can get. I rode bikes and did my test in the 1980s and it was only because I got a scooter in 2002 to get me to town quickly through the traffic that I decided to get another bike. 80kph on a 50cc put-put wasn’t enough and only served to wet my appetite. My wife said ‘no’, but I told her to put it down to my mid-life crisis and just went ahead anyway. This was in 2004. Fortunately she is a great pillion passenger and always wants me to go faster around the corners!
Whilst getting my bike insured I noticed that my licence had no mention of my 1984 motorcycle test. Further enquires revealed that I had omitted to send off my pass certificate (I still had it) and hence I could not legally ride (BUGGER). So I put myself on a Direct Access 4 day course, which included all the tests and a licence at the end. I was amazed by how things had changed over 20 years. In 1984, the examiner was on foot and after riding around the block a couple of times and doing an emergency stop, I had passed!
By 2004, the level of proficiency and skill required to pass a modern test made it very challenging, even for a so called ‘road savvy’ experienced rider as I considered myself to be. Interestingly enough during one of the sessions a lady came to see the tutor and asked whom was in charge. He said “I am, why do you want to know?” She said that she wanted to thank him for excellent work. Of course he didn’t understand what she was on about. She stated that she was a matron at the local hospital’s orthopaedic ward. 15 years ago 85% of her beds were taken by the results from biking accidents (the non-fatal ones), she said that it is now less than 15%. She puts this down to better standards of education for new motorbike riders. This was in the UK. I do not know how representative her observations are/were in relation to other areas/countries however it was quite surprising.
The fact that I was stupid enough not to sent off my pass certificate in 1984 may well have saved my life (though tomorrow is another day). As I said at the start, I am probably as close to the stereo-type as you will get. I like to think I am my age makes me fairly cautious and sensible in the decisions I make on the road however I do regularly like to push through the gears and ‘feel the force’ up to around 150kph when the road allows for it (in the UK it would be >200kph). As has already been stated, it only takes one mistake and that dowdy bloke spinning that wheel to the ‘DEATH’ wedge may one day be lurking in the bushes.
I guess what I am saying is that I do understand some of the points that the program was attempting to make however it failed to acknowledge that there are many different types of riders. Referring to all riders as 'them' and being 'difficult to educate' was not constructive. I am always looking to improve my riding skills. Some cruiser riders I know really shouldn’t ride cruisers. Showing off the wear on the bike from leaning too far (for a cruiser) is just plain silly. We all just need to equip ourselves with the best knowledge and tools to cope with as much as what the road might throw at us as possible. I include defensive riding to cope with ignorant car drivers as part of the essential tools. There is no point in being ‘in the right’ if it might kill you.
BTW: My new bike has ABS - my wife made it a condition of purchase. I have yet to feel it kick in however it is there to help avoid that one off potential life ending emergency.
Safe riding to all.
“PHEW.....JUST MADE IT............................. UP"
Originally Posted by Mom
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