Failed my L plate motorcycle course today

[ConR]

So, no experience whatsoever on a bike....instructor asked me to sit on the side pretty much just as we started to move with the bikes.

Understand, bikes aren't for everyone. They require alot of coordination to ride. I have no issues with that. What pisses me off is the way things are structured. I've been driving a manual for about 12 years now. I like to think I'm pretty good at it too. It took me a while to get to where I am though. I stalled the car a hundred times easily learning how to drive. I can assume the exact same should apply for a bike, possibly even up one step, as it requires more skill to ride.

They (RTA) says the course is structured so that even someone with no experience can pass all the prereqs for it. Complete BS. OK, maybe there is a small percentage of people that can pass it on first attempt having never ridden a bike. But no way that anyone can pass it. Of the 5 in my group, 2 are returning tomorrow. The other 3 (me included) have to do remedial training, then book the course again, of course, paying the fee again also.

Sorry for the rant. I'm not upset at not passing. In fact, I'm happy I didn't, as I did not feel confident enough to drive alone on the insane streets of Sydney. I'm just annoyed with how they've structured the program. It should be no different than a car. Just like what they did for motorcycle headlights...trying to make them mandatory during the day...they fought it and won...why did they win? Their case was based on the rules of the road, and that a motorcycle should not be treated differently than a car. If a car doesn't have to daytime running lights, why should a bike? Same thing for a bike. I don't think you should be confined to learning how to ride a bike within the confines of an approved training centre. You should be allowed to practice (with discretion) just like you can with cars (once you've obtained your L's that is). But hey, how much more money does the RTA make off this scheme? How much to the training centres also make?

Sorry for my rant, just ticked off.

[Jace]

[brad]

i agree - kind-of.

it should be the other way round. car drivers should also have to do a training centre course before embarking on public roads

[thestu]

If you have never riden why would you go for the licence without training???????? thats just silly.

THIS IS WHY PEOPLE GET KILLED ON OUR ROADS!!!

lets say you passed and then went for a ride on the road...your riding slow and loose balance on a main road and swerve...car doesn't see you BANG!

Do a training course and become confident riding a motorcycle then go for the licence...

I have ridden dirt bikes all my life but never a road bike...i did a 1 day training course and then went for my licence...

Just my opinion!

[thestu]

i agree - kind-of.

it should be the other way round. car drivers should also have to do a training centre course before embarking on public roads

correct. 10 chars

[ConR]

If you have never riden why would you go for the licence without training???????? thats just silly.

Then why do they say you need no prior experience to take the course?

lets say you passed and then went for a ride on the road...your riding slow and loose balance on a main road and swerve...car doesn't see you BANG!
Do a training course and become confident riding a motorcycle then go for the licence...

I specifically said I was fine with not passing. If you read my complete posting...

I have ridden dirt bikes all my life but never a road bike...i did a 1 day training course and then went for my licence...

Just my opinion!

I didn't know you could do training courses. I thought your only option was to straight for the Pre Learner course. You're right though. If there is an option to do just a training course, I'd be happy to take it.

Again, not upset that I didn't pass. Upset in that I find the whole process to be a little BS. They clearly say you need no experience at all to take the course. No way someone who has never ridden a bike can develop the coordination to clutch, select gear, throttle, and brake in the span of an hour.

[Rybky]

So what exactly happened for them to sideline you so early? Normally it has to be something that they deem extremely dangerous.

The course involves a lot of work on the bikes without the engine even running to start with, mounting/dismounting, balance, etc.

Where did you do the course?

And for the record getting the L's license does not involve a test, you just have to safely complete the 2 day training course which teaches you the fundamentals of riding and controlling a road bike safely. Once you get that you can then sit the theory test and get your L's license. So you should not need to do a course prior to a course, which is what the L's course is.

Adam

[Sharkie]

Any training course time for a bike licence needs to be at least doubled in length with extensive time in a secure environment IMO ....

I commute daily by bike and riding is probably the most dangerous thing you can do on wheels.

The level of concentration required and the awareness of what other road users are doing is simply in a different league to driving a car. It is insanely dangerous and yet insanely fun at the same time......

Since you have not ridden before, do the training again and then spend at least 5 times that time riding in quiet areas away from traffic .....

Sorry that you don't like the process, but it will save your life ... maybe ...

[Rybky]

No way someone who has never ridden a bike can develop the coordination to clutch, select gear, throttle, and brake in the span of an hour.

No offence but lots of people do, including myself. I got my licence 2 years ago having never ridden a bike before.

Adam

[ConR]

Sorry that you don't like the process, but it will save your life ... maybe ...

I'm all for the safety behind it, I understand that. I just got a little upset based on the "no prior experience" point, and not really giving me a chance to practice. It's very different from learning on a car. Again, didn't know I could take practise courses before taking the L's.

BTW, wrote this post about 30 minutes after getting home, so I've had some time to cool down a bit.

[ConR]

So what exactly happened for them to sideline you so early? Normally it has to be something that they deem extremely dangerous.

The course involves a lot of work on the bikes without the engine even running to start with, mounting/dismounting, balance, etc.

Where did you do the course?

And for the record getting the L's license does not involve a test, you just have to safely complete the 2 day training course which teaches you the fundamentals of riding and controlling a road bike safely. Once you get that you can then sit the theory test and get your L's license. So you should not need to do a course prior to a course, which is what the L's course is.

Adam

I did it at the HART in St. Ives. The instructor was very friendly. I just couldn't get the grasp of clutch, throttle, release clutch and brake....at least I couldn't get the concept in the 5 minutes that he gave me to learn it. Based on that, the instructor felt that I could not proceed with the rest of the course. I was fine up to that point. Didn't drop the bike, did the "push" part fine....although I was stuck being pushed by a girl that weighed 40kgs and didn't push me at all.

But hey, like I said, I'm very interested in taking some practice courses before taking the L's course. Anyone know where I can do this?

[Rybky]

I did mine at St Ives too, I am surprised they treated you like that.

I don't think there are any specific pre-pre-learner courses, you can get private 1:1 courses though. St Ives will probably be the only place you can do one without a license as they have their own private road, other places would use public roads.

Do you know anyone with a bike who could give you some tips?

Adam

[ConR]

Thanks for the info Rybky. Yeah, I have an ex-coworker friend that rides. Lives out on a huge farm in Kenthurst too, so might be able to get some practice on his property.

The instructor mentioned in his pre-course speech that he would take things slow and let everybody get a chance to learn things. Then again, maybe he was getting fed up with the two girls in the course, who dropped their bikes a combined 7 times before we even started them up. Then there was the time the one girl got spooked with the throttle, cranked it, let go of the clutch, and took off all the way down the track. Needless to say, that was the end of her course.

I don't know..he gave me two chances to get it, I didn't it...he told me to sit on the side for the rest, and to do some more practice. How am I supposed to practice though? It's not like a car, where I can jump in with a supervisor and drive until I've got it right. Maybe it was my non-aussie accent that threw him off....and that I was some random backpacker touring Oz...I'm from Canada originally, but have been living here for 7 years, and I'm a citizen. Oddly enough though, it wouldn't be the first time I've been mistreated because of how I speak...sad to say, but true.

I"m not a klutz, but it will take me some time to get the concept of riding a manual bike, I know it.

[Rybky]

OK, sounds like you were unlucky and due to a bad bunch the instructor had lost patience.

Definitely a good idea to ask your friend for some help, at the very least get the feel of gear changes and the controls in general, then you will sail through the pre-learners and can then get practice on your own.

Do you have a bike of your own yet? Do you know what you will get?

Adam

[ConR]

No, I don't have a bike yet. Was holding off on buying one until I passed the course

I've been looking at getting a Ninja 250....reading says it's a good bike to learn on.