UK Motorcycle Test - Module 1

Recently, the UK has changed their rules on how to obtain a full motorcycle license.  Its a bit convoluted when you consider every site I've ever looked at regarding the rules muddies the waters by adding the element of age.  There are restrictions to the type of license you can get depending on your age or how long you have been riding etc, and it took me ages to find and confirm information that was completely relevant and clear to me.
So, if you're reading this and you're old like me, here are the hoops you must jump through:
1. Take a CBT course.
2. Do your theory test.
3. Do your module 1 test.
4. Do your module 2 test.
If you do the last two things on your own bike (a max 125cc on a CBT certificate), then you will be limited to a maximum of 125cc.
Which is fine - if all you plan on doing is a bit of commuting or a bit of pleasure riding, no problem.  If you want to ride a bigger bike, you have to do module 1 and module 2 on a bigger bike.  The end.

The obvious hole in this scenario is that this: if you do mod 1 and 2 on a 125, you aren't legally allowed to ride anything bigger, so you cannot take a bigger bike to do the mod 1 and 2 test.  I suppose you could trailer a bike there, or borrow a friend's bike, but good luck getting insured.  The only way to get to ride a bigger bike is via the Direct Access Scheme (DAS).   Which is fine; it would probably be good to have a bit of training before jumping on a 650 to do your testing.  The problem is that the course costs £700+.

It would be great if there were a low-cost way of getting people to ride.  I looked into a bit of training for the Mod 1 test, and I was quoted £99 plus the test fee (currently £15.50 I think).  Not a lot of money, however I thought what the hell, I may as well just spend the £15.50 on the test and get my training that way - if I fail, at least I'll know what to expect next try.  If I pass, then awesome.
So last week I went and did my Mod 1 test and I passed!  Hooray!  That's £99 saved!

A bit about the test.  Mod 1 is off-road - basically you're in a big car park with a bunch of cones and someone gives you instructions.  There are plenty of videos and websites showing you what to do, and provide tips on passing.  I watched lots of them and I felt reasonably confident I could do what they wanted.  So off I go, and I arrive at the test centre about 2 hours early. :/
I wander around the nearby town centre, and then come back.  My name was called and a chap named  Malcolm came over and gave me some briefing on what will happen.  I asked if I was allowed to record the event; he said no as it was government property.  I acquiesced, leaving my camera behind.
We went outside, he opened the gate for me, and gave me clear instructions on what to do.  I won't give a blow-by-blow as its a bit boring and YouTube will give a far more realistic portrayal.
Before I knew it, I was done, and he directed me back into the office.
I figured I had passed; I think I did everything okay.  There were two speed-timed manoeuvres I had to do.  The rule is it has to be done at 50kph minimum.  If you do it at 49, it counts as a minor error, and you don't get a second chance.  If you do it at 48, it counts as a minor error, and you don't get a second chance.  If you do it at less than 48, its a major error, but you get to try again.  If on the second try you are still under 48kph, you fail the test.  The first manoeuvre I did at 49kph - that's a minor.  The second one is a bit more complicated as you have to do an emergency avoidance (swerving) at speed.  I did that one at 49 as well.  So that's two minors.
When we got back into the office, I said to him 'I know exactly what I did wrong.'  He said 'Go on, then....'
I said 'When I completed my emergency avoidance, I forgot to do a shoulder check - I only looked in my mirrors.'
He looked at me, and then his notes. 'Well you got away with that one....'
I thought to myself 'I am an idiot!'
Anyway, he said I passed with only the two minors of going through the speed traps 1kph too slow each time.
I didn't want to say it, but I think it may have been because the bike just wasn't fast enough!

Anyway, I now have a dilemma.  I could now go do my Mod 2 test - which is on-road, with a test guy following me as I go on public roads - on my own bike, and if I pass, I will have an 'A1' class license.  It means I cannot ride a bigger bike.
Or, I could pay for DAS, do Mod 1 again (on a 650 or something), and then do Mod 2 (on a 650 as well).
If I did my A1, I can right away take the 'L' plates off, and the missus and I can ride down to the pub... at a lazy pace considering the sheer power of the 125.  Or, I pay £700 and do the two tests on big-boys bikes.  This would be in a few months as I don't have £700 lying around just yet.
I guess if that's the biggest scariest decision I have to make, I'll be okay in life....

Seat Cover Replacement on my Honda CG 125 - added Windscreen Bonus!

So when I bought my bike, almost a year ago, it came complete with a rip in the seat fabric.  It never really bothered me that much, as I couldn’t see it when I was riding.  It was mostly hidden by a piece of black gaffer tape, which would fray - adding to the look of disrepair.

I like to keep my eyes open, however, for little tidbits.  Sometimes I find things that catch my eye and I cannot resist.  I saw an advert for a seat cover for the CG 125, and the price was very reasonable – less than £20.  So I thought Id give it a whirl.

First off, the side panels are removed for access.  Next, amazingly, the seat has to come off.  This is fairly easy – there are only two bolts holding the seat on.  The only difficulty I encountered doing this was that on one of the bolts the head was obscured by plastic molding, which made it difficult to get a socket on it.

Once the two bolts were free (surprisingly, they weren’t rusted in place!), the seat came off by lifting at the back and pulling it towards the rear of the bike.  This exposed the frame in all its dirty glory.

I put the cover on the seat, as a loose fit, to see what it would look like.  It came with stitching at the front to form it, so it would wrap around the fuel tank easily.

The next step, crucially, I didn’t take any photos of!  Basically, starting with the fuel tank end, I sprayed the surface of the existing seat cover with spray adhesive.  I would press the new cover in place, holding it for a minute to let the adhesive settle, then spray the next section. 

When I got about half way, I started stapling the cover into position, securing it.  I used lots of staples, sometimes overlapping; I didn’t want it to break loose with the pressures of my bottom on it shifting around.  Yes, I said shifting.

This took about twenty five minutes to complete.  As the cover is essentially flat, it was a bit of a chore to get the fabric to sit smoothly on the edges.  In the end, it didn’t sit perfectly, but its pretty close.

Putting the seat on was easy enough, however I think because of the added thickness of the seat, it doesn’t quite sit properly in its spot – the gap between the edge of the seat and the rear trim seems greater.  I didn’t measure it before, so I’m not sure if its true; it just looks that way to me.

In the end, it looks a lot better than it did before.  It won’t be easily mistaken for an OEM seat cover; however it does properly cover up that rip.

As an added bonus, I also spotted a windscreen for the Honda!  I wanted to see if a screen would make much difference to the way the bike handled at speed - my commute does include a brief stint at 50mph.  
I ordered it and it was delivered to my work.  Instead of carting it home, I decided I'd try and fit it before I headed home.  
It was easy to do - it was a matter of undoing the two bolts holding the headlamp assembly in place and lining the screen up with the existing holes.  All told, about ten minutes.  I think it looks pretty good; it alters the look of the bike a fair bit.

As for affecting the aerodynamics at speed?  I didn't really notice that much of a difference.  Maybe I'm too slow....

Bike Safe London - I Ride With the Police

I've been riding now for about 10 months.  I am getting to the stage where I think I'm ready to take my test.  I have to write the theory section, and assuming I pass that, I will then be able to book my practical exam.  I am very much looking forward to a pass - I want to get out there with my wife and show her the joys of riding!

As I have been involved in a collision, I have had my confidence shaken (if not stirred) and I wanted to make sure I was in a good enough place to do my test.  I started looking around for some local schools that could give me some basic training.  I came across the efforts of the Met Police - they offer some classroom time and a ride under the supervision of a motorcycle cop, who will assess your skills and give you some pointers (if needed).  This sounded ideal to me; the cost was only £45, it was close by, and it looks good to the insurance company.  So, I booked a day on the Bikesafe-London course.

I am worried that writing this will end up sounding like an advert for them.

It started off with a cup of tea, and a brief discussion on the psychology of riding and how our brains work - and how this helps contribute to the high proportion of rider accidents.  Next, a wee talk about cornering and positioning.  I found this to be particularly helpful, as my training consisted of a few hours guidance when I did my CBT.  Then, we went out for a ride.

We were lucky in that our police-to-rider ratio was great - we were one on one.  I was paired up with Gordon.  After a few minutes of chatting, it was obvious that one of Gordon's biggest joys in life is riding.  He was a rider that happened to be riding a cop bike.

We did a quick blast through the local high street for some city riding, then we went out to a local Frankie & Bennie's restaurant for a quick bite.  We spent the afternoon riding through the beautiful countryside; after which I was given a few pointers.  It was awesome.

My favourite part was when the police blocked traffic for me so I could pull out of the car park....

Actually, the day taught me a lot about how to ride - it reinforced the philosophy I have been developing in my day to day ride.  I have a mantra that runs through my head when I ride: 'this is not a competition.  I am not riding to beat that guy.  I am going to be the rider that sees all the hazards before they can hurt me.'  I also often imagine that my mom is riding pillion - would she be scared if I took this corner this fast?  Would she want me to overtake this car?

Gordon liked my smoothness.  I have to work on my positioning around corners, his instructions at first seems counterintuitive to me; however with practice it will come - I was making good progress by the end of the day.  

It also showed me the benefits of being a smooth rider.  When I'm positioning myself correctly, its a natural extension to be riding at an appropriate speed.  When I'm at the appropriate speed, I am in control, and everything just seems to slot into place.  The ride becomes so much more enjoyable.  It isn't about getting there first; its about getting there happy and getting there safe.  

I thoroughly enjoyed the day out, and would recommend it to anyone who can do it.  I look forward to applying what I learned to my every day riding.  I will likely take part in an IAM course on bike riding as well - rumour has it they are quite good and they don't have the same reputation as the IAM for cars.

Fingers crossed it will be helpful when I go to do my practical test....

Helmet Review - HJC IS-17

This post is a review of my helmet, a fluorescent yellow HJC model IS-17.  I got this helmet as a replacement for my Box helmet after an impact.  I couldn't fault the Box helmet - it was my first, and I had nothing to compare it to.  It fit, it was easy to put on, and it allowed me to keep all my teeth.

The moment of impact

That's my helmet in the bottom right corner of the screen.  My chin scraped the floor after my bike went out from underneath me - see my earlier post about it.  So, I needed to go and get a new helmet.

I went back to visit my friends at Helmet City - a great shop in Tatsfield.  I cannot recommend this place enough - they have helped me enormously every time I've been.  One of the reasons I went here was because they could sell me a helmet that they were confident hadn't been dropped or worn by someone test fitting.  A brand new, undamaged helmet is a great way to protect your head.

My wife, being the nervous type, insisted I get a bright hi-vis helmet.  I could see no reason not to - as a new rider, I could use every advantage possible to be more visible to other road users. So, I settled on the HJC IS-17.

I didn't get it just because of the colour.  The helmet is a good 250g lighter that my Box.  That may not sound like much, but after half an hour of riding, it makes a big difference.  I also found the field of vision to be streets ahead of the Box.  I can actually see my gauges without having to nod.  It makes for a tremendously more comfortable and confident ride, knowing I can see more of what's around me.

The breath guard works well, and there is a removable chin curtain.  I find the ventilation on the helmet to be acceptable, but sometimes I wish it would 'breathe' more.  The Pinlock Max visor attachment is very good at keeping the fog at bay.  Another nod to the chaps at Helmet City - my Pinlock insert wasn't quite seating properly, so they replaced it for me!  I haven't had any problems since.  The visor is easy to remove for cleaning, and snaps easily back into place.  I do notice that the internal sun visor does fog up, but I think that's an issue on virtually every helmet.  The controls for the internal sun visor are a bit difficult to use; I found myself needing the visor down, but it had been weeks since I had last used it, so I couldn't figure out how to get it to drop down.  By the time I got it, I didn't need it anymore.

The wind noise is quite low;  the Box helmet was a modular, or flip-front design, which likely contributed to the wind noise.  Riding in the HJC is much quieter, but I'm still able to hear everything around me.

I do need to wear prescription glasses when I ride, so its a pain every time I put my helmet on or take it off - I have to find a place to prop my glasses for a quick moment.  The extra steps involved can be a bit of a pain, but I suppose its worth it in the end.  Certainly not the helmet's fault.

The D-Ring fitting for the chip strap is easy to use, and keeps the lid on tight.  At speeds up to 50mph (haven't gone faster than that yet!), the helmet doesn't try to pull my head off, so there's some good aerodynamic efficiency going on there.

I have fitted my Drift Ghost camera to the right jaw area, and it sits very well.  I don't really notice its there, and it provides a good view of my experience.

After a few months of use, it remains comfortable, and easy to use.  My commute can take up to 80 minutes (if I take a scenic route), and I have not noticed any ill effects on my neck or anything.

Overall, I would recommend this helmet; the price was very reasonable, it meets the tough safety standards, it functions well, and is comfortable.  It also keeps me visible to all those cars out there that wouldn't otherwise see me.

Hank vs MOT

For those readers who are not familiar with how things are done in the UK, every vehicle on the road is required to pass an annual safety test - commonly referred to as an MOT.  They check bulbs, braking efficiency tyre condition, general stuff like that.  It's a pretty good system, it keeps dangerous cars and bikes off the road.
My bike's MOT was due to expire at the end of March, so I brought it in for a test.  I've never been through the MOT process with a motorcycle before, so I wasn't sure what to expect.  My hope was that the bike would pass the test, and I could be on my way.
I went to Frank Dunstall, a motorcycle shop and garage based in Elmers End, in London.  I had been in the shop a few times in the past to buy some gear, and I found the chap to be helpful and knowledgeable.  They offer a test viewing area, which I was keen to use.
Russ helped me out, testing the bike.  He was happy to answer any questions I had as he went.  The test took about half an hour, and we went back into his office.
He told me the bike had a few advisories; these are things on the bike that aren't dangerous yet but if ignored, they could become dangerous.  My front tyre is running low on tread, and the chain was worn.
I knew I had recently replaced the chain, so I asked about it.  We went and had a look, and noticed that the rear sprocket was loose in its spot - Russ decided this was dangerous, and marked the test as failed.
:(
So, we worked out a deal where he would order the parts and I would do the repairs on Saturday - it was my only day off, and I wanted the bike re-tested as soon as possible.
Unfortunately, the parts didn't arrive in time, so I had to drop the bike off, and leave it for him to repair.  His job was to replace the rear sprocket, the chain, the cush bearings and their studs, and the rear wheel, where the hub had cracked.
Keen readers will remember I had replaced the cush bearings the same time I did the chain.  My error at the time was not installing new cush studs and also I cracked the hub when removing the worn bushes.  The result was that there was play in the drivetrain, which just got worse and worse, to the point where it was dangerous.  I had also neglected to oil the chain properly (entirely my fault), so it was looking quite rough and rusted - riding through a winter takes its toll for sure.
I like to do my own work, however my work commitments required me to leave it to someone else.  I was a bit trepidatious, but I knew it had to be done.

I left work early on the day I was to collect my bike.  I had to ride in one of those big noisy red double-decker things that are always in my bus lane, but I made it.
When I arrived, I was very pleased to see that it was all ready for me!  The new wheel was on, the new chain and sprocket were fitted, and I was very happy.  The cost for the repairs was ridiculously low - about £100 all in.  And then came the test - the ride home....
I got on Hank, fired him up, and strutted off.  Oh, man, it was like I had bought a new bike!  I have only ever ridden this bike (except for the one I used for by CBT, which was also a CG 125), so I can't really compare it, but it felt so.... happy.  Russ had adjusted my clutch cable, so it no longer went CLUNK when ever I engaged first gear at a stop.  Accelerating away from junctions was a smooth, relaxing affair.  Cruising at a steady pace was no longer like going to the chiropractor - getting all hammered out of shape.  It was, in short, glorious.

So I got him home, and spent some time with him; he got a much needed bath, an a good once-over.  Once again, my life was complete.  My bike was back where it belonged.

My First Collision

So its been a while since I updated this - my apologies, but I do have a legitimate reason.  Yes, I have footage:

As some of you sharp-eyed viewers may notice, the chap started to indicate his intention to turn right a little late.  You may also notice that you can see his indicator flash whilst I'm behind him.  The end result is that we collided as he turned in front of me.  I am not one to lay blame, and I'm also not an idiot.  When he began his turn in front of me, I think I was watching his wheels, and I must have missed the first blink of his indicator.  I don't know how else to explain it.  If I hadn't had the video (in fact, I continued to record after the collision, and I stated it as truth), I would be sure he didn't start indicating until he started his turn.  By the time I realised what he was doing, and I processed what my next move should be, we were together.  

There's no point in a frame-by-frame analysis of the event - I think it was a combination of rider inexperience and driver inattention.  Either way, it still hurts.

So the bike suffered a bit - a broken right hand mirror, a snapped brake hand lever, and a twisted handlebar.  After the collision, the police parked and locked up the bike for me, and I later went to retrieve it.  I was able to ride the bike (with rear brakes only!) to a safer area, about half a mile away.  I rode around for about half an hour trying to find the motorcycle parking bays that were marked on the local council's map, however I couldn't find any.

So I ended up parking it in a permit bay, expecting to get a parking fine.

The next evening, after work, I drove out to the bike in my car, and wheeled it along the pavement to a proper motorcycle parking bay in Lavender Hill.  I was pleasantly surprised to learn the next day when I called the council that I had not received a penalty charge notice!

So the bike sat there, chained up, waiting for me to repair it.  It wasn't until Sunday (the collision was on a Monday) that I was able to go out and have a go at repairs.  I was able to replace the handlebars, and the mirrors, and  the brake lever.  However, in my zeal, I managed to snap the mirror mount on the left side, which also holds the clutch lever.  The result was the clutch wasn't quite acting properly - it wouldn't fully disengage because the bracket would bend.  I managed to ride it home - changing gear was a chore though.  Sometimes it wouldn't engage, so I would have to give the gear selector a good kick to get it in gear - and the gearbox would protest with a bang and jump forward like it had been kicked like a dog.  Equally, when waiting at junctions, the bike would come close to stalling if I didn't engage neutral - just holding the clutch lever in wasn't enough.  So, here it is, more than a week after the initial incident, and I'm still not riding.  I don't want to destroy my gearbox.  A replacement bracket is on its way....

As for me, my shoulder took the brunt, along with my ribs.  I had broken my ribs years before, and it felt the same.  My left ankle was a bit sore as well.  I was in a bit of shock afterward, which I suppose is understandable.  I was carted off to the A&E by the police, and the Doctor examined me and found me to be bruised and battered but nothing properly broken - my ribs likely cracked.  No X-rays for me; I was shuffled out the door and on my way home.

Now for the sort-of interesting part: how I feel about it and how it has affected me.

The incident really knocked me for six.  My confidence had really taken a hit.  I was bombarding myself with doubt - why had I not seen him?  Why did I react so late?  Did I think it would be okay and he would just naturally give way to me?  And worst of all - if I pass my test, will I crash with my wife riding pillion?  What if I hurt her?

That really, really set me back.  I just kept imagining how I would feel if I was responsible for her being injured whilst riding with me.  I was terrified of the possibility.  I kept running scenarios in my brain - an endless torrent of images - crying, pain, fear.  I was dreading it.

When I went to repair my bike, at the side of the road on a cold Sunday morning, I put my head down and get into 'mechanic' mode - thinking only of repairing the bike, and making it roadworthy.  It wasn't until I had finished that I had to confront my fears.  It sounds like something out of a therapy session or a bad novel, but there I was, helmet on, bike idling, and needing to get back home.  It took a minute or so, I won't lie.  But I pushed the fears aside, dropped it into first, and let out the clutch.  I rode down the street and nothing happened.

As I started to ride, it dawned on me what had occurred.  I was riding in a way that felt...new.  I felt better, more in control, more aware of what was going on around me.  Its hard to describe; I felt I now had respect for the other road users - not that I didn't before, more like I could respect what they were capable of, and what they weren't capable of.  It actually made be believe that I am now in a better position to ride with my wife as pillion.

I read an interview with a well-known London rider, and he mentioned that he doesn't let any of the driver's actions get to him.  It can be easy to get enraged by the indignity, arrogance, and dangerous actions of car and van drivers.  I have often found myself fuming at people.  I have also found it is not worth the energy - I will most likely let them just go about their business, and let them be dangerous to other people.  Sometimes, though, it is hard to let go of it.  

I would seem to me that my wee crash has taught me a very valuable lesson.  I cannot afford to be aggressive or wilful.  I think my riding style was to look at a situation and think 'I can fit through there'; now its more 'I might fit through there, but there's a possibility that car hasn't seen me.  Better to watch what he does from back here'.  My progress is still significant; I can still filter through slow moving traffic, and I can get to the front of the queue at a red light.  And I still get to enjoy the awesomeness that is riding a bike.  In reality, I shouldn't be in any sort of hurry to get to work - that's less time on the bike, which is far more enjoyable.  And I was very lucky in the fact that I wasn't involved in a more serious crash, where I could have been properly injured - I have no broken bones and I've still got all my fingers and toes.

As I wait for the opportunity to ride again, I get more and more excited about it.  I honestly feel like I've achieved the next level of riding; I've learned proper respect for the road users around me.  It's not just about courtesy, its about being defensive and maintaining one's space on the road in a safe way, and being ever vigilant.

While my video may not be the longest, or the most interesting, I hope it sort of lets people understand that this can happen in the blink of an eye, it can hurt you, and it can make you doubt your ability.  I think its important to get back in the saddle as quickly as possible, and to continue enjoying the experience of riding.  There is nothing like it.  Now, I have to convince my wife that it's okay....

Flat Tyres, Parking Tickets, Cool Car and Politeness

For the last few months, it has been mostly riding in rain - or at least in the very cold.  I had managed to ride in the snow, one morning - not my favourite, but still better than public transport.  It gets a bit difficult, biking in the winter; the temperature can really affect my hands and feet, making the ride rather uncomfortable.

But the days are getting longer, and we had a nice sunny day and I knew there was only one thing for it - a ride.  So off I go, and just had a wander around - no destination, no deadlines, just a ride.  Here are some clips from that day.

Almost right away, I noticed a car blocking a 'Keep Clear' box, which was unfortunate as there was someone wanting to turn.  The driver was trying to get out of the way, but she couldn't quite do it.  A moment later, I have a stretch of road open in front of me and sure enough, someone joins the road in front of me.  It wasn't really close, but it was enough that I had to work to avoid them.  Two examples of poor judgement within moments of each other!

As I was passing a queue of traffic a bit later on, I noticed a pedestrian crossing the road ahead of me.  I wanted to include this because it shows that people can appear seemingly out of nowhere - and when you're on a bike its crucial to be sharply focused at all times.

I made my way down a high street, and saw two cars being ticketed for parking.  I didn't notice any signs indicating they were parked illegally; maybe it was because they were on the kerb?

A few minutes later, I heard a loud bike, and I wanted to see what it was.  I caught up to him at a red light, and saw it was a fellow learner on a 125 - it sounded pretty good, I thought.  Loud pipes save lives, so they say.  I noticed though that his rear tyre looked really flat, so I flagged him down to let him know.  I felt bad because there was literally nothing I could do - I don't have a puncture repair kit, I couldn't offer him a lift, and I wasn't sure how far away the next petrol station was.  I had to leave him to his luck.  I did notice that he waited a moment, then carried on; hopefully with care.  I then felt really bad because I told him I thought there was a petrol station at the next roundabout, and I was wrong - it was further up.  I hope he made it home okay.

A bit later, I noticed a classic Citroen car queueing in some traffic.  I love these open wheel racers - this is the second one I've seen in the area (you can see the other in my video here), so I'm wondering if there is a club or something based in the area.  Either way, a nice surprise to see on a day out.

And finally, speaking of nice surprises, I was filtering when I encountered a polite road user who did his best to make room for me.  This sort of thing is unfortunately rare; some car drivers take offence when bikers can advance through traffic faster than them (which I don't understand at all - if you want to get through quicker, get a bike!).  I try to always show my appreciation for their efforts.

In a production side note, I'm still finding my feet with the software I'm using, Adobe Premier Pro.  I'm trying to teach myself how to use particular effects, so apologies for the amateurish production quality.