Phew! Theory test passed

No big deal I know but the bl**dy hazard perception test had me a bit
spooked. The trial DVD I had been trying on my PC was either not working
properly or I just wasn't getting the hang of it.

Seems it went okay in the test centre though where I scored 60 out of 75 (44
needed). Still think it's a rubbish way to assess hazard perception.
Giving a running commentary with an examiner would be a much better test.

Now to book some lessons.

Tim

 

and ASAP otherwise the summer will be over. Good luck.

 

Good luck with the lessons Tim.
I found the same problem with the hazard perception that I did for my
HGV test. I was assessing the risks as a biker, i.e. half a mile before
they happen but you're supposed to click it when you actually HAVE to
stop or swerve and the hazard is happening, not when it's potential,
which would surely make for better training.

 

The "click window" only opens as the hazard is "developing" - you might
see a parked car but you only click if it starts indicating to move off.
i.e. you click when you would brake, not when you would cover the brake.

Also, I found that if you react slightly too fast the window hasn't
opened yet. I found I got better results if I delayed my response by
about half a second. That was with the DVD, though: no idea if the real
system had the same problem.

The one that foxed me was with an ambulance which pulls out from a side
road and then drives in front of you for about half a mile. Apparently it
is only a hazard as it first pulls out from a side road and when it's 10m
in front of you driving along with blues and two on it is not.

 

Congratulations and welcome to the path that leads to the darkest side.

 

My favourite was me pootling down a dual carriageway when suddenly three
bikes hoon past me on my right and then sit in front of me for half a
mile... click click CLICK. I caught myself shouting at the screen for
quite a few of the videos, too ... um... oops.

 

Any suggestions for infecting my better half with the bike bug?

Tim

 

Chloroform. Bungee feet to pillion pegs, cuff arms around you. "Scream
if you want to go faster".

Works every time, like breaking a horse. Oh, don't fucking crash when
she's like that, Plod might get a bit sticky.

 

It took me about 5 years before she stopped viewing the bike as the
"other woman". I changed my beloved Kawasaki Zephyr for a Triumph Sprint
RS which she loved as a pillion perch, but when I replaced that with a
Ducati after 1 trip out she declared she hated it, so hasn't been out
with me for over a year now.

Re DAS, I did mine in 2003, a superb week learning something new that I
had wanted to do for years. I did a write up each might on UKRM, try
googling for "Dan's DAS Diary" posts, I am sure they are archived
somewhere.

Best of luck.

 

Get a big single and take her pillion down a bumpy road.

 

Though not a KTM Duke, unless you want the emphasis to be on "down a
bumpy road".

 

Remove the pillion seat from your own bike. Then the lazy bitch will have
to ride her own if she want's to go anywhere.

 

It has been a long time since anybody suggested that there may be a point
to Ducattis round these parts but I think you may be on a roll with that
one.

 

LOL! Thanks for that. Made my wife smile.

Tim

 

Excellent. That was the idea.

Seriously - take her for a gentle trundle to a country pub, using roads
you know well. It can be very pleasant of a summer evening and I rather
like having the missus wrapped around me from behind (for a change).
Makes you very concious of every gear change, every brake, every squeeze
of the throttle to start with - puts you right on your game, mind.
Smoothness is paramount, everything must be progressive - much like
making love to a beautiful woman, as it happens.

 

I love that challenge. It is about the only thing that makes carrying a
pillion worthwhile.

Well yes and the bits at either end of the ride, of course.

 

Yeah - when working through traffic on a Bandit 12, and it's all getting
a bit bloody hot and the motor stutters when sliding a bit of throttle
on - don't give it an irritable twist without pulling the clutch in. Or
if you don't, be prepared to catch your pillion's boots under your
armpits. Then be prepared to give thanks to Messrs Knox for kidney-
protecting back protectors - but remember to make the appropriate noises
as if it were hurting, otherwise she'll keep punching.

 

Topbox or Ventura rack makes them think they won't fall off the back and
makes them feel far more comfortable.

Fraser