Here's the clue. Its not the bits that look like a kiddies playmat with road symbols on it...
In fact, the practical test isn't inherently complicated. Certainly not for someone who has been riding bikes for over 25 years.
So why make a great deal of it?
Crazy Golf for MotorcyclesWell ... to start of, lets make a small test circuit in the form of an upside down saucepan. The start of the track is at the bottom left of the screen... a sharp 90° left, followed by a sharp 90° right. Then it snakes off at a slow S curve, followed by a slalom (the "handle" on this image). The final part is a loop back and straight on the line above the handle. The TestImagine my amusement and delight when I was then chosen to go first. In front of another 16 witnesses. Joy A discrete test of the front brake (lethally efficient) meant that I decided a no brakes routine was in order. I made the first 90° more or less fine but wasn't lined up for the second. A quick dab of the rear brake to slow down succeeded in me dismally failing to find the rear brake, positioned comically in midair. I then ran wide on the second corner by what I felt was miles but was probably only centimetres But no foot down and they let me continue. The rest was... as they say... a piece of piss... I returned to a round of applause. I was the first of three to pass that afternoon, a stunning pass rate of 17%. The others will return next week. As most had done this and previous weeks. There was a real family atmosphere - everyone stayed to watch everyone else mess it up - and even fall off. And the rare 'pass' was always given a healthy applause. | Hyosung Gv 250 CruiserTo make sure that people fail more often than pass the road agency then make available a Hyosung Gv 250. A Cruiser. Cruisers are not really noted for their agility. I have never ever ridden this bike. Note the pegs are positioned waaay too forward for extra laughs. Yes I know, I have a Guzzi Cali. The pegs on the Cali are truly like rearsets compared to this! I was aware that this was going to happen, so I proudly presented my letter, translated in Korean, that said something along the lines of "I've been riding large bikes for over 20 years. Let me have a go for 5 minutes, or a practice lap around the course, so that I could get a feel of the handling of this motorcycle." They laughed. And said no! A full Korean motorcycle licence set me back about 15 quid. I have not had to ride a motorcycle on the road as part of the test. My knowledge of Korean roadcraft has not improved in any way by taking this course. I am bemused by the absurdity of it all. However, I can now ride, legally, motorcycles of any size on the island. If I didn't already have a full UK licence, I could now move back to the UK and transfer this licence for a full UK one. Now thats a scary thought. The reverse is not true however, which is why I did this in the first place. Must be something to do with the advanced biking skills here in Korea :-) JdR |