Brian Sullivan•2 Apr 2012

REVIEW

The A-Z of getting your learner's permit

After a slew of false starts, the Bikesales Network's advertising executive recently took the plunge and joined the land of powered two-wheelers

After five years, thousands of hours reading and talking about motorcycles, and selling millions of dollars worth of advertising on them, I finally decided that I had to become more actively involved in the caper by actually getting my learner’s permit. Kinda slow I know…

So without delay I was booked in for a nine-hour course with DECA (Driver Education Centre of Australia), and one cold and wet Melbourne Saturday in March, 2012 I took myself down to Carrum Downs to get my learner’s permit, and here’s what transpired:

A for Anticipation

My life is about to change -- like when I first got my car license and my first car, my life mushroomed from revolving around a few suburbs to anywhere in the city and beyond. No longer confined by my mere legs or public transport, life exploded. How will a bike license change it again? I can see a whole new part of life opening up that I don’t yet fully appreciate.

B is for Bubble

The instructors (Rob and Stuart, we had a 1:6 ratio) emphasised having a ‘bubble’ on the road: the space around your bike, and the importance of controlling that space. Always be aware of that space and do not let anything enter that space -- but if that happens, start a new bubble.

C is for Cars

They are bigger and they hurt! I know this from experience, as I have been car-doored on my push-bike and regularly have had cars cut in front of me and almost hit me. Not all car drivers are bastards, but a bike rider will come off worse in any tangle so be aware of them, control your space and keep in the bubble mentioned above.

D is for DECA

DECA has eight locations across Victoria and Tasmania. I was at the Carrum Downs locale which offers motorcycle introductory courses, learners and provisional licensing courses through to advanced and defensive training courses.

E is for Emergency Stop

This is one of the elements of the test, which requires a rider to stop a bike traveling in the low 20km/h range within seven metres.

F is for Freedom

At least half the day was spent on the bikes riding around DECA’s training ‘circuit’ and learning the basic skills to control a bike safely. There was a great rush when I first got the bike moving and heard and felt the wind whistle past my helmet.

G is for Gear

DECA provided the gear (helmet) for the day, and emphasised the need for safety gear beyond what is required by law (helmet), including gloves, a jacket with elbow protection, boots and Kevlar jeans.

H is for Helmet

Something I will have to get used to. I caught myself twice scratching the outside of my helmet when my head became itchy…

I is for Instructors

Both Rob and Stuart have been with DECA for a number of years. They were serious when they needed to be, but most of the day was light-hearted. A couple of dad jokes along the way lightened the proceedings, and made sitting in a class room enjoyable.

J is for Journalism

A new career? I think I’ll keep selling the ads…

K is for Kawasaki KLX250SF

The supermoto-inspired bike I did my permit on (DECA also has Kawasaki Ninja 250Rs and scooters as well). For more information, visit Kawasaki.com.au. As well, DECA is running a competition at the moment, where all riders who book in for their learner’s before Tuesday, July 31 will go into the draw to win a Ninja 250R.

L is for Learner’s permit

I now have a learner’s permit! To get my provisional license I must hold a learner’s permit for a minimum of three months before I can sit the next test. If I have not done my test to get my provisional license within 15 months my learner’s permit expires and I will need to redo the test [Ed: that’s what happened to my tardy wife…]

M is for Motorcyclist

I am becoming...

N is for Novice

Me.

O is for Overwhelmed

Not really – the instructors were pretty good at explaining and delivering messages on how to control a bike, as well briefing the class on bike safety.

P is for Pass

You beauty! Now off to a bike shop (stay tuned -- when I buy a bike I will write a review of sorts).

Q is for Questions

In the morning the class had to complete a multiple-choice test based on the Victorian Rider Handbook, which is available from VicRoads. You can get seven wrong and still pass -- not that I a suggesting you aim for mediocrity.

R is for Retest

In Victoria, you can do the test twice on the same day if you stall or fail one of the elements.

S is for Safety

That’s what it is all about. On a bike a rider is pretty exposed, so take the steps required to safeguard your own safety.

T is for Test

At the end of the day we were tested on what we learnt. The test included left and right turns, slow riding, stopping at a designated point, emergency breaking and the minor controls of the bike (indicators, lights etc.)

U is for Ultimate Bike?

You would think the amount of time I have spent in dealerships I should already know this. But gazing and reading about bikes is not the same as riding, so over the next few months I will get on a few and find out what I like.

V is for Vintage

All the safety videos we had to watch during the day were definitely vintage -- I’d say maybe 20 years old. Nonetheless, the message was relevant -- and it was interesting to go back in time and see how Melbourne looked 20 years ago.

W is for Wire Brush

Apparently this is what they use to clean out wounds from people who have a spill without protective gear. I don’t like watching operations or medical shows on television so the image of cleaning a wound with a wire brush sent a shiver up my spine. No thanks, I think I'll wear the Kevlar and leather today.

X is for Xtreme

No, this is not eXtreme riding (with an X because it’s so out there): it’s about DECA focussing on getting you to be safe on the road.

Y is for Youth

It wasn’t just kids getting their learner’s permit. The class of 12 had at least three students who were returning to riding after getting away from it for at least 12 years.

Z is for Zulu

This has nothing to do with bikes, I just like this song. It features Afrika Bambaataa spelling Zulu a lot. Oh all right, Z is for Zero as in no alcohol allowed when on the learner’s permit.

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The A-Z of getting your learner's permit

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