Howdy,

Just thought i’d share my experience with you’s as a learner biker. This comes on the back of me passing my full unrestricted cat A bike test this morning :smileee:
I’m touching 40 years old and have only ever messed around on bikes years ago. Never took a lesson, i was on my 1st learner permit this year when i decided i needed to face up to getting a full licence. Did the usual theory test and applied for my learner permit in the summer. On receipt of the learner permit (cat A) i booked some IBT lessons with Ridercoach based in Dushaughlin. Sound guy Aidan, i would recommend him. Pulls no punches..
Bought a Deauville in the summer and went hard at the practice. I completed my IBT, got my Certificate and applied for the test. Got a couple of appointments which didn’t suit at the time so cancelled them. I was given another date (today) and took it otherwise i would have to pay for my next test because i’d cancelled twice.
I was commuting in and out of Dublin city centre 5 Days a week since the Summer and let me tell you, it was a Baptism of fire. Very stressful at the start but eased my way into it slowly after a couple of weeks :smileee:
A huge amount of cage drivers are absolute clueless, dangerous twats. Nearly milled off the Bike several times. Tailgating somebody riding a Motorbike is a disgraceful way to carry on <(")>
Defensive riding at all times, Taxis are also liable to do anything for a fair including killing me, given half a chance…
Had to hire a bike this morning for the Test as my bike didn’t meet the power output for cat A test. Hired a sweet Bandit and sat on to it for the first time ever this morning and away i went. Found it totally different from my own bike to start but rode it around Finglas for an hour before the test till i was confident on it.
Arrived ten minutes early and was then called by the tester, nice fella, no problems there. Showed him my documents, he asked me a few rules of the road, signs. He gave me my radio set and off we went to the bike for some more questions.
Once all that was done we set out on the test, did the usual stuff, u-turn, overtake and emergency stop. Rode along side him as he walked and then that was it, back to the test center.
I cut out while waiting for the barrier to lift at the entrance to the center, got a bit panicked and hit the HORN while trying to start her up again :lbhbh:
Thought i’d failed on that and was well pissed at myself !

So got the pass and i’m pretty happy !

See you on the road lads, Safe riding :bikerie: