Ready, Test, Go!

Today was the last lesson of my motorcycle career.

To give you the summary, obtaining a license in Japan consists of proceeding through two levels of lessons. The first tier, regularly eight lessons, consists of just getting comfortable with the bike, riding, balance, etc. Tier two, nine lessons with lots of simulator work, takes those basics and works on refinement of basic motoring skills. It also teaches the rider a lot about the safety of riding a motorcycle, something I cannot stress enough, considering that being on the road with large automobiles is surely fraught with some danger (and having fallen off the bike once, later realizing that if the guy behind me doesn't stop soon enough, it's over).

So it's test time. But only on Monday and Thursday mornings. I had today (Monday) off as a comp day for the sports festival this past weekend. If only I was ready today... So now I'll have to ask at least one of my co-teachers, and hopefully only one since I'll be passing, for pretty much a full day off.

I'll show up at the driving school at 8:30 and check in. They'll tell me (and any others taking the test that day) what course we're driving. We'll get an explanation of the course, the testing points, conditions for "not continuing" as I like to put it nicely, etc. Then, we'll take our turns. Starting with a half lap to get used to the balance of the bike we'll be riding that day, we'll continue past the starting point and start the test. 70 / 100 is passing. Minor infractions (doing the balance beam too quickly, taking a turn incorrectly, forgetting to verify before turning) are 5 points off. Other things (like coming off the balance beam too early) are instant "not continues."

I had a little nervousness today, just thinking about the test. Hopefully, that helps to dull the shakes I'll have come test time. But I felt good, and my instructor today was really awesome. I hope I have someone as confident and cool as him grading me. I'm not saying he'll be less strict, but...hmm, what am I saying then?

Anyway, I'm taking my test next. And then I'm buying a bike. And you can bet I'll be posting pictures of that thing when the time comes.