“I’ve always loved bikes,” says Ray Quinn. The former Grease star is already riding a 125cc Yamaha WR 125X with L plates, after passing his CBT a few months ago. Now he’s passed the Motorcycle Theory Test he’s another step closer to getting his full licence and riding any motorcycle he likes.
Ray says using the interactive DVD helped him pass the theory test, but it wasn’t too different to the car theory test he’d already passed. “The main thing for me was knowing about the bike. Knowing about the drive chain and how to fix a tyre… all pretty standard things that you think you should know, but when it comes to the question you sort of double ask yourself and go - well, is that what I’d do?”
The other part is the hazard perception test. Watching a video of riding through traffic, you’re asked to click the mouse every time you see a potential hazard, not too difficult for somebody like Ray who is already driving and riding on L plates.
“It helps if you drive, and it helps if you ride. If you don’t do anything and you just want a bike, get your CBT, jump on a scooter, get your road awareness. As long as you’re streetwise it’s about trust really. You put your trust in everybody. You’ve gotta not trust what they’re going to do. You just click in case you’ve got to swerve.”
Now he’s passed the Theory test, he just needs to take the practical test, and he will be able to ditch the L plates and take a passenger. Because he’s 21, Ray has a choice of routes to his full licence, and he plans to take the Direct Access test, which means training and taking the test on a larger motorbike. But at the moment he’s on tour with Dancing on Ice, so he’ll probably be waiting until the tour ends in May.
Ray’s a big fan of the cheapness and low hassle factor of life on two wheels. “If you just get a scooter you save yourself a bundle. And then after a couple of years you get the bug and you want to buy a bigger bike, and then that becomes your transport. As long as you’re safe and you’re aware of what’s around you, I think it’s the best way to go.”
For a free taste of the fun and freedom of riding, book your free trial ride through Get On. And if you want to know more about taking your theory test, or any other part of learning to ride, why not post a question at Kick Start a Conversation?