Last week we had to pick up our Guzzi California from the dealership after servicing. After making that trip once on the Tube, we decided even if the Honda is unreliable and spraying coolant all over the place, it’s still less painful than being stuck inside an underground toothpaste tube. So off we went, in the midst of weekend traffic, through South West London. To be honest, two people riding the Honda in bright sunny weather, through hellish traffic conditions, was a situation less than ideal. So indeed by the time we reached Corsa Italiana in Colliers Wood, the Honda was making puddles of coolant.

Having time to spare (to let the poor thing cool down!) we kept ourselves entertained by looking at the new bikes they had on display. I particularly loved the V7 Café 750 Classic standing inside their showroom. What a good looking bike! Especially since I have a weakness for retro looks, and the combination of matte Yellow paint with the chrome spoke wheels etc. just totally works!

Though they didn’t have a demo bike for that model available, they did have the normal V7 Classic. The only difference between both is mainly cosmetic; different handlebar and seat, rest is pretty much the same.

So off I went taking it for a little ride. It’s a fairly small and light bike, doesn’t really feel like a 750. It took a little while getting used to the gears and clutch. Everything is so new and smooth, you don’t even notice the gears changing – quite a big difference after being used to the Honda which in comparison sounds and feels like a tractor changing gears. The clutch travel is minute, way less than I expected, so my start was not particularly smooth, until I got my head around where the biting point is.

Now it does say it’s a 750, V-Twin - but it doesn’t really go like a 750. Both my husband and I are spoilt with the Honda’s acceleration, and although the spec says the Guzzi has 10 less bhp, it feels like way less than that. For exactly that reason, my husband didn’t like the bike at all. I on the other hand was more influenced by the looks of it. It may sound very, very wrong but the whole bike just seemed endearing. Compare it to a lion cub, it’s really cute and at the same time demands respect - A small V twin with a tiny little roar to go with it when you rev it a bit. Possibly changing the exhaust to louder ones will make it more impressive but I was overwhelmed by the cuteness of it all. (Men will hate this remark I’m sure!). One thing I did note on my little ride around the neighbourhood was that other bikers seem to inherently respect you on that bike more than on a Japanese one. I got a few nods and looks, which NEVER happens on the Honda.

All in all I think the bike is quite nice, perhaps a bit girly. I’d prefer the Café version of course, and a louder exhaust system. However, for the same price or less I could get a small Harley… which is also very tempting. I couldn’t really fault the bike, it has its own charm and quite different looks, however the main thing that would make me think twice is servicing costs. After being presented with the bill for our California this point was emphasized even more, shelling out 400-500 quid for a simple service just feels so wrong – there wasn’t even anything broken on the bike! Imagine getting it repaired when it does break down; Ouch!

From 27 April 2009, the DSA is introducing a new motorcycle practical test. For those of you that do not yet have a full motorcycle license, a lot is about to change!

The current test

Currently, the test involves just riding on the road, with the examiner on a separate vehicle following you, telling you via intercom where to go - as well as an eyesight test and some bike maintenance/handling questions. You need to make sure you follow all the rules, ride at the appropriate speed, appropriate position on the road, and so on. Sometime during this test, you will need to show two special manoeuvres; a U-turn and an emergency stop. both are usually done one after the other - the examiner will ask you to pull over and get off your bike. He will then tell you to push the bike (while walking!) in a U-turn to the other side of the road. Then you should get on the bike, start it and when it is safe, do a U-turn to the position you initially stopped at. Then he will give you instructions for your Emergency Stop manoeuvre; at a speed of about 20-25 mph approach the examiner, when he raises his hand, you bring the motorcycle to a stop, safely and as quickly as you can, without any skidding or loss of control! When you’re stopped, you check your mirrors, put it in first gear, check your shoulders, indicate left and pull over on the side of the road.

So far so good, you basically need to know how to ride on the road; abiding by the rules and without interfering with other traffic. One would think that that would be all that can reasonably be expected from a new rider……….. But apparently not so - because this new test is being introduced!

The new test

Apparently the DSA seems to think that motorcyclists and moped riders are a hazard to themselves and/or other road users (”They have a high risk of injury or death”) - not taking into account that if you’re on two wheels without protective bodywork surrounding you, you will always have a higher risk of injury or death, even if the accident wasn’t your fault to begin with.

So they’re introducing this new test which is supposed to make every new rider extremely skilled and safe on the road. The new test will have two parts; an off road part where various manoeuvres are to be performed at slow as well as higher speeds and an on road part, which seems to be quite similar to what the current test is. So the off road part is where the problem lies:

• at least 2 slow speed manoeuvres including a slalom
• at least 2 higher speed manoeuvres; one at 19mph or more (second or third gear) and one exercise where you need to avoid an obstacle at 32mph or more.
• at least 2 braking manoeuvres, including an emergency stop at 32mph or more.

This causes a whole host of problems; not only is the level of expertise they demand extremely high and unreasonable for a new rider, also do some of the minimum speed requirements exclude certain lower cc vehicles from even being used for the test (In a limited space, get to 32mph and swerve to avoid an obstacle stop without riding off the course!)

One of the slow speed manoeuvres involves for instance riding your bike in first gear while the examiner walks around the course at varying speeds, and you’re supposed to stay next to him at his pace throughout.

OK so it’s tough, but practically what will change?

At the moment, it is possible for a novice to do a 5 day training course with an approved motorcycle training school and pass the practical test at the end of it. This currently would cost maybe around 600-700 quid (depending on whether you hire a bike or use your own).

However, talking to some of the instructors I’ve learned from myself, they found the new test extremely tough themselves! And I’m talking about guys with years and years of riding experience!

So for the new test, any course you were planning on taking, add another two days (roughly £200) on top of that, and MAYBE you’ll pass. So for a complete beginner, at least 7 days of consecutive training will be required. For a more experienced rider, 5 days instead of 3.

The implications do not just end there. If it’s so difficult to pass a test, many people may just give up before starting. The instructor I learned from is already looking at alternate career options, should nobody want to do motorcycle training any more after the new test is introduced.

It’s not rocket science to figure out that if the test is more difficult, less people will do it. Instead they might ride without a license (not ideal) or they will keep driving cars and whatever else can be driven with a car license (trikes, quads, etc.) which in turn will increase congestion.

All I can say is, I’m glad I passed my test before this insanity started. And not only is this a prime example that people sitting behind desks shouldn’t actually make any decisions, it is also an absolute triumph for red-tapeism - from those that invented it!