I don't think you ever stop learning. Every time you ride it is a new experience and different from the last time you rode. I don't care if you've been riding for 2 days or 30 years, you still learn something.

Having said that...some people are just better at it than others, and will always be. Just like playing a sport or something, some people could practice every day for years and still not be as good as one person is after the first week. I think natural physical and mental ability and how people think plays a lot into this.

In a nut shell, you have to have the physical AND mental ability combined with experience to be a good rider. Some people are just not meant to ride a bike, and some are.

 

The UK test is now one of the toughest you can take and comes in several stages (you have to pass them all):

1 - Compulsory Basic Training. You can't fail the CBT but it's required for anyone with a car license who wants to ride. It's basically a day in a schoolyard learning slow riding technique and what to do at junctions, followed by a brief run out on the road accompanied by an Instructor. After this you can ride a 125cc machine, with L-plates attached, no passengers and not on motorways.

CBT endorsement lasts for two years, after which you have to do it again unless you have you full license by then.

2 - Theory Test. Taken at a DVLA test centre. A 50-question multiple choice test, followed by a series of 60 second clips shot from a motorcycle's perspective. You click the mouse when you see a hazard developing. Multiple random clicks are detected and you get disqualified for just randomly clicking. Must pass with 43 out of 50 on the questions and 44 out of 75 hazards detected.

You can do the next two stages on a 125cc bike if you want, but you're restricted to that size for the following two years. Or you can do it on a 500cc bike and get an unrestricted license (if you pass).

3 - Module 1. More lowish speed manouvres, this time at a DVLA test centre over a specific course. Includes slow figure 8s, a run round a curve at 30mph then through a radar trap at at least 50mph then slow to a stop with the front wheel in a small target area within a specific and quite short distance (among other things). Not as easy as you might expect.

4 - Module 2. The on-road test. Preceeded by a series of random questions about the operation of the bike, basic maintainance and a "can you read the license plate on that car way over there". Lasts approximately 60 minutes over one of several routes, followed by an Examiner who is in one-way radio contact with you. Will include navigation through differing types of road/traffic conditions (open road, suburbia, main street, etc).

Believe me - the failure rates are high. They want to make sure you know what the hell you're doing. You must pass each section in order and there's a cost associated with each one.

I passed the first sections first time, but failed Module 2 four times. I am now very confident in my ability to control the bike and ride safely!

You can get a map of the Module 1 course from the DVLA website - why not print it out and see if you can do it?

 

Maybe I'm retarded.

My RKC is my first-ever bike and I rode it home from the dealership without issue.

I've been riding it everyday since then.

 

See my last post (61)...apparently you are one of those people that have good natural instincts when it comes to riding.