Waiting

Despite my advance call on EDI not to fix any test during my vacation, I received sms text on Thursday 17 September 2009 informing about my test date on 24 September 2009. I just didn't know how to say to these peoples. They never listen or use their heads. I called up EDI to complain about the test date and they replied that my call was too late since RTA office worked half day that day. So they could only relay my complaint to RTA on the next business day which was the test date itself. According to the RTA policy any postponement must be informed to them at least 3 days in advance. I was furious to think that RTA may fail me just because I will not turn up on the test date. It was ridiculous ! However I tried to calm down and not to let thing bother me so much during my vacation. As a matter of fact I managed to do so. Completely forgot about the test date when I was travelling in Edinburgh, London and Paris.

Today I called up EDI to follow up on this matter. Thank god, they told me RTA didn't fail me for failure to turn up but is processing my request for a new test date. Just now I received a call from EDI to confirm my new test date will be on the upcoming Thursday 1 October 2009.

So this is it. Hope this one will go through smoothly like lubricant on a piston.

Until then I imagined this:

Note: the above is somebody's street bob I copied from somewhere in world wide web. Any credit goes to the owner, of course.

Test of Perfection

Now I have finished 4 Friday classes. I feel more confident with my riding skills and traffic handling. I can do the figure 8 smoothly. I have memorised the test routes. I don't feel hesitate anymore whilst riding on the road. So my instructor told me that I am now ready and all set for the final test.

Last Friday I attended an assessment test conducted by my instructor. He passed me through with a few remarks on my mistake and things which I need to be careful. I looked at his comments and told him that I thought I have done exactly what he taught me.

He replied, "yes you have done everything correct. But my dear, you need to be perfect !".

I am waiting for a call from the driving centre on my date for the final test. It will be a big day for me. I have to perform. I will be tested on my skills and judgment.

It will be the test of perfection.

Cool Rap Song about Harley riders

Hi, I stumble onto this video in Youtube. It is a rap song by rappers Prime Time Players titles It's My Harley.

Very cool beat...

Not that Easy

I went to my second class last Friday. The instructor taught me on how to do the number 8. I thought it should be easy. I couldn't recall how I did it 15 years ago but I thought it was not the hardest part of the test.

I was wrong. The number 8 exercise is annoyingly challenging. My first 3 attempts were a complete failure. I couldn't do it at all. Until my instructor told me that the keys of doing it is to let go the clutch, the throttle and the brake. So minus all other controls I just concentrate on balancing the machine and making sure my front wheel is on the white line. It wasn't easy at all. By the end of my class I still was not satisfied with my skill.

I need to train harder next week.

Who can give me AED60,000?

I checked one of the motoring magazines in Dubai recently and it advertises the current market price for FXDB Street Bob is AED53,900. I figured if I were to purchase a new one I will need around AED60,000 with a few must have accessories like helmet, jacket, boot and maybe some parts.

I plan to check out the Dubai HD dealership this weekend and find out what will be the cost if I buy with auto loan. The disturbing thing is, if I take auto loan, banks here will ask security cheque from the borrower which covers the whole loan repayment amount. Sometime when the borrower defaulted a few payments, these blood sucker banks will not hesitate to cash the security cheque without considering the borrower's outstanding amount. The scary part is, in UAE, bounced cheque is a criminal offence rather than civil and the poor borrower can straight away go to jail without trial if his security cheque bounced.

So I can't imagine spending my time in jail just because of my auto loan. However that is how peoples have to face here in Dubai if they want to buy vehicles with auto loan.

The best option is to buy cash. However trying to save up AED60,000 is easy said than done. Will I have the discipline, the will and the patience to save this amount of money?

I think I just sign that security cheque, ride my harley and keep my job. If worst thing happened, I'll go to prison, serve my time, get a tattoo and by the time I can ride free again, I will have one hell of a character as a harley biker...woohoooo

FXDB Dyna Street Bob

I am focusing all my resources to acquire this motorbike. Focus....focus...focus..

The stock version

And the mod version...hell yeahh !!!

First Day Lessons

Last Friday I went to EDI for my first three classes. I thought it is going to be boring theory classes on traffic signs and rules. I was hoping they will just let me ride a motorcycle as I was really anxious to find out whether I still can ride or not. I last rode a motorcycle about 10 years ago. I gave my bike away to my younger brother after I graduated from university.

I was proven wrong on my skepticism. There was no theory class ! After I have been introduced to my instructors Mr Ikmal Khan and Mr Aijad Khan they asked me to choose my helmet and jacket. After a brief introduction on the switches and levers on a bike, the remaining 1 hour was spent on my bike making circles, stop and riding in real traffic together with my instructors and other students.

I was very satisfied to find out that I can still ride and have not forgotten all the skills. In fact my instructor commented that he was impressed to see my performance in my first day.

Last night I downloaded and watched Peter Fonda's Easy Rider (1969) movie. The film was really about riding and the scenes in Midwest US. I didnt really enjoy the story (as there was no story to watch except two cool dudes go out riding) but the Captain America and Billy Bike harley bikes were really revolutionary in its design.

But riding one will sure can tear both arms apart from the shoulders.