Scoot Scoot

His & Hers

Mine's the Red One!

It wasn't a hard decision. We rode one in Korea for almost two years. Living now in Australia for nearly two years, it is about time we got some transportation of our own. The trains, buses and ferries are decent here, but if we want to go anywhere away from these lines, it would take 1-2 hours of our time.

One of my main reasons for the upgrade is because of my soccer commitments. I play for a club in the Eastern Suburbs. My team practices in Maroubra, an hour bus ride away from my apartment in Elizabeth Bay or commuting from work at Milsons Point. We play anywhere from Redfern, Centennial Parklands and down to Maroubra...around 30 square kilometers of travelling.

Dave also joined a volleyball team in Tempe, an hour train ride from his work place in North Sydney. We were used to zipping around wherever we wanted in the northeast of Seoul. We wanted the same lifestyle in Sydney. The building frustration for waiting for late buses and taking trains that didn't exactly take you to where you wanted to go had culminated when I realised I just couldn't depend on Sydney buses in February on my way to practice. In one instance, a bus driver took me to the fields after his route ended in Maroubra city. He told his boss I was 'lost'.

We needed to get our own transportation. Scooters was our answer because you really don't need to go that fast in the city and you can park for free! The city itself isn't that big - walkable most people would say. The fastest anyone goes even in a car is 40-60km/hour. Now to get a licence...

My English colleague Ciaran told me about the process in getting the learners licence. He too is an expat facing the same transportation woes. Over lunch, he explained to me how easy it is.

1.    Sign up for a Learners Course with the RTA (Roads and Traffic Authority - like our DMV) costing $80. The course is four hours on Saturday and four hours on Sunday. The instructor will assess whether or not you pass. Luckily, there is no 'test'.

2.    Once approved, you get a completion receipt or 'diploma'. You present this to the RTA and then will give you a 45 question test via touchscreen. There are four sections and in two of the sections, you cannot miss more than one question. If you do, you fail.

3.    If you pass, you receive your new NSW motorbike licence for learners

4.    Buy a bike and get going all in a week!

*Learner's licence allows you to only drive up to 160cc bike at a maximum speed of 80km/hour. Also, you cannot have any passengers, hence the two bike purchases.

It seemed so easy, but of course we faced a few hurdles along the way.

When we tried to sign up, very few driving centres had the availability when we wanted. The next available slot for both of us to train on automatic scooters was four weeks later in the godforsaken city of Clyde.

Clyde train stop was only 30 minutes from Central, but it was the last place we wanted to be for the weekend. There was nothing there, but car dealerships. There were no trees and was extremely hot - the Western Suburbs is like the 'Outback' to us Eastern Suburbs dwellers.

Training Grounds

Motorcycle Course Behind the Barricades

The training centre is literally under an overpass. Behind the barricades are motorbike road courses with cones and more barricades. We were greeted by an old school bikie. He was retired, nearly bald and had a handle bar mustache - exactly what I expected. He was a great teacher - very seasoned. He answered all of our questions and gave his personal insight especially when it came to safety. He scared us into wearing pants because of the possibility of 'gravel rash' - to treat gravel rash, the gravel is scraped!

Day 1 of the course was very easy, especially for Dave and I who had scooter driving experience. We took an hour to learn the proper method of mounting a bike. Then, we learned how to ride it by pushing each other around with the engine off! After, we started to build on our skills learning how to start, stop, make turns, overtake, park, change directions, use the indicator and most importantly, safety checks. We were in a class of five, where the three others were learning proper motorcycle skills. While they learned how to change gears, we did the same exercises at less than 20km/hour.

After the two days of four hour courses, we all passed with learner's course receipts or 'diplomas' in hand. The best piece of advise our instructor gave us was to take the online practice test 10 times because the same questions would appear on the actual test.

Passed with 'Diploma' in Hand

For the next few nights, we practice over and over. It had been over 10 years since I took a driving test, but you'd think the answers would be obvious. In the first go, we missed five questions! This was a wake-up call for us to practice more if we were allowed to miss no more than one question in some sections.

First Question

There must have been a lot of cheating for this to be a part of the test!

Last Question

There must have been a lot of bribery too!

Motorcycle Learners Test Categories

Don't Miss More Than 1 on the Road Safety Essentials

Try the test for yourself. It takes no more than 10 minutes.

http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/licensing/tests/driverknowledgetest/demonstrationdriverknowledgetest/index.html

That next Thursday, Dave and I booked our learner's test at the RTA. I had taken about 15 tests and was still getting new questions. I went in semi-confident.

Dave already had his NSW driving licence. I did not. It must be because of my Texan pride because I love having a Texas licence. Well my pride made it more difficult. Dave proceeded to the testing area with ease. I was grilled on my age and licence. The last time I renewed my licence was in 2009. Because my licence didn't show the year I actually got it (2001), the RTA thinks I have only been driving for less than three years, requiring me to have a Provisional licence. This licence is a basically a full licence, but limits me to driving less than 100km/hour and has fewer demerit allowances. I didn't want to hassle with getting a full car licence when my purpose here was for a motorcycle licence. I accepted the P licence and proceeded to the testing area.

By the time I sat down, Dave was nearly finished. I took a deep breath and began the test. All of the questions were familiar to me. I breezed through until I hit question 24, a new question. I  can't remember what the question was exactly because I couldn't believe I missed a question. And I wasn't sure if it was in a section that only allowed one missed question. I would feel like such a loser if I didn't pass this. My heart raced.

Dave was already back in line getting his new licence. To make matters worst, I was seated next to an old Asian man taking a motor vehicle test and complaining to the attendance he couldn't read the screen!

I continued reading each question more carefully than before. As I got closer to question 45, my heart raced in excitement and nervousness. I finally reached the bribery question and I knew I was home free.

The attendants were busy with other customers and didn't notice me or the Asian man finished with our tests. I stood up and walked over. I was quickly shooed back to my seat. Then, the Asian man started talking to me about what test I took and whether I passed. This was the last thing I needed...to look like I was cheating! I whispered, "I don't think we should be talking" and pointed to the no talking sign. He smiled and sat quietly until the attendant came back.

At the counter, there was a new attendant, so I had to re-show all my ids; passport, bank statement, licence. The P licence was explained to me again. If I could bring proof that I had been driving over three years, I could have my full licence. I didn't want to fight it. I just wanted my scooter licence! I was asked my DOB to put on my new licence and the attendant realised I was older than I looked. If you are over 25, you can claim to drive longer than three years without proof. Bam! I had a new NSW full driving licence and learners motorcycle licence.

 NSW Driver Approved

For the next two days, Dave and I scoured gumtree.com.au, Australia's version of Craig's List. He and I both set up appointments to see used scooters on Saturday. Our original criteria was a well-known brand with less than 10,000km for around $1,500. This quickly changed when we found very few 125cc scooters fit this criteria. We found some great models with less than 2000km, but at a price of $2200. They were also located in Macquarie Park, North Ryde, Bondi and Coogee - completely opposite areas of Greater Sydney that would literally be a whole day of travelling.

On that Friday, I asked Ciaran for a recommendation on where to get a helmet. If we were going to test drive any of these bikes, we would need a helmet. Plus all the used scooter sellers didn't want us to borrow their helmet! He gave me two shops in Sydney. Browsing through their websites, we found that scooterworld.com.au were selling new Daelim Besbi 125cc bikes for $2500!

We knew we were buying bikes the next day regardless if they were new or used. This was evident by the $4,000 wad of cash Dave carried on Friday evening when Dave walked skiddishly around Kings Cross.

That Saturday morning, we had the list of all the used scooter's addresses. On our minds was Scooter World and the Daelim scooters.

Scooter World opened at 9am. The first used scooter appointment was at 11am. We decided to look at the new scooters, plus we needed to buy helmets, although Ciaran lent me his.

We walked into the shop and a burly man greeted us. We found out quickly that he was one of the partners. He showed us the Daelims and also the next popular Kymco Likes. After sitting on them, gripping the handles and daydreaming of me and my new scooter, I fell in love with the Daelim Besbi. It was smaller, cheaper and looked more like a Vespa than the Kymco. I would love to get a Vespa, but they run anywhere from 5,000 to 10,000! With the Besbi, I got the retro look for a quarter of the price. Plus, Daelim is a trusted Korean brand.

After an hour of looking at helmets, Dave and I approached the owner with our nod of approval. Before we sealed the deal, I got him to drop the price of our helmets from $130 to $100 and our top boxes and rack from $300 to $250. We each had the whole package for $2,850 drive away. Dave didn't say anything of course because if he wants something, he won't haggle.

We had to leave our new bikes until 2pm so they could apply the new registration (done inhouse without going to the RTA!), fill up the tank and check for any issues.

We came back promptly at 2pm to find our bikes ready for us in the driveway.

Proud Owners of Not 1, but 2 Scooters!

We tacked on a premium insurance (theft, 3rd party, fire) for an easy $25/month. Can't believe how cheap insurance is! We still paid $2,850 each, which is the biggest purchase I've ever made with exception to Fordham tuition.

We mounted our bikes and were ready to set off to Elizabeth Bay. This was my first time driving in Australia, not to mention driving on the left side of the road! I followed Dave closely as we drove through Surry Hills, Darlinghurst, Kings Cross and finally Elizabeth Bay. It was exhilarating to feel the wind on our backs and engine roaring at the turn of the handle. We finally did it! We owned our own vehicles without the help of our families or companies. This was our purchase and they were perfect.

Since receiving our licence and new motorbikes, we've done practice rides to all the places we would go; Maroubra for soccer practice, Tempe for volleyball, to Bondi Beach and the surrounding Eastern Suburbs. I drove 70km/hour for the first time the next day!

Because we had spent so much on our bikes, we decided to forego a trip away for the long Easter weekend. Instead, we decide to take it easy and familiarise ourselves with our bikes and the Sydney roads.

First Drive to Bondi Beach

On Easter Sunday our friends Daniel and Lacey had a small gathering at their apartment in Manly Vale. This was a good opportunity for us to drive over the Sydney Harbour bridge the first time. We had to face it eventually because if we were going to drive these scooters to work, we would need to drive over that bridge. It began to spit rain that day and the sky was grey - not the most promising weather for cross harbour driving.

The road to get on the bridge is actually pretty close to our apartment. We entered via Woolloomooloo and drove onto the Cahill Expressway. The name does not lie. I was scared with all the cars whizzing by. Thankfully I stayed in one lane, the left lane, the entire time.

The entire time I had that gut wrenching feeling you have when you're on a roller coaster about to go over the edge. There was a lot of metal around and I kept thinking of flying off into the Sydney Harbour waters, which I couldn't do since the train ran on the left side. That could be just as bad!

In the end, the bridge crossing was fine. We weaved through North Sydney and Neutral Bay where we took Military Road all the way to Manly.

The scariest part of the trip was going down hill, creeping at 35km/ hour right before the Spit Bridge. There was a point where at least four cars tailed me. I'm sure very pissed off.

We crossed the Spit Bridge with ease. The surrounding area of Mosman was beautiful especially now that the sun had peeked out from the grey clouds.

For the rest of the weekend, we enjoyed Easter with Daniel, Lacey, Emily and Lee - the same Hawkesbury fun bunch. We played a round of King's Cup, made mojitos, and enjoyed gin, wine and beers.

When the roast lamb came out at 5pm, we tore through it with our fingers - the not so classy Easter we expected.

This Isn't the Same

Beer Run

Easter Mojitos

On Monday, we woke up surprisingly fresh despite the previous night's antics. We ate all the left over sausage, sweet potatoes and a new pack of bacon in the park - which had a nice outdoor electric grill! The sun was out and just because we visit Manly a handful of times a year, we headed to the beach for the afternoon.

Picnic Breakfast

Beach at Manly

Great Day for a Surf

Daniel, the avid surfer took Dave out for some waves. Lacey and I laid out in the sun and took in the beautiful scenery.

At 3pm, we left our friends and headed home. The ride home, especially near the Spit Bridge went quickly and felt easier. Crossing the bridge into the city, we found out that's when you get charged a whopping $4! The Cahill Expressway was tougher this time because there are so many exits forcing vehicles to weave between three lanes. I'm left feeling vulnerable and slowing down to 60km. When we excited to Woolloomooloo, I looked in my rear view mirror and saw a woman in a car shaking her head.

We didn't go far for Easter (Bondi is two train stops away and Manly took 35 minutes via scooter), but we spent it with some good friends and had a wonderful time getting to know our scooters and the Sydney roads better.

My big goal for the weekend was to conquer the bridge and we did. My big fear for the next day is going back to work and tackling the bridge again in peak hour traffic!

First Day Driving to Work

Over the Sydney Harbour Bridge!

Sydney Harbour Bridge

My Scooting Grounds. Where to Scooter Next?