An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir October 2018 www.dfmagazine.ie 18 | 7th Motorcycle Operators Course REPORT & PHOTOS BY SGT KARL BYRNE W ith that quote in mind, getting on a motorcycle isn't for the faint hearted. You need your wits about you, you need concentration and nerve, and you need not only the knowledge of what it takes to make the two-wheeled vehicle move forward, but to move forward safely, so as to be- come an 'old' biker and not a 'bold' one. Starting back on 2nd July the 7th Motorcycle Operators course, the second to be conducted by the MP GP DFTC since the last DF re-org, ran for six weeks. Eight students from 2 Cav Sqn, 2 Bde MP Coy and MP GP DFTC, started the course under the tutorship of five instructors from 2 Bde MP Coy and MP GP DFTC, one of whom had instructed on six previous courses. Two of the students had no previous experience on a motorcycle, a daunting prospect con- sidering the skills they had to master in such a short period. The course predominantly used the Honda CBF 600 to learn their trade and also used the Honda NC750X, which is the opera- tional bike they will use in their units. Being a basic course and with a couple of complete beginners on it, the course started with the very basics of starting and stop- ping the engine, moving on to taking the bike on and off its stand, and then taking off in first gear. From the very start of the course the students were drilled in the 'lifesaver' procedure, which involves checking both mirrors and then physically looking back over each shoulder to check blind spots. Lifesaver is a vital procedure to be carried out before a motorcyclist moves off from the kerb, turns left or right, changes lanes, or begins an overtaking manoeuvre, and can literally be a life saver. Once the students had mastered these skills they moved onto banking and cornering, and the use of brakes, including using the front brake only, the back brake only and then both brakes together. Using both brakes together shows the student how the ABS (anti-lock braking system) works. This very important lesson, 'The System of Motorcycle Control', also incorporates correct road positioning, using the correct speed for various road and weather conditions, acceleration and deceleration, avoiding hazards, and generally learning how to ride in a safe and correct manner. As well as learning how to ride a motorcycle, it is also impor- tant to know how it runs and how to maintain it. To this end, the students were taught how to carry out a BOS (before operation service), which ensures that the bike is in a good state and safe to ride, and an AOS (after operation service), which makes sure there are no issues with the bike after use. They were also taught general maintenance by army mechanics, and how to fault-find in order to reduce the risk of unnecessary damage or accidents. Another important part of the course is learning how to night drive. This happens towards the later stages of the course, after the students have proven their competence on the bike. Driving at night for the first time can be a very surreal experience even in a car, but doing it on a bike, while exposed to the elements, is a totally different experience for novices. On the positive side, night driving helps the students become more aware of their senses; makes them more aware of wildlife they may encounter; enhanc- es their awareness of other road users, weather, and road condi- tions; and to be aware that other road users might think that their single headlight is a car with only one light working. "There are old bikers and there are bold bikers, but there are no old, bold bikers." Evel Knievel An Cosantóir October 2018 www.dfmagazine.ie 18 |

• Cover