EP 17 Biking Adventures & The Power of Small Encounters

This episode explores the personal journey of learning to ride a motorcycle while overcoming challenges and embracing freedom. Grant shares insights on the learner course, motorcycle history, tips for new riders, and the joy of pursuing passions.  

• Reflecting on the long-term desire to ride  
• Experiences in the learner motorcycle course  
• Shopping for gear and motorcycle essentials  
• First solo riding experiences and nerves  
• Importance of safe practice environments  
• Utilizing online resources for learning  
• Fun historical facts about motorcycles  
• Light-hearted discussion on the risks of laughter  
• Encouragement for listeners to pursue their dreams

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Transcript

Learning to Ride a Motorcycle Experience

Speaker 1 0:00

Hello everyone , welcome to Sparky's Life . I'm your host , grant Thilko . Today on the show we'll be talking about learning to ride a motorcycle , which I talked about back in episode 7 . I have some fun facts about motorcycles , a thought for the day and some nice music to end off the show . So let's get the show started .

Speaker 1 0:30

For the last couple of years I have been thinking about getting a motorcycle and learning how to ride a road and adventure bike . When I was in high school my friends and I used to ride dirt bikes and motocross bikes , but I never pushed myself to get a motorcycle licence when I turned 16 and 9 months . The only issue was I never had the time . So I just recently took some time off work and went and enrolled in a motorcycle learner course . In episode 7 of Work Life Balance , I talked about getting my motorcycle license . This course is mandatory by Transport NSW before you take the computer knowledge test . The course was held over two half days over the weekend by a Transport NSW endorsed training organisation which is located at Taree . I chose the morning time slot . I was surprised that there wasn't a training organisation at Paul Macquarie Taree was closer , being an hour's drive away or Coffs Harbour , which was about two hours' drive away . The training organisation provided the motorcycles , gloves and helmets . The student was required to provide their own appropriate motorcycle riding clothes and shoes . Riding clothes and shoes . I thought , if I'm serious about this , I will go and buy my own helmet and gloves before the course , which I did . Also , I have an issue with wearing helmets and gloves that have been worn by countless other students .

Speaker 1 2:21

I went into Rock Motorcycles at Port Macquarie and purchased a pair of riding gloves and a black adventure style helmet . I am interested in mainly adventure riding , so that's why I chose an adventure style helmet . My interest is to go off road eventually and find interesting places to photograph and learn how to use my drone , but for now , I'll practice on the roads to get comfortable with riding . While I was at Rocks Motorcycles getting my gloves and helmet , I saw the bike I was interested in in , which was a BMW G310GS . The bike was a 2024 demo model with 50 kilometers on the clock . The G310GS is an adventure bike , meaning you can ride it on public roads as well as off-road , on dirt roads and through the bush . It is also a learner-approved motorcycle , known as a LAM L-A-M , which stands for learner-approved motorcycle . I told Tony , the salesman at Rock Motorcycles , that I taking the Learner Rider course in a few days over the weekend he said fantastic , when you complete the course , come back and see me and we'll get you on your way with a motorcycle . So that's what I did . I completed and passed the Learner Rider course and passed the learner rider course . I then went into Service NSW RMS office in Warhope the following week to do my computer knowledge test . I had been studying all week with the online knowledge road rules practice tests for motorcycles . Service NSW has an app which you can do practice tests to do with any vehicles , small and heavy , and motorcycles . I passed with flying colours and got my motorcycle learner's permit .

Speaker 1 4:34

I went back into Rock Motorcycles and organised the purchase of the BMW G310GS , which was still in the showroom . I was so happy that the demo bike was still available as I didn't have to order a new bike and wait for it to arrive . While I was at Rocks I got a pair of riding shoes , adventure jacket and pants . I am now practicing on the weekends on quiet roads around my home . I did ride the bike into Rock Motorcycles two weeks after I got it , as I pre-ordered a set of engine crash bars , engine metal skid plate , a radiator protector and a set of bark busters . The bark , the bark busters go around the brake and clutch levers on the handlebars . They also protect the levers and also your hands . This was my first big ride into Port Macquarie and , being around the traffic , I was very nervous and planned my route to minimise the amount of traffic I had to deal with . What I am planning on doing is going to a secluded road or empty car park to practice emergency braking , clutch control with stopping and starting , also practicing doing low speed manoeuvres with u-turns and tight turns . I would like to spend a fair bit of time on these in a controlled environment before I mix it up with the traffic again .

Speaker 1 6:14

Watching a lot of YouTube tutorials on motorcycle riding has also helped me with the whole learning to ride experience with a lot of tips and tricks . It's amazing the amount of motorcycle content there is on YouTube . It ranges from gear , clothing , accessories , riding , motovlogging and bike reviews . I just need to practice and work on the different skills . I am very happy with my achievements so far with my motorcycle journey . I will also give motov moto vlogging a go while I'm learning . I hope to post the videos on my social media pages , so I will keep you all posted on my progress and struggles along the way . I won't be setting any speed records , as I'll be a safe rider .

Speaker 1 7:08

I have decided that my motorcycle is a girl , so I've named my motorcycle Betty . Betty the Baby Beamer , betty the Baby BMW , or Triple B . Sounds like a radio station . Listen to me on Triple B . Oh yeah . And , by the way , they say when you have a mid-life crisis , you go to the nearest Ducati dealership , but in my case , the BMW dealership was closer . Hi there , I'm Grant Dorko . If this is your first time here at Sparky's Life , welcome . It's great to have you here . And if you're back here for more , welcome back and thank you for your loyalty and support . If you like what you hear on today's show , make sure you share this podcast with your mates who are electricians or who are involved in the tradie world . I want to reach out and help as many tradies as I can with this podcast . I want to help trades people break through to the next level in their career and in their lives .

Speaker 1 8:33

I have some interesting facts about motorcycles . Did you know that motorcycles have been around since the 1800s ? Yes , motorcycles have been around for over 100 years . The first internal combustion petroleum-fuelled motorcycle was the Daimler Rittwagen , designed in 1885 . It was built by two German inventors , gottlieb Daimler and Willem Maybach . The term motorcycle was first used in 1894 . The term motorcycle was first used in 1894 . The motorcycle was first referred to as a petrol bicycle . It was only in 1894 when a German company called Hildebrand and Wolfmuller became the first to commercially manufacture the two-wheeler . The company referred to the vehicle as a Motorrad , which is a German name which directly translates to motorcycle .

Speaker 1 9:38

Now this brings us to our thought of the day segment , or you could say laughing thought of the day . You can actually die laughing , and a number of people have , typically due to intense laughter , causing a heart attack or suffocation . Comedy shows should come with a warning yes , it is possible to die from laughing , but don't let this stop you enjoying your favourite sitcom . There are just a handful of reported cases , usually due to intense laughter , causing a heart attack or suffocation . People have also been known to faint from laughing , which can lead to injuries , or some narcolepsy sufferers report temporary losses of consciousness triggered by laughter or other strong emotions . There are some rare fatal brain conditions that can cause uncontrollable laughter . So that's all for now , folks , but before I go , if there is anything you'd like me to talk about on future episodes , maybe want to ask a question or be on the show , you can do this by contacting us on any of our media sites . I'll put the links to these in the show notes . And don't forget to follow the show and leave a review .

Speaker 1 11:03

Thanks for listening to Sparky's Life . I'm your host , grant Doolko . Keep safe and catch you on the next one . We are now at Upper Session Road . We're looking over the shoulder just at the right time . Those little moments , all that I need . You Only got me about All those little moments .

Fateful Encounter and Little Moments

Speaker 1 12:07

Well , maybe it was fate or a part of his plan . Giving me you was like giving me nothing . Thank God that you said hi , cause I was way too shy . What would've happened if you'd just have passed me by the night ? Keep on drinking , keep on wishing for someone out there to love . All those little moments . The best you did . Catch me . Looking over your shoulder just at the right time . Those little moments , all that made you only kind to me . All those little moments . We keep on drinking , we keep on wishing . We keep on drinking , we keep on wishing , we keep on drinking , we keep on wishing All those little moments the best you did . Catch me , looking over your shoulder Just at the right time , those little moments , all that I need . You Only got you All those little moments . All those little moments .