Japanese Motorcycle License Test - Take 1

I took today off work in order to try and get my motorcycle license. My international permit expires on August 1st so I need to get it soon. It was a beautifully cold morning drive all the way until I hit Kitami where the sun came out. I blame Monbetsu. Always blame Monbetsu.

I had lunch at a small ramen place called Kura because they had a sign out front for tsukemen! The last time I ate tsukemen was during my study abroad in Tokyo at the worlds best restaurant ever, Yasube. My lunch of course was not as good as Yasube but it satisfied my appetite.

I spent a good 2 hours waiting at the license center for them to get ready. There were 2 Japanese men in their early 20's also taking the test. I watched the first fail and the second pass but they had to drive a different course than me. When it was my turn, everything went smoothly until I fell off the bridge. Instant failure. Come again next week. I really wouldn't mind, except it's a 3 hour drive to Kitami!

Here is what makes the test difficult.

1. I have to take the test for the "big" bikes (over 401cc) because they don't have a testing motorcycle for the "medium" bikes.
2. I have to use their motorcycle, a modified Honda CBR 750 with protruding bars on the side to protect the bike in case of a crash. <-- This part doesn't bother me as my prior bike was 1100cc but...
3. I can't use the test bike to practice the course, but instead have to use my own 250.
4. The Bridge - A 10cm wide raised section that you must cross without falling off. The kicker is you must spent at least 10 seconds on it.
5. The Bumps - A series of 10cm tall bumps that you must go over while standing on the pegs. Again, you must spend at least 6 seconds crossing them.
6. The S curve - Go around the small S.
7. The Cones - Go back and forth around the cones without bumping them.
8. The Crank - Back to back 90 degree turns with little room to maneuver. 
9. Also if you put your foot down at any time other than the designated stopping points, you instantly fail.

To be fair, I did practice on my own bike for 30 minutes a few weeks ago after I obtained my car license. I was able to do everything with my own bike (after a few slip ups.) I think this will just take trial and error until I get used to that damn testing bike.

Mmmmmmm... Tsukemen...

A brief stop by Lake Saroma to catch my breath.

I made it to the testing center!