Off to the inspection early again today! So here we go…
For some reason the sky looks threatening! They really do say that early rising brings rewards.
That’s what I thought when I saw the sky hadn’t started raining yet.
Vroom! We line up at the inspection station. There aren’t many people in coveralls—these must be owner-operators.
I respect owner-operators. When you do it yourself, you don’t trouble anyone else, so the price is cheaper.
And there’s a thrill to it when you fail and have to keep trying!
But I don’t respect using owner-operator inspection just because it’s cheap. This time it happened to pass, but next time
it mysteriously failed. You should understand whether your own bike actually meets inspection standards before you bring it in.
Today’s incident!
When his turn came, he loaded his bike on the line. Before loading, he should have watched more people go through to learn.
First! The electronic sign lights up: “Please apply both front and rear brakes.”
For some reason he only applies the front brake—of course the bike rolls backward.
The electronic sign says “Once more: Please apply both front and rear brakes,” and he grabs only the front again. Of course an X lights up.
Next, the speed test! The rear wheel is being tested.
The electronic sign says “Release the foot switch at 40 kilometers per hour,” but he shows no sign of releasing it—or rather, he’s not even pressing it!
Of course an X.
He tilts his head? At what?
And the electronic sign says “Please apply both front and rear brakes,” and he applies only the rear again… oh come on.
Of course an X.
Headlight test… of course he hasn’t been to the tester. And hey, that’s a dual-headlight setup!
You can’t hide it! Of course an X.
With so much time passing and everyone’s cold stares, it felt awkward to even say “It’s like this, see?”
I couldn’t really help.
But nowadays inspections pass pretty easily, and with dedicated motorcycle lines it should be quite simple.
You just need to watch and learn and have the courage to ask. Since you’re an owner-operator, there’s no need to be embarrassed.
After all, you won’t be back for two years.
When it takes too long, people who need retesting get pushed to the afternoon slot—that’s rough. Get it right the first time, okay? ♪
