Class 2B Learners' Thread

[Yikesyikes]

Couldn't find one, so I made one. I thought it would be nice if all the 2B learners, like myself, have a thread to ask questions.

 

If there is a similar thread out there, please close this and possibly sticky the other thread?

[Yikesyikes]

Just completed 3rd try on lesson 2BL1. I'm having some issues balancing and stopping reliably on slow speeds. Quite often, I feel that the right side is tipping over and I had to put my right leg down once or twice. It doesn't feel like I am in complete control. Any tips?

 

---

 

Another query. What would you do if you're in a situation where:

You are on a busy road with fast moving traffic. You are following a large vehicle. You try to leave additional space for better visibility and buffer time for any hazards. When you try to do so, the other vehicles would always cut in and fill up the space. You want to filter/split the lane and get ahead of the large vehicle, but the large vehicle is blocking your view and the gaps in traffic isn't wide enough.

 

What can/should you do? It seems like there is nothing the rider can do other than to stay in his lane and hope no accidents happen. In many other situations, there is often a way to make the hazards a lot more manageable. I can't see a way out of this. Especially with the traffic conditions in Singapore.

Edited August 28, 2015 by Yikesyikes

[dreamer_toons]

Just completed 3rd try on lesson 2BL1. I'm having some issues balancing and stopping reliably on slow speeds. Quite often, I feel that the right side is tipping over and I had to put my right leg down once or twice. It doesn't feel like I am in complete control. Any tips?

 

---

 

Another query. What would you do if you're in a situation where:

You are on a busy road with fast moving traffic. You are following a large vehicle. You try to leave additional space for better visibility and buffer time for any hazards. When you try to do so, the other vehicles would always cut in and fill up the space. You want to filter/split the lane and get ahead of the large vehicle, but the large vehicle is blocking your view and the gaps in traffic isn't wide enough.

 

What can/should you do? It seems like there is nothing the rider can do other than to stay in his lane and hope no accidents happen. In many other situations, there is often a way to make the hazards a lot more manageable. I can't see a way out of this. Especially with the traffic conditions in Singapore.

 

On the issue of balancing and stopping, gripping the tanks and looking ahead, instead of looking at the point where I want to stop, works for me.

 

As for your 2nd query, i avoid lane splitting beside those heavy vehicles. Instead, I will do a lane change completely and overtakes that heavy vehicle. As far as possible, I avoid riding on the extreme left lane due to such heavy vehicles.

[haoKR]

Clutch control and determine where is your stopping point.

I have the same problem too on my first lesson.

 

On your question, I will change lane and overtake it.

Of course the above sentence comes with 5 years of road experience, and under safe condition.

You may wanna think of this after u have your 2b.

Good luck and don't give up

[Yikesyikes]

Thanks for the quick response both of you. I'll try them out on my next lesson. Cheers!

 

Just saw your signature HaoKR. Have you ridden both the 4 stroke and 2 stroke versions of the RS125? Is it a good beginner bike to look forwards to? Reading on the net, the 4 stroke versions seems to be very underpowered.

[pufferfis]

Just completed 3rd try on lesson 2BL1. I'm having some issues balancing and stopping reliably on slow speeds. Quite often, I feel that the right side is tipping over and I had to put my right leg down once or twice. It doesn't feel like I am in complete control. Any tips?

 

---

 

Another query. What would you do if you're in a situation where:

You are on a busy road with fast moving traffic. You are following a large vehicle. You try to leave additional space for better visibility and buffer time for any hazards. When you try to do so, the other vehicles would always cut in and fill up the space. You want to filter/split the lane and get ahead of the large vehicle, but the large vehicle is blocking your view and the gaps in traffic isn't wide enough.

 

What can/should you do? It seems like there is nothing the rider can do other than to stay in his lane and hope no accidents happen. In many other situations, there is often a way to make the hazards a lot more manageable. I can't see a way out of this. Especially with the traffic conditions in Singapore.

 

That's a good question....if u r on the left most left lane behind a large slow vehicle.....vehicles to the right of ur lane are either big or faster....ride defensively by keeping to the right side of ur lane n ready ur electric horns so other vehicles cannot swerve in abruptly in front of u...keep checking ur right mirror and to ur right to make sure no vehicles are there....and when clear u can punch it to mach 1 to overtake....

 

or on the other hand...if you feel too many big vehicles to ur front n to ur right and to ur rear......keep to the left side of ur lane...make sure u can the see around 5 car length of clear space along the shoulder n make sure no bike behind u on the shoulder....punch it n clear to the front of the heavy vehicle....

Ride as if ur invisible...that way u develop vision at least 7 cars ahead....and to lane to the left and to left most and to the right most lane.....and anticipate drivers who wld try to cut in recklessly....and keep away from them.....of coz what i suggest here may not be appealing to some others or may not be legal...but we two wheelers against 4 wheelers...we always lose if we have collision....so sometimes it pays not ride fair..... hazards are manageable if ur able to identify a way out early and oh yes....ur big mirrors are one of ur sixth sens toools........cheeers...

Edited August 28, 2015 by pufferfis

[haoKR]

Thanks for the quick response both of you. I'll try them out on my next lesson. Cheers!

 

Just saw your signature HaoKR. Have you ridden both the 4 stroke and 2 stroke versions of the RS125? Is it a good beginner bike to look forwards to? Reading on the net, the 4 stroke versions seems to be very underpowered.

 

Hi there, only rode e 2 stroke.

If u are ready to fell, skid or drop your first bike. U need to think carefully here.

 

That's y I got a kr first. Actually I'm good with it but then I saw someone selling at a reasonable price and since my kr is only left with 2 years so..and I'm with it, my dream bike, love at first sight. Lol

[Yikesyikes]

Hi there, only rode e 2 stroke.

If u are ready to fell, skid or drop your first bike. U need to think carefully here.

 

That's y I got a kr first. Actually I'm good with it but then I saw someone selling at a reasonable price and since my kr is only left with 2 years so..and I'm with it, my dream bike, love at first sight. Lol

 

Right, fairings do cost quite a bit. I guess its better if I look around the used section for some naked/street bikes.

[bugeyed]

Just completed 3rd try on lesson 2BL1. I'm having some issues balancing and stopping reliably on slow speeds. Quite often, I feel that the right side is tipping over and I had to put my right leg down once or twice. It doesn't feel like I am in complete control. Any tips?

 

---

 

Another query. What would you do if you're in a situation where:

You are on a busy road with fast moving traffic. You are following a large vehicle. You try to leave additional space for better visibility and buffer time for any hazards. When you try to do so, the other vehicles would always cut in and fill up the space. You want to filter/split the lane and get ahead of the large vehicle, but the large vehicle is blocking your view and the gaps in traffic isn't wide enough.

 

What can/should you do? It seems like there is nothing the rider can do other than to stay in his lane and hope no accidents happen. In many other situations, there is often a way to make the hazards a lot more manageable. I can't see a way out of this. Especially with the traffic conditions in Singapore.

Brake using foot brake only. Avoid using front brake for now. Once you get used to always using foot brake, chances of dropping your right foot will reduce considerably. Also, when braking, dont look down; look ahead.

 

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[imt204]

Hi, I'm going for my 2b orientation tomorrow at CDC, may I know if I need to being helmet for the orientation lesson?

[ciscube]

No. You don't need a helmet. Just bring the booklet.

 

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[Yikesyikes]

Thanks dreamer_toons and bugeyed for the advice. My low-steep control improved considerably. Still needs work though

 

Hi, I'm going for my 2b orientation tomorrow at CDC, may I know if I need to being helmet for the orientation lesson?

 

Not needed. No riding done. They'll talk about the lesson structure, the circuit, and some really basic stuff about the motorcycle.

[lililianan]

I am learning my 2b too. At SSDC... now at lesson 4, circuit assessment. Fifth try alr. ): Main point is my ebrake is inconsistent... I fell twice before. Then my Fig 8 too slow. Any tips?

[idynamic]

I am learning my 2b too. At SSDC... now at lesson 4, circuit assessment. Fifth try alr. ): Main point is my ebrake is inconsistent... I fell twice before. Then my Fig 8 too slow. Any tips?

 

What do you mean by inconsistency in e brake? Do you mean you stop after the line? You need to react first (close throttle) and practice controlled (slowly squeeze and increase pressure until bike comes to a complete stop) braking with front and rear brakes with more emphasis to the front. The squeeze doesn't have to be slow, it just has to be done in increasing pressure.

 

For figure of 8, eye sight is important. Look into the direction you are going. Keep your throttle open and constant (maintain speed) and use rear brakes to slow down if necessary. Lean with the turn as well, don't be afraid to fall.

[simeone82]

I am learning my 2b too. At SSDC... now at lesson 4, circuit assessment. Fifth try alr. ): Main point is my ebrake is inconsistent... I fell twice before. Then my Fig 8 too slow. Any tips?

 

Hope you pass already since this post was from last week.

But if you think your ebrake is inconsistent and fig 8 slow. Go for a few CRs before your lesson 4. Use the CRs to keep practice your weak points.

[dreamer_toons]

I am learning my 2b too. At SSDC... now at lesson 4, circuit assessment. Fifth try alr. ): Main point is my ebrake is inconsistent... I fell twice before. Then my Fig 8 too slow. Any tips?

 

I fell during my ebrake during warm up before the evaluation; luckily, nothing was broken and the worst being my elbow with a deep cut. It took me months to recover.

 

idynamic has explained clearly about the techniques for ebrake and figure 8. My figure 8 was equally bad too because I was scared of falling and became too stiff; couldn't lean with the turn. The most important tip is to relax, see where you want to go and you will follow through. If you fix on the road or the kerb while rising inside the 8, you will fall or strike kerb.

 

Maybe you can do some mental rehearsals on exactly what you should do as outlined prior to the lessons and apply them during practices, so it becomes muscle memory.

[GuiNNeSS]

I am learning my 2b too. At SSDC... now at lesson 4, circuit assessment. Fifth try alr. ): Main point is my ebrake is inconsistent... I fell twice before. Then my Fig 8 too slow. Any tips?

 

try to ride the figure 8 with 1 hand on the throttle.

 

do it many times and when u r ok, now ride with 2 hands

u can ride with confident now.

 

this is how the instructor got us to ride, back in 1991

[lililianan]

Hello! Thanks for the tip! I sustained some injuries during the previous fall so i took awhile to recover and have not yet went for another lesson.

 

My main difficulty when doing ebrake is that I tend to brake too hard on the front brake causing it to lock and skid. I keep telling myself slowly but just can't get the hang of it.

 

I know I should go for CRs first since I haven't rode for about 2 weeks but it's too late now cause my lesson is later in the evening. HAHA. Thank you all for the tips and help. Will try my best!!

[simeone82]

Good Luck liliianan since your lesson is later in the evening. Take it easy.

Haha if you are confident why not.

[idynamic]

Hello! Thanks for the tip! I sustained some injuries during the previous fall so i took awhile to recover and have not yet went for another lesson.

 

My main difficulty when doing ebrake is that I tend to brake too hard on the front brake causing it to lock and skid. I keep telling myself slowly but just can't get the hang of it.

 

I know I should go for CRs first since I haven't rode for about 2 weeks but it's too late now cause my lesson is later in the evening. HAHA. Thank you all for the tips and help. Will try my best!!

 

This sounds silly but practice squeezing a stress ball.

[lililianan]

Haha. I failed my prac 4 again! This time was ebrake. I think I panicked and jammed my brake. The practices were all very smooth. Only during assessment, sigh. I will try squeezing a stress ball!

 

 

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[idynamic]

Haha. I failed my prac 4 again! This time was ebrake. I think I panicked and jammed my brake. The practices were all very smooth. Only during assessment, sigh. I will try squeezing a stress ball!

 

 

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Don't give up! Take your time to master the technique.

[lililianan]

Thanks!! On a side note, my fig 8 improved! Thanks guys for the tips !!!

 

 

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[Yikesyikes]

Nice, good to know that others received help from this thread too.

 

I finally got to Practical/Lesson 3 after 4x2BL2. I made a ton of mistakes but somehow passed. The instructor might have good intentions to be lenient, but I feel I would be stuck on the basics even while on lesson 3 (hazard course/slope).

 

Anyways, a question: I was following a car in the circuit. You know the cars in the circuit moves really slow. Following the car at really slow speeds in Gear 1/2, any throttle input would make the bike lunge/jerk. I assume should be half-clutching so any throttle inputs wouldn't be too much of a change for the bike to lunge?

[idynamic]

Nice, good to know that others received help from this thread too.

 

I finally got to Practical/Lesson 3 after 4x2BL2. I made a ton of mistakes but somehow passed. The instructor might have good intentions to be lenient, but I feel I would be stuck on the basics even while on lesson 3 (hazard course/slope).

 

Anyways, a question: I was following a car in the circuit. You know the cars in the circuit moves really slow. Following the car at really slow speeds in Gear 1/2, any throttle input would make the bike lunge/jerk. I assume should be half-clutching so any throttle inputs wouldn't be too much of a change for the bike to lunge?

 

I'm not any expert, haha. In fact, I haven't taken my TP hehehe - it is scheduled for 3 Nov! Below are my input and I hope that help you.

 

As a rule of thumb, the only time you should apply the half clutch technique is only when you are engaged in gear 1. And if you do the half clutch technique correctly, there shouldn't be any jerking forward. For the purposes of TP, you can overtake that car (especially relevant for public road). But chances are, there won't be that many cars during your TP. Just remember, however, that the failure to overtake a slow moving vehicle may (actually will) cause you some demerit points in the test.

 

However, if you are insistent on following behind the car especially inside the circuit, I suggest that you open and keep a constant throttle, then use your rear brake to slow you down. This helps keep you balanced as you move at slow speeds, something like going through the plank station.