About to get 2A, never ride since getting 2B.

[ahmad0410]

Hi guys. I got my 2B licence in 2009. Never bought a bike and never rode a bike on the road since I pass my TP. Now I want to enrol for 2A at SSDC and get a 2A bike, maybe super4. Hence I got a few questions.

 

1) Is 2A practical generally easier than 2B, since the bike is bigger and more stable?

 

2) Is there a refresher course for 2B at SSDC or anywhere else? Been 6 years since my last time with a bike.

 

3) About buying, how do people change bike every year when the instalment takes more than a year?

 

4) My purpose for getting a bike just for leisure, not for work transport. I'm not sure if I like riding or not. So what will you suggest I look for in terms of COE left on the bike.

 

5) Whats the difference between getting bike left 2 years COE compared to those left 9-10 years?

Edited December 19, 2015 by ahmad0410

[fand]

Hi Ahmad, there's an old thread on this:

 

http://www.singaporebikes.com/forums/showthread.php/283660-quot-refresher-quot-riding-course

 

I could only find online the CDC course:

 

http://www.cdc.com.sg/defensiveriding-motorcycle.htm

 

SSDC probably have, suggest you call them and ask

[euphonium07]

Hi guys. I got my 2B licence in 2009. Never bought a bike and never rode a bike on the road since I pass my TP. Now I want to enrol for 2A at SSDC and get a 2A bike, maybe super4. Hence I got a few questions.

 

1) Is 2A practical generally easier than 2B, since the bike is bigger and more stable?

 

2) Is there a refresher course for 2B at SSDC or anywhere else? Been 6 years since my last time with a bike.

 

3) About buying, how do people change bike every year when the instalment takes more than a year?

 

4) My purpose for getting a bike just for leisure, not for work transport. I'm not sure if I like riding or not. So what will you suggest I look for in terms of COE left on the bike.

 

5) Whats the difference between getting bike left 2 years COE compared to those left 9-10 years?

 

Hey, new guy here, but i have been riding since 2013, hope that my opinion can help you

 

1) i would say no, although i was already riding at the time when i was taking 2A, it was quite hard, especially the throttle. firstly, you will be shocked by the throttle response, the power is strong, but then you feel shiok once you are moving

2) better to ask SSDC or the other centres, just send them an email

3) can't answer this, since i have ridden one bike only

4) this depends i guess, because it depends on whether you are the type that likes to change bikes, or stick to one bike, maybe you will get bored after riding that bike for a year? in that case i would say, a bike that has not much COE left, because it tends to be cheaper, but with the current COE price, not so sure....

5) only difference i can think of is that the first bike you can ride for 2 years, the other bike you can ride for 9-10 years, then you have to deregister it or renew the COE (unless COE for that bike is non-renewable)

[w7_lee]

Just my opinion:

Since you have not ride since getting your 2B, technically, you have no 'on-the-road' experience.

 

Considering that you are planning to use the bike for leisure, it would make sense to go for the refresher course. Riding in circuit is different from riding on the road. Consider getting a cheap 2B bike (with short years) for now and try riding around for a while.

 

Then you can decide if want to continue riding. If no, then sell or scrap the 2B bike. You loose a little $.

If yes, go take your 2A.

[Endurool]

Since you already have the riding foundation, just enrol for 2A to practice and at the same time upgrade your licence. 400cc is not terrifying powerful. About just right for Singapore roads. Don't waste time on refresher course or 2B 2nd hand bike.

[Endurool]

For leisure ride, get a dual purpose bike/scrambler.

[koheren]

I just passed my 2B so i am probably not in a big position to contribute. But, if I am in a similar situation i will just go to a centre and raise my concerns to them. I am sure your situation is not unique and they handle inexperience riders day in and out.

 

I would consider rental options if i want to experience "real" riding without breaking budget.

[Endurool]

I say skip the refresher course, if there's such a thing since you are embarking on 2A. There's nothing dramatically different, just slightly heavier and a more powerful (which is safer and yet manageable).

[dreamer_toons]

Speaking from experience, I'm a causal/leisure rider after I passed my 2B. I didn't own a bike and my friend is kind enough to add me as a sub-rider and I rode once in 1-2 weeks only. My friend needed the bike for daily use 5 months before my planned 2A and I didn't ride at all 5 months before my lesson.

 

Lacking of road experience, I enrolled in 2A exactly on my 1st anniversary of my 2B. The 1st few lessons were bad. I dropped the heavy bike frequently and I can't manage simple bike forward and reverse pushing, my light body weight worsen my learning experience. However, I tried my best and put in extra effort in maintaining proper riding postures and handling techniques. Others rode their bikes into the lots or sat on it and reversed but I chose to push to improve. They went for 2 revisions but I made a point to go more before my test. And I manage to pass on my 1st attempt.

 

Now, I own my bike and the learning experience strengthened my skills and bike handling. As a result, I'm more mindful on the roads and my stopping to avoid drops.

 

It will be a challenge initially. You just need some time to get used to the weight and power of the bike. But, with more practices and perseverance, it can be overcome.

[chriszzz]

I didn't ride after getting my 2B, although the break wasn't for such a long time (1 year in my case). What I did was to rent a 2B bike, and practised riding around on it. You can rent from Ban Hock Hin(Defu Lane) or Stark (Kaki Bukit). These are located in industrial areas, so the first time I rented, I just rode slowly around the industrial area. At first I even forgot which leg does what, but after a few minutes, it came back to me.

 

When more or less confident, I rode home. Then I practised riding around late at night when the traffic is light, usually after 10pm. I started by riding around on side roads near my place, then progressed to main roads, and finally to expressway after several days.

 

Riding around helps alot. When you go for 2A, there is no time to warm up or get ready even for the 1st lesson. The instructor will tell you to go grab a bike, ride it to his location, and he'll lead you on a ride around the circuit. That's not a good time to try to recall how to ride a bike. So I think it's much better to practice in advance on a 2B bike.

 

For the first 2 lessons, I found the 2A bike harder to ride. In 2B, we twist the throttle alot, because the bike has no power. But a 2A bike is much more powerful, so you have to learn to be conservative with the throttle and learn clutch control very well. Once you get used to it, 2A is actually feels easier because the bike is more stable (very good for narrow plank), and it is circuit only.

 

If you intend to go for class 2 later, then I suggest getting a bike with at least 5-6 years COE left. This is so that when you get your class 2 and wanna upgrade, you will have at least 3-4 years of COE left, which makes the bike easier to sell. Also if you want hassle free rides for leisure, don't buy bikes more than 10 years old. Old bikes may have a lot of problems, and you might have to overhaul the engine which costs a lot. I bought a 1 year old bike, and it has been fantastic and very reliable since it is still so new. A newer bike costs more, but also has higher resale value, so I think it's worth it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hi guys. I got my 2B licence in 2009. Never bought a bike and never rode a bike on the road since I pass my TP. Now I want to enrol for 2A at SSDC and get a 2A bike, maybe super4. Hence I got a few questions.

 

1) Is 2A practical generally easier than 2B, since the bike is bigger and more stable?

 

2) Is there a refresher course for 2B at SSDC or anywhere else? Been 6 years since my last time with a bike.

 

3) About buying, how do people change bike every year when the instalment takes more than a year?

 

4) My purpose for getting a bike just for leisure, not for work transport. I'm not sure if I like riding or not. So what will you suggest I look for in terms of COE left on the bike.

 

5) Whats the difference between getting bike left 2 years COE compared to those left 9-10 years?

[bikerpotato]

dont think too much, just enjoy the ride