[cdc] 2b

[rijac]

The most important tip I got for plank from the instructor was to keep the front wheel pointed towards the center of the plank by pushing and pulling the handlebar instead of using body movements

[ber]

hi Rijac how are you? very useful tips as always.

[jbdoggy]

Well haha my booklet, i only left 1 stamp to complete the whole pg on ur practical lesson pg. Just move up lik how u move off normally can liao(5rpm?), i do notice alot l4 like to rev high, during inching forward and up plank.

 

Unorthodox, well dependin how u see it:D , too close too dangerous, and i will do it lik 1 bike length dist~.

 

Yeah JR is right u get IF straight, if u drop plank, happens alot during tp test, the uncle prob pulling ur leg, but if u drop leg or drag ur leg, u get IF too.(happen to a friend on the tp day, wtf rite! i know)

 

Normal start dont need 5k rpm. just release clutch to biting point & slowly roll the throttle to get going. Once familiar with that 1 particular bike it can be combined into 1 simultaneous action. When need to be more careful eg literal inching as you say - Rev a bit more & then slowly release clutch enough for bike to crawl slowly move- that one not full biting point. full biting point here =shoot forward. So slow riding for me at least is just constant clutch play betn full & 'unfull' biting point with a bit of throttle play. This is a good clip on slow speed riding:

But I was planning on abt 4-5k rpm with light rear brake pressure for the plank that day- constant slow roll from start line to finish. This method was from a 'happy mistake' when i was going up the ramp to do hill start - did not realise i was pressing a bit on rear brake but was not accelerating at all & going very slow despite high revs but very very stable when going up. I believe @rijac also mentioned something similar to this method in 1 of his tips.

 

Big thanks to you & @JrCherish for clarifying that plank IF matter.

Edited October 22, 2014 by jbdoggy

[jbdoggy]

The most important tip I got for plank from the instructor was to keep the front wheel pointed towards the center of the plank by pushing and pulling the handlebar instead of using body movements

 

You mean like for eg if feel like bike is falling to the right, left hand pushes down & right hand pulls up at the same time?

 

Once i saw 1 uncle lean his body to the left - little bit motogp style, but the bike still went off on the right side.

[darkredmica]

How I go up the plank and stay on it:

 

1. Enter the plank fast: Eye point at the front of the plank - I stare hard at it to make sure I get on it nicely.

2. Once my front tyre mounts the plank, I clutch in/de-clutch. When you're free wheeling on the plank, it makes it so much easier to control the bike. At this point my eye point would be at the end of the plank. Staring at the pylon slalom cones/looking far doesn't work for me.

3. If you find yourself with insufficient speed halfway through, simply release to biting point and clutch in again.

4. Slightly tap your rear brake to slow down nearing the end of the plank.

 

This method should give you a good timing.

 

Try it out. If you're having problems to stay on it using the half clutch method which the school teaches, try the clutch in technique. Half clutching can be pretty rough (engine) and can cause instability on the plank. @timewalker84 taught me this. I am also currently using this same method for my 2A except for different eye point due to height difference between 2B bike and 2A bike. Other than that, everything is the same.

 

There is no one fixed method for riding. One man's meat may be another man's poison. No harm trying out different methods and see which works for you best.

Edited October 22, 2014 by darkredmica

[crass2b]

Hi all.

 

Thanks for all the tips in this thread. It helped me out many times during the course of my learning. I enrolled in August and now I am just one more Pract to my tp. Here's my journey

 

Pract1 - 1

Pract2 - 2

Pract3 - 2

Pract4 - 2

Pract5 - 1 circuit I got a blank paper but tio some blind spot where I don't even realize it.

Pract6 - 2

Pract7 - 2

Pract8 - ongoing

 

Total cost till now is $710 very costy...

 

Wish me luck! Haha.

 

Sometimes I find that they don't really want to pass learners on their first try...

[darkredmica]

Hi all.

 

Thanks for all the tips in this thread. It helped me out many times during the course of my learning. I enrolled in August and now I am just one more Pract to my tp. Here's my journey

 

Pract1 - 1

Pract2 - 2

Pract3 - 2

Pract4 - 2

Pract5 - 1 circuit I got a blank paper but tio some blind spot where I don't even realize it.

Pract6 - 2

Pract7 - 2

Pract8 - ongoing

 

Total cost till now is $710 very costy...

 

Wish me luck! Haha.

 

Sometimes I find that they don't really want to pass learners on their first try...

Better to repeat lessons than to retake TP.

[lesterq]

Any one knows if wear no4 allowed to take the practical lessons?

[rijac]

Any one knows if wear no4 allowed to take the practical lessons?

No idea what you just said

[crass2b]

Any one knows if wear no4 allowed to take the practical lessons?

 

If I am not wrong I have seen scdf uniform before

 

Just bring another t shirt if unsure..

 

Btw why u book out in no4 one

[rijac]

You mean like for eg if feel like bike is falling to the right, left hand pushes down & right hand pulls up at the same time?

 

Once i saw 1 uncle lean his body to the left - little bit motogp style, but the bike still went off on the right side.

No. Push forward and backwards not down. How do you make the front wheel aim to to the centre? By actually turning it . not leaning

[jbdoggy]

Today I managed 1 full plank on the 2nd last try. Meant so much to me - after many many failures, it means i still hv hope even if i hv to camp at that lesson. For that 1 I just used standard slow speed riding techniques maintain 10km/h or less kinda speed throughout. Felt like like a super human effort. I really zoned out on the last cone for that successful attempt. Slight headache at the end of it. Sadly just couldnt repeat it. Cant remember what other little things i might have done at the start. Good straight start is critical for this method to work.

 

But was super pissed at ebrake. was consistently stopping at abt middle of the braking box. But instructor still penalising me for de-clutching too early. I delayed a bit nxt attempt - still said too early. Nxt 2 attempts i delayed a just slight a bit longer, - both times engine stalled when bike fully stopped. wtf!! So I dunno what instructors really want. I thought for ebrake cases - quick & smooth stopping was the main thing?? Didnt I achieve just that?

 

How I go up the plank and stay on it:

 

1. Enter the plank fast: Eye point at the front of the plank - I stare hard at it to make sure I get on it nicely.

2. Once my front tyre mounts the plank, I clutch in/de-clutch. When you're free wheeling on the plank, it makes it so much easier to control the bike. At this point my eye point would be at the end of the plank. Staring at the pylon slalom cones/looking far doesn't work for me.

3. If you find yourself with insufficient speed halfway through, simply release to biting point and clutch in again.

4. Slightly tap your rear brake to slow down nearing the end of the plank.

 

This method should give you a good timing.

 

Try it out. If you're having problems to stay on it using the half clutch method which the school teaches, try the clutch in technique. Half clutching can be pretty rough (engine) and can cause instability on the plank. @timewalker84 taught me this. I am also currently using this same method for my 2A except for different eye point due to height difference between 2B bike and 2A bike. Other than that, everything is the same.

 

There is no one fixed method for riding. One man's meat may be another man's poison. No harm trying out different methods and see which works for you best.

 

Hi mica,

 

Thanks for this. Will try this nxt tues. @timewalker84 most probably learnt this from that slim malay instructor, Mr Bahtera. I bumped into him after lesson & asked him abt the plank & he taught me the exact same thing youre sharing here. I had him for 1 L3 session. Teaches quite in detail. Very nice guy.

Edited October 23, 2014 by jbdoggy

[jbdoggy]

No. Push forward and backwards not down. How do you make the front wheel aim to to the centre? By actually turning it . not leaning

 

Ah! i see. All clear now. Left & right steering movements. Thanks!

[darkredmica]

Today I managed 1 full plank on the 2nd last try. Meant so much to me - after many many failures, it means i still hv hope even if i hv to camp at that lesson. For that 1 I just used standard slow speed riding techniques maintain 10km/h or less kinda speed throughout. Felt like like a super human effort. I really zoned out on the last cone for that successful attempt. Slight headache at the end of it. Sadly just couldnt repeat it. Cant remember what other little things i might have done at the start. Good straight start is critical for this method to work.

 

But was super pissed at ebrake. was consistently stopping at abt middle of the braking box. But instructor still penalising me for de-clutching too early. I delayed a bit nxt attempt - still said too early. Nxt 2 attempts i delayed a just slight a bit longer, - both times engine stalled when bike fully stopped. wtf!! So I dunno what instructors really want. I thought for ebrake cases - quick & smooth stopping was the main thing?? Didnt I achieve just that?

 

 

 

Hi mica,

 

Thanks for this. Will try this nxt tues. @timewalker84 most probably learnt this from that slim malay instructor, Mr Bahtera. I bumped into him after lesson & asked him abt the plank & he taught me the exact same thing youre sharing here. I had him for 1 L3 session. Teaches quite in detail. Very nice guy.

Nope he didn't take any practs at CDC before. It's not like a secret technique or what la haha. Sometimes if A doesn't work for a person, there will definitely be plan B. Maybe you will fall into this B category people, just like me.

[AhXian90]

@jbdoggy

 

yo u almost found ur own method of doin plank, keep it up u almost there . Like wad others has said there isnt a fix method for all. E-brake, is the station i feel i got the least issue wif when learning, but as tp draws near or during lesson 8, i always have issue wif it, overshot the stop line or wheels skidded. Ur issue is i think ur over concern wif the clutch, that makes u wanna clutch in fast, just chant to urself, front brake, rear brake,clutch in (its help me to control my hardbraking, and go thru the motion wif ur fingers when u queuing)

 

That malay instructor, Mr Bahtera, is prob one of the best instructor around,very patience guy, explain every little details , if u(or any learners reading) got blindspot problems wif the circuit, i would say he is go to guy to ask. I followed his instructions per se (try to do so)on the circuit,( like when to lane change, blindspot, etc.) and cleared my lesson 8 & tp without any blindspot issues.

Too bad he didnt taught any of my lesson 3, he always give me advice on the fig8 , well also disturb me on how many repeat for my L3 lol. I would say my 2b is pretty much thanks to his effort,and some others instructors. he is also the 1 to say go up plank fast, then just roll thru plank using momentum, as he was the instructor doin the briefing on my tp day.

[AhXian90]

Any one knows if wear no4 allowed to take the practical lessons?

 

Hey there, i believed u can wear no.4 do take pract, i did my one of my pract in (half -no.4 scdf) but change to pt shoes cos of the metal plate. And i do seen class 3 in no4, bike learner u prob be the first lol.

[ber]

@jbdoggy

 

That malay instructor, Mr Bahtera, is prob one of the best instructor around,very patience guy, explain every little details , if u(or any learners reading) got blindspot problems wif the circuit, i would say he is go to guy to ask.

 

I find him to be unassuming and treats everyone very fairly and nicely even when he is exhausted after lessons with perspiration rushing for the short break and I interrupted his personal time or seek advise when I bump into him in the carpark. Not all their instructors are like that so he shines in that sense. Some instructors would only bother with girls. He really deserves letter of commendations. He teaches class three too if I remember correctly.

[darkredmica]

I find him to be unassuming and treats everyone very fairly and nicely even when he is exhausted after lessons with perspiration rushing for the short break and I interrupted his personal time or seek advise when I bump into him in the carpark. Not all their instructors are like that so he shines in that sense. Some instructors would only bother with girls. He really deserves letter of commendations. He teaches class three too if I remember correctly.

He was also busy picking up cones for pylon slalom yesterday. He waved for us to proceed when we wanted to park our bikes and pick up the dropped cones. He didn't have to do it but he did while he was there. And I was one of the irritating ones who had a extremely bad field day at circuit yesterday esp with my pylon slalom.

[fat-lip]

Anyone still awaiting / have upcoming TP? Went for a road revision last Tuesday, 14 October, and was highlighted a few minor changes for TP by the instructors, with effect 15 October onwards -

 

 

1) Upon completion of e-brake, at the CDC exit to turn right, will have to stop at the stop line and position as per normal (right, left, right, left), but, previously not allowed to inch out. But,

 

 

** Changes **

 

Now, allowed to inch out. To inch out, bikes:

 

2 (left) 1 (right)

 

Must inch out and position after stop line, rear bike tyre touching stop line.

 

 

Therefore, bikes:

 

4 (left) 3 (right)

 

Will stop before stop line.

 

 

 

 

2) To right turn going to route 2, riders are now to use the second lane from the right instead of the extreme right lane. Positioning depends on the arrow also, so, to position accordingly. Normally, for right turn would be 2 bikes in the right turn pocket and using the extreme right lane.

 

 

** Changes **

 

In this case, since turning right now is to use the second lane from the right, 4 bikes are to enter the right turn pocket instead of the usual 2 bikes.

[jbdoggy]

@jbdoggy

 

yo u almost found ur own method of doin plank, keep it up u almost there . Like wad others has said there isnt a fix method for all. E-brake, is the station i feel i got the least issue wif when learning, but as tp draws near or during lesson 8, i always have issue wif it, overshot the stop line or wheels skidded. Ur issue is i think ur over concern wif the clutch, that makes u wanna clutch in fast, just chant to urself, front brake, rear brake,clutch in (its help me to control my hardbraking, and go thru the motion wif ur fingers when u queuing)

 

That malay instructor, Mr Bahtera, is prob one of the best instructor around,very patience guy, explain every little details , if u(or any learners reading) got blindspot problems wif the circuit, i would say he is go to guy to ask. I followed his instructions per se (try to do so)on the circuit,( like when to lane change, blindspot, etc.) and cleared my lesson 8 & tp without any blindspot issues.

Too bad he didnt taught any of my lesson 3, he always give me advice on the fig8 , well also disturb me on how many repeat for my L3 lol. I would say my 2b is pretty much thanks to his effort,and some others instructors. he is also the 1 to say go up plank fast, then just roll thru plank using momentum, as he was the instructor doin the briefing on my tp day.

 

Well, I certainly hope so. Wanted to keep things as simple as possible after the more 'exotic' methods failed. No need for rear brake, purely clutch & throttle play only. But really need a straight start to get it right. How i wish I hv my own bike to practice at the carpark downstairs. Now make do by stopping at the side of the straight road leading back to the plank & practice slow starts & slow riding there. But Im still open to other methods. Will try both this & mica's method nxt tues.

 

E brake - Not over concern with the clutch - just muscle memory/ auto response. Remember L1 days, go round and round in 3rd gear & stop in 1st? Same timing applied here.

 

Just share with you & everyone how Mr Bahtera conducted my L3. Dont care whether you 1st timer or repeat, we all gathered in the shed. On the whiteboard he has diagrams of F8 & crank course. For F8 he explained correct way to lean, targets for eyeline etc For crank he showed the cornering line to aim for - aim for rightside at entry, then go diagonally towards the left top corner of the Z before making sharp right turn. Counter balance by leaning body to the left & push handlebars outwards as you do so. After making right turn, aim diagonally down towards bottom right corner of the Z & sharp left turn, body counterbalance to the right & exit. All well & good just that I found this whole counterbalancing thing rather counter intuitive lol.

 

Other instructors will just take us on 2 orientation/warm up rounds of the F8 & crank course, brief us on the entry/exit procedures, throw us into the deep end & bark at our mistakes.

[darkredmica]

Well, I certainly hope so. Wanted to keep things as simple as possible after the more 'exotic' methods failed. No need for rear brake, purely clutch & throttle play only. But really need a straight start to get it right. How i wish I hv my own bike to practice at the carpark downstairs. Now make do by stopping at the side of the straight road leading back to the plank & practice slow starts & slow riding there. But Im still open to other methods. Will try both this & mica's method nxt tues.

 

E brake - Not over concern with the clutch - just muscle memory/ auto response. Remember L1 days, go round and round in 3rd gear & stop in 1st? Same timing applied here.

 

Just share with you & everyone how Mr Bahtera conducted my L3. Dont care whether you 1st timer or repeat, we all gathered in the shed. On the whiteboard he has diagrams of F8 & crank course. For F8 he explained correct way to lean, targets for eyeline etc For crank he showed the cornering line to aim for - aim for rightside at entry, then go diagonally towards the left top corner of the Z before making sharp right turn. Counter balance by leaning body to the left & push handlebars outwards as you do so. After making right turn, aim diagonally down towards bottom right corner of the Z & sharp left turn, body counterbalance to the right & exit. All well & good just that I found this whole counterbalancing thing rather counter intuitive lol.

 

Other instructors will just take us on 2 orientation/warm up rounds of the F8 & crank course, brief us on the entry/exit procedures, throw us into the deep end & bark at our mistakes.

Eye point also important. Remember to work out where is best for you. To mount up smoothly, maybe try methods like staring straight down at the plank n enter fast.

 

After that try looking at the end of the plank, look far or at the last cone. One will be easier for you than the other.

 

Using the clutch in method, remember to release to half clutch again if you're losing speed (and you may clutch in again after that/maintain half clutch for the remaining plank).. Explore around. Sometimes the momentum may only carry you 3/4 of the plank so it's crucial to add some speed again if you're gg too slow n start to wobble. Sometimes the momentum is enough to carry you through the entire plank so all you need is eye point and some rear brake towards the end.

 

For TP it's always ok to go a little faster. Better to throw points than to get IF. Evaluations and tests can be a real pain in the ass

 

All the best!!!

[jbdoggy]

Eye point also important. Remember to work out where is best for you. To mount up smoothly, maybe try methods like staring straight down at the plank n enter fast.

 

After that try looking at the end of the plank, look far or at the last cone. One will be easier for you than the other.

 

Using the clutch in method, remember to release to half clutch again if you're losing speed (and you may clutch in again after that/maintain half clutch for the remaining plank).. Explore around. Sometimes the momentum may only carry you 3/4 of the plank so it's crucial to add some speed again if you're gg too slow n start to wobble. Sometimes the momentum is enough to carry you through the entire plank so all you need is eye point and some rear brake towards the end.

 

For TP it's always ok to go a little faster. Better to throw points than to get IF. Evaluations and tests can be a real pain in the ass

 

All the best!!!

 

Whoa! you seem to be a nightbird just like me! haha

 

Yes, eyepoint is another complication here. In my opinion, it should ideally be at the end of the plank, just that its not working for God knows why reasons. The drawback to focussing on last cone or beyond is you wont know that youre slowly & gradually veering of the centreline of the plank until its too late for any steering corrections.

 

But regardless of what 1 instructor taught, aiming for the plank is a necessity for me. He told me not to aim but to look far ahead only. But it didnt quite work. So Im gonna persist with aiming for the plank & look ahead when the bike is up. This tues, im gonna gv another chance to focussing to end of plank also.

 

All the best to you too!! Jia you. Babyblade is waiting impatiently to ride with you!! haha

[PBbombomlee]

Any one knows if wear no4 allowed to take the practical lessons?

 

went for my prac 3 in smart 4, so no problem!

[lesterq]

Hi thanks for all the confirmation

T shirt is allowed as dress code? Wasn't it at least long sleeve?

[bikerunner]

hmm.... am i the only one that doesnt really have problem with plank but cmi at pylon slalom?