[cdc] 2b

[Siphon]

thanks jpdoggy and rijac.

Despite me telling my head to keep eyeline far and hug the fuel tank, i realised that there are times when i just lose balance - and once that happens, it's very hard to recover from that. Lost of balance can happen anywhere on the plank.... shortly after I'll fall off.

 

Try this the next time.

 

1. HEAD UP Look at the START OF THE PLANK

2. Rev to 3000rpm

3. Half clutch

4. Grip tank

5. LOOK AT THE MIDDLE OF THE PLANK

6. Go up the PLANK with a faster speed

7. CLUTCH IN FULLY. Let it roll....

8. With the clutch fully in DON'T rev too much and KEEP the CLUTCH IN until the end of the plank.

 

let the instructor time u. If you roll REALLY FAST It will likely be in the 4-6 seconds if you rpm was 3k when u start to clutch in. which is like 4 points...

 

If you use a little of your rear brakes during the rolling. You will confirm get >6 seconds.

 

The problem is usually when you have not gotten used to the stupid half clutch acceleration, you tend to lose control of the bike and hence FALL.

 

To master half clutch it takes some time to get use to it. Since time is not on your side for now. Try out the clutch in method... it worked for me and few other bros in our class...

 

All the best!

[Stealth123]

Thanks for sharing... This definitely gives a good picture of what to expect when my time comes.. I am relieved to know that they give us a round of warm up in the circuit. That helps calm the nerves a little...

 

You mentioned that there are more testees than bikes... Once everyone is done with the warm up, are the bikes placed in the center - then u choose which one to take out for your test? You mentioned that at any one time, there is only 1 bike on the circuit.. Is that right? Sounds quite different from lesson 5 where almost all the testees are somewhere around the circuit...

 

From what u can see ... What was the passing rate?

 

Do people still drop plank by the time they hit the TP test?

 

 

Thanks!! Stealth123

 

Woke up damn early in the morning as the warm up lesson starts at 7.15am. I didn't get plenty of sleep due to insomnia XD Reached there at 7.10am. Then waited for a while, the instructor came and asked for our pdl, IC & recipe. Then gotta sign on the nominal role with your test number beside your name. I got my number, 21. After that, I proceed to the training shelter to get my number tag. After that, we went for warm up in the circuit. There're 50 testee but less than 50 bikes so some of them gotta wait at the zebra crossing for the bike. It's just a round of circuit warmup, no road warmup. After warmup, instructor will break us up into rows. Each row will have 5 testees. Each row will be assigned with a tester. The tester will be the one who will give you the test result. When my tester came, he asked for my NRIC no. then returned me my pdl and ic. After that can proceed to the shelter and wait for the test. Well... While waiting, I gotta keep calm myself down as I getting nervous look at the 1st 20 testee doing the circuit test. The test is just like L8 except you will be going out the circuit alone. Also all the testees will be spread out in the way that you won't see another testee in front of you waiting or doing the course. As usually there will be class 3 learner in the circuit. During my test, the circuit and road wasn't that crowded. After the test just chill around till 11am, then proceed to lv3 room 9 and wait for your tester come in. Just prey that he won't call your number. Tester will call the failure out and debrief them. After that those in the classroom will watch a vid, take the rider pledge and take back the result slip which needed for license endorsement. If you are lucky you can go for expressway fam in the afternoon. Remember you need tp result and expressway fam slip for license endorsement. If you applying for new license, you need $50 and passport photo too.

 

All the best for your test!!

[Stealth123]

I tried the clutch in method in one of my initial lessons... Then I think my speed not fast enough to sustain me all the way thru. Half way lose balance and fall off....

 

I am going to experiment a bit in the circuit reviews leading up to my L8.... See what is the best for me...

 

Try this the next time.

 

1. HEAD UP Look at the START OF THE PLANK

2. Rev to 3000rpm

3. Half clutch

4. Grip tank

5. LOOK AT THE MIDDLE OF THE PLANK

6. Go up the PLANK with a faster speed

7. CLUTCH IN FULLY. Let it roll....

8. With the clutch fully in DON'T rev too much and KEEP the CLUTCH IN until the end of the plank.

 

let the instructor time u. If you roll REALLY FAST It will likely be in the 4-6 seconds if you rpm was 3k when u start to clutch in. which is like 4 points...

 

If you use a little of your rear brakes during the rolling. You will confirm get >6 seconds.

 

The problem is usually when you have not gotten used to the stupid half clutch acceleration, you tend to lose control of the bike and hence FALL.

 

To master half clutch it takes some time to get use to it. Since time is not on your side for now. Try out the clutch in method... it worked for me and few other bros in our class...

 

All the best!

[Stealth123]

Congrats

I pass my rtt yesterday

 

Hey fizil123.... Did we take the test together? Saturday morning?

[LunarSky]

Nothing much in terms of riding skill but heck a lot of procedural stuff to follow. Very long briefing before you go out. Recall also what you learnt in L2.

 

1)Correct Forming up. When to form up single file or pairs. Single road arrow = pairs. 2 or more road arrows = single file. Form up in pairs at the cdc zebra crossing if there are pedestrians.

 

2)Avoid crossing chevron lines. There are 2 in the Tai Seng Industrial area & 1 when you come bk to school & face the blind wall junction.

 

3) Filter lanes. Check blindspot as you approach & enter the filter lane. Stop if there are pedestrians or cyclist crossing or going to cross the zebra crossing. ALWAYS give way to pedestrians & cyclists. proceed if there arent any. Check traffic coming from your right. Stop at give way line if there is, then chk bk right & left blindspot & move off when safe. If no traffic then chk left blindspot jus before you exit the filter lane. All filter lanes with give way line at the end form up single file. Unless if it is a filter lane with a stop line at the end, form up in pairs. Most of the time the pedestrians will be at the filter lane at the Breadtalk building there.

 

4)Lane changing procedure - mirror, signal, blindspot chk, proceed if safe.

 

5)Amber lights & flashing green arrows - stop. DO NOT PROCEED. Only allowed to proceed if you have already exceeded the stop line when amber lights come on or green arrow flashes.

 

6)Turning pockets. Long turning pockets can fit 3-4 bikes or 1 car & at most 2 bikes. Short turning pockets- 2 bikes or 1 car. If no space, do not enter. Judge the space available. Your rear wheel must not encroach into the pedestrian crossing at all times. When starting to moving out from a turning pocket - chk bk right & blindspot of the direction of the turn. ie if right turn, chk bk right before moving off & right blindspot as you start to move.

 

7)Safety check - chk bk right or away from kerb or away from chevron line. Chevron lines is to be taken as a kerb.

 

8)Stop lines. MUST STOP. No such thing as when youre approaching the stop line & see no oncoming traffic, you proceed on.

 

This is abt as much as my old brain can remember abt L6.

 

Useful advice for Prac 6 tomorrow

[BBQute_Bern]

Thanks for sharing... This definitely gives a good picture of what to expect when my time comes.. I am relieved to know that they give us a round of warm up in the circuit. That helps calm the nerves a little...

 

You mentioned that there are more testees than bikes... Once everyone is done with the warm up, are the bikes placed in the center - then u choose which one to take out for your test? You mentioned that at any one time, there is only 1 bike on the circuit.. Is that right? Sounds quite different from lesson 5 where almost all the testees are somewhere around the circuit...

 

From what u can see ... What was the passing rate?

 

Do people still drop plank by the time they hit the TP test?

 

Yup, the bikes are place back in the center. Unless you are the 1st testee else you can only choose the leftover. When it's my turn, 1/2 of the bikes are out for the test. So try to adapt to more bikes during your revision. Actually after trying a few bikes during revision, I feel that all the bikes are almost the same. Biting point might be slight different, but it never a problem to me as I always slight throttle 1st then release my clutch. Throttle and clutch should be simultaneous action. The problem I face is the gear shifting. At times my gear seem to get stuck and I cant kick up and goes back to neutral. But later I found out my mistakes. 1st I always used almost near the middle of my feet(cos i have big foot size 10.5 XD) instead of the toe. Toe will have more leverage. 2nd, at times I didnt clutch in fully or I didn't off my throttle. I also found that a fast kick will have lesser chance of kicking into neutral gear. The only problem I have is the brakes. Some of the brakes are quite hard/sensitive. There was once I jammed my front wheel during e-brake. I tried regain my balance but cant as it's unlike rear wheel skii. While trying to gain back my balance, the force pushing from the rear is so great that my rear have nowhere to go and drifted to the side. So I fell with the bike and skied a distance. I cont. riding as there wasn't any external injury. When I reach home, there're bruises on my hip and ankle. It's a bad experience but a good lesson learnt.

Nope, not just one testee. It's like 1 testee per course. The 1st tester will watch the testee from the starting point till he/she riding pass the plank course before he signal for the next testee to proceed. So by the time the next testee proceed, the previous one will be near the slope course.

That day the passing rate is like 80-90%. Didn't really go and count. I didnt ask or heard about ppl dropping from plank but there's somebody failed at fig8.

Actually I used to have problem with plank but become more confident after practicing and also learn more about the bike. If the plank course is too crowded, maybe you can do your practice at the parking bay if there's no ppl having lesson there. You can try riding with 1st gear with no throttle and try to balance. It do improve my balance a lot. After doing that exercise, I can do plank without touching the brakes and clutch when I am on the plank. At times will need the throttle when I wobble a bit. Some of the bike engine has lesser power so will need to throttle a bit. Another tips is, just look straight and relax. Your body will automatically do its work. If you are too stiff, your body can hardly move and will have hard time balancing. Almost forgot, always have the habit to grip the tank.

Edited January 26, 2015 by BBQute_Bern

[Fizil123]

Hey fizil123.... Did we take the test together? Saturday morning?

I dont think so

I did my rtt on friday morning

[Stealth123]

whoa - 80-90% passing rate is above my expectation!

 

agree with you that the kick to neutral kinda sucks. If that happens when you're accelerating into your figure 8... kick to neutral confirm > 11 seconds. *sulk*

got a few tips ... fully clutch in, kick hard and fast...

 

thanks nevertheless for the very detailed description!!! Now that you passed - what bike have you set your eyes on?

 

Yup, the bikes are place back in the center. Unless you are the 1st testee else you can only choose the leftover. When it's my turn, 1/2 of the bikes are out for the test. So try to adapt to more bikes during your revision. Actually after trying a few bikes during revision, I feel that all the bikes are almost the same. Biting point might be slight different, but it never a problem to me as I always slight throttle 1st then release my clutch. Throttle and clutch should be simultaneous action. The problem I face is the gear shifting. At times my gear seem to get stuck and I cant kick up and goes back to neutral. But later I found out my mistakes. 1st I always used almost near the middle of my feet(cos i have big foot size 10.5 XD) instead of the toe. Toe will have more leverage. 2nd, at times I didnt clutch in fully or I didn't off my throttle. I also found that a fast kick will have lesser chance of kicking into neutral gear. The only problem I have is the brakes. Some of the brakes are quite hard/sensitive. There was once I jammed my front wheel during e-brake. I tried regain my balance but cant as it's unlike rear wheel skii. While trying to gain back my balance, the force pushing from the rear is so great that my rear have nowhere to go and drifted to the side. So I fell with the bike and skied a distance. I cont. riding as there wasn't any external injury. When I reach home, there're bruises on my hip and ankle. It's a bad experience but a good lesson learnt.

Nope, not just one testee. It's like 1 testee per course. The 1st tester will watch the testee from the starting point till he/she riding pass the plank course before he signal for the next testee to proceed. So by the time the next testee proceed, the previous one will be near the slope course.

That day the passing rate is like 80-90%. Didn't really go and count. I didnt ask or heard about ppl dropping from plank but there's somebody failed at fig8.

Actually I used to have problem with plank but become more confident after practicing and also learn more about the bike. If the plank course is too crowded, maybe you can do your practice at the parking bay if there's no ppl having lesson there. You can try riding with 1st gear with no throttle and try to balance. It do improve my balance a lot. After doing that exercise, I can do plank without touching the brakes and clutch when I am on the plank. At times will need the throttle when I wobble a bit. Some of the bike engine has lesser power so will need to throttle a bit. Another tips is, just look straight and relax. Your body will automatically do its work. If you are too stiff, your body can hardly move and will have hard time balancing. Almost forgot, always have the habit to grip the tank.

[Stealth123]

good luck on L6 tomorrow -

 

I dont think so

I did my rtt on friday morning

[Fizil123]

good luck on L6 tomorrow -

Thank you

[BBQute_Bern]

whoa - 80-90% passing rate is above my expectation!

 

agree with you that the kick to neutral kinda sucks. If that happens when you're accelerating into your figure 8... kick to neutral confirm > 11 seconds. *sulk*

got a few tips ... fully clutch in, kick hard and fast...

 

thanks nevertheless for the very detailed description!!! Now that you passed - what bike have you set your eyes on?

 

Yeah, really suck when the gear hit neutral during the course. For fig8 still ok can catch up but slalom/crank is even worse, 6sec. XD

 

Well, at 1st I was thinking of getting a new bike, FZ16/R15. With COE so high now I was thinking if it's worth it. Maybe COE will drop later XD but I doubt so. Then during my expressway fam. I asked the instructor for his opinion. He said "stop lying to yourself that you won't get 2A license. Most of them said not getting 2A ended up getting." He also pointed out that 2b bike is very light and unstable during high speed so best to get a 2A/2 bike. So i changed my mind to get a used bike that can last me for 2-3years. I am looking at 2 stroke bike. Most likely getting KRR150.

 

HAHAHA... I feel that I'm kinda long-winded. XD

[Stealth123]

Well... I benefit from the very descriptive write up!

 

Would make sense to save the $$$ for your later purchases of the class 2A / 2 bike..

On the COE dropping - I have a hunch that is not going to happen soon. All that I hear is the supply of COE keeps getting cut...

 

 

Yeah, really suck when the gear hit neutral during the course. For fig8 still ok can catch up but slalom/crank is even worse, 6sec. XD

 

Well, at 1st I was thinking of getting a new bike, FZ16/R15. With COE so high now I was thinking if it's worth it. Maybe COE will drop later XD but I doubt so. Then during my expressway fam. I asked the instructor for his opinion. He said "stop lying to yourself that you won't get 2A license. Most of them said not getting 2A ended up getting." He also pointed out that 2b bike is very light and unstable during high speed so best to get a 2A/2 bike. So i changed my mind to get a used bike that can last me for 2-3years. I am looking at 2 stroke bike. Most likely getting KRR150.

 

HAHAHA... I feel that I'm kinda long-winded. XD

[BBQute_Bern]

Yeah... why cut bike COE supply since bike doesn't cause much congestion. Really don't understand what policy maker are thinking. =_=

[LunarSky]

Thank you

 

Good Luck Fizil, my prac 6 which just ended was certainly an experience. lols. It's like a sudden exposure to all the elements of road and managing the bike as well.

[Fizil123]

Good Luck Fizil, my prac 6 which just ended was certainly an experience. lols. It's like a sudden exposure to all the elements of road and managing the bike as well.

Same

I failed

[LunarSky]

Same

I failed

 

First timer ? If so means we same group. I was the guy with the bandana

[Fizil123]

First timer ? If so means we same group. I was the guy with the bandana

Haha

I was wearing green colour shirt

[nsr1980]

just book more practice will pass one day bros sis...

[jbdoggy]

Dont worry lah. I also failed L6 during my 1st time. Think quite normal....For me it was information overload from that long briefing haha so went out blur & confused like nobody's business lol. Got scolding many many from instructor. But a very enjoyable time/experience all the same. Things get very much clearer the 2nd or 3rd time round.

 

But get a hang of all the procedures & memorise them. For L7 youre going to apply all those same procedures to the test routes.

[LunarSky]

True on the information overload part.

It was fun and also unnerving being on the road for the first time. You have to handle the bike, ensure you don't get run down, and also observe road signs and proper lining up.

As with all lessons, if at first you don't succeed, try again. Lols.

[jbdoggy]

BBQute_Burn,

 

Congrats on your tp & thanks for sharing your experiences.

 

Ya agree quite a number of bikes will feel the same. But there will be the odd few which will be of a different flavour so to speak. Thankfully theyre not too difficult to adapt to. The ones with lively throttle response needs more care tho.

 

But the thing that concerns me the most is it seems there also some bikes which are non plank bikes. You see, with a plank bike even at dead slow speeds youre still stable & no wobbling. But with a non plank bike it will start getting wobbly even before you get to dead slow speeds. Performing on the plank with such bikes is so freaking difficult or next to impossible & i dunno why. But theyre ok for other circuit stuff. eg bike 52 - dropped plank more than half the time & those successful attempts I was wrestling & outmuscling the bike a lot. Would be lucky to get 6secs w/o wrestling.

 

Right now cr strategy is to try out 2-3 bikes per session & take note of the plank bikes & build up the database. So far identified 8 very good plank bikes. I dont think I will be so unlucky that when my tp turn comes, Im left with all the non plank bikes to choose from right?

[Stealth123]

*lol* plank and non-plank bike!!

 

I prefer those whose biting point is not hat far out... That way get to control a bit by releasing or pulling in the clutch...

 

BBQute_Burn,

 

Congrats on your tp & thanks for sharing your experiences.

 

Ya agree quite a number of bikes will feel the same. But there will be the odd few which will be of a different flavour so to speak. Thankfully theyre not too difficult to adapt to. The ones with lively throttle response needs more care tho.

 

But the thing that concerns me the most is it seems there also some bikes which are non plank bikes. You see, with a plank bike even at dead slow speeds youre still stable & no wobbling. But with a non plank bike it will start getting wobbly even before you get to dead slow speeds. Performing on the plank with such bikes is so freaking difficult or next to impossible & i dunno why. But theyre ok for other circuit stuff. eg bike 52 - dropped plank more than half the time & those successful attempts I was wrestling & outmuscling the bike a lot. Would be lucky to get 6secs w/o wrestling.

 

Right now cr strategy is to try out 2-3 bikes per session & take note of the plank bikes & build up the database. So far identified 8 very good plank bikes. I dont think I will be so unlucky that when my tp turn comes, Im left with all the non plank bikes to choose from right?

[grimlock]

yup they chop my book...my 1st time..think they gv chance coz i was the only one who was taking 2b prac 5..yup need to do more cr..my fig 8 and crank course timing and my ebrake was my weakness

Chk your book & see if they chop L5 completed or not.

 

Is it the case that this is your 5th or more attempt & no IF? If so, most probably they gv chance & let you go. But note, you have to do more revisions to cut down your demerits. Refer to your result sheet(s) & take note of all the areas where you kena pts & work on them during revisions.

[BBQute_Bern]

BBQute_Burn,

 

Congrats on your tp & thanks for sharing your experiences.

 

Ya agree quite a number of bikes will feel the same. But there will be the odd few which will be of a different flavour so to speak. Thankfully theyre not too difficult to adapt to. The ones with lively throttle response needs more care tho.

 

But the thing that concerns me the most is it seems there also some bikes which are non plank bikes. You see, with a plank bike even at dead slow speeds youre still stable & no wobbling. But with a non plank bike it will start getting wobbly even before you get to dead slow speeds. Performing on the plank with such bikes is so freaking difficult or next to impossible & i dunno why. But theyre ok for other circuit stuff. eg bike 52 - dropped plank more than half the time & those successful attempts I was wrestling & outmuscling the bike a lot. Would be lucky to get 6secs w/o wrestling.

 

Right now cr strategy is to try out 2-3 bikes per session & take note of the plank bikes & build up the database. So far identified 8 very good plank bikes. I dont think I will be so unlucky that when my tp turn comes, Im left with all the non plank bikes to choose from right?

 

Thanks!! jbdoggy.

 

Didn't really encounter a lively one. I tried 38, 40, 44, 45, 50, 52, 57 60, 66, 69, 70, 72 XD That's all I can rmb. Usually I move off, I will do it smoothly and gradually as I dont like sudden jerk. Maybe that why I dont really notice. For bike 60 everything is fine but slow pickup speed when move off. When move off for the 1st sec, it's ok but it will lose power for 1-2sec even I rev the engine more. So can't be help XD but I still enjoy using that bike.

 

For the plank, maybe the bike's engine is weaker? If I didnt recall wrongly 52 is one of my flavor bike during my revision for L5. Gear is good. Engine I cant rmb. But usually those bike i like will have smooth engine but I dont mean power. XD I not sure what technique you use for your plank so I dunno how to comment. Lately i have being using the throttle control for the plank. I just throttle up the plank, not too fast but just enough to go up stably. Next just off throttle. No clutch no brakes. keep body upright relax look straight. There're bikes with weaker engine which vibrate too much till i gotta to throttle slightly or when I wobble too much. If you still have time for a few more revision, you can try to find out new technique for the plank that doesn't rely too much on the bike condition. Actually, if you wobble too much that you might drop from the plank, just throttle up before you lose balance. It's better to get demerit points than immediate failure. =D

 

Yeah just adapt to more bikes... All the best~

[chriszzz]

Re Plank:

 

For newbies, controlling the bike by varying both the half-clutch and throttle can be challenging. My suggestion is to practice by riding slowly around the circuit or in the parking area at 1st gear with half clutch. After some practice, you'll get the hang of it. Find a good half-clutch position, and vary the throttle until you find a steady slow speed and keep it constant. Then apply the rear brake to control the speed. The idea is that you control the bike by varying only 1 variable - the rear brake. This provides the bike with some power, and yet is easy to control the speed.

 

Line up your bike with the plank. It's easy because the white stop line is worn out exactly in the center. So stop your bike straight at this worn out point, making sure it's perpendicular to the line. Don't slant the bike. Look at the start of the plank, apply more throttle and ride up the plank at the exact center. To hit the center, you have to look at the plank. The moment the front wheel goes up the plank, look up in front at the slalom cones. In my mind, I always tell myself "cone.... cone.... cone..." so that I'm totally focused and not distracted. Reduce throttle slightly, and use the rear brake to control the speed. Don't think about anything else. If you are slightly too fast, you may get some point deductions, but it's better than falling off and failing immediately.