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Getting Class 2B Licence in Singapore: Lesson 4 (Attempt #1/1)

24/7/2015

12 Comments

 
Lesson 4 is the dreaded narrow plank and emergency braking.

After a few warm-up laps around the circuit, we stopped at the narrow plank section which is actually a 20 meter long metal plank of about 20 inches wide and probably 1 inch high. The objective is to ride SLOWLY across the plank in 1st gear without falling off and doing it for at least 6 seconds. You'll get demerit points if do too fast... immediate failure if the tires slipped off the plank or worse, you fall off the bike.

This was how I fared in 6 attempts: OK - FALL - OK - FALL - OK - OK -OK 

My instructor gave me an important tip when my bike slipped off the plank for the 2nd time in four attempts. Don't focus too much in achieving balance at the start. Just focus on getting onto the plank, and then balance. Sure enough, with both my foot off the ground, left hand half clutch, right hand on the handle bar grip, once on the plank, it was easier to get the bike balanced and going as slow as possible in order to hit 6 seconds . Oh, look straight ahead... looking down will make you lose balance... Do not hold on to your front brake level as doing so will make you lose balance. Rely on your rear brakes instead. 

After a short pause at the end of the narrow plank, I did the pylon slalom, which is to swerve the bike in between the 4 orange cones within 6 seconds. Hit 1 and you fail the whole test. Get demerit points if you do it more than 6 seconds. No problem here. Just go to 2nd gear and give yourself a wide berth. When exiting the slalom, signal right, check blindspot and go into the main lane. Towards the end of the curve, quickly signal left, check blind spot and stop at the waiting line for the emergency braking section.

E-brake is not that difficult despite having to do it on a wet surface. From the start line, go to 3rd gear and hit speeds of 30-40km/hr. Upon reaching the braking line, close throttle, apply both brakes, and just when the bike is about to stop, clutch in to prevent the bike from stalling. Simple right? Haha... took me several attempts to get it right. Oh, there's also a sequence to move off... remember, you're still in 3rd gear with both brake and clutch pressed. To move off, check right blindspot, right foot on the ground, left foot hit the clutch pedal until 1st gear, check left blindspot, left foot down, bring back right foot up, signal right, check right blindspot and move off... phew... try to imagine doing it a few times so you will be automatic during test time...

Anyway, I passed Lesson 4 in one attempt! My instructor gave me the test circuit route below. I've booked two Circuit Revisions on two consecutive Saturdays. Lesson 5 after that. I can actually do it in two weeks as there are plenty of slots for Circuit Revisions and Lesson 5. I can only book Lesson 6 after passing Lesson 5, completed all Theory Lessons and Internal evaluation. At the rate that I'm going, I should be able to complete Lesson 8 in late September or early October. Hopefully, can take my TP Test by end of December! Would be a great Christmas gift yah!
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12 Comments
passer by
23/9/2018 10:40:22 pm

Hi, I am taking Class 2B right now... and I just passed Lesson 2 (after a few tries) which consist of plank, pylon slalom and slope.

I would like to share a few pointers for those who have difficulties with these challenges

1) Plank

Accelerate up the plank from the start..

Once u are on the plank, control the speed, if u find the bike starts to wobble (it's due to not enough speed) , open n close the throttle quickly just to give it some speed to stay balance.

Repeat this open n close throttle whenever the wobbling starts to stay balanced.. this will eventually eat up the time :)

U should be able to clear the timing for plank :)

2) Moving off Slope

Open throttle a bit, hold it, then release clutch to biting point.. once the engine sound goes down, hold the clutch

Check inwards

Look back in front, throttle a bit more, then release the foot brake and u will move off :)

3) Pylon slalom

Aim to go through the center (middle) of the cones ... I find that once u can achieve by going through the center (middle) of the cones, it is ok.



Reply
passer by
14/11/2018 10:42:41 pm

I just passed lesson 3 part 1 ..which consists of e-brake , S course and crank course

1) E-brake

Accelerate on the first gear and switch to second gear. On the second gear, turn the throttle to continue accelerating while glancing at the speedometer (do NOT look down by tilting your head) .. when the speed reaches about 30 km/h, switch to 3rd gear and MAINTAIN the throttle.. the speed will naturally increase.

The white light indicator in front of the bike will light up when the speed reaches 30 km/h or so..

When E-braking, remember to first close the throttle FULLY. Then press both front n rear wheel brakes together. Feel the braking.
Also remember to press the clutch fully to prevent the bike stalling.

2) S-course

The difficulty of this is in meeting the timing of 11 seconds and below.

After turning left from the start, remember to turn off the signal.

Be confident in manuervering the bike and stay at constant speed , at the centre of the S course, increase speed a bit to clear and exit the S course.

3) Crank course

For this course, the challenge is to maintain at first gear and switch to second gear just when u are about to enter the course. Once that is done smoothly, there is no further issue.

Reply
Shahr33n
18/11/2018 11:40:14 pm

Wow! Thanks for adding! Good luck for the rest!

passerby
27/1/2019 08:12:37 pm

I passed this Lesson 3 part 1 after a few tries and proceeded to Lesson 3 part 2. For part 2, it's about going on the actual test route in the circuit on all the 6 courses. So it's also to familiarise the rider as he / she has to remember the route on the actual test day. Again, I passed this after a few tries.

I proceeded next to Lesson 4 which is an internal assessment of Lesson 3 part 2. The instructors will act as the testers at each station and their job is to penalise as much as possible, especially so on failing to check blindspots. I passed this again after a few tries.

I am currently on Lesson 5, which is the road lesson, where I will practise U turning, right turning, lane changing and going through zebra crossing.

passerby
21/2/2019 03:36:58 pm

After I pass Lesson 4, I can book a "circuit revision" lesson anytime. A "circuit revision" lesson is basically a self-practice of all the circuit stations by yourself. There will be an instructor in charge of the group of students taking this revision lesson whom I can approach for any questions or to help me take my timing for the Plank and Figure 8 course.

I realise that after I have gone riding on the road in Lesson 5 , it seems much easier and I feel more confident to do the circuit stations now as compared to before I went out on the road.

Reply
passerby
21/2/2019 03:39:38 pm

Sorry, as regards to my earlier posting,

I meant "after passing Lesson 3 part 2 (instead of Lesson 4), I can book a "circuit revision" lesson anytime.

Reply
passerby
12/3/2019 09:09:44 pm

I passed Lesson 5 after a few tries.. currently I'm on Lesson 6.

This lesson is about remembering the actual test route on test day. The instructors will lead us for the first round for us to try to remember the route. After returning back to school, we would have to go by ourselves on the second round. The instructors will follow closely behind.

Hence, I would go for a total of 2 rounds of the actual test route. If there is time remaining, we could do some practice of the circuit stations.

Reply
passerby
16/3/2019 12:00:03 pm

I passed Lesson 6 after 2 tries.

I can now book for Lesson 7, along with "Circuit revision" and "Road revision" lessons.

Lesson 7 is an internal assessment of all the circuit stations and also the test route. It is basically a mock test of the actual TP test.

I am also able to book for "Circuit Revision" lessons and "Road Revision" lessons.

For "Road Revision" lesson, it is similar to Lesson 6 but there is no briefing. I will be going on the test route 4 times instead. If there is any remaining time left, I can practise the circuit stations.

Reply
passerby
22/3/2019 10:23:00 am

I attended one session of the "Road Revision" lesson.

Basically, it is similar to Lesson 6 but just that U are not assessed whatsover. There will still be the usual 2 instructors accompanying the group of riders going FOUR rounds on the test route.

After each round, I will return back to school and I can clarify any doubts. Then I will go off again on the next round and this continues until I finish FOUR rounds of the test route.

If there is any remaining time , I am allowed to practise on the circuit.

Reply
passerby
29/9/2019 11:08:03 am

The next lesson, Lesson 7, was an assessment lesson . It will assess both the circuit and road together. A total of not more than 18 points will be considered passing the lesson. After a few attempts, I managed to finally clear this lesson.. phew !

I am able to book for the actual Traffic Police test now ! Yeah!

Reply
Shahr33n
29/9/2019 08:19:07 pm

Wow! It's been a year since you started posting! I wish you all the best for your TP Test!!! Almost there! Don't give it up!

Reply
passerby
4/10/2019 04:21:44 pm

Thank you !

Reply



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    Just your typical guy in his late-30s, married to a lovely wife + three small kids, living a life in tiny Singapore.

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    Class 2B Summary
    Circuit Orientation: 1
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