Class 2A Journey
[Update] View the youtube video to learn more about Bikes in General: https://youtu.be/M-31fo-O5P4
Click on the Youtube link to find out more about my Class 2B Journey: https://youtu.be/E85DV81U_9U
I passed my class 2A test recently, sometime in March 2021. It was an eye-opening experience as well. In this post, I will be sharing more about the course syllabus, my own experience and some tips that I hope might help.
Here’s an overview of the course syllabus
1x Theory lesson
3x Riding simulation
Practical lesson:
1.01: Plank, Pylon, Slope & general riding
2.01: Figure 8, Crank course, Emergency brake, Bumpy course, Circuit route
3.01: Circuit evaluation (Get 18 points and below with no Immediate failures to pass)
RV: Guided revision with some time for self practice
Key things to note:
- Remember the circuit route!
- Try to get use to the bike’s weight ASAP
- For bumpy course, try to heed the instructor’s advice and practice.
My Class 2A experience
I first enrolled on 14 Jan 2021. Due to COVID restrictions, I simply did my registration online. The enrollment costs $69.55 + $50 for you to book lessons. So that is almost $120 upfront. After enrollment, I immediately booked my first simulation and theory lesson.
Theory lesson was meh.. Quite a waste of time if you ask me. The instructor was simply showing all the accident videos and talking about how we ‘suck’. However, it is a compulsory aspect so suck it up and go through it!
After, my theory lesson, I manage to book my first simulator and practical lesson together (worth it!).
01: Plank, Pylon, Slope & general riding
It was my first time trying out the Honda CB400F. It was a pretty stable bike, cornering was good with a low CG. I had difficulties kicking it up to the 2nd gear for the first few times. Took me awhile to get used to it, had to really KICK it.
Overall, the lesson was pretty smooth, I was able to stay on the plank all the way, pylon was smooth as well. I guess a tip would be after the plank, don’t stop too near the white line before pylon, give yourself a bit of space so that you have more distance to cover to gain speed. For myself, after I start maneuvering through the cones, I would close of my throttle and let the bike roll through. Only at the last cone would I open my throttle and go off.
It was a first time pass despite the unstable first attempt. Off to the 2nd lesson
TPDS 1
I went for the simulator after my first prac. It was quite… anti-climatic as it is quite unrealistic and also the audio is pretty soft so it can be quite difficult to hear the commands, especially when the car simulator is directly behind you. (Also, you don’t need your helmet for this).
02: Figure 8, Crank course, E-brake, Bumpy course, Circuit route
So, time for my second prac. Figure 8 and Crank course was pretty similar to 2B, so there really isn’t much to comment here. Except for the exit of figure 8, I often make the mistake of wide turning due to the heavy bike (I wasn’t that used to it). For E-Brake, we have to hit 40km/h and stop before the yellow line (or I should say in between the yellow and red line). As there is no speed indicator lights on the class 2A bikes (unlike class 2B bikes with the 3 light indicators in front), I am guessing that your ending position of your bike is how they gauge if you have gathered enough speed, thus stop between the yellow and red line.
For bumpy course, this was the challenging one for me. It took me awhile to get used to the motion and how to open/close your throttle. I would say, listen to the instructor and try to learn from him as much as possible for this. Attempt the course a few times and you should be alright!!
Circuit route is something that we MUST memorize and remember. If you go the wrong way, or if you hesitate, it can be counted as an immediate failure so do take note!
03: Circuit Evaluation
I was rather nervous but I knew that all I had to do was to keep my cool and go through the circuit as per normal.
We started off with a quick revision to go through the different courses and warm up. There was 4 other 2A riders and 1 class 2 rider. Our warm up was cut short due to the bad weather and we had to return to the shelter shortly after. The instructor wasn’t very clear with his instructions and we wasted over 15 minutes just sitting down at the shelter when we could have wore our raincoats and went for another round. He told us to remain in the shelter and not wear the raincoat. After he made up his mind, all of us had to suit up and get ready for the evaluation.
As we went through the circuit, I could vaguely remember that I made a wide turning after figure 8. However, all I was focused on was to not get any immediate failure. So, getting that few demerit points was fine, in my opinion.
I felt that I did pretty decently for the rest of the circuit, and was awaiting for the results after the evaluation.
The instructor first called another number and told the rider about the mistakes made and to try again.
Subsequently, he called for the rest of us and slowly gave us our result slips. And he said that all of us have to come back again… for RV! And prepare for our TP. What a change of events!
We compared our results and all of us got 18 points. I got a few points deducted due to posture during the bumpy course. Because I was wearing the raincoat, it made it seem like I did not do the ‘half squat’ position properly.
Nevertheless, off to complete the remaining TPDS and book my TP!
TPDS 2 & 3
I manage to complete the remaining simulator sessions around 1.5 weeks after my 3rd prac. Immediately, I went on to book my TP. Nervous!
D-day: TP
I woke up extra early in the morning and went over to BBDC so that I wouldn’t be late. I was feeling quite nervous as I was afraid that I might make silly mistakes or rake up some immediate failure.
During the warm up, I had to share a bike with another rider as there is not enough bikes to go around, so my warm up time was cut short. Nevertheless, I felt that it was a good enough warm up and I was rather collected.
Onto the test, I tried to keep myself collected and tell myself that this is just another practice session, nothing to worry about. Throughout the course, I felt that I might have made some mistakes such as too early when checking for blind spot or inaccurate checking (silly stuff but everyone gets them anyways).
After I am done with the test, I went over to the canteen to take a break and ‘try’ to relax. We had to wait around 1.5 hours for the TP to release the results.
After 1.5 hours, I am glad that they did not call for my number, as usually if your number is being called, it means that you probably failed the test.
Subsequently, we went up to the theory room to fill up the feedback forms and get our brand new license!!
Conclusion
That’s about it for my class 2A journey. I sincerely hope that, for whoever is reading this, will be able to pass and get your license after working so hard for it. All those lessons will pay off! Don’t give up and you will get there as well! Stay safe, riders.
[Update] View the youtube video to learn more about Bikes in General: https://youtu.be/M-31fo-O5P4
Click on the Youtube link to find out more about my Class 2B Journey: https://youtu.be/E85DV81U_9U
