My Class 2A Journey

I’ve had my 2B license (that allows me to ride motorbikes up to 200cc) since July 2016, and I’ve never had the urge to upgrade to 2A until that very day I accompanied my friend to BBDC…

I’ve been thinking about upgrading ever since I graduated but was never swayed by it. Everyone who has a 2A bike or went for the license kept telling me that bigger bikes were more stable and safer, especially the braking system. So one day after work, I accompanied my friend to the driving school at Bukit Batok (BBDC) because she’s taking 2B. She hasn’t taken her lessons in a while so I had to see her top it up else she would go on a streak of missing lessons. But since I was already there… She told me to get 2A, since I had been talking about it for the longest time ever.

REGISTRATION

I registered on the 26 January 2019, and immediately booked the Theory Lesson for the 27^th. Cleared the only theory lesson – which lasted an hour and forty minutes. The person at the counter told me that the whole 2A process runs quite fast. I could only book next practical sessions once I successfully pass a stage. For 2A, there were only 3 practical stages I had to clear – 1.01, 2.01 and 3.01. Since I was already a rider, there was no need to go on the road since 2A assumes of our knowledge in road riding.

First Practical – 1.01 (28 January 2019) FAIL

Most of 1.01 revolved around things that I’ve learned in 2B – plank, pylons and stopping on a hill. However, the last time I stepped into BBDC was in July 2016, so I had forgotten the proper blind spot checks and signalling at the right moment. Also, the bike is Honda CB400X, which is wayyyy heavier than my Yamaha YBR125.

Most of the first half of practical was spent by getting used to blind spot checking and the weight of the bike. Surprisingly, I felt more secure on CB400X. I think the weight lowered the centre of gravity, allowing me to stay on the plank at least 7 seconds. However, I was so used to 2B’s measly power that I wobbled on the CB400X. It was me not trusting the machine!

I had to relearn road signs as well, such as the arrows on the ground and how to form up at the stop lines. In the real riding world, I have never experienced such orderly forming up.

Throughout the practice, I didn’t do any major mistakes, except going off the plank once and not being consistent with my plank timings. So even though I didn’t do particularly well during this session, I didn’t do amazing either. 

Out of the 7 people who attended the class (2 of them are taking class 2), only 1 person from class 2 and 1 person from class 2A passed. And that person who passed… wasn’t me. Haha.

It was expected, anyway. I went in practice without trusting the machine and I was too hung up on old habits. I have to relearn everything so it takes a little bit of time to adjust. Luckily I kept some good habits from 2B times, like putting my foot back on the gear after increasing it. I also do check my blind spots, but not very obvious. Unfortunately, Traffic Police are not so lenient on this and will definitely deduct points if I don’t make clear blind spot checking. 

My next lesson (1.01 again) will be… tomorrow!

Second Practical – 1.01 (29 January 2019) PASS

So I started the lesson as per usual. As I had experienced 1.01 yesterday, the instructor (a different one than yesterday’s) told me and another uncle to go for our own practice at the plank and pylon. He asked me if I still remembered the test route, to which I replied, just a little.

I rode the bike onto the plank and managed to be a bit more stable and confident than yesterday. The key is to throttle a bit more before going on the plank, and once I am on the plank, it’s full out rear break, and just play with the throttle and clutch. Knowing the biting point of the bike is important because every bike has their own biting point. I got better at gripping the tank with my legs too, which helps to centre the weight. Most importantly, whenever I am calm, I tend to do better.

I passed this session, but expressed my less-than-confident levels to the instructor. I could definitely push the bike, and I am getting used to the weight, but the courses are what I am afraid. The relearning process scares me a little, because I have picked up bad habits over the years. Haha.

Tomorrow will be my 2.01 at 1.20pm. If I’m not wrong, we’ll be going through emergency break, bumpy course and figure 8? That’s quite a lot to go through since 3.01 is evaluation (I think). Let’s pray for the best!

Third Practical – 2.01 (30 January 2019) DEFAULTED

Because my bike was unable to start, I couldn’t get to class on time and my booking was defaulted. I lost $28 sigh! So I booked my next lesson for the next day.

Fourth Practical – 2.01 (31 January 2019) FAILED

I was extremely nervous and it showed a lot. We had to go through Figure 8/S course, Crank Course, Emergency Brake and Bumpy Course. I definitely felt the weight of the bike, and that increased my nervousness.

In the end, I fell twice at the Crank Course and once at the Bumpy Course. It was a sure fail for me. I was the only one who failed out of the five of us. Sure, I felt sad, disappointed, but I convinced myself that everything happens for a reason. My body still hadn’t adjusted, but I know I won’t give up!

Fifth Practical – 2.01 (31 January 2019) PASSED

There were only two of us for this lesson. Since there was more time per student, the instructor gave us all the tips and tricks. I felt more confident this time round, and corrected all my mistakes… well, mostly.

S Course

For S course and Crank course, my line of sight is especially important. It will influence how my body weight will affect the bike’s movement. As I turn left/out of the S course, I must never look right (for oncoming cars). This should have been done on the last bend in the S course before turning out/stopping if there’s a car. If I have to stop, I need to look straight and stop. If I don’t stop, I need to look left! Otherwise, there will be a big possibility of a wide turn.

Crank Course

As for Crank course, I need to throttle, change up to gear two and slowly let go of the clutch. Switch off signal and let the bike roll on its own, occasionally throttling to prevent knocking of engine. Do not press rear break unless I am stopping due to an oncoming car. Before the last curve out, got car? Stop. No car? Go!

Emergency brake

Full on out throttle in gear one and two, and when I’m in gear three, I should be around 45km/h. Maintain throttle so that it hovers around 40-43km/h, but look straight, only the eyes shift to look at speedometer! Only close throttle when I cross the white line, immediately front and rear break but do not jam the rear break. Only clutch in and leg down after the red line. Do the normal look right, put down right leg, drop gear to gear 1, check left, put down left leg, signal right and then move off to…

Bumpy Course

Ooh, I didn’t fall down during my second 2.01! So what the instructor told me was that there are 9 bumps – the first three are further apart, allowing me to get most time around those three bumps. The other bumps are closer, but irregularly spaced. Nonetheless, I should throttle to power the bike upon moving off from e-brake. Slowly squat-stand, look into the distance, do notrear break until you pass the first bump. Control the clutch and throttle, releasing power before the bump. Clutch in and close throttle to allow the bike to roll over the bump. Stand a little taller as well to keep the weight centred. Firmly grip the tank with knees – you will never fall off!

With all these tips in mind + the patient instructor – both of us passed and… I can book 3.01 evaluation!

Sixth Practical – Evaluation 3.01 (1 February 2019) PASSED

If I said I was not nervous, I would definitely be lying. The instructor that took this class was the same one as my second 2.01 (where I passed). He’s really patient with us, giving us time till 8.10pm (my lesson started at 7.20pm) to do whatever we want to practice. So I did two rounds of test route and extra rounds of courses. 

Soon, it was evaluation. I was roughly fine for all the blind spot checking – I still keep most habits even till now like putting my feet on the gear after changing gear. Everything went smoothly except for Bumpy Course, E-brake and a missing blind spot check (4 points). 

For bumpy course, I pressed the rear break before I went through the first bump. This caused me to be unstable to even go through the first one. Hence, I had to speed up to maintain my balance. Received 4 points – I only got through the course at 5.89 seconds. Needed to stay a bit longer to reach >6s.

For E-brake, I clutch in too early. This caused my bike to freewheel longer and almostwent over the yellow line, which is an immediate failure. Luckily, I was still okay, but was docked 2 points for incorrect technique. So in total, I received 4+4+2 points, which makes up 10…

I passed my 3.01 evaluation!

Sixth, Seventh & Eighth Revision – 10/2, 15/2, 18/2 

Revision went well for all three sessions. I went for my last RV a day before my practical. 

Actual Test – TP Test (19 February 2019) PASSED!!!

I arrived at BBDC really early around 7.20am, so that I do not rush into any traffic on the way. The last thing I want was to miss warm up or even the test.

I reached and waited in the motorcycle office. Met up with the other people who I practiced with in the past practical sessions. Soon, everyone gathered. There were a total of 24 people taking the test that day – 7 were taking up Class 2, and the rest were taking up 2A. Looking at the conditions outside, there were only a few 2B classes who were on the circuit, and most of the cars were on TP test as well. 

Warm-Up

I was assigned Tag number 21, which was the fourth last person to go off for the test. We did several rounds of warmup, and I managed to do two rounds of the test route, and many rounds of the S course and Crank course. I managed to slot in several rounds on the plank, pylons, e-brake and bumpy course as well. All of us stretched our time as much as we can before we had to head back to the motorcycle office at 8.30am.

Administrative

Soon, we were told to assemble outside at the mini circuit. We lined up according to our tag numbers. I was right at the front of my row. The Enciks from the Traffic Police team came out and asked us for our full names and IC numbers, followed by us heading back to the office to wait for our turn. As my number was one of the last few to be called, I tried not to look outside the window at the rest having their test. I just watched YouTube to pass the time.

Start of Test

Not long after, it was my turn. There were four TP testers spread across the circuit. The first one was right at the start line. He sits on a tall chair (like those umpires) and when he signals, I can start. If I do not follow his signal, that’s an immediate fail! Once I was given the sign, I checked oncoming traffic and moved off. First was turning right, change lane and go straight past the junction to the S course and crank course. A lot of people failed because of the traffic light which changes colour really quickly. Thankfully, there wasn’t much traffic congestion around the junction area and I cleared the traffic safely.

Also, I was really lucky to be able to fit the queue for the S course because I was right after the pedestrian crossing line! Had I have no space, that would be 10 points… (and 10 points closer to a fail!). Luckily, tag number 22 saw that, and he stayed right across the junction and didn’t move forward. 

S Course/Crank Course

Waited for my turn to start (at the signal of the second TP). Every time I moved forward, I had to check back on the right until I was the first person in line. Before I move off, I have to check left blind spot. Gear up to gear 2, enter the course. My line of sight is important. Thankfully, no oncoming cars, so I moved on to crank course. No need to wait for tester. 

Successfully cleared and waited for the traffic light to change colour. Changed lane to the right and waited for traffic to clear up. Changed lane, filtered to the left and luckily there was no bus. Filtered left, checked left blind spot, and then right blind spot because it was a bend, and then drift to the start of planks.

Plank/Pylons

Queued up (waited for the third TP) and did planks really, really well! I gripped my tank tightly, and kept my upper body loose for any unforeseen bike movement. I think I managed to clear at least 10 seconds. Moved towards the pylons and cleared it too. I wasn’t confident of it, but thank god, I didn’t hit/brush against any cones.

E-brake

Went to the E-brake section, but before that checked right blind spot because it was a bend. Queued up for the last course before general riding section. It was the longest wait! The weather was getting extremely hot by then. There were at least six bikes waiting for this section. We got so restless that the last four of us (tag 21 to 24) started talking in line haha. 

Soon, at the signal of the last TP, I started my e-brake. Throttled so hard at gear 1, then gear up to gear 2, throttle some more to gain speed, reached around 50km/h, and gear up to gear 3 letting the speed drop from 50km/h to 43km/h (and acted like I was still throttling, but no). Crossed the white line, immediately “close” throttle (it was already closed) and at the same time apply both front and rear brakes.

I was careful not to press the rear brakes too hard, but I kept squeezing my front brake. Stopped successfully before the yellow line (but after the red line). I think I got a 2 point deduction from there because my posture was a little off. Doesn’t matter, so long as I stopped before the yellow line and not drop my right leg!

Check right, put right leg down, gear down to gear 1 (you stop in gear 3), check left, put left leg down, signal right and move off to… Bumpy course!

Bumpy Course

I was so nervous for this section, so I made sure I was already stable before I entered the course. This gave me confidence to go through the first bump. I pressed a bit of the rear brake, not too hard though, which gave me 3s over the first three bumps. Then there were around 6 bumps left, which was enough to cover for the remaining 3 seconds. I was stable throughout, surprisingly, and I didn’t miss any bumps! So thankful!

General Riding

Cleared the course, checked blind spot before entering the test route. Changed lane and get ready for the general riding section! I turned right, changed lane (doing all the mandatory blind spot checks), entered the filter lane, check oncoming traffic and blind spot before filtering out. Kept to the left and stopped at the stop line. Waited for traffic to clear. At this point I wanted to stay behind this car, but I was reminded that points will be deducted if I didn’t change lane before the bend.

Slope 7

So I changed out and was in the second lane. Thank god, I did that! Changed back to lane 1 after the bend and went straight to slope number 7. I was the second bike, so I was on the left. Unfortunately, I felt myself slipping (which I got 2 points for that, for sliding down less than 0.5m). Luckily I managed to recover, and cleared the hill. Darn! Haha, that station usually wasn’t a problem! But it’s okay, just a minor mistake.

Then turned right, changed lane and stopped at the stop line. I could feel the gaze of TP tester number 3 (from the plank/pylon station) as he analysed me, seeing if I did my blind spot checks. I did, okay! Then I moved out to the lane, and went to the last major course of general riding. Ride towards number 17, switch on left signal. Towards number 18, check blind spot. Towards number 19, turn left! Our instructors warned us to enter the right lane number, some found themselves taking the wrong turn (immediate failure). Thankfully, I wasn’t too nervous and took the correct one.

Blind Wall

Turned left into 19, turned left again into 41 (I think that was the number) and then gradually changed lane. There were a lot of cars around the car crank course section, so I was really worried. Luckily the instructors in the cars gave way to me, signalling me to move so I checked the traffic behind the wall (a blind spot, so I had to inch forward), and moved out.

As I was going out from minor to major road, waited for traffic from both sides to clear and moved out. Changed lane to the left, and waited at the junction again. Made sure that I wasn’t fooled by the ever-changing traffic signals! Turned left, filtered right gradually. And reached the last stop line! Waited for traffic from both directions to clear, checked blind spot and moved off! Changed lane after the bend and before entering the end zone, I checked my blind spot and ta dah! Done with the riding test!

I was so glad that I wasn’t that nervous. I also did sufficient RV which made me more confident as well. A lot of it was also due to me telling myself that I could do it!

Passing Rate

Out of the 24 of us, around 16 of us passed! From what I remember, 4 out of the 7 Class 2 students passed, so it was a rather low pass rate. But for the rest of us 2A, a lot of us passed, which was great. The last number tag called was 18, so 19 onwards were safe!

So happy that my impromptu Class 2A is a success. For this test, I received 10 points. 😛 So, Class 2 in a year, maybe?

Summary (the last date being a Pass)

Registered– 26 January ($69.55)
Theory Lesson– 27 January ($17.12)
1.01– 28 January, 29 January 
2.01– 30 January (defaulted), 31 January, 31 January
3.01– 1 February
RV (Practice)– 10 February, 15 February, 18 February
TP Test– 19 February

Total spent– $69.55+$17.12+$272.85+$79.01 = $438.53