Contrary to last week, I was having a better weather for my last self-study lesson. Well, it's still cloudly, but at least not pouring.
I didn't know that the school now runs Sunday classes (No Sunday classes when I started). There were 5-6 of the 2nd-lesson newbies moving around the enclosed bike area. Feels a bit crowded when I joined in. But it's alright after I found out no one else will be taking up the Incline Figure 8 slope. Yay!
My initial rental bike assigned to me - #177, made jumps when I start the engine. I checked with the gear and it was only on first... Also when I press the footbrake it's making this greaseless noise... I complained to the instructors and he gave me a better one. #182 just to note.
Incidentally I was watching this Red Bull Motocross show on TV the night before. Apart from looking at how these nutters fliping in the air, I was quite impress when they did a sharp U-turn at the tunnel (the one before getting out to the arena). Of course they drop one leg down, but the point is, big bikes can still do sharp u-turns on a narrow path. And that's exact what turning on Figure-8 is like...
I still sucked a bit starting the bike on the slope and turning back up. So I did a quick round on the road (a shortened version of the exam route). There were new road works making me switching lanes at unexpected moment at one time, ended up getting a beep from the car behind. Argh.
Also my clutch skill was a bit weak today. Either I grab hold of it for too long when I start moving at the traffic lights, or when I switch gears (up or down). It's getting dangerous seeing that green N light. I really need to focus on what I am doing.
So back to the slope. I tried a few more rounds doing the top part of the 8 on the flat platform and the lower part on the slope. I can go up!! Yes!! Finally I managed to time when I release the footbreak (which is, when the bike passes the centre line). Upon the release, I'll have to throttle up, keeping the horn pointing diagonally to the hill top. Most importantly, I'll look to the opposite when I need to make the turn, and slowly glancing my way to the end of the barriers and to the hill top. This works really well. I did have a few hiccups of off-balance and dropping my left foot, but once I remember to keep my thighs on the bike, I'm moving fine.
Then combining with the top loop - I'm ready! To test myself, I have once making 4 Figure-8s!! (Exam requirement is minimun 3 full loops). Then I ran over a bit on the top... But overall it was a success! Now I know I can also make rather sharp turns too. I am feeling great about my bike skill!
Sunday, April 27, 2008
L-plate Lesson 6: Apr 19 (Sat) 9.30-10.30am
Yet another rainy day, with the earliest typhoon in the year since WWII. I would have take the lesson the day after (which was totally sunny..!) - if I could.
Anyway, I had to riding with the yellow raincoat and pants with zero ventilation...
Thinking that my Figure 8 skill sucks - I wanted the day to be Figure 8 practice only...
After the warm up, I was up the slope. But I still feel a bit stiff, and was not able to do u-turns to the right at the bottom of the 8 loop... and even the top of the 8 loop was not easy. Once I had to turn left but forgot to look ahead... when I realized I am going to run into the side barriers, it was too late. Again I was so nervous that, like my first trial of compulsory exam, or the first Figure 8s I tried, I pulled on the throttle --- and rammed (with acceleration) to the left side of the bike into the barrier, heading downhill...
I had to ask one of the instructors to help me pull the bike out - because it was so stuck on the barrier. Some of the foam coverings were torn off..!! My left leg was in pain. For the rest of the week I was having this MASSIVE PALM-SIZED bruise near the achilles. Jesus!
I was blaming that on the weather, giving me all the suffocation... So I headed out for the road. Again I took the route with more traffic lights.
At one junction I want to move too fast with the clutch and ended up killing the engine. The minibus behind me stopped so closed to me that it almost crashed into my backwheel when I slided a bit backwards...! That was kinda dangerous. When I passed this junction the 2nd time on the same route, the killing of the engine happened again, this time due to the bike being on the 2nd gear. Life hadn't been this difficult for a long while. My feet were so wet after stepping in puddles of dirty water at every junction...!
It was, the worst training day and I only have one more left. I really need to be good, fast.
Anyway, I had to riding with the yellow raincoat and pants with zero ventilation...
Thinking that my Figure 8 skill sucks - I wanted the day to be Figure 8 practice only...
After the warm up, I was up the slope. But I still feel a bit stiff, and was not able to do u-turns to the right at the bottom of the 8 loop... and even the top of the 8 loop was not easy. Once I had to turn left but forgot to look ahead... when I realized I am going to run into the side barriers, it was too late. Again I was so nervous that, like my first trial of compulsory exam, or the first Figure 8s I tried, I pulled on the throttle --- and rammed (with acceleration) to the left side of the bike into the barrier, heading downhill...
I had to ask one of the instructors to help me pull the bike out - because it was so stuck on the barrier. Some of the foam coverings were torn off..!! My left leg was in pain. For the rest of the week I was having this MASSIVE PALM-SIZED bruise near the achilles. Jesus!
I was blaming that on the weather, giving me all the suffocation... So I headed out for the road. Again I took the route with more traffic lights.
At one junction I want to move too fast with the clutch and ended up killing the engine. The minibus behind me stopped so closed to me that it almost crashed into my backwheel when I slided a bit backwards...! That was kinda dangerous. When I passed this junction the 2nd time on the same route, the killing of the engine happened again, this time due to the bike being on the 2nd gear. Life hadn't been this difficult for a long while. My feet were so wet after stepping in puddles of dirty water at every junction...!
It was, the worst training day and I only have one more left. I really need to be good, fast.
Monday, April 14, 2008
L-plate Lesson 5: Apr 13 (Sun) 9.30-10.30am
Waking up early on a Sun specifically for training figure-8 skill, but the day turned out to be rainy...
The whole time I was on this oversized yellow jacket... Anyway I don't have the choice. This is one of the most inconvenient thing about motorbike, and I just need to rant less and get over it.
Obviously the day, this hour, is not busy. I warmed up a few rounds and progress to the 8 lines on the ground level. Someone was already on the slope - obviously waking up early for the same reason (I am not alone). My figure-8 skills weren't as smooth as last time I tried. I waited for a while, and decided to warm up a bit on the road, using the route with more traffic lights.
Practice makes perfect, and I got much used to slowing down on the foot brake and then accompanied with the hand brake. So I'm getting rid of the brake-jump habit, and avoided landing with the right foot.
I'm still experimenting with gearing up and down, and had once not remembering which gear I was in when I stop at the lights. Then there's the other case of gearing down but forgetting to slow down... Both incidents made funny sound, but how the bike started up without dying was a miracle. In both cases I quickly kicked the gear on the left and it was back to normal. Obviously this is an error that can lead to failing the exam again. I need to sort this out fast.
Back to the school I had my chance on the "other" slope. Basically the enclosed area has 2 slopes, attached at the top, looking like an "L" if seen in the air. Though the "other" slope is the exam slope without an extended flat platform at the top.
I tried my luck there, and to my surprise, I managed 2 loops---!! I think my elbows and wrists were much more relaxed after the round on the street. Even though on the 3rd loop I was falling, I still felt a bit of a success.
Thereafter I went back to queue for the practice slope (instructor came out from the office and told me off the exam slope...). Now I have less problem starting on the slope, which is also encouraging. I ran all the way to the extended platform on the top to give me more room on the lower loop. Doing a few practices, and I can have about 50/50 doing a smooth lower loop up. It really takes time to find out when to stop pressing on the foot brake, twist the handles, and speed uphill. Phew! Got some minor crashes at times, and also engine dying off when I headed uphill, but at least my attempt was worth it!!
2 more self-study lessons left before getting instructed again. Now I feel less worried about the exam - even though it is still very difficult. Just check - road exam for gear-motorbike only has 65% pass rate...
The whole time I was on this oversized yellow jacket... Anyway I don't have the choice. This is one of the most inconvenient thing about motorbike, and I just need to rant less and get over it.
Obviously the day, this hour, is not busy. I warmed up a few rounds and progress to the 8 lines on the ground level. Someone was already on the slope - obviously waking up early for the same reason (I am not alone). My figure-8 skills weren't as smooth as last time I tried. I waited for a while, and decided to warm up a bit on the road, using the route with more traffic lights.
Practice makes perfect, and I got much used to slowing down on the foot brake and then accompanied with the hand brake. So I'm getting rid of the brake-jump habit, and avoided landing with the right foot.
I'm still experimenting with gearing up and down, and had once not remembering which gear I was in when I stop at the lights. Then there's the other case of gearing down but forgetting to slow down... Both incidents made funny sound, but how the bike started up without dying was a miracle. In both cases I quickly kicked the gear on the left and it was back to normal. Obviously this is an error that can lead to failing the exam again. I need to sort this out fast.
Back to the school I had my chance on the "other" slope. Basically the enclosed area has 2 slopes, attached at the top, looking like an "L" if seen in the air. Though the "other" slope is the exam slope without an extended flat platform at the top.
I tried my luck there, and to my surprise, I managed 2 loops---!! I think my elbows and wrists were much more relaxed after the round on the street. Even though on the 3rd loop I was falling, I still felt a bit of a success.
Thereafter I went back to queue for the practice slope (instructor came out from the office and told me off the exam slope...). Now I have less problem starting on the slope, which is also encouraging. I ran all the way to the extended platform on the top to give me more room on the lower loop. Doing a few practices, and I can have about 50/50 doing a smooth lower loop up. It really takes time to find out when to stop pressing on the foot brake, twist the handles, and speed uphill. Phew! Got some minor crashes at times, and also engine dying off when I headed uphill, but at least my attempt was worth it!!
2 more self-study lessons left before getting instructed again. Now I feel less worried about the exam - even though it is still very difficult. Just check - road exam for gear-motorbike only has 65% pass rate...
Sunday, April 13, 2008
L-plate Lesson 4 + Theory 1: Apr 4 (Fri) 4.30-6.30pm
This is a holiday weekend so I can ride on a Friday.
Yet there are still a lot of students thinking the same way, and ended up having a lot of L-plate vehicles on the road and in the school area.
My plan was to do more figure-8 (at least, successfully) but I thought its a waste of time to queue up for it. So in the end I circled a bit and went off school to the routes again.
My focus was on shifting gears, as previously I was almost always on the 2nd gear, making a loud noise but not moving fast. So today I am going to the 3rd more, and keep a 40km/h speed wherever possible. Slow progress but I am learning.
Downside was, I did a lot of off-balanced braking in front of the lights, landing my right foot on the ground. This is definitely bad habit, and will result in INSTANT FAILING. Guess I am squeezing the hand brake at slow speed - which is not necessary.
Also I need to remind myself to LOOK over my shoulders like a nice L-plater at every traffic light, after stopping and before going, each and every single time. Annoying and excessive to do, yet this is an exam requirement.
Back at school after riding both routes on the road, I took my chances on the Figure-8 slope. There was a little girl (I mean, smaller than me) who was willing to practice by trial and failure. She (like me) crashes into the barriers at the bottom loop almost every time I watched her.
There was also a newbie (not yet L-plate) crashing rather hard going down the slope. Dude, don't overdo yourself!
As for myself, I showed limited progress on the slope. Almost failed the first thing, which is starting from the 1/3 on the slope. I need to stamp on the foot brake more to avoid the slightest down-slide. Besides, I still can't go back up!! The angle I loop back was too big that I completely missed the way back, and ended up going outside of the slope. That or I'm just going to fall to the left. Anyway I need to sort myself out.
The theory class was a bit funny as it has no structure. Basically we were just discussing on the issues we've encountered on the road. Stuff like, we can choose different lanes based on the road conditions despites what the guideline says. We have to stop 1-bike apart from the vehicle in front. etc.
Yet there are still a lot of students thinking the same way, and ended up having a lot of L-plate vehicles on the road and in the school area.
My plan was to do more figure-8 (at least, successfully) but I thought its a waste of time to queue up for it. So in the end I circled a bit and went off school to the routes again.
My focus was on shifting gears, as previously I was almost always on the 2nd gear, making a loud noise but not moving fast. So today I am going to the 3rd more, and keep a 40km/h speed wherever possible. Slow progress but I am learning.
Downside was, I did a lot of off-balanced braking in front of the lights, landing my right foot on the ground. This is definitely bad habit, and will result in INSTANT FAILING. Guess I am squeezing the hand brake at slow speed - which is not necessary.
Also I need to remind myself to LOOK over my shoulders like a nice L-plater at every traffic light, after stopping and before going, each and every single time. Annoying and excessive to do, yet this is an exam requirement.
Back at school after riding both routes on the road, I took my chances on the Figure-8 slope. There was a little girl (I mean, smaller than me) who was willing to practice by trial and failure. She (like me) crashes into the barriers at the bottom loop almost every time I watched her.
There was also a newbie (not yet L-plate) crashing rather hard going down the slope. Dude, don't overdo yourself!
As for myself, I showed limited progress on the slope. Almost failed the first thing, which is starting from the 1/3 on the slope. I need to stamp on the foot brake more to avoid the slightest down-slide. Besides, I still can't go back up!! The angle I loop back was too big that I completely missed the way back, and ended up going outside of the slope. That or I'm just going to fall to the left. Anyway I need to sort myself out.
The theory class was a bit funny as it has no structure. Basically we were just discussing on the issues we've encountered on the road. Stuff like, we can choose different lanes based on the road conditions despites what the guideline says. We have to stop 1-bike apart from the vehicle in front. etc.
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
L-plate Lesson 3: Mar 30 (Sun) 1.30-2.30pm
A bit worried about going on to the road on my own without touching the bike much in the month, I decided to give the exam routes a go.
There are 2 routes - one is longer, and one with more traffic lights. I live in the neighbourhood, and therefore has zero problem memorizing where to go. I didn't even have to read the map again!
After going to the route with more lights... I realized I kept choosing the wrong lane at the lights to turn...! The reason behind this is probably to train people up to turn from further away (i.e. the middle lane, instead of the cornering lane), also to occupy less of the available lanes in the area (L-plates drive at snail speed).
How I found out - I checked my sides at the lights... BTW I FORGOT to check my sides...! Argh. This is definitely exam criteria and I need to intentionally do so.
But then the day went really smooth without ANY clutch-killing-engine problem. Now I know what the instructors said about me releasing the clutch too fast earlier on.
Slight problem will be on the relative speed on different gears... Well I know the way to gear up/down, but when to do so? It seems like I geared down miles away before I reached the lights, for example, and the engine was making big noise at the 1st gear. Guess I need to experiment with the gear-down distance more to find out...
I tried the other longer route as well, and with both routes finished, I still have 10 mins left. Challenged myself to the Figure-8 on the slope again, but had no luck. Same thing, some hiccups when starting from the slope, doing top loop ok, lower loop was either almost crashing into the sides, or the U-turn was too far out to make the way back.
The next lesson (all self-study at the mo) will probably be all about Figure-8 again. I really like the road bit, but figure-8 is really giving me the headache.
There are 2 routes - one is longer, and one with more traffic lights. I live in the neighbourhood, and therefore has zero problem memorizing where to go. I didn't even have to read the map again!
After going to the route with more lights... I realized I kept choosing the wrong lane at the lights to turn...! The reason behind this is probably to train people up to turn from further away (i.e. the middle lane, instead of the cornering lane), also to occupy less of the available lanes in the area (L-plates drive at snail speed).
How I found out - I checked my sides at the lights... BTW I FORGOT to check my sides...! Argh. This is definitely exam criteria and I need to intentionally do so.
But then the day went really smooth without ANY clutch-killing-engine problem. Now I know what the instructors said about me releasing the clutch too fast earlier on.
Slight problem will be on the relative speed on different gears... Well I know the way to gear up/down, but when to do so? It seems like I geared down miles away before I reached the lights, for example, and the engine was making big noise at the 1st gear. Guess I need to experiment with the gear-down distance more to find out...
I tried the other longer route as well, and with both routes finished, I still have 10 mins left. Challenged myself to the Figure-8 on the slope again, but had no luck. Same thing, some hiccups when starting from the slope, doing top loop ok, lower loop was either almost crashing into the sides, or the U-turn was too far out to make the way back.
The next lesson (all self-study at the mo) will probably be all about Figure-8 again. I really like the road bit, but figure-8 is really giving me the headache.
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