I wanted to finish with Figure-8 on a slope first.
There were a few boys doing the same thing, but obviously much better. I spent a good amount of time watching them.
Thank god I sorted out my clutch/throttle to start going uphill properly. This day I had 2 fell-out from the bike in a stationery position already grrr... A good piece of oil stink was left.
The top loop I did ok - but it's not easy on the lower loop. I semi-crashed both times I attempt turning back uphill on the slope. On a flat surface was definitely a lot easier.
The more I go, the more worries I had, and my performance was getting disappointing. But I spent some more time at the ground-level figure-8 line at the side, and told myself that I can actually manage it on ground level! Also I did some cone-threading (go left/right alternatively towards a row of cones) and had no problem with it. Guess it is just the confidence I need more.
There were 2 guys, probably going a bit bored, and decided to do the figure-8 simultaneously. Looked like a circus :)
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Sunday, March 02, 2008
L-plate Lesson 1: Feb 23 (Sat) 3.30-7.30pm
This was the first lesson after passing the first exam.
A cloudy day to start off with.
There were 2 other girls in the class making up 6 students in total.
The instructor showed use some vids on "Figure 8 on a slope" - which is the first part of the Road Exam leading to a Probation license.
We were quickly sent off to the practice area and taking turns going onto the slope.
My clutch control was not the best - I was literally stuck in the middle of the slope, struggling to get uphill with a consistently dying engine. If it was not of the instructor, I couldn't have managed getting it going at all!!
We were first doing on a "_/-" surface rather than the exam requirement of on "/" only. So when we turn, we were on a flat surface. The slope was about 2-bike width, and you really have to turn sharp to avoid hitting the edge of the slope.
Going downhill required a lot of foot-braking too. If you go too fast, you won't be able to turn back in and go uphill again.
Overall I managed the turn at the hill-top fine. There was only once where the instructor was shouting at me for not keeping the throttle up at the turn - I panicked and crashed at the edge... Same thing that happened during the exam I failed previously...
***********
After Figure 8, we were allowed out to the streets following the instructor. Rain was getting more serious, so I put on the yellow raincoat they have at school.
There were 2 exam routes and we went through both that evening. 3 of us were in a group with the instructor, with me following him on the 2nd row. Overall it was a easy experience, since I had nothing to worry about apart from following whatever the instructor did, like when to signal turns, where to turn, when to change lanes, etc. But then I doubt if I could handle the road alright without someone in front doing the same thing...
The rain was really heavy when we did the 2nd route. The WHOLE of my jeans was soaking wet, and as I put my left foot down at the traffic lights, I stepped into the drainage, making my foot in a muddle of mud... Grrr also that a few times I was too eager to start and killed the engine when the lights turned green. I guess the male classmate driving behind me got a bit annoyed.
On return I had a very obvious mistake of stopping at the 2nd gear going uphill (that was back at school at the simulated roads). Anyway I was stuck at the slope and was forced to "peddle" down. Highly embarrassing. So I really need to sort out my "climbing" skills.
A cloudy day to start off with.
There were 2 other girls in the class making up 6 students in total.
The instructor showed use some vids on "Figure 8 on a slope" - which is the first part of the Road Exam leading to a Probation license.
We were quickly sent off to the practice area and taking turns going onto the slope.
My clutch control was not the best - I was literally stuck in the middle of the slope, struggling to get uphill with a consistently dying engine. If it was not of the instructor, I couldn't have managed getting it going at all!!
We were first doing on a "_/-" surface rather than the exam requirement of on "/" only. So when we turn, we were on a flat surface. The slope was about 2-bike width, and you really have to turn sharp to avoid hitting the edge of the slope.
Going downhill required a lot of foot-braking too. If you go too fast, you won't be able to turn back in and go uphill again.
Overall I managed the turn at the hill-top fine. There was only once where the instructor was shouting at me for not keeping the throttle up at the turn - I panicked and crashed at the edge... Same thing that happened during the exam I failed previously...
***********
After Figure 8, we were allowed out to the streets following the instructor. Rain was getting more serious, so I put on the yellow raincoat they have at school.
There were 2 exam routes and we went through both that evening. 3 of us were in a group with the instructor, with me following him on the 2nd row. Overall it was a easy experience, since I had nothing to worry about apart from following whatever the instructor did, like when to signal turns, where to turn, when to change lanes, etc. But then I doubt if I could handle the road alright without someone in front doing the same thing...
The rain was really heavy when we did the 2nd route. The WHOLE of my jeans was soaking wet, and as I put my left foot down at the traffic lights, I stepped into the drainage, making my foot in a muddle of mud... Grrr also that a few times I was too eager to start and killed the engine when the lights turned green. I guess the male classmate driving behind me got a bit annoyed.
On return I had a very obvious mistake of stopping at the 2nd gear going uphill (that was back at school at the simulated roads). Anyway I was stuck at the slope and was forced to "peddle" down. Highly embarrassing. So I really need to sort out my "climbing" skills.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Exam 2nd Try: Jan 17 (Thu) 11.30am
So the three of us who failed the compulsory exam together 2 months ago were back in the exam circuit, alongside 3 other boys.
We did our practice rounds and the atmosphere was filled with anxiety - even I had a fair share of knocking out cones, losing clutch control, etc., especially everyone is trying to do some more start/stop practice. It's basically a traffic jam!
It's a record low temperature for this winter - 12oC, and my fingers were numb after 20 minutes of holding the clutch and brake.
I thought it's good news that I got to be the 2nd in the queue to sit the exam and not the first again.
The instructor on duty introduced the examiner from the Department of Transport. This examiner looks a lot younger and nicer, and refreshed us with examination criteria. "If you are on Neutral gear after turning and the stop, you can land your right foot when you get inside the box in the centre and switch to the right gear." - I didn't know that this is acceptable until now... and "Your bike needs to be going straight and steady after the turn for Emergency Stop - if you bike is wobbly then you'll still have a chance to do another round".
He is a lot more positive than the previous examiner, who only mentioned "if you blah-blah, you'll fail..."
Guy in black turtleneck was the first to go. He's smooth and deserved to pass.
I'm on next. Struggled a bit to move the bike forward (I always have the fear of letting clutch to go too fast...). Straight up to the centre box and I passed the first task.
#2 task: Turn left and back to centre.
The first left was my "Achilles corner" where I crashed, but I went pass it on snail speed fine. Geared up and do 2nd left, no problem. Geared down, brake and back to centre. Passed.
#3 task: Turn right and back to centre.
Same as #2. Passed.
#4 task: turn either route and go for Emergency stop when back to centre lane.
I chose the right this time to avoid the Achilles... which was a perfect choice because I was just very smooth at the right. I got more nervous when I geared up and turn right again, thinking that I should focus more on the stop to avoid failing at the last second (by putting right foot down). I grabbed the hand brake and stepped on the foot brake, pulling the clutch, and landed safely.
I PASSED----!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The exam was quick.
The person behind me was the boy with classy Arai helmet. He failed last time (for the 2nd try) by landing on his feet on the final Emergency stop task. But this time he made it - he passed too!
When he treated me with a candy, my hands went very shaky.
The 4th guy with an olive coat was a bit wobbly, but managed all his rounds and did fine. A pass for him.
The 5th guy who is very quiet and with dreadlock, also passed.
The 6th guy, the boy with funky jeans who failed 2nd try, turns alright, but he switched gear too soon before getting any closer to the box... Anyway, on his last turn, when he tried to stop - his right foot stepped out, and failed.
So apart from him, the rest of us all passed which was very encouraging.
When we were waiting for the results, I found out that the turtleneck guy had his 3rd try, and the olive coat guy was the same as me (2nd try). So I felt quite lucky that I am not sitting another round - and that I am not really an idiot..! Some of them had 4-wheels driver license within one try, and found motorbike exam a completely different experience.
My first road class will be on Feb 23, and I'm really looking forward for that!!!
We did our practice rounds and the atmosphere was filled with anxiety - even I had a fair share of knocking out cones, losing clutch control, etc., especially everyone is trying to do some more start/stop practice. It's basically a traffic jam!
It's a record low temperature for this winter - 12oC, and my fingers were numb after 20 minutes of holding the clutch and brake.
I thought it's good news that I got to be the 2nd in the queue to sit the exam and not the first again.
The instructor on duty introduced the examiner from the Department of Transport. This examiner looks a lot younger and nicer, and refreshed us with examination criteria. "If you are on Neutral gear after turning and the stop, you can land your right foot when you get inside the box in the centre and switch to the right gear." - I didn't know that this is acceptable until now... and "Your bike needs to be going straight and steady after the turn for Emergency Stop - if you bike is wobbly then you'll still have a chance to do another round".
He is a lot more positive than the previous examiner, who only mentioned "if you blah-blah, you'll fail..."
Guy in black turtleneck was the first to go. He's smooth and deserved to pass.
I'm on next. Struggled a bit to move the bike forward (I always have the fear of letting clutch to go too fast...). Straight up to the centre box and I passed the first task.
#2 task: Turn left and back to centre.
The first left was my "Achilles corner" where I crashed, but I went pass it on snail speed fine. Geared up and do 2nd left, no problem. Geared down, brake and back to centre. Passed.
#3 task: Turn right and back to centre.
Same as #2. Passed.
#4 task: turn either route and go for Emergency stop when back to centre lane.
I chose the right this time to avoid the Achilles... which was a perfect choice because I was just very smooth at the right. I got more nervous when I geared up and turn right again, thinking that I should focus more on the stop to avoid failing at the last second (by putting right foot down). I grabbed the hand brake and stepped on the foot brake, pulling the clutch, and landed safely.
I PASSED----!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The exam was quick.
The person behind me was the boy with classy Arai helmet. He failed last time (for the 2nd try) by landing on his feet on the final Emergency stop task. But this time he made it - he passed too!
When he treated me with a candy, my hands went very shaky.
The 4th guy with an olive coat was a bit wobbly, but managed all his rounds and did fine. A pass for him.
The 5th guy who is very quiet and with dreadlock, also passed.
The 6th guy, the boy with funky jeans who failed 2nd try, turns alright, but he switched gear too soon before getting any closer to the box... Anyway, on his last turn, when he tried to stop - his right foot stepped out, and failed.
So apart from him, the rest of us all passed which was very encouraging.
When we were waiting for the results, I found out that the turtleneck guy had his 3rd try, and the olive coat guy was the same as me (2nd try). So I felt quite lucky that I am not sitting another round - and that I am not really an idiot..! Some of them had 4-wheels driver license within one try, and found motorbike exam a completely different experience.
My first road class will be on Feb 23, and I'm really looking forward for that!!!
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Compulsory Class: Jan 12 (Sat) 5.30-7.30pm
The motoring school forced everyone who failed the exam to sit another 2-hours of "improvement course". Basically there are instructors watching the 6 of us riding and giving comments while doing rounds of mock exams.
Nothing too much of a problem I thought, apart from once another girl crashing into my bike while we are both turning into the same lane (my shin hit on the leg-guard). Clearly not my fault, so I think I'm fine.
The instructor did make helpful suggestions.
When your turn is not smooth and knocking cones off the lane edges:
- Start turning from the far side of the lane so that the turn is not that sharp, i.e. if you make the 180-degree turn to the left, start from the right edge of the lane.
When you switched to the neutral gear before stopping:
- Kick the gear lever a few times, and hard, right before stopping. The action should well be accompanied by pulling the clutch in and also the hand+foot brake. So gear-switching action will be at the last 2-3 meters or so before entering the stop box in the middle of the lane.
When you can't stop fast at Emergency Stopping test:
- Apply more hand brake, but in a smooth, delicate way. Pulling too hard will make the bike jump.
Those who are not taking the mock exam are free to play around in the bike area. I had a few tries at the 8-lane. The first few times I missed the turns a lot, but the more I practice, the smoother I get, and eventually I can do full 8s. Brilliant.
OK let's see how I do on Thurs.
Nothing too much of a problem I thought, apart from once another girl crashing into my bike while we are both turning into the same lane (my shin hit on the leg-guard). Clearly not my fault, so I think I'm fine.
The instructor did make helpful suggestions.
When your turn is not smooth and knocking cones off the lane edges:
- Start turning from the far side of the lane so that the turn is not that sharp, i.e. if you make the 180-degree turn to the left, start from the right edge of the lane.
When you switched to the neutral gear before stopping:
- Kick the gear lever a few times, and hard, right before stopping. The action should well be accompanied by pulling the clutch in and also the hand+foot brake. So gear-switching action will be at the last 2-3 meters or so before entering the stop box in the middle of the lane.
When you can't stop fast at Emergency Stopping test:
- Apply more hand brake, but in a smooth, delicate way. Pulling too hard will make the bike jump.
Those who are not taking the mock exam are free to play around in the bike area. I had a few tries at the 8-lane. The first few times I missed the turns a lot, but the more I practice, the smoother I get, and eventually I can do full 8s. Brilliant.
OK let's see how I do on Thurs.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Exam 1st Try: Nov 29 (Thu) 9.30am
Arriving on time and had 30-min testing the bike for the exam with 6 others in the group.
I was simply cruising to the left/right/left/right for the whole time without much trouble. There's once I knocked down 2 cones, and another one-time failure of killing the engine. But for the rest of the time - smooth! Some of the students still have problems killing the engine and I thought, hmmmm I wasn't the worst!
Sad thing is, I was the first in the group to start. The examiner came up and talked through the different tests. Suddenly my heart was pumping faster and I wasn't at the most comfortable form.
Exam time -
Test 1: From outside the lanes driving to the centre.
This part is so correctly done.
Test 2: Turn Left
Corner was smooth, geared to the 2nd, then another turn...
At this point I had to shift back to the 1st gear but apparently I had it stuck at "N"...
Done.
Test 3: Turn Right
I LANDED MY RIGHT FOOT TO SHIFT BACK TO THE FIRST GEAR.
Well I thought this was the end, but the examiner didn't say anything.
And I noticed my signal was still on the left so I pushed the button to signal right "while the bike is moving".
Corner to the right, fine. Geared up fine. Geared down fine. Second turn a bit too fast, the turn went too wide but no crash. Stopped fine.
Test 4: Emergency Stopping
My nerve really got into me and I turn in quite not focused.
On the left turn I noticed the angle wasn't too right, so I pulled the left handle back to make a better turn...
BUT INSTEAD I PULLED THE CLUTCH - AND THE BIKE JUST SLIDE OUT OF COURSE, AND SLAMMED TO THE PILES OF TIRES.
GAME OVER.
Examiner (who belongs to the Dept of Transport and not the motoring school) came out from the booth, and said, "Why did you pull the clutch? It's not going to help you anything."
Honestly I didn't have a clue what I was doing, and so I ended up finishing the exam very early, and sat at the side watching.
The kid at 2nd failed at his 3rd start by landing on his right foot - examiner told him to "move the bike to the side" and that was it for his 2nd try.
The mid-age man on 3rd is smooth and passed. He was once on my class and passed on 1st try (he'd a driving license already tho).
The other kid with a $3000 Arai helmet, also on my class once before, managed to get through all the test but failed the last - by landing on his right foot at emergency stopping. 2nd try for him.
I think the other 3 guys went fine. They all presented their current driving license at the reception, so I guess knowing the 4-wheel really helps.
Upon retrospect, that fear of exam is a very major reason of my failure.
Of course my technique is not perfect, but my "mental state" really need more work.
Evidently, that mock exam I had at the end of the lessons showed the same thing. I was doing fine when we were all practising. But then when we were doing the exam one by one, I went completely off-course, and almost crashed into the guys on queue.
My wrist hurts a little I know, but not at the point that it causes serious problems - since I was able to make left turns smoothly, many times, when I warm-up, and when I practice all night Tues. I cannot blame the left turn anymore (even though *that* particular corner is the most difficult one out of the four, as it's walled on both sides, and it's going slightly uphill with the uneven ground)
Second try is scheduled on Jan 17. I also have a special (compulsory to pay extra) 2-hour session before that.
So no bike in Dec.
The road to probation is such a long way...
I was simply cruising to the left/right/left/right for the whole time without much trouble. There's once I knocked down 2 cones, and another one-time failure of killing the engine. But for the rest of the time - smooth! Some of the students still have problems killing the engine and I thought, hmmmm I wasn't the worst!
Sad thing is, I was the first in the group to start. The examiner came up and talked through the different tests. Suddenly my heart was pumping faster and I wasn't at the most comfortable form.
Exam time -
Test 1: From outside the lanes driving to the centre.
This part is so correctly done.
Test 2: Turn Left
Corner was smooth, geared to the 2nd, then another turn...
At this point I had to shift back to the 1st gear but apparently I had it stuck at "N"...
Done.
Test 3: Turn Right
I LANDED MY RIGHT FOOT TO SHIFT BACK TO THE FIRST GEAR.
Well I thought this was the end, but the examiner didn't say anything.
And I noticed my signal was still on the left so I pushed the button to signal right "while the bike is moving".
Corner to the right, fine. Geared up fine. Geared down fine. Second turn a bit too fast, the turn went too wide but no crash. Stopped fine.
Test 4: Emergency Stopping
My nerve really got into me and I turn in quite not focused.
On the left turn I noticed the angle wasn't too right, so I pulled the left handle back to make a better turn...
BUT INSTEAD I PULLED THE CLUTCH - AND THE BIKE JUST SLIDE OUT OF COURSE, AND SLAMMED TO THE PILES OF TIRES.
GAME OVER.
Examiner (who belongs to the Dept of Transport and not the motoring school) came out from the booth, and said, "Why did you pull the clutch? It's not going to help you anything."
Honestly I didn't have a clue what I was doing, and so I ended up finishing the exam very early, and sat at the side watching.
The kid at 2nd failed at his 3rd start by landing on his right foot - examiner told him to "move the bike to the side" and that was it for his 2nd try.
The mid-age man on 3rd is smooth and passed. He was once on my class and passed on 1st try (he'd a driving license already tho).
The other kid with a $3000 Arai helmet, also on my class once before, managed to get through all the test but failed the last - by landing on his right foot at emergency stopping. 2nd try for him.
I think the other 3 guys went fine. They all presented their current driving license at the reception, so I guess knowing the 4-wheel really helps.
Upon retrospect, that fear of exam is a very major reason of my failure.
Of course my technique is not perfect, but my "mental state" really need more work.
Evidently, that mock exam I had at the end of the lessons showed the same thing. I was doing fine when we were all practising. But then when we were doing the exam one by one, I went completely off-course, and almost crashed into the guys on queue.
My wrist hurts a little I know, but not at the point that it causes serious problems - since I was able to make left turns smoothly, many times, when I warm-up, and when I practice all night Tues. I cannot blame the left turn anymore (even though *that* particular corner is the most difficult one out of the four, as it's walled on both sides, and it's going slightly uphill with the uneven ground)
Second try is scheduled on Jan 17. I also have a special (compulsory to pay extra) 2-hour session before that.
So no bike in Dec.
The road to probation is such a long way...
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Self Study 4: Nov 27 (Tue) 8.30-9.30pm
After a nightmare about failing the exam, I was so freaked out that I spent more cash on another session of self study.
The night was busy with lots of students in the main bike area - one of the instructors recommended the exam area, which I already planned to devote all my time in there.
I warmed up with 30-min of just making circles to the left & right of the butterfly-lane, with stopping and starting in the centre. Initially I smashed at the corners and let the engine go dead. It took me long to get used to the correct balance, speed and control.
I shared the area with another guy (whom I didn't talk to) and he was doing fine all the way. On the contrary, I have a lot of hiccups during my 2nd half-hour continuous mock test. 3 times when I switched from "Emergency stopping" to normal, the 2nd gear was still on without me realizing it. Took me some frustrating minutes to sort that out. I also tend to gear up/down wrongly during the repetition. Nothing goes too perfectly.
Maybe I am pushing myself a bit too hard without much practice, and maybe I am not as talented as my interest goes...But I did try my best. Let's see what will happen in 30 hours from now.
The night was busy with lots of students in the main bike area - one of the instructors recommended the exam area, which I already planned to devote all my time in there.
I warmed up with 30-min of just making circles to the left & right of the butterfly-lane, with stopping and starting in the centre. Initially I smashed at the corners and let the engine go dead. It took me long to get used to the correct balance, speed and control.
I shared the area with another guy (whom I didn't talk to) and he was doing fine all the way. On the contrary, I have a lot of hiccups during my 2nd half-hour continuous mock test. 3 times when I switched from "Emergency stopping" to normal, the 2nd gear was still on without me realizing it. Took me some frustrating minutes to sort that out. I also tend to gear up/down wrongly during the repetition. Nothing goes too perfectly.
Maybe I am pushing myself a bit too hard without much practice, and maybe I am not as talented as my interest goes...But I did try my best. Let's see what will happen in 30 hours from now.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Self Study 3: Nov 25 (Sun) 3.30-4.30pm
It was more than a month ago since I last ride. That exam is on this coming Thurs, and I desperately need some warm up...
Starting right at the examination area with the enclosed lanes - I want to see what will happen if I immediately give myself the exam without any practice. Turned out to be a mess as I turn -- crashed a few cones and ran out of the lane on the second turn.
So I just have to do a few more rounds on the outside... It felt better, but the bike fell when I was playing at the "8" line. Very embarrassing with another male student helping me out. Also I tried the "slope" once (which involved starting on the slope), and lost control of whatever I should be doing... In the end I managed to get downhill, but not in the smoothest way..
My wrist was healing but not perfectly, and I felt the pain getting in sometimes... Must have been some other mischief I did earlier, making my turns slightly uncomfortable (and hence running over cones)...
There was one very disturbing mock exam when I got back to the exam area. There was this one when I let die of the engine on restart, and I just keep letting go of the clutch in a hurry, resulting in a series of hop-dead... Because there were other students waiting in the line, and I felt really bad holding up the area, so I have to get back to the training area in disappointment.
I moved around the motoring school area with not much problem, which made me more worried about my exam performance. (Since driving outside is completely different from the exam criteria).
After today I was not as confident as I should be. Maybe I have to spare a night to practice one last chance this week before the exam...
Failing, or predicting a failure, is never a good thought.
Starting right at the examination area with the enclosed lanes - I want to see what will happen if I immediately give myself the exam without any practice. Turned out to be a mess as I turn -- crashed a few cones and ran out of the lane on the second turn.
So I just have to do a few more rounds on the outside... It felt better, but the bike fell when I was playing at the "8" line. Very embarrassing with another male student helping me out. Also I tried the "slope" once (which involved starting on the slope), and lost control of whatever I should be doing... In the end I managed to get downhill, but not in the smoothest way..
My wrist was healing but not perfectly, and I felt the pain getting in sometimes... Must have been some other mischief I did earlier, making my turns slightly uncomfortable (and hence running over cones)...
There was one very disturbing mock exam when I got back to the exam area. There was this one when I let die of the engine on restart, and I just keep letting go of the clutch in a hurry, resulting in a series of hop-dead... Because there were other students waiting in the line, and I felt really bad holding up the area, so I have to get back to the training area in disappointment.
I moved around the motoring school area with not much problem, which made me more worried about my exam performance. (Since driving outside is completely different from the exam criteria).
After today I was not as confident as I should be. Maybe I have to spare a night to practice one last chance this week before the exam...
Failing, or predicting a failure, is never a good thought.
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