Circuit skills
Class 2B Narrow Plank: How to Stay On for the Full Time
How to ride the Class 2B narrow plank in Singapore slowly and straight: approach speed, where to look, clutch and rear brake control, and why learners fall off.
The narrow plank is a raised strip just wide enough for your tyres. You ride along it in a straight line, slowly enough to meet the minimum time, without riding off the side. It is the course learners worry about most, and the one where technique matters more than courage.
The technique
- Line up straight. Position the bike so the front wheel points down the centre of the plank before you reach it. Most mistakes start with a crooked approach.
- Mount with a little momentum. Go up at a slightly brisker pace than feels natural. Too slow at the step and the bike wobbles before you have started.
- Look at the far end, not the plank. Fix your eyes on a point beyond the end of the plank. Your peripheral vision keeps you centred.
- Control speed with clutch and rear brake. Hold the clutch near the friction point so the engine is always gently pulling, and drag the rear brake lightly to slow down. Do not release the clutch fully.
- Keep a little throttle on. Steady revs stop the engine stalling and keep the bike stable.
- Grip the tank with your knees. Keep your upper body relaxed and your arms loose. Stiff arms make the handlebars twitch.
- Stay on to the end, then ride off smoothly before you brake or stop.
Why learners fall off
- Looking down. The bike drifts where you look. Eyes up, every time.
- Riding too slowly on the approach. A slow, wobbly start is very hard to recover from on a narrow strip.
- Using the front brake. At walking pace the front brake pulls the bike off balance. Use the rear brake only.
- Full clutch out. The bike surges, you brake hard, and it wobbles. Keep the clutch slipping.
If you are running too fast
Press the rear brake a little harder while keeping the clutch slipping and a little throttle on. Pulling the clutch in completely and braking at the same time makes the bike stop and topple. If you are going to miss the time, it is better to finish the plank too fast (a few demerit points) than to slow down so much that you fall off (an immediate fail).
Frequently asked questions
How long do I need to stay on the plank for Class 2B?
You must take at least a minimum time to cross the plank; riding it too fast earns demerit points. Learners commonly report a target of around six to seven seconds. Ask your instructor for the current figure at your centre.
Is falling off the plank an immediate fail?
Yes. Riding off the side of the plank or putting a foot down is treated as an immediate failure.
Why do I keep falling off the plank?
Usually because you are looking down at the plank, going too slowly at the start, or letting the clutch out fully so the bike surges and wobbles.