How to keep balance on narrow plank!

• bbwolf

  17 Nov 04, 19:00

  Need help!!! Guys
  
  Been failing this segment like 4 times!!!! Any tips to do this?
• kopiosatu

  17 Nov 04, 19:07

  loosen your elbows... so you can make small adjustments to your balance
  
  grip your legs tightly to the tank
  
  look at the cones which come after the narrow plank. if there are no cones, look far.
• Qitai

  17 Nov 04, 19:25

  Let the bike row, and use your throttle control. If you really want to practise free, take a bicycle and practice. The method is the same - Low speed control without falling.
• all_souls

  17 Nov 04, 22:50

  NArrow plank? The first time im on tat, half way thru i came down liao...
  n tats the only time i came down. Most important thing is... b4 u get on the plank... throttle bit more ( to give a boost up the plank without puttin on much effort to control n balancing while gettin on the plank), control ur clutch, if its too fast tap the rear brake n close bit bit of throttle n while doing all these... eyes look straight n far.
  the first time im on tat i cant help n look at the end of plank n so i fall... trust me, by looking straight n far while brain concentrating on speed n balancing, U CAN DO IT ONE.
• InSPirE78

  19 Nov 04, 02:18

  agree wif u....
• nick34

  19 Nov 04, 02:39

  Still remembered the time when i went on plank ... 20s on the plank which cos many instructors and learners went
  
  
  
  
• kopiosatu

  19 Nov 04, 10:11

  Originally posted by nick34:

  Still remembered the time when i went on plank ... 20s on the plank which cos many instructors and learners went
  
  
  
  

  I stayed longer on the plank than the required time, after that the instructors tell me, stay on there so long for what??? not required!!! Just do it close to the passing time.
• octega

  19 Nov 04, 10:45

  1.) Look Straight. (NEVER, look down onto the plank)
  2.) Do not use the front bake at all. Keep your right hand on the trottle at all times.
  3.) Use the rear brake for braking
  4.) Concentrate on the clutch and the trottle. If you feel like falling off, trottle up, use the acceleration to keep you in balance. Once you feel that you are safe, quickly, maintain half-clutch, trottle down, and tap the rear brake to slow down.
  You have to do this beri quickly and repeatly until plank is cleared and pratice makes perfect!
  
  The other way is to ride throught the plank normally, you will be penalise, atleast you didn't fall off the plank for immediate failure.
  
• xiao_p

  19 Nov 04, 10:53

  juz 3 tips enough liao
  
  1* look far far
  2* legs grip tank tight
  3* use onli rear brake
  
  
• mancha

  20 Nov 04, 01:22

  Originally posted by octega:

  1.) Look Straight. (NEVER, look down onto the plank)
  2.) Do not use the front bake at all. Keep your right hand on the trottle at all times.
  3.) Use the rear brake for braking
  4.) Concentrate on the clutch and the trottle. If you feel like falling off, trottle up, use the acceleration to keep you in balance. Once you feel that you are safe, quickly, maintain half-clutch, trottle down, and tap the rear brake to slow down.
  You have to do this beri quickly and repeatly until plank is cleared and pratice makes perfect!
  
  The other way is to ride throught the plank normally, you will be penalise, atleast you didn't fall off the plank for immediate failure.
  

  Best reply this one by octega.
  
  No.1 Look straight very important.
  I pick the top end of a sign board post, that is straight ahead, and lock my sight on it. I stare at it and let my reflexes take over.
  
  Also before you move off, you must check back. Don't check back and immediately move off. Your aiming might be off. Check back, then for 1 sec or 2 sec, ready, steady, aim, and then move off, when on the plank, lock your eyesight on the spot you have chosen. Never shift your sight, look down liao.
  The rest follow points 2 to 4 above.
• all_souls

  20 Nov 04, 02:50

  Originally posted by octega:

  1.) Look Straight. (NEVER, look down onto the plank)
  2.) Do not use the front bake at all. Keep your right hand on the trottle at all times.
  3.) Use the rear brake for braking
  4.) Concentrate on the clutch and the trottle. If you feel like falling off, trottle up, use the acceleration to keep you in balance. Once you feel that you are safe, quickly, maintain half-clutch, trottle down, and tap the rear brake to slow down.
  You have to do this beri quickly and repeatly until plank is cleared and pratice makes perfect!
  
  The other way is to ride throught the plank normally, you will be penalise, atleast you didn't fall off the plank for immediate failure.
  

  but i don agree with one point. when gonna fall throttle up? If im gonna fall i will jus lean my body little to the other side to balance off... cos if u still throttle gonna be reall hard to balance back liao... cos sudden boost. If engine gonna stall then i will throttle up.
• xiao_p

  20 Nov 04, 02:58

  Originally posted by all_souls:

  but i don agree with one point. when gonna fall throttle up? If im gonna fall i will jus lean my body little to the other side to balance off... cos if u still throttle gonna be reall hard to balance back liao... cos sudden boost. If engine gonna stall then i will throttle up.

  well all i can say is if u still fall when u throttle up
  dat means u've done it all wrong
• bbwolf

  27 Nov 04, 17:41

  Thanks guys for all ur tips and advices.
  
  
• Sexytoy.com.sg

  27 Nov 04, 22:24

  loosen yr grip and mantain the speed ...look front
• Evolution_X9

  11 Dec 04, 02:00

  When you feel u're not going straight, turn the handlebar. DO NOT lean to either sides. Look straight and far. Grip the tank. Use only rear brake. throttle more to get you up the plank, after that close throttle a bit and maintain slow speed. Tap rear brake lightly if required.
• Yosuke

  14 Dec 04, 11:04

  last time i train myself until i can balance myself at very slow speed
  just remember to keep turning the handlebar left and right because you
  can"t hold it stright all the way
• jeffrey83

  14 Dec 04, 11:59

  Watver it is? be it driving, or riding...dun scared... just do..... but SAFETY first...
  
  Narrow plank ok ma.. for the learning course...dun think of the time.. just wayang wayang a bit....go as normal..half clutch.. can le.. handle bars also must play...
  
  

  code:

   [N]o [S]uch [F]reedom- NSF, [S]erve [A]nd [F]orget- SAF

• girl21

  26 Jan 05, 10:00

  ehh...for me...i never look straight i always look at the plank near me n i nv use my rear brake...if i feel i losing my balance n going to fall i just let go more clutch the bike will move faster...if i going too fast...i just close throttle a bit...
• mancha

  28 Jan 05, 02:02

  Originally posted by girl21:

  ehh...for me...i never look straight i always look at the plank near me n i nv use my rear brake...if i feel i losing my balance n going to fall i just let go more clutch the bike will move faster...if i going too fast...i just close throttle a bit...

  Ai ya! girl ah
  How many times the instructors tell you don look down, look far, and you never listen.
  Doing the narrow plank fast is easy. The test is to do slowly, control the machine and maintain your balance.
  Riding a bike is no joke. You must be in control of the machine at all times, not the machine control you.
• nameuser

  28 Jan 05, 02:49

  hi all,
  
  im currently learning class 2B, and ive been failing narrow plank for 3 times...going for a 4th one next week. I find it very difficult to balance on the plank..and most importantly, i also have difficulty in going up to the plank smoothly...Do kindly advise on what i should do......i do not wish to fail the 4th time>..
• jeffrey83

  30 Jan 05, 12:19

  Originally posted by nameuser:

  hi all,
  
  im currently learning class 2B, and ive been failing narrow plank for 3 times...going for a 4th one next week. I find it very difficult to balance on the plank..and most importantly, i also have difficulty in going up to the plank smoothly...Do kindly advise on what i should do......i do not wish to fail the 4th time>..

  Correct, the previous post i say, look Straight. But ar..as for some courses, like PLANK.. you have 2 see the plank.
  
  -*- take note...when you going up rite?...just normal..dun think that its a plank, act normal.then ar...**** Ur Eyeballs look at the plank.but not ur whole HEAD look down...same applies 2 e-brake lo..i bet the instructors got tell u lo..the Eyeball thinggy..duh..dunnoe.,hope so. And dun think of the time.sure can make it one. and ur eyes have 2 be Everywhere...when u are on ur bike. coz some fu****G ppl drive and ride as if they si bei pro... I also not very good when learning...always fail one...nb... especially S-course... now i wish 2 play there lei..buah ka ta.(Footrest)..haha.
  
  All the best
• kopiosatu

  30 Jan 05, 13:14

  Originally posted by nameuser:

  hi all,
  
  im currently learning class 2B, and ive been failing narrow plank for 3 times...going for a 4th one next week. I find it very difficult to balance on the plank..and most importantly, i also have difficulty in going up to the plank smoothly...Do kindly advise on what i should do......i do not wish to fail the 4th time>..

  plot your course when approaching the plank
  
  don't be afraid to open the throttle to make your way up
  
  look far, its easier if you look at the cones of the slalom course
  
  utilise your rear brakes
  
  loosen your elbows
  
  use half clutch
  
  make minor adjustments, its easier to do so if u loosen your elbows
  
  grip your tank tightly with your thighs, this applies to all courses.
  
  and from a personal perspective, i must say again... look far. it makes a difference.
• nameuser

  1 Feb 05, 20:34

  i finally pass narrow plank today....4th time already..going for pract. 4 this friday....Thank you to all of you for your advice.....
• jeffrey83

  2 Feb 05, 10:01

  Originally posted by nameuser:

  i finally pass narrow plank today....4th time already..going for pract. 4 this friday....Thank you to all of you for your advice.....

  haha..good...share with us how u do it?... ermmm...next prac is E brake ar?...pass liao..wan come out wat bike?...
  
  cheer- ries..!
• nameuser

  3 Feb 05, 00:25

  Originally posted by jeffrey83:

  haha..good...share with us how u do it?... ermmm...next prac is E brake ar?...pass liao..wan come out wat bike?...
  
  cheer- ries..!

  this is what i did:
  
  1. first i check back then correct my positioning and aiming b4 moving off
  
  2. when moving, sit up straight, knees touching the tank and feet pressing down on the foot rest. Focus was also emphasised on the handlebar
  
  3. i was looking at the plank when i was about to go up
  
  4. to go up to plank, throttle more, and when was on it, i just release throttle(while at half-clutch) and let the bike move on its own.Of course i had to increase speed on and off to stay in balance. At this point i was actually like concentrating more on the balancing part.
  
  5. I feel that looking far may help in balancing, i was also looking at the slalom cones when i was on the plank, however there were some occasions where i was looking straight and far but my handle bar did not seem to be able to coordinate well with my eyes....it was moving left and right/ so occasionally i would look down at the plank while my head was upright.
  
  So these were basically what i did. The ratio of me falling down to going through smoothly was about 2:10. Hopefully my experience will also be beneficial to those who are also facing difficulties in this obstacle...CHEERS!!