Circuit skills
Class 2B Slope Course: How to Do a Hill Start Without Rolling Back
How to stop and move off on the Class 2B slope course in Singapore without rolling back or stalling, using the brake, clutch friction point and throttle together.
The slope tests whether you can stop on an incline and move off again under full control. It is usually the first course in the circuit, so getting it right settles your nerves for the rest of the run.
The technique
- Ride up and stop at the marked line. Keep the bike upright and straight.
- Hold the bike on the brake. Use the rear brake with your right foot, or the front brake, and keep your left foot down for balance.
- Select first gear if you are not already in it.
- Find the friction point. Release the clutch slowly until you feel the bike want to pull forward and the engine note drops slightly.
- Add a little throttle, a touch more than on flat ground.
- Release the brake as the clutch takes the weight. The bike should move forward without dipping backwards.
- Feed out the rest of the clutch smoothly and bring your feet up once you are moving.
Common mistakes
- Releasing the brake before the clutch bites. The bike rolls back. Feel for the pull first.
- Dumping the clutch. The bike jerks or stalls. Release it over two or three seconds.
- Too much throttle. The engine screams and the bike lurches. You only need slightly more than usual.
- Looking down at the controls. Look up to the top of the slope; your hands and feet will find the controls.
Frequently asked questions
Is rolling back on the slope a fail?
Rolling back is penalised, and rolling back a long way or losing control is treated as a serious fault. Hold the bike on the brake until the clutch has taken up the drive.
Should I use the front or rear brake on the slope?
Either works. Many learners hold the bike on the rear brake with the right foot, which leaves the right hand free to open the throttle smoothly.