Is it me or does everyone have problems making U-turns when they just start out? What are your guys' techniques....Thanks

For slow U-turns I lean the bike over and I lean my body on the other side of the bike. For fast U-turns I lean into it as if I were going to knee drag.

When going slow,push the bike down a little and lean away from the bike. Use your rear brake a little and look over your shoulder to where you are going.Turn the bars to full lock.

Good luck,

Bigdog.

thanks guys i gotta go out and practice now http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

In addition to the opposite leaning, I keep my RPMs up and work my clutch a bit as needed in case it starts tip (slow turns)

hehe did ya fail the drive test first time out? http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/dunno.gif I did http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif couldnt keep the bike in that friggn circle

Yeah, but the DMV guy was a real dick about it...

I am sure you are probably already doing it but its VERY important to not look down in front of you etc which is a really bad habit most have at first (if that makes any sense) actually turn your head COMPLETELY where you would like the bike to end up and the rest will follow. If you have never done this it will feel very awkward at first but once you trust your throttle control and balance it is a great way to turn on a dime pretty much anywhere.....just goes back to technique of looking through the turn is all.....

Good Luck! and if this was totally obvious and you've been doing it.. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/bitchslap.gif http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

slow U-turns suck but you just get use to them after awhile.

The M-S-F Basic Training Course stresses this. Infact it's even on the final riding skills evaluation, which here in TX if you pass, you don't have to take the DMV driving Test.

as stated before, dont look down. When riding a motorcycle, you absolutly must look where you want to go. object fixation is a reality.

1) Look where you want to go.
2) Use the "Fricton Zone".
3) Counter Balance.

It may be easier to use 2nd gear instead of first. throttle response will be a little slower and smoother and should help against sudden bursts of power delivery to that rear tire. Don't be afraid to "drag" the rear brake to help make things a bit smoother. Lean and counterbalance.

Good Luck!

All good advice. The problem with a slow u turn on a sport bike is that you have to actually steer and balance it as opposed to leaning into a curve and controling it with lean, momentum and throttle, which isn't what the bike was designed to do. They are a little tricky but you get used to it. Sometimes it helps to slip the clutch a little if you're not on level ground.

lun said:
The M-S-F Basic Training Course stresses this. Infact it's even on the final riding skills evaluation, which here in TX if you pass, you don't have to take the DMV driving Test.

as stated before, dont look down. When riding a motorcycle, you absolutly must look where you want to go. object fixation is a reality.

1) Look where you want to go.
2) Use the "Fricton Zone".
3) Counter Balance.

It may be easier to use 2nd gear instead of first. throttle response will be a little slower and smoother and should help against sudden bursts of power delivery to that rear tire. Don't be afraid to "drag" the rear brake to help make things a bit smoother. Lean and counterbalance.

Good Luck!



Hmmmm..yup I remember the figure 8 at the MSF course..had trouble with it at first but eventually got the hang of it.

yea i find the most important thing is look at my final destination, over my shoulder, not anywhere infront of me, just like hish speed turingn, your bike goes where you do

where you look i mean

jayman320 said:
Is it me or does everyone have problems making U-turns when they just start out? What are your guys' techniques....Thanks



Looking to pass the DMV test? Easiest way is to take the Basic Rider course. They'll put you on a nibble 100 or 250 that will turn on a dime. Once you've passed the Basic Rider course they'll give you a waiver so you don't need to take the evaluation at the DMV.

If you're looking to pass the figure 8s or U-turn on a sport bike it's a little more difficult.

First, DON'T LEAN!
Second, bump up the choke/high idle lever on your bike. Let her idle at around 3K so it works like a giro and makes the throttle and clutch no longer necessary.
Third, ride the rear brake instead of slipping the clutch through the figure 8 and U-turn. It'll increase your balance substancially.
Fourth, keep your head up and look to the end of the turn. If you look down at the line, that's where you'll go.

The U-turn is the hardest but if your idle is up, you're riding the brake, you keep the bike straight up your eyes ahead you'll be able to just pull the bars all the way to the tank and turn as sharp as the bike will let you. You might even want to try shifting your (_!_) on the seat to the opposite side of the turn. It's another way to keep the bike upright. Works for some ...

If none of these work, PUT YOUR FOOT DOWN! It's not worth dropping your bike.

Good luck!

I had a lot of trouble before doing that on my 1k. The bike has so much power down low and with it's heavier chassis (compared to the sixxer and 750) I was always afraid of falling over.

One day I was doing some test riding after I had made some suspension adjustments to the compression, and was having to do u-turn after u-turn. That helped tremendously, although that wasnt my intention that day to practice that.

I think one of things that make it so hard is that nobody does them unless they absolutely have to. That in and of itself makes it hard because it will never be familiar. Take the bike out one day, and just keep doing them over and over and over again. I promise by the end of even a half hour, you will be a lot more confident. Just use the advice given above as far as technique, and you'll be fine.

BTW, slow u-turns.. I slide the bum off the outer part of the seat, modulate the clutch and drag the rear brake, although I don't turn the bars to absolute full lock unless I have to.

I remember those figure eights in the riders course. I got the hang of it on those 250's they use but was a little tougher on my sportsbike because you are leaning foward. Got the hang of it but i will keep practicing just to feel confident. Definitely must look into the turn because if not you will be fighting with the bike to go where you want it to go. I try not to lock the steering all the way in one direction in case the bike leans to much and i need to compensate. If you lock your steering and your bike leans too much you could be S.O.L.

take the course.. u get a bike to do the test and all... and the good thing is there is no pressure... on the real you will learn alot... now im suprised that lun remembered all of that good man.. i know what to do but i could resite the course back to you... but they are all telling you great info.. play the 175 to get int he clase but doing the slow turn on a bike(bmx, ect) is like doing it on a bike(motorcycle) ps the dmv test will always be hard on bikers most states do not like them i know nj is trying there best to stop them from getting there license.. anylittle thing u do they can fail u and in the course u are around people of your own kind....(bikers)