Help - test Wednesday and can't U-turn!!!! :(
Discussion
Hello everyone...newbie on the bike forum so please be patient.
Just done two days Fantasic bike training, one more day Tuesday and test Wednesday late morning.
Riding fine (need to be a little less extreme through corners apparently) but for the life of me I can't master the U-turn. Can do the slow riding going straight, but as soon as I try and turn the revs rise (me doing this not the bike) dip the clutch and run wide...virtually every time...
Instructor is top bloke and said I just need to hold position on throttle, clutch and look down the road, not at the curb, but just can't get hands/head etc to do this...
Any tips or advise most welcome.
Thanks
Virgil.
P.S. learing to rid a bike makes you SO much more aware of other cars and bikers...think it should almost be compulsory to car drivers.
Just done two days Fantasic bike training, one more day Tuesday and test Wednesday late morning.
Riding fine (need to be a little less extreme through corners apparently) but for the life of me I can't master the U-turn. Can do the slow riding going straight, but as soon as I try and turn the revs rise (me doing this not the bike) dip the clutch and run wide...virtually every time...
Instructor is top bloke and said I just need to hold position on throttle, clutch and look down the road, not at the curb, but just can't get hands/head etc to do this...
Any tips or advise most welcome.
Thanks
Virgil.
P.S. learing to rid a bike makes you SO much more aware of other cars and bikers...think it should almost be compulsory to car drivers.
Rawwr said:
1) Forget you have a right hand.
2) Don't fully engage the clutch.
3) Use the rear brake.
4) Look up and across. Do NOT look down.
5) Practice.
2) Don't fully engage the clutch.
3) Use the rear brake.
4) Look up and across. Do NOT look down.
5) Practice.
Problem is though, as I hit about 50% lock the revs rise EVRY time. Not doing it consciously but does happen every time. Even tried holding 4k revs, standing still in neutral and turning, but same thing!
To me it kind of feels like one of those things that you just have to commit to, and you get it, but half hearted and you screw it up…
Will put in more practice tomorrow…just conscious that only have one more day to get it 
hobo said:
Should be easier in the wet.
Rev it to about 8k, front brake on full. Slowly get to biting point & then release the clutch fully.
Then just use your feet to move you to where you need to be pointing.
Easy peasy.
don't let go of the brake 
Rev it to about 8k, front brake on full. Slowly get to biting point & then release the clutch fully.
Then just use your feet to move you to where you need to be pointing.
Easy peasy.
don't let go of the brake Thanks for that but not too sure the examiner would be so keen...apparently I fail if I put one foot down and think I'm a little way off feet up doughnuts just yet !
Nice idea though.
virgil said:
hobo said:
Should be easier in the wet.
Rev it to about 8k, front brake on full. Slowly get to biting point & then release the clutch fully.
Then just use your feet to move you to where you need to be pointing.
Easy peasy.
don't let go of the brake
Rev it to about 8k, front brake on full. Slowly get to biting point & then release the clutch fully.
Then just use your feet to move you to where you need to be pointing.
Easy peasy.
don't let go of the brake Thanks for that but not too sure the examiner would be so keen...apparently I fail if I put one foot down and think I'm a little way off feet up doughnuts just yet !
Nice idea though.
Use both then
Cheers, guys...basically what the instructor said. Will do my level best tomorrow.
Had a little blast (private road of course) after first day training, him on his GSX600 me in the Griffith and If I could get 1/10th as good as him I'd be a happy man. Having seen someone ride like that can only inspire!
Never actually wanted to buy a sports bike, but now not so sure
Had a little blast (private road of course) after first day training, him on his GSX600 me in the Griffith and If I could get 1/10th as good as him I'd be a happy man. Having seen someone ride like that can only inspire!
Never actually wanted to buy a sports bike, but now not so sure
Get a nice GSXR 600, great superbike, and great bike to learn to ride properly on.
I struggled with my U-Turn but on the day pulled it off, Best advice is to look where you want to end up (Not the floor!) and get the revs going and hold that clutch, releasing it slightly. Best of Luck!
I struggled with my U-Turn but on the day pulled it off, Best advice is to look where you want to end up (Not the floor!) and get the revs going and hold that clutch, releasing it slightly. Best of Luck!
hobo said:
Believe me they are as fast as you'll need for a while 
I had a T350c before the bike & that would p!ss all over a Griff on the road (maybe not in a straight line, but we don't live in America).
600's are mighty quick.
why am I selling again
I had a T350c before the bike & that would p!ss all over a Griff on the road (maybe not in a straight line, but we don't live in America).
600's are mighty quick.
why am I selling again
I know, I know...and I know a decent rider on any 600 would be MUCH faster than me on a 1000, and I know bravado and stupidity in equal measures = "doner" but it's just that "got to have the fastest car/bike/shoes etc thing.
Probably never buy one (Mrs Virgil and mother very, very happy)...but can dream
Uncle Dave said:
Get a nice GSXR 600, great superbike, and great bike to learn to ride properly on.
I struggled with my U-Turn but on the day pulled it off, Best advice is to look where you want to end up (Not the floor!) and get the revs going and hold that clutch, releasing it slightly. Best of Luck!
I struggled with my U-Turn but on the day pulled it off, Best advice is to look where you want to end up (Not the floor!) and get the revs going and hold that clutch, releasing it slightly. Best of Luck!
Thanks - hope I come through too!
shot2bits said:
RELAX - seriously, let your arms relax with hardly any input from them then use the clutch (slip it) and the revs to keep the bike balanced... Also look at where you want to go and not the ground... Dont keep readjusting yourself, just the bars, relax, use some revs...
As above - I know I HAVE to look where I WANT to go, but is just SO hard not too look at the floor (probably 'cause that's where I feel like I'm gonna end up if I turn the bars any more
) It's just doing it that is eluding me... Must try harder...
Must try Harder...
Must try harder...
virgil said:
Problem is though, as I hit about 50% lock the revs rise EVRY time. Not doing it consciously but does happen every time. Even tried holding 4k revs, standing still in neutral and turning, but same thing!
Is it your hand raising the revs due to the angle of hand on the grip (during a right hand turn), are you sure the steering isn't interfering with the throttle cable?
I ask this, as when the right handlebar is being drawn into the bike, if anything, the angle of your throttle hand should incline the revs to drop.
Just a thought!
As mentioned above, don't touch the front brake, use the rear, and slip the clutch! Good Luck
sporelife said:
virgil said:
Problem is though, as I hit about 50% lock the revs rise EVRY time. Not doing it consciously but does happen every time. Even tried holding 4k revs, standing still in neutral and turning, but same thing!
Is it your hand raising the revs due to the angle of hand on the grip (during a right hand turn), are you sure the steering isn't interfering with the throttle cable?
I ask this, as when the right handlebar is being drawn into the bike, if anything, the angle of your throttle hand should incline the revs to drop.
Just a thought!
As mentioned above, don't touch the front brake, use the rear, and slip the clutch! Good Luck
Definately me, not the bike - the instructor was trying to be kind and thought the bike might be playing up but alas, he had no issues. I know what you mean about the fact I should actually roll off, if anything, as I move the bars right...must just be my natural inclination for speed that does it!
Oh well...off home soon so will try and get it right tomorrow, or there will be serious panic Wednesday morning!
No pressure
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