U-turns on an incline/hill

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ill'n · #1 Unread post by **ill'n** » Tue Sep 29, 2009 10:54 am

I heard that the Alameda County Sheriff advanced rider course has an exercise where students need to make u-turns on an incline. I'm very comfortable with u-turns on flat pavement, but that exercise sounds really tough. Any tips? I assume the normal u-turn tactics still work:
* use the clutch friction zone to manage speed
* use the rear brake to further control speed
* optionally shift to 2nd gear for smoother throttling
* turn the steering to a full lock position
* look waaaay into the turn and never down
* lean the bike as much as safely possible
* use the human body as counterweight

But any tips specifically for uphill to downhill u-turns?

Gummiente · Tue Sep 29, 2009 11:42 am

As a rule, I rarely attempt U-turns on an incline (and also on level ground) because there are too many variables that can bite you in the arse. Having said that, however, you are correct in your assumptions on how to accomplish this. The big thing to remember is that you will have less ground clearance than normal on whichever side is closest to the uphill angle while turning. I would not recommend using 2nd gear, as an incline introduces gravity into the situation and the possibility of lugging and stalling the engine is increased.

HYPERR · #3 Unread post by **HYPERR** » Tue Sep 29, 2009 1:17 pm

The first time I rode on the back of my girlfriend's bike, we came to the top of a hill and we needed to go the opposite way. She did a quick smooth U-turn non-chalantly on the steep incline like it was nothing with me(185lbs dry weight) on the back.

She's only about 106 lbs.
One of the many reasons why she is such a keeper.

ill'n · #4 Unread post by **ill'n** » Tue Sep 29, 2009 1:33 pm

Ahh, I see. I just need to keep your girlfriend with me in case I need to make that maneuver...

#5 Unread post by **fireguzzi** » Tue Sep 29, 2009 1:41 pm

ill'n wrote:Ahh, I see. I just need to keep your girlfriend with me in case I need to make that maneuver...

Good idea. Can I borrow her too Hyper?

follow · #6 Unread post by **follow** » Thu Oct 01, 2009 7:00 am

The incline to me is not the issue, it's the steep downhill...slow and steady but it makes me skiddish.

RhadamYgg · #7 Unread post by **RhadamYgg** » Thu Oct 01, 2009 1:21 pm

just yuck. I don't want to do it. If it is in a residential area I'll get off and walk it across.

king robb · #8 Unread post by **king robb** » Thu Oct 01, 2009 9:31 pm

a uturn is just another way to admit you messed up and don't know where you are going.

follow · #9 Unread post by **follow** » Fri Oct 02, 2009 2:23 am

Not really,
1st scenario, I followed someone and they didn't know where there going.

2nd scenario, the great parking or only parking is on the other side of the road.

3rd: spotted what I was looking for and want to go back.

I'm actually pretty decent at u-turns, I just like to avoid them then I'm better. I too can do a U-turn with someone on back but only on Harley, not sure if I can do it on the ST but I never tried either.

tymanthius · Fri Oct 02, 2009 2:56 am

I have a spained ankle to prove that I suck at Uies. :/

I went to wide, into the grass, but I saw that coming so I thought I'd be ok. I think I slipped the clutch a little much, started to spin the back tire, and as soon as it hit the asphalt again it snapped upright and a very low speed high side. :/

The real damage was to my pride.

Now that it's cool & I won't suffer from dehydration it's time to go practice in a lot again.