Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Hi Guys,

I had MSF today and I'd love to talk about it but I'm actually having a problem so I was hoping people could offer advice.

I have to do the double U-Turn in the box and the super small S curve. I'm having problems doing these.

I believe this involves counter-steering where I'm keeping myself straight but I'm tilting the bike.

But I'm going so slow when I do these maneuvers it feels like I'm going to fall or drop the bike or stall it cause we are in first.

Does anyone have any pointers?

Thanks!

Big tip, but not the most important IMO (most important is at the end), do NOT countersteer, however do counterlean. In other words as you turn to the left, you let the bike lean over to the left while you apply pressure to the right footpeg by shifting your weight to the right (i.e. outside).

As you turn the other way i.e. to the right, let the bike lean right while you shift your weight to the left applying pressure to the left footpeg. These actions will help you turn sharper while preventing the bike from falling over at low speeds.

Also feather the clutch, use the friction zone. RELAX. you'll do better tomorrow.

Now that you know the theory, Disregard everything I said and pay attention to what your instructor observes about your technique and the feedback he gives you. That is the most important tip.

I had trouble in the figure 8 in the box. same thing slow tight turns. Just takes practice, I'm still having trouble with that on my bike and I practice when the occasion arrises or i have a spare minute in a parking lot.

2 points here about "the box".....

Big head turn. Just before going into the turn, turn your head and focus on where you want to end up. You'll be surprised at how much that helps. Your body will naturally do what it needs to to get you there..if you just let it.

Also, don't get too hung up on the box. Contrary to popular belief, you can totally mess up this manuever (go over the line, put your foot down, etc.) and still pass the course with ease. The points for the test are cumulative, and the box doesn't carry enough points to fail you, as long as you don't drop your bike.

Thank you everyone very much for your advice, I'm off to todays course again!

When I did the box, once I got the bike moving I just left the clutch engaged and let the bike chug along at idle in first gear without giving it any gas. This way I could concentrate fully on steering and not have to worry about throttle or clutch input.

Just keep your head up and DONT LOOK DOWN. If you look down at the ground you will get wobbly and want to put your foot down.

The box was the hardest thing for me to do. Miraculously, the only time I actually did it 100% correct was on during the test!

I think everybody hated the box though, and it's weighted the least out of the entire test (at least ours was).

1st gear was a nightmare on the bike I used, the instructors told me to use 2nd.

*hates the box*

I had the most problems with the box too. Friction zone was non existent at the speed I was trying to do the box at. I also think I did not fully trust the bike in the maneuver. I find it odd though that I was able to do the tight S pretty well.

NWTrtle wrote: Friction zone was non existent at the speed I was trying to do the box at.

It sounds like you were moving your clutch too much- either too much in or too much out. When you're on your bike try the rocking exercise.

Let the clutch out slowly to where it just starts pulling the bike forward then just barely pull it in. If you're using an inch of travel in the lever, you're using too much. Then in a straight away notice as you let the clutch out more you gain speed.

The people I notice having the worst time with the box try to modulate their speed as they go through it. The best advice is pick a speed and stick to it. If you've set the bikes lean for the turn and you start slowing down then gravity is going to overcome the forces holding the bike up. If you maintain a steady speed and aggressively turn your head (look all the way behind you) you won't have any issues.