Total Motorcycle Community Forums

The 2 very short videos (about 10 seconds each) were taken today with my little point and shoot digital camera. So, the video quality is crummy.

Doc and I went for a short ride today. Since I have not been riding since last April 21 and am still dealing with a few aches and pains and lack of real confidence as yet....we went to a parking lot to practice a few maneuvers.
I can feel it when I'm doing the turns that I'm too tense. Maybe the more expereinced riders can take a look at my posture and see if they have any pointers or a constructive critique about what I may be doing or could do to help improve the maneuvering.

http://s22.photobucket.com/albums/b334/ ... I_1502.flv

http://s22.photobucket.com/albums/b334/ ... I_1503.flv

Well, the videos made me a bit dizzy but otherwise you looked good. Your head snaps over to commence the turns, your body position is good (a bit tense, but that's understandable) and you have good control of the bike. There's only two things I could offer in the way of suggestions:

a) Let's see how well you do circles and u-turns to the RIGHT

b) Stop resisting the bike and let it lean in a bit more, you should be able to spin a u-turn within the area of two parking spots.

I realise that you're back in the saddle after an extended absence, so once you get used to riding again I have no doubt that your full confidence will return and render my two suggestions invalid. So let me just finish by saying that you look good, girl. All you need is more riding time to get back in the groove.

Think I have to agree with Gummi there, your posture & control look fine to me, all thats lacking is the confidence to lean a lil more, and get the bars to full lock.

Only time in the saddle can really give you that, so what are you doing here, go for a ride

Keep your body upright or even lean to the outside of the turn and lean the bike farther into the turn. This will lessen your turning radius. (This applies to slow turns only.)

Control your speed by being in the clutch frction zone while dragging the REAR brake slightly. No front braking.

You're looking through the turn well.

This guy has good tips: http://www.oldguy.us/easy-riding/articl ... -turns.php

Thank you very much.

Gummiente....next time I will do right hand turns and circles. You are right...now that you mention the words resisting the bike, I think you are right. I will work on that next time. 2 spaces....ok....

Nibblet...You're correct. I never got it full lock. I'll work on that. And yes....lean a bit more....I should then be able to do the turns in the required 2 spaces as Gummiente suggested.
It was late at night when I posted...bedtime... That's why I was here.

Flting Duck...Thank you for the link. He has some good information in there. Also thanks for the reminder of counter balancing.

You look comfortable. After some practice, make yourself uncomfortable trying to keep it between two lines...ANY two lines! Then make em a bit thinner.

From the standard ready position (neutral, both feet down):

engage first gear, check over your shoulder, raise the revs, slip the clutch, keep it slipping,ride the rear brake to modulate speed(both feet up), check over your shoulder and keep looking there, start your turn, as the bike leans, move yourself to the opposite side of the seat (the amount depends on the tightness of the turn).

Keep slipping the clutch and on the rear brake. Keep looking where you want to end up. Keep your shoulders and head above your hips.

Practice, practice, practice.

Fast Eddy B wrote:You look comfortable. After some practice, make yourself uncomfortable trying to keep it between two lines...ANY two lines! Then make em a bit thinner.

From the standard ready position (neutral, both feet down):

engage first gear, check over your shoulder, raise the revs, slip the clutch, keep it slipping,ride the rear brake to modulate speed(both feet up), check over your shoulder and keep looking there, start your turn, as the bike leans, move yourself to the opposite side of the seat (the amount depends on the tightness of the turn).



Practice, practice, practice.

Thanks. I think the counter balance will help a lot....as will more practice and getting my confidence back.

Ill prolly get canned here for this but what the hell


When doing U'ies and slow speed L or R 90deg turns and so forth, I let the bike tip over so to speak, then pick it up again with power, thats how I do tight slow stuff, anything at speed then you obviously have to lean it deliberately, but slow real slow, i just let the bike fall.

as for moving in the seat, i dont see the need to adjust position while doing anything slow speed, you can turn ya bike (peg scrapping slow speed turns) while sitting bolt upright, the key for me is to look straight through the turn to exactly where I want to go.

Dont be scared babe, cause trust me, you are never going to be able to stop that monster from hitting the deck if you over balance, so dont worry about it just do it

A fellow rider was kind enough to give me the following advice when I moved up to a heavier and larger motorcycle:
When making turns, look in the direction of the turn, focusing your field of view outward towards where you want to go, but not downward. If you look down, that is where you will tend to go. Drag the rear brake (never the front brake) during slow turns, and oppose it with the throttle/clutch friction. This will add slow speed stability. If you use the front brake abruptly during parking maneuvers while turning, expect your weight to shift to the high side. Other than that, get enough sleep before you practice. This will make you sharp and mentally/emotionally prepared to learn, and your senses will give you the most reliable input.
Regards,
Perry

shane-o wrote:Ill prolly get canned here for this but what the hell

I asked for a critique....so you won't get canned



When doing U'ies and slow speed L or R 90deg turns and so forth, I let the bike tip over so to speak,

I understand the concept....I'll see how I do next time out.

then pick it up again with power, thats how I do tight slow stuff, anything at speed then you obviously have to lean it deliberately, but slow real slow, i just let the bike fall.



Dont be scared babe, cause trust me, you are never going to be able to stop that monster from hitting the deck if you over balance, so dont worry about it just do it

I suppose that is part of the problem.....afraid....I'm still too tense also.....I'll have to think like Nike...just do it.