Tighter U Turns - Sportbike Addicts

BikerChickSI · 07-25-2005, 10:23 AM

Im just curious. I cant seem to make tight u turns, everytime I make it, it goes wide... anyone know what could be the reason for that? Not turning enough?

~Donna~ · 07-25-2005, 10:37 AM

Could be a combination of things Lana. Are you grabbing that front brake, where are you focusing your field of vision. My suggestion is to go practice in a parking lot, that's what I did. I practiced everything I wasn't so sure of there where there was no outside interference and I could concentrate without worrying about traffic. Also helps if someone with more experience can come observe what you are doing and show you what it is you aren't doing totally correct. You will get it just focus and don't let it get the best of you keep practicing.

BikerChickSI · 07-25-2005, 10:53 AM

I dont grab the front brake, I feather the throttle, have the clutch pulled in & try to look to where i wanna go.... i dunno if my bikes weight is another factor in why i have so much trouble with it...

**FigNewTon** · 07-25-2005, 10:55 AM

May be something as simple as not looking where you want to go. Donna is right on with practicing in a parking lot. I used a large parking lot to practice panic stops when I first started out and it saved my ass a couple times. It also improved my high speed breaking quite a bit.

chuck_smooth · 07-25-2005, 11:03 AM

you have to trust the fact that you are not gonna fall over if you make it tighter.. during the msf course i was having trouble with the u turn because it felt like i was going to lose balance.. the instructor told me to trust the bike and once i got over that it was smooth sailing

Kawibabe · 07-25-2005, 11:44 AM

Yup, go practice in a parking lot until you get more comfy with it. Soon it will be like nothing.

CBRBob · 07-25-2005, 12:06 PM

There are several ways to do this correctly. The best way for you is to practice for a while and don't worry if it runs wide the 1st time.
You can try riding in the friction zone (clutch slipping) while you hold a steady throttle.
Another way is that you can drag the rear brake while you leave the clutch out and modulate the throttle, or simply carry enough speed into the turn, squeeze the clutch and coast around. Any way you do it, you really NEED to turn your head around and look behind you since that is your goal, to travel in the direction in which you came.
One way to start is to just ride in circles making the diameter smaller and smaller. As your speed drops, remember to lean the bike and keep your body upright, elbows bent, NEVER locked. Have fun!

***Cakes206*** · 07-25-2005, 12:52 PM

Practice, practice, practice...

Also, main thing is to keep moving. The slower you go, the harder it is...combination of throttle, feathering the clutch, little bit of rear brake, and looking where you want to go will get you thru that u-turn.

G'luck and keep us updated on how you do.

**njf4i** · 07-25-2005, 06:56 PM

Well i think everyone above me answered you the best way. But the only thing I can add is from my experience.

I learned that i could control the bike more thru uturns without using the throttle. Like on my f4i if you let out the clutch right the bike will coast at 7mph with no throttle. So i just took my time with the method of clutch in and clutch out. It would work its way around without going to fast or the feeling of "the bike is gonna fall".

But i do agree with you. Your bike is really heavy compared to others. But just keep at it and don't give up.

RCM78 · 07-25-2005, 08:18 PM

CBR Bob is a tool but he knows what he's talking about!!!

Just so you know the weight of your bike is not a factor... I have an 850lb touring bike and can pull a U-Turn just about anywhere...

CBRBob · 07-26-2005, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by njf4i

Your bike is really heavy compared to others.

Yea, 430lbs is really heavy

Ralph, watch out for people running into you AGAIN at VIR this weekend :omg:

Pirate · 07-26-2005, 07:46 AM

my $.02 is the same for most. my nighthawk is longer and way heavier than your bike dude and i can pull a U'ie on a small atreet easily. it just takes practice and trust.

BikerChickSI · 07-26-2005, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CBRBob

Yea, 430lbs is really heavy

Ralph, watch out for people running into you AGAIN at VIR this weekend :omg:

480lbs & Im like 130.... not to use the double standard card or anything but usually females have less upper body strength than males do. I guess Ill just keep practicing

xstortion · 07-26-2005, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BikerChickSI

480lbs & Im like 130.... not to use the double standard card or anything but usually females have less upper body strength than males do. I guess Ill just keep practicing

Lana I am willing to conduct private lessons at my house if u would like

***Vin*** · 07-26-2005, 10:24 AM

Let's not go theeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeere...