New lesson learned

**kilgh** · 3rd March 2011, 15:34

So found I had a 30 min opportunity at the very unusual hour for me of 4pm. Had a shift change this week so early morning rides are now a bust. Decided to sneak in a ride between the end of school and the end of normal working hours. Very short window of opportunity!

Anyway, because of time of day the usual carpark was chokka. Hence today became the day I conquered my cul-de-sac. Not perfect conditions as a car was parked down there and the eldery neighbour was out for a viewing. Bringing back memories of the first disaster of a ride. (see previous "First Actual Ride" post).

So, good start. Get to the end of the cul-de-sac. And discover why the thing gave me so much trouble day 1. It's not level. The side you pull to in order to give yourself turning room is in a dip! So as soon as you let off the gas to make the turn you start to hit a slight rise and unless you compensate with more revs the engine cuts and the bike stalls with the wheel turned and either starts to roll back into the dip or tries to go over.

Unfortunately with a car parked there, you can't have too many revs because you don't have room for a full turning circle.

So had to really fine tune my slow speed clutch/throttle control to make this turn. Took a few bad ones to get it down, but finally got a perfect turn done and called it a day on a positive before the street filled up with the 9-5'ers.

Oh, and the neighbour got bored with the lack of action and went back inside! Success!

But still haven't conquered the clean gear change. Next time!

**Timmeh:P** · 4th March 2011, 09:04

Best thing to do is cover the back brake, apply a little pressure on it while slipping the clutch and holding the throttle at about twice idling speed as you make the turn. I know it sounds dumb to brake the back wheel while accelerating, but this keeps the bike from falling.

Then as you make the turn, turn your head and look where you want to go. For a U-turn turn your head so you are looking behind you. Make sure you keep your eyes up, as looking down at the ground means you will end up on the ground.

You will find that chopping the throttle, adds weight to the front tyre and can lead to a fall.

Ps. In slow speed turns, never use the front brake!! Will only end up falling.

Main things is to keep the gas on in a turn!! Control your speed by slipping the clutch and the back brake. It doesn't matter if there is an incline etc, the method is always the same.

You will get there!! Keep it up!!

Here is a vid to help: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGtCMxu8PyM

**CookMySock** · 4th March 2011, 09:24

It's just time and patience, and you will get there. Master the slow-speed balancing stuff first - super-tight U turns and figure eights are the business - how tight can you get them without putting your feet down? In a tight U turn, learn to trickle on the throttle ever so gently to stop the bike tipping towards the center of the turn, or lightly tapping the brake to stop it tipping outwards.

Most important thing to remember - learning to ride is fun, so no need to rush.

**kilgh** · 4th March 2011, 11:27

Thanks guys.

I have to work on my back brake skills. Adding a fourth limb to the mix!

**Hellzie** · 4th March 2011, 11:36

Originally Posted by kilgh

Thanks guys.

I have to work on my back brake skills. Adding a fourth limb to the mix!

It's super counter intuitive, but if you back brake slightly, and make the back wheel work against the brake, it makes the bike want to stay upright. And don't be scared to make lots of noise!!!

Before practicing the u-turn, maybe spend a bit more time doing the 'slow race'. That will get you really good at going slow and being comfortable that the bike won't fall over. For this, apply a bit of back brake, get into the 'friction zone' of the clutch (where it is enough to pull you forward but the bike won't gain speed with more throttle), AND look forward and UP. Master those 3 things in combination and then go onto turning tightly.

Slow speed maneuver practice is actually a lot of fun. If you can do it with someone else it's even more fun as it becomes a competition - who can go slowest, who can turn tightest etc etc. On your weeks off we should definitely get together!!!

Meanwhile, have fun chicky!

**kilgh** · 4th March 2011, 11:44

Yeah, definately. First week of April.

**Hellzie** · 4th March 2011, 11:47

It's a date

**C.Linnell** · 11th March 2011, 12:36

Originally Posted by Hellzie

... if you back brake slightly, and make the back wheel work against the brake, it makes the bike want to stay upright.

I think you mean the back brake will tip the bike into the turn, thus making it sharper?

Originally Posted by Hellzie

Meanwhile, have fun chicky!

This I'll agree with :-)

**The Everlasting** · 11th March 2011, 15:07

Good to hear your practicing,you thinking of heading out to one of the weekly training sessions?

**kilgh** · 12th March 2011, 22:10

Yes, think I shall. I'm just going to conquer the gear change and I'll be right into a training seesion.

**joan of arc** · 18th March 2011, 18:45

Loved your opening sentence about fitting in riding between school......

That is how it is isn't it? Fitting riding in, between kids, house-work, employment, the lawns etc etc.

I was thinking that I was a slow learner but have come to realise that riding fits in around every thing else in my day or week and so have had little chance to keep practising. BUT now having got my Restricted I have decided that this year every thing else is going to wait (sort of) and that getting better at riding is my priority for the next 12 months. So far, working..... but only been at it for a week!!

Learned alot from the comments about U-turns, slow speeds, throttle and back brake tho so thanks to you folks