Problems with U-turns... Help please

[limbimtimwim]

I kinda think it is silly that you have to do this with both feet up tho, because I can't think of a situation where you wouldn't be able to put at least one foot on the ground doing a u turn, in real life.

Feet on pegs improves balance. Having your legs waving around is upsetting the bike

[H00dz]

I suck at these but will be trying out a lot of the feedback so hopefully It wont be long and Ill be mastering it too

[yungatart]

I have given up practicing for a while. i just want to enjoy riding without putting any pressure on myself, so that is what I have decided to do.
I guess the more I ride and enjoy it, the easier everything will get. Well, that's what I am hoping for, anyway.
Let me know how you go, Hoodz, I'll be thinking of you...

[Jizah]

I'll be doing my full licence on a CT110 so u-turns will be a breeze!

[scracha]

I'll be doing my full licence on a CT110 so u-turns will be a breeze!

See earlier post. Smaller bikes are HARDER to do u-turns on.

[vifferman]

See earlier post. Smaller bikes are HARDER to do u-turns on.

I don't think so.
It's not so much size, but how the weight is distributed, the steering geometry, and the relative positions of the bars, seat and footpegs. Apart from that, it's what you do with your body and its parts. On the VFR, to do a realy tight u-turn, I have to ride the rear brake, hang off the uphill side of the seat, and turn my head to look over my shoulder, or it just doesn't come together. The VTR1000 was about the same weight, but slightly easier as it was narrower. The last VFR was easier, as it had a lower seat, so lower CoG. The XBR500RS Mutant and VF500 were easyish, because they were light and narrow. The bikes before that were small and I did a lot of off-road riding, slides, donuts, etc. (even on the road bikes) so had the Body English thing well sorted.

[Jizah]

See earlier post. Smaller bikes are HARDER to do u-turns on.

Ever ridden a CT110? You can do a u-turn quite comfortably in a little more than a single lane, sometimes even within the lane.

[scracha]

Ever ridden a CT110? You can do a u-turn quite comfortably in a little more than a single lane, sometimes even within the lane.

You never read my earlier thread then :-) Back in blighted blighty I used to instruct the learners on their (mostly) 125's. The wee bikes aren't harder from a "weight" balance or amount of steering lock or any of that $hite. It's just that there's less centrifugal force from the engine spinning which combined with their low weight makes them more unstable. Honestly, you'll jump off the CT110 onto a 600 or summit and be amazed how much easier it is. I always found the the 2 strokes and the twist and go mopeds hardest to U-turn on. Many a red face was had by moi after jumping off my own bike to demonstrate to some learner who was wingeing about how hard it was on their bike.

[Grub]

Merv was there first with the magic answer

OK what no-one else has mentioned ... slipping the clutch

Just in case you think this is an advanced technique, it's not. This is the ONLY way to control speed and position in a u-turn.

Besides ... you've got the perfect bike for it haven't you

[Terminated]

In your full licence test the expectation is you can ride, however there is a strong emphasis on Hazard Detection.

Here is an entry from 2nd March 2007, take the time out to practise all facets of your slow bike control. You will gain confidence in some facets more quickly than others and I am sure you will enjoy the challenge and reward.

Heads Up and Enjoy

Here is a tip – go to the $2 Shop and pick up some tennis balls, cut them in half and use them as markers in the carpark. I use around 12 halves.


1. Counter steering [pushing on the inside grip]
I paced these out to 12metres apart with 9 markers.

2. Slow bike control u-turn [head position over shoulder, weight outside footpeg, clutch, throttle, footbrake.]
Here I make a box 15metres x 15 metres

3. Straight line slow bike control.
A narrow corridor just under a metre wide, 18 metres long space your markers down each side. From standing start move down the corridor no quicker than 10 seconds and see how long you can string it out to without putting a foot down and remaining in the corridorr

4. Braking procedure [off throttle, frontbrake, clutch, rear brake, gear down to first, left foot down, rear brake covered.]

Here I have markers each side about 4 metres wide and 10metres apart down the line with 3 down each side.

This is not a full on emergency braking procedure, just take your time and come down from 2nd gear then, 3rd gear., stopping in your own time the shute is just a guide area.
Do this several runs then ride through without braking taking a note the speed you were doing eg 25kph. This is will be your own comfortable starting point for braking practice.

5. Brake and Stop and Accelerate.
From standing start move off up to second gear, brake coming to a stop and without putting your foot down immediately accelerate again.

6. Head Up.
In all the above keep your head up, and enjoy your practice.

Heads Up and Enjoy

[_intense_]

look to where you want to go. head up if you are falling in?

[H00dz]

I have given up practicing for a while. i just want to enjoy riding without putting any pressure on myself, so that is what I have decided to do.
I guess the more I ride and enjoy it, the easier everything will get. Well, that's what I am hoping for, anyway.
Let me know how you go, Hoodz, I'll be thinking of you...

Sure thing tried some tips today..... big improvement guess its a confidence thing definately improved my handling from the tips suggested in your thread thanks for posting it here some Bling for your troubles

[2_SL0]

Try this:

1) With your right foot on the ground, lean the bike over about 30 degress.
2) Turn the steering full lock to the right.
3) Rev the snot out of the engine.
4) Check the mirrors to make sure all is clear.
5) Drop the clutch.
6) Hang on.

Most importantly, remember to indicate.

LMAO, I tried it, I did a 360 instead. What went wrong?