U Turns

tommybhoy · Spanner Monkey Joined: 27 Jun 2008 Karma :

Looking for some help advice...Im just in from my second half day lesson and i still cant do a u-turn on narrow road.My test is thursday and to make matter worse the instructor said i would be better falling off my bike rather than putting my foot down...

I have one more lesson before test ,hopefully i can pick something up from there

Any tips...

I have my own bike but cant practice because im using their bike

nasty · Traffic Copper Joined: 14 Aug 2008 Karma :

Kal · World Chat Champion Joined: 02 Jan 2007 Karma :

It's better to practise on your bike then not practise at all.

U turn is easy once you get the hang of it, and transferring the skill from bike to bike isn't so difficult

First off stop stressing - if you stress about it you will ride stiffly and fail it

Secondly it is a low speed maneuvre, so your speed control is off of your clutch. Start the turn slowly and give it a little more speed once you have the exit lined up. Use the back brake to keep the frame tight in the begining of the turn.

To balance - pull forwards a little way to steady the bike rather than diving straight into the turn.

Grip your tank with your knees - push down on the pegs.

Look all the way through the turn - the bike follows where you look

Lead into the turn with your right shoulder.
____________________
Kal...
I Like To Hoon It Hoon It I Like To Hoon It Hoon It I Like To Hoon It Hoon It Ya Like To (HOON IT!).
1984 GB250 Clubman,1983 CB250N Superdream, 1999 GPZ500S

Ste · Not Work Safe Joined: 01 Sep 2002 Karma :

Practice, practice and then practice some more.

tommybhoy · Spanner Monkey Joined: 27 Jun 2008 Karma :

Thats what i will do next week practice....

My bike is a yamaha Dt125r and the schools is a Sukida Patriot SK125,honestly the bike is brand new and it peice of shite

nasty · Traffic Copper Joined: 14 Aug 2008 Karma :

tommybhoy · Spanner Monkey Joined: 27 Jun 2008 Karma :

they advised me to use their bike and it was only an extra £25...Yes im just doing a restricted ,will be happy with 250cc for two years

mcgoogle · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 18 Oct 2007 Karma :

nasty · Traffic Copper Joined: 14 Aug 2008 Karma :

tommybhoy · Spanner Monkey Joined: 27 Jun 2008 Karma :

i know that about the size thing.I just dont see the sence of restricting a 600cc to 33bhp...

As i will just have to practise

caragh · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 11 Jun 2008 Karma :

I personally found U- turns much easier when blipping the throttle and slipping the clutch bike felt more stable. Confused

____________________
Triumph Tiger 800 XR

Wise1 · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Aug 2008 Karma :

Everyone has their own view of how it can be done, for the test its pretty simple.

Remember nerves if they kick in can cause you to put a foot down, pull the throttle, etc...

So dont:

use idle speed only
left the clutch all the way out
use the front brake

So on the test, the safest possible method to ensure you get around which also allows for nerves kicking in is to:

Move off, give yourself about a good 15 feet to get the speed you want, slip the clutch and use the brake as your speed control.

Let the clutch out a bit more if your not going fast enough but cover the back brake at all times and use it to slow you when needed.

As your going into the turn adjust your body weight and lean in the opposite direction (left) and this will remove the feeling of the bike falling over.
____________________
Current - 2007 Suzuki Bandit GSF1250 - 1999 Suzuki TL1000R
Previous - GSXR750 SRAD, Fireblade, ZXR750, CBR600

SonicTheHedge... · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 04 Mar 2007 Karma :

Open your visor as well - keeps you a bit more in touch with the real world in terms of sound and feel.
Slow in, fast(er) out.
____________________
Previous: '00 G2 Bandit 600 Naked. Now: '08 BMW GS Adventure.

Tonka · World Chat Champion Joined: 11 Jun 2008 Karma :

I did my DAS on a GS500 but practiced like crazy on the little Yam125 the school let me borrow. It's different but the principle is the same and it's the confidence that you need.

I found that I needed more speed to get round well and that came with confidence, as I kept killing the speed just as I was about to turn and then unsurprisingly couldn't get round Rolling Eyes

Another thing I found that helped me was that I was able to do a u-turn after I'd practiced a bit but the first one was always rubbish - problem with test is I only had one chance! Test format for me was walk bike round, then hop on and ride the u-turn, so I practiced this quite a bit too. Try lots of different streets too as that gives you some more confidence - it's surprising what can put you off (trees, manhole covers etc.)

Hope it goes well! Very Happy

____________________
'The core of a man's spirit comes from new experiences'
Suzuki SV650S (Clean); Yamaha XT250 Serow (Dirty)

Damon · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Aug 2007 Karma :

best piece of advice i was given about u turns was this

find a point behind you on the otherside of the road, etc a car number plate and focus on that. slip the clutch and use the rear brake. whatever you do, keep focusing on that point and do not look at the curb, otherwise you will be heading for the curb. look at the car, you head for the car. It should also keep you nicely balanced also.

try that and practise on your bike. you will get it. good luck dude

lofty · Spanner Monkey Joined: 01 Aug 2007 Karma :

Lean to the outside a bit, i find if I shift my left arse cheek off a tiny bit then it stops me doing that 'oh god, im leaning in, oh crap oh crap.... foot down!'
Also, if you let off the throttle you'l lose your balance, keep the revs up and balance it with the clutch and back brake, don't dip the revs if you think you can't make it, because you will put your foot down then!
Good luck with your test!

skiberd123 · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 12 Nov 2007 Karma :

got my test at 8am tomorrow morning (sheeet!) and the u-turn is the only thing im worried about after a day of fails and wins practicing. tried it on a mates city fly and found it a a piece of cake. goddamn cbr with stupid low handle bars.... Mad

but i find sitting up straight helps. i think waking up at dawn to go round in circles is the way forward

tommybhoy · Spanner Monkey Joined: 27 Jun 2008 Karma :

Good news i think!!!.Was out on my own bike and i tried at least 15 u-turns on a street slightly wider then the one on test route and got everyone of them...Gonna try the test route street tomorrow after work ...

Im i allowed to used my own bike even though its an off road but its road legal.Will i need to take the usual mot insurance....The back break light is a bit iffy whe i pull front break

jack_zxr400 · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Jul 2008 Karma :

if theres something wrong with your bike or it doesnt have tax mot or insurance the examiner wont do the test

better safe than sorry and do it on the schools unless your not comfortable on it?
____________________
Previous Bike: ZXR 400
Current Bike: R6
Test Date: 8/8/2008-PASSED

Kal · World Chat Champion Joined: 02 Jan 2007 Karma :

tommybhoy · Spanner Monkey Joined: 27 Jun 2008 Karma :

test has been canceled because of the weather....

Syx · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 Oct 2006 Karma :

tofu-wtf · Nova Slayer Joined: 24 Jul 2007 Karma :

Steady revs, slip the clutch and look where you want to go......NOT where you fear ending up!!

and you'll do fine Smile

, it's already been said but practice. The turn in the road is generally done on a 'generous' width road anyhow, they're trying to test your ability....not trying to make you fail.

Relax, keep your shoulders loose and it'll all be ok Thumbs Up

____________________
Eagles may soar.............but rats don't get sucked through jet engines!!
1999 ZX6r G1.....it makes me smile Very Happy