going around roundabouts

[Jai466]

When i started driving i hates roundabouts but then were easy.

Now I've been riding for about a month to work and its the same on the bike.

I can handle the one with traffic lights as you don't have to slow down.

But whens it comes to the ones without i find it difficult to judge the correct gear I should be in and somes times I shift down and go into 1st and the bike shoots off. But if I go for like third or second if lucky then it may go too slow.

When at the roundabout I look toward my right to see for any oncoming traffic and adjust my speed if I need to stop but some times you can just go over ahead but you still need to slow down to stop. Its this intially slowing down and then picking up speed that I need help on.

Will it just come after pratice?

Thanks

[.....]

Sounds like you need to be smoother with the clutch.

[Bishbash]

+ 1 on the clutch, it will all come down to time and practice on the bike, you will actually end up loving roundabouts as every biker does, so just be patient and relax.
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My current bikes are - YZF-R1 & GS 500 E

Trackday videos - https://www.youtube.com/user/bishbash13

[Jai466]

Thanks should I be slipping the clutch during the roundsabouts?

I would love to get my knee down but its a CBR125.

[Bishbash]

No, don't slip the clutch on the roundabout. That would not be a good idea. If you want to have fun on them its all about the revs, try to keep it around 7k rpm mark and practice. I read that in MCN one week.
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My current bikes are - YZF-R1 & GS 500 E

Trackday videos - https://www.youtube.com/user/bishbash13

[Jai466]

pratice puttin my knee down?

[D O G]

Ignore knee down, this is all about observation and matching your speed to the gears.

First of all, start observing the traffic approaching and on the roundabout as early as possible. Try to anticipate what is likely to be the situation when you arrive at the point of making the deceision to go or stop.

You should really be making this decision well before you get to the line, well before needing to do an emergency stop to stop at the line too.

As you slow down, go through the box, so that you are matching your speed with the gears. Unless I have an excellent veiw of the roundabout, and am therefore able to make a very early 'go' decision (and potentially use third gear) I would ensure I would be in second gear at the point of making the go or stop decision.

If you decide to go, then 2nd is fine when you are rolling at 10-20 mph. Only go into first if you are going to stop.

I know I've rambled a lot, but my two main points are:
1. Good observation allows you to make an early decision;
2. Go through the gears as you slow down, so you are normally in second gear at the point of making a go or stop decision.

Overall though, it's just practice and experience, it will come in time. Then you can think about kneedowns!

[t121anf]

personally i do sometimes feel its easier to slip the clutch in 2nd than to change down to 1st.

again as said its about matching revs, speed and observations.

take it easy this time of year and leave knee downs till when you are more confident..

the thing i hate most on roundabouts are manholes, poor obs really, and traffic lights that turn to red so you have to try and brake whilst not upright

[NexusDragon]

on above, if your in first gear whilst cornering sharply you may misjudge the throttle/clutch and the bike may become jerky or you'll head off course. I generally keep it in second and slip the clutch whilst going round, this also saves you having to change up quickly on the exit becuase your already in second.
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DAS Passed 19th April 08. 07' YBR125 > Yamaha FZ6 S2 '08 > 1998 YZF600R ThunderCat

[Syx]

Not sure why you were recommended against slipping the clutch - second gear and clutch slipping is much better than 1st and just throttle!

[Jai466]

Thanks top advice...

When riding should I know which gear I'm on... I know I'm still new but I'm wondeing if me counting would help.

Sorry I rather not get my knee down still i'm fully confident... I may have put the wrong message across. Sorry

Thanks

[SoND]

[Pie-Roe]

Slip clutch whilst leant over :S

Dear lord if I'm reading that right someone is going to highside shortly.

And KD on a cbr125 is very possible, I've seen it done by a friend of mine.

Pyro
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[cicatrez]

if you wana be smooth with your gear changes its all about matching your revs with the next gear you go up or down to.
naturally when your going up gears the revs are going to go down, and your taught to lift of the throttle, cos usually by the time you've changed up and let go of the clutch its around the revs it needs. but when going down gears the revs are going to be higher. so as you down change, up the revs on the throttle to match what the revs be at the speed your going.

EG. if your going at 30mph in (lets say) 3rd gear, and its at 3000rpm you slow down to 20, and it falls to 2000rpm, but at 20mph, in 2nd gear, the revs are going to be 2000rpm. You'll wana slow down to 20, of clutch, rev to 2000rpm and clutch in again. and it will be smooth.

[Tonka]

I hated roundabouts, U-turns and turning right at junctions when I first started out. Going left I was just fine, right was a nightmare!

I've been riding since June now, have covered about 2500 miles and all is now OK, albeit I still have to be careful with the mini roundabouts. I've put it down mainly to low speed control, which definitely improves with experience.

I guess you just need to keep practicing and be careful!
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'The core of a man's spirit comes from new experiences'
Suzuki SV650S (Clean); Yamaha XT250 Serow (Dirty)

[stirlinggaz]

[Syx]

[Barry_M2]

[Mr Hammers]

[Renton]

I have to ask a stupid question:

What is "slipping the clutch"? I probly do it without knowing but, and I've heard the term for years, just never known exactly what it means
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This is my motorcycle. There are many others like it, but this one is mine.
Without me, my motorcycle is useless. Without my motorcycle, I am useless.

[Mr Hammers]

[Jai466]

Thank you...

Excellent advice...


Also I'm going my bikesafe course at ace cafe hopefull that we help aswell.

[Renton]

[cicatrez]

^^^

And if your 21 or younger its free!
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'02 Honda City Fly

[Renton]