Issues with full bike test, need advice

[ButterflyChii]

Hi everyone,

I've been riding my CBR 125 on a CBT for a year and a half and have decided I want to upgrade to a larger motorcycle. I'm having issues getting used to a much larger bike. My training is on a restricted Suzuki Gladius 650 for the A2 licence. I find it much harder to corner and manoeuvre than my 125. Because of this I won't be booked in for my module 1 until I can turn the bike properly.

I try to lean more, but them I'm told I'm forcing the lean and should just look in the direction and let it go. This is getting upsetting for me as I hoped I'd be passed and done by now.

Is there any advice anyone could give me? It would be much appreciated.

Thanks

[-Matt-]

I'd say try and be more natural, it shouldn't ride much differently than the 125 once its going [coming to a stop and holding the wait at a stand-still is a big difference but you get used to that fast].

If anything a lot of people actually find bigger heavy bikes tend to be easier for corning as they sort of 'hold themselves' better than a little 125.

As your instructor said, try let the bike do the work, look where you want to go and ride it like you're on your 125 - but obviously without the need to wrench the throttle half as much to go anywhere

Don't let it put you off though, the more you sit dwelling and worrying about the issue the longer it will probably remain a problem for you.

[ButterflyChii]

Thank you for your response,

I guess I seize up a bit thinking the worst will happen! I might be trying a little too hard. I'll try not to worry about it, just want to get that test over and done with haha!

[Rogerborg]

I'd do exactly what you're being told. Don't think about it, and particularly don't even consider counter-steering. You'll get it, really you will.

One thing, quite seriously: are the tyres properly inflated on the Gladius? You're the one riding it, you should check that. Remember you were told that on your CBT?
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[ninja_butler]

At very slow speeds, use the clutch to prevent the bike from stalling, like when you're doing the dreaded U-turn you need to keep some bite on the clutch.

For normal speeds, something Ross Noble said (crap comedian, brilliant motorcyclist) helped me a lot, "if in doubt, flat out". Actually I think he got that from Colin McRae, but it's still good advice. If you are nervous on a motorcycle, think of the throttle as "the stabilizer" because in most situations giving the bike a little more power will smooth everything out. I bet when you are trying to go round corners your arms and back are rigid and you ease off the throttle as if in preparation to brake. Don't do that. Being able to stop in good time is important but once you are committed to a turn you've got to power through it. More power = good, less power = bad.

Approach the turn or bend at a speed you are confident with and then roll on the throttle and power your way through it all the way.

[Pigeon]

If you are not relaxed, it's possible your arms are much more rigid which might explain why turning the bike is an issue currently.

If you can't relax (which is tricky if something is annoying), then maybe try dropping your arm which is making the turn.
eg if turning right, drop your right shoulder.

But basically, relax and look where you want to go, keep your head up.

[retrobiker]

dont know if this is same problem but as a learner I found turning right I drift left, turning left I drift right,

much more dangerous on left bends I might add


don't seem to have the confidence in the bike yet, so I guess speed and confidence is a big thing which will come

[dydey90]

[pinkyfloyd]

Not really much more to add. But when you are doing slow control turning it is important to look where you want to go. For the U turn you do want to be looking up the way your bike will be facing and that means turning your head right around almost owl like. We do ours in the yard with the Spinnaker tower behind us as a back drop and we tell our students to focus on the tower for doing the turn. It makes it so much easier.

Also when doing slow control there is almost no lean so there is no need to lean the bike over more to get around a corner.
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[jaymos]

I struggled at first when I was doing slow moves, slowing down too much during turns is a sure way of dropping a foot. The best ever tip I was given was to look where you want the bike to go and it will follow. Helped me no end. Also try and keep the revs constant, if you feel you are going too fast gently use the rear brake, this seems to help balance also. Finally, RELAX. being tense and stiff on a bike is a no no.

[lynnnsr]

I struggled with the u-turn, I was told that what tends to happen is that people get about half way round, slow down, feel like they are losing control, and the reaction is to grip the handlebars tighter without realising, resulting in pulling the clutch in slightly, resulting in loss of drive, slowing down even more, loss of balance and foot down.

Easy to say, but what's needed at that point is to let the clutch out slightly and maybe some more revs to complete the turn.

I've got the theory, but actually doing it is not that easy I agree!

[reddeviljp]

Most people have answered your question but for one aspect: keep your revs and clutch constant, on the bite so to speak, but to slow you down give it a bit of back brake.

I was constantly wobbling until my instructor told me this: think of a spinning top, it's important to keep your revs up as that gives you stability, this keeps you up and don't be afraid to ride that clutch to manoeuvre.
A spinning top 'collapses' when the speed drops, it's the same principle with a bike and he was right. So long as I kept the revs up and the clutch not fully open I moved very well and when I thought I was going a bit took quick I applied a touch of back brake to slow me down.
I was riding a 600cc which I thought would be heavier but once I mastered the technique it was really straightforward.

Hope that helps you and good luck.
____________________
Bike: 1993 CB400 SuperFour - 1999 Yamaha FZS600 - DAS passed 7/11/13 - Working my way towards a Yamaha FZ1.

[kerr]

^^^^ This, i found when doing slalom, u turn etc never let the clutch disengage all the way, use your back brake, rightly or wrongly you can technically keep your foot on the rear brake pretty much the whole time and power through it, within reason.
Also try hugging the bike with your legs allowing you to ease your grip on the bars, the tighter you grip the bars the more unstable you will get, look where you want to go and trust the bike to go there.
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aprilia 125 Af1 Futura >> Suzuki gsxr 600 srad >> J1 zx6r >> cbr 600rr >> Speed Triple

[totalllama82]

Rear brake and clutch at the key to low speed stability. Keep your arms loose and knees around the tank and relax.
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Gone: Haotian HT125-8 / Yamaha YZF 600R Thundercat / Kawasaki ZX9R C2
Current: Kawasaki ZZR 1400 A7F

[joef]

[Nobby the Bastard]

On a small bike, if it feels like it's going to fall over, you put your foot down. That's fine, you can support it.

On a big bike, if you try that you will drop it. The trick is to open the throttle. It feels like the wrong thing to do, if you are losing control the last thing you want to normally do is add more gas.

But in slow maneouvers, it's the right thing to do. Try it once. You'll see. After a while you'll do it automatically.
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[reddeviljp]

Found this that demonstrates the U turn well
https://youtu.be/v-BDrAxjAFI
____________________
Bike: 1993 CB400 SuperFour - 1999 Yamaha FZS600 - DAS passed 7/11/13 - Working my way towards a Yamaha FZ1.