Slow riding ..

[johnte]

Any advice on slow riding please ?
I'm thinking about the mod 1 walking pace section. I don't do too badly with the u turn, figure of 8 etc, but can't get away with the straight line slow ride. I get the bike to the correct speed then just wobble about
Just can't seem to balance. I'm on the industrial estate practising most evenings - but don't seem to be improving...

[stinkwheel]

Slip the clutch lots, keep the revs high. Use the back brake, not the throttle to control your speed.

So when you move off, you start moving because you eased off on the back brake. The engine should have already been pulling against it. Resist the temptation to let the clutch out or give it more throttle, just let it carry on pulling against a lightly applied rear brake. If you start slowing down, let the brake off more, if you're speeding up, apply it harder.

Keep your head up and looking in the direction you're heading. Pick a target and ride towards it. Don't look at the ground in front of the front wheel, that's not where you're going, it's where you are now. Don't look at the clutch and throttle, they're in the same place they were last time you looked.

Once you've mastered this, all the slow speed manouvers are easy. You are not doing the figure of 8 and u-turn properly if you can't do a slow ride.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[NJD]

What bike do you have and how long have you been riding?

[johnte]

[johnte]

[NJD]

[johnte]

[NJD]

[Taught2BCauti...]

I find my Varadero a bit top-heavy, so altering the rear suspension pre-load to the lowest setting might help - then plenty of revs, slip the clutch, rear brake to control speed, and keep off the front brake.

Even if you never get it right on the Varadero, you will find a 600cc machine way easier for the slow stuff.
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Honda Varadero XL125(V8)
www.TheFutureIsHere.eu

[johnte]

Thanks, maybe I should just go for it then.

I was just trying to practice a few basic skills first - didn't want to look completely useless when turning up for the course

Theory test this week, so we'll see how that goes first...

[Rogerborg]

You can ride slowly in a straight line - I expect that you do it all the time on the road without any drama.

Same as with the u-turn, don't try and crawl away super slowly. It's not a trials bike exercise. Get a good confident start, then lose a little speed, look where you're going and you'll be done and passed before you know it.
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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

[Seventiesboy]

Pick a point in the distance and look at it

[FuzzyBallz]

I find looking as far as I can helps, if you're not in a too built up area, look at the line of the horizon.

How fast are you going on your slow ride, you may be trying to go too slow?

If I remember rightly I was told to do around 7mph

I guarantee the instructor will not think of you as "completely useless" if you can't do something, after all, that's why he is training you in the first place

[johnte]

[CaNsA]

[Val]

[Nobby the Bastard]

Slow riding?

Avoid doing it. You will get hot.
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trevor saxe-coburg-gotha:"Remember this simple rule - scooters are for men who like to feel the breeze on their huge, flapping cunt lips."
Triumph Sprint ST 1050

[talkToTheHat]

Don't look down
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Bandit. does. everything.