Bike test: U turn

[Knowlsey]

Its all in the nerves and its not an easy one for a beginner, always look to where you want to go, if you are going into the bend look into the bend, then look to the finish, keep the head up and don't be tempted to look down, concentrate on the finish, looking down or away from the intended finish will put you off balance, do not try to turn to sharp into the bend, a good control on the slow ride with clutch and rear brake will get you through it, practise the slow ride technique in a straight line a few times then just start to turn in a wide space, i bet you can do it in a wide space no problems, but still do the turn as if you were in a lane, but the difference will be there is no curb to look at.(when i mean wide space, i mean a car park or something, but not doing the u turn the size of the car park though, just keep it to about the width of a road

About 40% rear brake, if you feel you are going to fast, apply a little more, just get the clutch to bite engagement, use just under quarter throttle, the revs should be around 2.5 to 3 thousand thereabouts

If you put your foot down, its classed as a control fault, then at the descretion of the examiner you can ask him if you can have another go, a lot of examiners do, if the rest of the test has proved ok, do not be frightened to ask, if he askd why, just say that you think you have done ok up to now, and think you have proved that you are capable of controlling a bike, and it is just nerves of the test. If he says no, keep concentrated for the rest of the test though.

Most people fail the test due to nerves, they call it a silly mistake, but its nerves anyway

[Cillit-BANG]

Shifting your weight over the left of the bike can help a lot too. Just nudge your arse a few inches to the left.

Keep the revs on to keep the crank spinning, which actually helps keep you upright. Ideally you want to be using the back brake to control your speed. Using the clutch can be more difficult because to slow down you will naturally dip the clutch, which will stop any drive and make life difficult getting the drive back in smoothly.

I always found that body posture helped the most. Keep your back straight, keep slightly to the left of seat, keep you head up at all times, and focus as far round as you can look.

For what it is worth, I won the U-turn competetion in last months 'Ride' magazine

[owdamer]

I could turn my old cbr600 round on a sixpence easily, but my yzf750, no way, you need about 3 lanes to get that round, its got bugger all lock. makes it a right pain to turn in my yard, I usually just grab the front brake, give it some gas & spin the back to turn it. not good for tyre wear tho.

[beefy]

reading peoples responses i see each have there own way and opposites to wat others tell u, best thing stress free dont listen to any of em and just ave a go.

[the-real-Miss-D]

A little u-turn hint I was told for my test was to go forward a few yards to get a bit of speed up first before starting the turn. A u-turn from a standing start is bound to make one wobble. However it is a test of control at slow speed (any idiot can go fast ), so you will be failed for putting your foot down. As with anything, it takes practice, preferably on the bike you're being tested on.

And don't think you'll never need to use it, I now u-turn almost daily to get my bike in the right position to get it through my front gate...

Miss
(licence 13 years...)
____________________
I refuse to have a battle of wits with an unarmed man

[Chriss]

Is doing a rolling burnout/half-donut allowed for a U turn?
____________________
TheShaggyDA: I've got 3 or 4 pairs that predate my wife, so at least 11.5 years old.

[darrenh]

best way to do a u-turn is to compose yourself make sure your ready get your confidence up ignore the test instructor look to your right /left wer ever your turning focus on a spot you want to head for move off get your balance speed right keep the revs up well you need good clutch control anyways keep off your rear break unless you really need it and go for it

i was once told that if you can do a u-turn on a motorcycle you shouldnt be allowed to ride one lol

i did my test with a older women and every lesson we had before the test she came off the bike doing u-turns, clutch control was bad balance was bad and when she was picking up a little speed on the u-turn she pressed the rear break to hard and ended up topping over.....

if you put your foot slightly down when doing the turn you still can pass if you stamp your foot down you will fail mind you most instructors will fail you if you slightly put your foot on the ground

[DEN MONKEY]

Passed my test but a week ago on the gpx and was shit at u-turns.
Had a couple of nights practice but figured Id be right on the day. During some practice runs the instructor told me to push my left knee forwards along the tank for added balance. Well bugger me if it didnt work. Was such a simple thing, pretty much like shifting ya arse. Thats for a right hand u-turn of course.
Give it a shot.
Again as everyone has said look where you wanna go and you will be sweet. Not sure if its the same as here but you can choose the gear you wish to do it in, so if a bit of speed helps you feel like you're in control maybe try 2nd.
You never know what just might work for you.
So take all this advice and get ya arse out there and try it all.

good luck

[ISLAND GIRL]

Um, some good helpful hints here, especially think the shifting my arse over to the left a little may help maintain the balance, next time I am out practising them I will give it a shot, cheers all