Slow ride - Mod 1

[markk21]

I've been practicing slow riding on my 125 to try and improve my balance. It got me wondering about what is the speed you would ride at during the slow ride part of mod 1? I can ride okay at 7mph but anything lower and I start to lose control.

Cheers
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CBT: July 2014
1st Bike: 2014 Keeway RKV 125
Dream Bikes : Yamaha MT-07 - Yamaha R6 - BMW S1000R

[Nexus Icon]

I don't know if this still happens but the instructor used to walk alongside the bike. Given walking pace is around 3mph, I'd say you still have some work to do.
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Greetings from Shitsville!

[RE8ELD0G]

keep revs high and work the rear brake and clutch, the revving engine adds a gyroscopic effect and really helps keep the bike upright and in a straight line.
I was doing around 5-6mph (digital speedo) on my mod 1 and passed no worries.
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Its a fine line between an cuddle.......
And holding her down so she cant get away..!!!
Honda Varadero XL 125

[Yorkshire Geek]

I did 6 according to the speedo and got told "I'm not jogging for you" so dropped it back a bit, 7 is probably pushing it. More revs, slip clutch, drag back brake.

[markk21]

Thanks. I'll go and try it out today
____________________
CBT: July 2014
1st Bike: 2014 Keeway RKV 125
Dream Bikes : Yamaha MT-07 - Yamaha R6 - BMW S1000R

[ScaredyCat]

Look further ahead of you and don't tense up. Use your knees to grip the tank don't grip the bars with the grip of death.
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Honda CBF125 ➝ NC700X
Honda CBF125 ↳ Speed Triple

[zark]

Don't bother practicing on a 125... The slow ride is a million times easier on your test bike...

I just practiced my slow ride from the car park to the mod 1 pad (took ages to get to the gate!) And again from the gate to the manual handling area. Just helps to get your eye in, but 7 on a 125, you'll be fine on a big one
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CBT - Oct 13. Theory - July 14. Mod 1 & 2 - June 15.
Rides a Fazer like an idiot... Edit: Now ride a Fazer Thou...

[pig hog]

As most other posts, keep the engine busy with throttle and clutch control; control your speed with the rear brake, this also keeps you more planted and much more stable. Raise your vision and look well ahead for balance, not at the tarmac in front of you. On my bike, at least, you should be able to crawl along with the speedo showing 0 with both feet up.

Same technique can apply for the slalom, figure of eight and U-turn, too.

I disagree with not bothering to practice on a 125—if you can do it well on a little bike, then it'll be even easier on a big bike.

EDIT: and relax! Light grip on the bars and loose elbows makes it much easier that being tensed up, holding on with a death grip.
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A2 Licence: 18/10/2013
A Licence: 01/12/2015
'13 Yamaha XJ6N '15 Daytona 675R / '16 MT-07 dead / '17 MT-07 / '18 MT-10

[markk21]

Tried it today using your advice and it was much better. Managed to get down to 3-4mph and I was steady. Thanks

Also, what would you say the rough distance between start point and finish point is for the u turn in mod 1?

Thanks
____________________
CBT: July 2014
1st Bike: 2014 Keeway RKV 125
Dream Bikes : Yamaha MT-07 - Yamaha R6 - BMW S1000R

[ScaredyCat]

[NJD]

The best training for the slow ride part is to play the game of "lets not put your foot down" for an entire ride, helps with forward planning and teaches you balance and good control of the bike, outside of that the only practice I had was going from the path to the nearest drop kerb in a straight line, really, it's not that hard

Examiner watches you as you go from a complete stand still for a short distance into or just before four cones ready for the u-turn.

I found it easier on the GS 500 over my Arrow as I included the rear disc brake (on the GS) and was laughing at how much control I had, the bike was doing all the work for me.

[talkToTheHat]

Don't start the u-turn super-close to the left hand line, if you are confident, your countersteer motion will take you briefly over the line. If you are hesitant you risk running wide at the other side. Treat it like a regular kerb. Room to put your foot down.

I found that turning slightly towards the kerb and then turning hard right worked better for me as the bike passed the left line already turning tightly. However I was riding a GZ that had the turning circle of a barge.
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Bandit. does. everything.

[Rogerborg]

[Kaneda80]

sounds like you have it down now, but when i was learning i was afraid to rev high (feels so different from a car) but it really helps to keep the revs up and just control the speed with the clutch and back brake.
Easier said than done i know there's a lot to think about, especially on a 125 they just aren't as smooth, but if you can do it on a 125 you can do it on a bigger bike.
good luck with your mod 1!
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I like turtles

[HughiusMaximu...]

Key for the u turn is to look over your right shoulder as you drop in to the turn.

Its the old story of the bike goes where you look, so a nice tight turn will follow...

[markk21]

Thanks for the tips. I'm okay with the u turn most of the time. I realised what I was doing wrong a few weeks ago. I basically just went full lock just before half way in the u turn. It feels like the bike will fall but it hasn't yet. This might be not what you're supposed to do but it's worked every time for me on the 125
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CBT: July 2014
1st Bike: 2014 Keeway RKV 125
Dream Bikes : Yamaha MT-07 - Yamaha R6 - BMW S1000R