U Turns

madcyril · Renault 5 Driver Joined: 17 Jun 2004 Karma :

Doing my second DAS lesson today and my god those u turns were doing my head in . It was so hot and i got so frustrated , everytime i went to turn i didnt give it enough lock and would keep putting my feet down ( the high curbs were freaking me out ) . I had 3 good ones towards the end of the first hour so we went for a ride about , at the end of lesson we did a few more u turns , i got most of them right but still ended up putting my foot down on a few .

so to the dude who decided to put u turns in the test Middle Finger

The Tot · World Chat Champion Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Karma :

Did a few u-turns myslef during the gear conversion course and it was bloody hot, i was only on a measly 125, so i can only imagine how much more difficult it would be on a 500. Hope you pass anyway Thumbs Up

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stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Nah, it is easier on a 500 because you are a lot less likley to stall it, you can keep the revs a little lower and just let the engine pull you round. The wheels are also heavier so you are more stable.

If you can get the slow riding off-pat, the U-turn is fairly simple. My examiner made me do a slow ride when I did my test after a distinclty shakey U-turn, I had spent the whole of the previous night putting a new clutch in and it was a trifle snatchy!

Big dirt bikes are easiest by far, I can do a rediculously slow U-turn on my MZ whilst standing on the pegs.
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John · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Apr 2003 Karma :

Not sure how correct it is, but my advice on them is to the control the bikes speed using the clutch only, doesn't matter if the bike is stiting there revving away as long as you're only slipping the clutch slightly.

Make sure you're looking up and in the direction you want to go, the bike will follow you.

HTH.
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Gazanimal · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 01 Sep 2003 Karma :

I was told by my DAS teacher to slip the clutch but keep your throttle pinned at a set revs. Also, use your back brake to control your speed in the turn,applying more rear brake will help your turn quicker.

U-turns were the bain of my test,the lesson on the day before my test I stuffed them all up & nearly dropped the bike when I dumped the clutch. Karl my teacher called me a knobhead & told me to `not f*cking do that on my test,otherwise I'd have to pay him more money!`. Laughing

loply · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Karma :

I couldnt U-Turn for toffee on my CBT a few months ago, but I can pull em off at any speed I choose now, I find the trick is to sit back in the seat, relax, drop your inside shoulder and dont be afraid to turn the bars fully.

dodsi · Dirty Carny Joined: 06 Aug 2004 Karma :

trick is get the 3 way fighting going before the turn

get moving and slowing yourself with the back brake... slipping the clutch

do a lifesaver

and make the turn keeping the 3 way fighting going (throttle clutch brake)

AcIdBuRnZ · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Jul 2003 Karma :

Androo · Derestricted Danger Joined: 10 Jul 2004 Karma :

Rory · Traffic Copper Joined: 14 May 2004 Karma :

I'm still trying to master U turns on the CBR400. The rear is jacked up from a suspension mod, which is great, but makes it trickier to U turn. Or maybe I'm just out of practice Wink

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izzi81 · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 24 Apr 2004 Karma :

Trunecka · Renault 5 Driver Joined: 02 Jul 2004 Karma :

Hope no-one's said it already, but don't be afraid of leaning as well as turning the bars.

Don't pull the clutch in, but keep slipping it; so long as you've still got some drive then you're very unlikely to fall on the inside. It's the thought of falling this way which makes you put your foot out.
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Frost · World Chat Champion Joined: 26 May 2004 Karma :

Clutch should be static, throttle should be static, all the work should be done with the rear brake.
The engine should have a constant noise and the clutch should be let out to the point at which when not braking you gradually pick up speed, getting ato about 5mph after 10 meters or so.
Using only the rear brakes helps you to turn the bike tighter and makes you corner smoothly, rather than 50p'ing it round

map · Mr Calendar Joined: 14 Jun 2004 Karma :

I remember when I was practicing I didn't get it until the morning of the test. I didn't want to put my foot down so I just made sure all my weight was on the pegs. Helped me anyhow Very Happy

HTH

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