I took the rider endorsement class at a local Harley dealer. Slow speed maneuvers is a big part of it, and I continue to practice several times a week. I'm a new rider, but I don't have issues in a parking lot because of that class. It was great for general riding, too.

Most of the comments above echo what was said in class. Keep your head up, look where you want to go (never look down), counterbalance your weight while turning, learn good clutch/friction zone control, and maintain enough speed to stay upright in the turn. Start off doing U-turns in the width of three parking spaces and as you get a feel for it, get it down to 2 or less. Practice in both directions. Also, practice going as slow as possible in a straight line. Keeping your knees against the tank helps a lot. Also practice weaving around the end of the parking lines (about 8' apart). It takes PRACTICE.

 

I took the intermediate MSF course on my Ultra, never dropped the bike during the course...don't ask about IRL. Good class, lots of slow and tight maneuvers, might see if one is near you. I will be looking for an advanced class soon.

 

look up mrhridertraining.com in houston texas they offer a few courses at the harley dealer over in Houston Texas on highway 290 west. I think the dealer is Mancuso. I took the Total control intermediate course and it was great! lots of slow speed drills. I really enjoyed the course and learned a lot and made me more comfortable riding my bike. I would definately look into it.

 

I agree, I have spoken with cops who ride and they say emergency braking, and obstacle training is very important. They even do high speed cornering. I wish I could get that training.

 

I would love to see some videos of everyone in this post doing some slow speed turns in parking spaces and showing how their viewpoint works instead of just talking about it. That would be kool!! Share and show those skills and help others I say.

 

I’m at a rodeo right now. I’ll post a video tonight.

 

Found these earlier today and ordered them. Here is the link. I read everything on the site they have and seems like they know their stuff and the videos were kool. If they work like the videos I will be extremely happy.

https://motorcycleguards.com

 

This is from today. I’m in the white shirt on the electraglide.

https://www.hdforums.com/forum/harle...deo-today.html

 

If you really are interested, browse the MSF curriculum. They offer various advanced riders courses. These take place in very large lots. 'Advanced' is just the word for the course and you just need some riding experience basically. You won't be working at highway speeds obviously, but you work various drills and exercises at speeds you will encounter in daily riding--25-45 MPH. About half the day class is such drills, The other has is low-speed maneuvering tactics etc and riding strategies. Every time I have taken it, they cover something new and it isn't entirely repetitive. And every time I take it, I realize how much I still have to learn. Also take any other training you can but realize low speed handling is but just one component of riding. Don't get stuck on one style of drill or take a course and think you are now a 'pro'. Probably the worse mindset to get into when it comes to safety IMO.

I also will note that full-lock turns on a dime and such as you see in the promo videos are very perishable skills. If you don't practice them frequently, you will not be able to do perform them adequately in a year or two when you try them again. Been there done that. What they don't tell you in such courses is that you need to routinely practice such exercises to stay fresh or you will be back where you started--unsteady and unsure doing these drills. Unlike riding a bicycle, such things are not permanently ingrained in your muscle memory. You will lose it pretty quickly if not practiced often.

 

Couldn't agree more. It's the best $20 I've ever spent on my bike. It takes a little getting used to an 800# motorcycle. Someone here on this forum said it best after they purchased their new Road King.........."it was a real $hit show at first." That was me. But I spent about 20 minutes practicing the techniques Motorman teaches before every ride and it wasn't before too long that I really began to ride the Road King really well...........confidence went way up (I just need to make sure my confidence doesn't go too high.......complacency kills). I enjoy my rides so much more now. Gawd I love this motorcycle.

I still take about 10-15 minutes before each ride just to practice a little bit. I live on a Cul-de-sac on a private road so it makes it easy.