Ride like a pro
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 108
Likes: 4
From: Palmer, MA
Panic is not your friend. Why do you panic? You have to ask yourself that and decide if a motorcycle is the right thing for you. Fear of dropping the bike should not be a factor. Hope you learn to get past your panic and learn to do the maneuvers that will make you a better rider.
well said
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Pennsylvania
I attended the 1/2 day class today to see if taking the class in person would be more beneficial than watching the videos and trying to mimick the techniques.
Unfortunately it wasn't. I was unable to re create the smooth effortless moves that allow a u turn in a 24 foot box. They say practice makes perfect but I need a lot more practice.
Unfortunately it wasn't. I was unable to re create the smooth effortless moves that allow a u turn in a 24 foot box. They say practice makes perfect but I need a lot more practice.
I'm a brand new rider, first bike earlier this year. Took the MSF safety course, which was good, but for me the real breakthrough was the RLAP DVD. My skills are HUGELY improved as a result of doing those exercises in a local parking lot. Went on my first group ride last weekend, and can immediately tell my riding skill actually exceeds quite a few of the other riders.
At this point I can easily do U turns to the right or left in 18 feet. My gremlin bell, which hangs from my right side brake axle, has got SERIOUS road rash, it's eating pavement all the time, and I frequently scrape floorboards.
I'm not bragging, I know I still have lots to learn, my point is that that DVD, and practicing those exercises, WORKS. I *think* in the RLAP course you end up doing all those exercises in just 1, maybe 2, days. That would have definitely been too fast for me, sounds like you just need to repeat the exercises, in order, at a much slower pace. That's what I have done, and I bet if you do the same, you'll get it.
- Friction zone, and being able to maintain it while moving handlebars full right or full left
- drag the rear brake
- when the bike starts to feel tippy in the turn, let the clutch out ever so slightly and let the engine pull harder on the rear wheel. That will actually keep you from tipping down. Pull the cluth in (my natural reaction that I'm slowly getting rid of) and the bike will tip even worse.
- HEAD AND EYES LOOKING WHERE YOU WANT TO GO. This is more important than it sounds. When I forget and don't do this, it is completely obvious. When starting that U turn, get your head all the way back over your shoulder, look back down the road from where you came, don't cheat and peek at the cones or the box you're trying to turn in, LOOK BACK HARD and the bike will go there.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 3,373
Likes: 4
This stuff comes with practice, practice and more practice, I've been working on it little by little and surprised the poo out of myself the other day. I saw the perfect parking spot and pulled a full lock u-turn right into it.
Don't get frustrated, just work on it when you have time, and in time, you'll be there.
Don't get frustrated, just work on it when you have time, and in time, you'll be there.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,666
Likes: 3
From: Styxville
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,530
Likes: 607
From: Raleigh NC
This stuff comes with practice, practice and more practice, I've been working on it little by little and surprised the poo out of myself the other day. I saw the perfect parking spot and pulled a full lock u-turn right into it.
Don't get frustrated, just work on it when you have time, and in time, you'll be there.
Don't get frustrated, just work on it when you have time, and in time, you'll be there.
Practice..... don't jump to the 18 ft u-turn.... or even the 24 ft. Start easy, build YOUR confidence, and your skills.
Our greatest enemy is often our own fears.... real, or imagined.
The more YOU work at improving your skils....the more thay will improve. Talk to the instructor. Many such classes, will allow a previous student to "audit" classes when they have open spots. Some classes will waive the fee for returning students, others will discount the fee. All you have to do is ask
Club Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,760
Likes: 47
From: N. Texas
We are lucky outside of the local HOG group some guys set up cones every Wednesday night. We have a couple qualified to coach those that want an outside opinion. It's funny to see some come to watch and some come to get better. There are a varity of skills to practice. Our U-turn box is 20 ft with a 17 foot next to it. It's a good time had by all.
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Joe Kucinski
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,515
Likes: 446
From: South Florida
Back when I had my RKC, I got the RLAP DVD. AT first, I was like, this is great. I learned how to do the tight u-turns, ride the clutch, and use the rear brake, to get that satisfying grinding of the engine guards and floorboards. It got to the point that I couldn't seem to make a turn without doing that. It was so much fun.
Of course, it also does a number on your clutch, rear brake pads, and anything metal that happens to be hanging off the bike. Not really a good thing when you think about it. They say that ignorance is bliss.
But by far the biggest issue I had with it was not slow riding, but faster. Once you master those skills, you have a tendency to take turns much sharper than you normally would. At speed, levering the bike in a corner is not a good thing. Makes lots of sparks, scares the women, and you come out at a really bad angle with the rear tire smoking. Don't ask me how I know. Just a heads up. Once were once vices could become habits.
Of course, it also does a number on your clutch, rear brake pads, and anything metal that happens to be hanging off the bike. Not really a good thing when you think about it. They say that ignorance is bliss.
But by far the biggest issue I had with it was not slow riding, but faster. Once you master those skills, you have a tendency to take turns much sharper than you normally would. At speed, levering the bike in a corner is not a good thing. Makes lots of sparks, scares the women, and you come out at a really bad angle with the rear tire smoking. Don't ask me how I know. Just a heads up. Once were once vices could become habits.