Hey, I'm gonna let everyone know I'm one of them foot draggers thru slow speed turns and coming to a stop. Now that I've admitted it, how about some tips on how not to be?

 

http://www.ridelikeapro.com/

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Take a rider's course...be it thru the MSF or Rider's Edge at your dealer. Also, the "Ride Like a Pro" series is pretty good too.

Be VERY Careful with putting your foot down while in a corner. There is a saddlebag/crash guard right behind your leg. We have had guys get their ankles snapped in training when their foot was on the ground, and the saddlebag rolled over the ankle from behind.

 

Rear brake, clutch control, feet on the boards, practice.

 

I'll second that. The longer you ride the easier it gets. PRACTICE.

 

I will third that. Above all keep your hand off of that front brake.

 

all of the above.

 

Never coast in a slow turn. Always with a little rear brake and always with clutch friction (RPM's are up a little, clutch is slightly engaged, enough rear brake to drag the bike a little). In the middle of the turn you may feel the tendency to put a foot down. Right now, that's because you were coasting and you lost speed. Don't coast.Should have been a little on the rear brake and with clutch friction, meaning the rear wheel has some power applied. Right before you got the tendency to put a foot down is when you should have let OUT the clutch a little and got some more power to the rear wheel. When you're properly in the clutch friction zone, you should always be able to get some power to the rear wheel instantly if you need it.Never, ever touch the front brake. Doing so will put the bike down instantly. Just grip the throttle with all your fingers and forget the brake lever is there. Ride Like a Pro and practice.

I rest my left boot toe on the shifter and my right boot toe on the brake. That's comfortable for me.

Here's an analogy for you: imagine you're balancing a broomstick vertically on your hand. You move your hand back and forth to balance the center of gravity ofthe stick. That's what you do with throttle, clutch, rear brake and handlebars in slow-speed maneuvers. The clutch friction zone allows you to continuously make rear wheel power adjustments, but in order for it to be effective you need some engine RPM. The rear brake adds stability and keeps your speed down as you modulate the clutch. When you can work the friction zone properly, you'll feel that you can do it as freely as balacing a broomstick.

There's no greater satisfaction to me when riding than slow-speed maneuvers. That's where I prove to myself how much control I have over my motorcycle. Make sure you have saddle bag guards. You'll drop it. I dropped my '07twice so far. No damage with guards.

One other important technique is to look where you want the bike to go. The opposite of this is, in a u-turn, to look at the opposite curb. There's no possible way to make a u-turn if you're looking at where you don't want the bike to go. If you're experienced enough to make the turn, then know that going in, and look where you want to go. There's no point looking at a curb that isn't a risk to you anyway if you properly execute the turn.

 

That is a great explanation guys.

 

Allen.m. You have my utmost respect. I aspire to be able to ride like you!!