hey i have a question, when you are turning as that speed, are you counter pressuring the handle bar? or are you actually turning? its really hard to tell from the video since it will always look like you are turning the steering instead of counter steering...
@yusoweird To lean, you need to counter steer. After the bike leans, you have to steer it using your body to counter weight. This applies only in low speed, but not in high speed.
You also need to make a "dip" on the other direction before you actually start the counter steer. Hope this is clear.
I just got in from practicing 20' fig 8's on my Harley Road King. These heavy machines are a handfull at walking speeds. I'm trying to get down to 18' but I need alot more practice learning how to lean all the way over while at full lock. It was fun watching someone else working on the same stuff, thanx for posting this vid.
what is the actual figire eight they make you do on the road test? is it what you did at the beginning where you made circles to form one side of the 8 then twist to form the other part of the eight or was it forming the eight itself right away towards the end of the video?
good job... but if i may suggest... get yourself the "ride like a pro 5" DVD from jerry "motorman" palladino (clips are available right here on youtube) and learn his techniques. with a little practice, you'll be able to swing that K12 around a U turn inside 16 feet, easy.
Can I suggest you get a BMW K1200RS and try it for yourself, at walking speed? I'm not perfect and still learning. However, I did pass the advanced motorcycle course from California Highway Patrol. This maneuver (19-feet wide) with a K12 is not as easy as you may think. I've never seen anyother one do it on the K12.
I am (currently) unable to ride any heavy bike at slow turn speed. You misunderstood my post.
My point is that if anybody (including Valentino Rossi) cannot perform extremely slow motorcycle manuevers such as done by Asian Police officers...you are not really riding motorcycles.
One thing I'd like to say is riding slow is different than riding fast. Totally 2 different skill sets. I have my respect to those who excel in high speed, as well as those who do well in low speed.
@340PD While what you say is partially true, maneuvering bikes varies from bike to bike. For example, Ninja 250's can do small, tight, centric circles all day long, same with other small bikes like Suzuki Maurauder 250's (both used as MSF bikes). Take my R1 for example, though, big bike, very limited fork turn angle, can't do it nearly as tight with the same amount of skill. Personally, I try to make up for that by practicing in a parking lot once a week my slow speed maneuvering.
You CAN maneuver a sport bike, that ZX-14 is the largest sportbike, and the most difficult to maneuver at slow speeds, IMO, though it takes immense amount of skill. I can't personally comment on an R1200, but I think the guy is doing quite a fine job for what you need out of daily maneuvering.
@MrSlowestD16 Always love this video. One other point worth noting re this tight turning is: you need to lose the fear of dropping your bike. This has always been a mental issue with me. I ride a Ducati Multistrada and I can't let go of the fear of dropping it. That alone will add a lot of time to your mastering turning as shown here.
@340PD Oh, def., and you can help alleviate that fear by putting on a crash/stunt cage, so you do 0 damage when you do put it down. Though I'm not looking to gymkhana my R1, lol. For me, simply leaning into it a bit and giving it some throttle while dragging the rear brake seems to work pretty decently for the u-turns I need to pull. Nowhere near the lean of those guys, but it does the trick when I need it (typically, lol). I simply practice so I don't get rusty, not necessarily to improve.
@hppeng Yea, the steering damper makes it hard to wrestle at slower speeds. But those dampers makes it rock solid at 150+ mph speeds. But of course we all go triple digits on US highways. lol :)
Hey mate, watched your fig 8's there and see the times the bike went low and you corrected it, I think you should let it go low and tighten your circle, its scary cause you think its going to drop but if its a sticky surface it will hold, try just doing circles getting lower and tighter and you find its point, good luck & ride safe
You look pretty good, I had to use my 03' K12GT for my test, and touring bikes have loooong wheelbases, there were other guys on 250cc mopeds! I aced it , all but the last cone in the slalom, even if I walked it through, it cant clear the cones. Took her across the country, Carolinas and Wyoming, Tail of the Dragon, Chief Joseph Hwy, Beartooth, And I even took my bike to trailer week in Sturgis once :) Ill never part with it!
Nice work! With my '97 K1200RS, it's not exactly easy to maneuver in slow moving traffic because of its weight. I can have both feet on the ground (just) and I'm 5'9". Are you about the same height?
Try to do it with full lock.
And set angle of the bike with gas and break :)
And set lowest rpm higher
It will be tighter.
Sylwekspr 2 months ago
When you turn your bike in the U turn Are you all the way to the stop when you steer right or left. TIA
ralpar777 8 months ago
hey i have a question, when you are turning as that speed, are you counter pressuring the handle bar? or are you actually turning? its really hard to tell from the video since it will always look like you are turning the steering instead of counter steering...
yusoweird 11 months ago
@yusoweird To lean, you need to counter steer. After the bike leans, you have to steer it using your body to counter weight. This applies only in low speed, but not in high speed.
You also need to make a "dip" on the other direction before you actually start the counter steer. Hope this is clear.
hppeng 11 months ago
I just got in from practicing 20' fig 8's on my Harley Road King. These heavy machines are a handfull at walking speeds. I'm trying to get down to 18' but I need alot more practice learning how to lean all the way over while at full lock. It was fun watching someone else working on the same stuff, thanx for posting this vid.
gnrands50 1 year ago
Most road test don't require a figure 8, just circles, zig-zag through 5 cones, acceleration through 3 gears and braking.
viggoM35 1 year ago
Respect. I've had one of these for 10 years and do a lot of low speed inner city maneuvering. I couldn't do what you're doing here. Nicely done.
bozotro 1 year ago
Theres no substitute for practice, nice one mate, keep it up :¬)
2wheelsteve 2 years ago
what is the actual figire eight they make you do on the road test? is it what you did at the beginning where you made circles to form one side of the 8 then twist to form the other part of the eight or was it forming the eight itself right away towards the end of the video?
WorldTravelerMan 2 years ago
good job... but if i may suggest... get yourself the "ride like a pro 5" DVD from jerry "motorman" palladino (clips are available right here on youtube) and learn his techniques. with a little practice, you'll be able to swing that K12 around a U turn inside 16 feet, easy.
myrryxmas 2 years ago
great job!! you have great balance and throttle clutch control!
HAIONSTRESS 2 years ago
I believe that if you cannot ride a bike, exactly as shown in this vid....you really cannot ride the motorcycle, at all.
What good is it being able to ride the bike at breakneck speed and still not being able to turn the bike on a dime at walking speed?
No good! You cannot ride the bike!
Dan
340PD 2 years ago
Dan,
Can I suggest you get a BMW K1200RS and try it for yourself, at walking speed? I'm not perfect and still learning. However, I did pass the advanced motorcycle course from California Highway Patrol. This maneuver (19-feet wide) with a K12 is not as easy as you may think. I've never seen anyother one do it on the K12.
Riding other bikes is a lot easier..
hppeng 2 years ago
hppeng:
I am (currently) unable to ride any heavy bike at slow turn speed. You misunderstood my post.
My point is that if anybody (including Valentino Rossi) cannot perform extremely slow motorcycle manuevers such as done by Asian Police officers...you are not really riding motorcycles.
Dan
340PD 2 years ago
Dan,
Got it! :>
One thing I'd like to say is riding slow is different than riding fast. Totally 2 different skill sets. I have my respect to those who excel in high speed, as well as those who do well in low speed.
hppeng 2 years ago
Almost anybody can ride a bike at high speed. After awhile you can even ride the twisties at speed. You can scrape the pegs on the turns.
You can also slam the brakes at high speeds and come to a nice straight line stop.
Learning to ride a bike at slow speeds is something else again. Check out Asain Police riding competition.
That is riding motorcycles.
Dan
340PD 2 years ago
@340PD While what you say is partially true, maneuvering bikes varies from bike to bike. For example, Ninja 250's can do small, tight, centric circles all day long, same with other small bikes like Suzuki Maurauder 250's (both used as MSF bikes). Take my R1 for example, though, big bike, very limited fork turn angle, can't do it nearly as tight with the same amount of skill. Personally, I try to make up for that by practicing in a parking lot once a week my slow speed maneuvering.
MrSlowestD16 3 months ago
Though as shown in the gymkhana video below:
watch?v=h4ZdwUoyb90
You CAN maneuver a sport bike, that ZX-14 is the largest sportbike, and the most difficult to maneuver at slow speeds, IMO, though it takes immense amount of skill. I can't personally comment on an R1200, but I think the guy is doing quite a fine job for what you need out of daily maneuvering.
MrSlowestD16 3 months ago
@MrSlowestD16 Always love this video. One other point worth noting re this tight turning is: you need to lose the fear of dropping your bike. This has always been a mental issue with me. I ride a Ducati Multistrada and I can't let go of the fear of dropping it. That alone will add a lot of time to your mastering turning as shown here.
Dan
340PD 3 months ago
@340PD Oh, def., and you can help alleviate that fear by putting on a crash/stunt cage, so you do 0 damage when you do put it down. Though I'm not looking to gymkhana my R1, lol. For me, simply leaning into it a bit and giving it some throttle while dragging the rear brake seems to work pretty decently for the u-turns I need to pull. Nowhere near the lean of those guys, but it does the trick when I need it (typically, lol). I simply practice so I don't get rusty, not necessarily to improve.
MrSlowestD16 3 months ago
@hppeng Yea, the steering damper makes it hard to wrestle at slower speeds. But those dampers makes it rock solid at 150+ mph speeds. But of course we all go triple digits on US highways. lol :)
viggoM35 1 year ago
Hey mate, watched your fig 8's there and see the times the bike went low and you corrected it, I think you should let it go low and tighten your circle, its scary cause you think its going to drop but if its a sticky surface it will hold, try just doing circles getting lower and tighter and you find its point, good luck & ride safe
bikedemon99 2 years ago
You look pretty good, I had to use my 03' K12GT for my test, and touring bikes have loooong wheelbases, there were other guys on 250cc mopeds! I aced it , all but the last cone in the slalom, even if I walked it through, it cant clear the cones. Took her across the country, Carolinas and Wyoming, Tail of the Dragon, Chief Joseph Hwy, Beartooth, And I even took my bike to trailer week in Sturgis once :) Ill never part with it!
waylifetruth 2 years ago
Great job, good practice
flametopguitars 3 years ago
Dang must of been very windy that day...
MRSketch09 3 years ago
looks like he almost droped it a couple ov times
matt46vale 3 years ago
Very nice demo of doing tight turns that I needed to see. Thanks for the video.
PogoTuber 3 years ago
Nice work! With my '97 K1200RS, it's not exactly easy to maneuver in slow moving traffic because of its weight. I can have both feet on the ground (just) and I'm 5'9". Are you about the same height?
blackcomb8309 3 years ago
I'm shorter than you (5'7''). I have to tip toe.
I dumped my K12 many times to get the maneuver done.... A price paid....
hppeng 3 years ago
I suppose practice makes perfect. You didn't crack the fairing by any chance? Love the integrated design but it's expensive to replace.
blackcomb8309 3 years ago
Some scratches as well as a crack of half inch long. Need a paint job and a fix late summer.
hppeng 3 years ago