Having a hard time making a U-turn?

Motorman explains how to make a proper U-turn with a little comedy thrown in.

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[TheStarlionblue]

Hi Motorman.

Making figure-8s is a requirement for a Hong Kong motorcycle license. Harder than MSF because the box is on a slope (about 20 deg) and you have to start on the incline. The edges are not cones but tire barriers. Putting a foot down means failing the entire test.

The school bikes are little 150cc. No need to ride the clutch at all. I'm now on a 1000cc sportbike. Your video and commentary really helped me refine my u-turns and gave me the confidence that it CAN be done.

Thank you!

[motorman857]

@TheStarlionblue Glad I could help.

[BlackAureole]

I was hoping this video would have some secret my instructor hasn't told me, but no, and I've been messing these U-turns up all day with my test tomorrow morning :-(

I was doing them fine 3 days ago, but I think tomorrow Im failing whaaaa.

[motorman857]

@BlackAureole If you think you're going to fail, you will. Instead, go into your test with the positive attitude, get on your bike and TELL it what to do instead of the other way around.  Three techniques, head and eyes, friction zone and a little pressure on the rear brake.

[baddog3537]

motorman857, I want to thank you. I bought you video, along with group riding.  Your video and training not only helped me with my techniques, but the others I ride with. continue doing what you do!

[motorman857]

@baddog3537 thanks, glad I could help.

[motorman857]

@sabbathian well, some riders do have problems turning left and right, maybe they are idiots to you, not to me.

[XxSexiiMariaxX]

i do that haha! check my reflection when im riding :P

[P1lotBoy]

@TheStarlionblue Yea im practicing figure 8s in an empty carpark. Hoping to get better soon.

[TheStarlionblue]

@motorman857 I won't argue with motorman of course. ;) As he says it depends on the bike. On my 1000cc v-twin, it is deffo first gear as there is lots of torque down low so the engine pulls from really low revs. On my 600cc I-4 you have to keep the revs up as torque is low at low revs. Course using clutch and putting pressure on the back brake can help you keeps revs up. My test bikes was 150cc. No way it could do figure-8s in 2nd, especially as the test here is on a slope.;)

[TheStarlionblue]

@kuhlraum You have a very good point. I think a big part of the problem is that U-turns might be on the test, but most riders never practice them after that. So they "forget" how.

Keep practicing! :)

[TheStarlionblue]

@P1lotBoy Exactly as you say. Not a big deal but you have to practice to get it just right. Also it is easy to practice in a "controlled environment" but in traffic you have other things to think about.

David Hough of "Proficient Motorcycling" suggests doing some figure-eights at the end of every ride. Great advice IMHO. On our street there's a dead end turnaround area which use for practice. Just like any other physical skill if you don't keep it current your body starts forgetting.

[P1lotBoy]

@TheStarlionblue yea u-turn truly is hard to make it right. Most of the time i do it right and then there comes a time when i have to put my foot down so it makes me realise that i didnt learn it properly. Im going out again to practice. Its not a big deal but im not gonna feel any comfortable until i know how to do it right and smooth.

[TheStarlionblue]

@P1lotBoy It's a progression. Making a u-turn on a 400cc standard bike is relatively easy. On a 1000cc sportbike you have to be much more attentive due to higher center of gravity, smaller turn radius, higher weight. The same principles apply of course. When I got the 1000cc I had to go out and practice again, just like when I got my 400cc and then my 600cc. And it took me longer to get it just right.

[P1lotBoy]

@TheStarlionblue You r on a 1000, and only learning to u-turn properly?

[OEFarredondo]

I thought I didn't learn a damn thing from this video. When i went to make a U Turn the other day, which i avoid like my mother in law, all i could hear was snap my head and eye... the further... It first U turn i didnt drop my foot down. Thank you very much.

[Tarten46]

Watch his posture and how he holds his head. Aint nobody gonna teach a person real world street riding like a motocop. Their skills are amazing. I live on the edge of the Boston mountains and I recently passed a guy on a big FL, one up, towing a trailer. Man he was hustling that pig down my favorite twisty back road. You could tell by his posture that he was a motocop. Smooth as silk and HAULING @rse.

[JohnEboy777]

Do these chaps make my A** look fat.....haha