making sharp turns from a stop

making sharp turns from a stop

by Mary
(Bear, Delaware)

I have been wanting to ride a motorcycle since I was little and I finally decided it was the time (I'm 45 now). I took the MSF class and passed with flying colors. It was great. I was riding on a 125cc. The instructors told me I was a natural. Well after much discussion with many riders, they convinced me to start on a bigger bike because I would be bored with a 250 within weeks. I bought a Suzuki boulevard 800cc bike and its beautiful!!! But my god am I terrified of making sharp turns. I have had her in a parking lot two times but just do not feel comfortable turning....can anyone help??? I find it extremely confusing to be giving the bike gas while foot is on brake...

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making sharp turns from a stop

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Dec 30, 2011

Turning
by: Anonymous

If you are turning from a dead stop, turn the handlebars in the direction you want to go. From 0-7 mph, you turn the handlebars like a bicycle. There are vids on Youtube that demonstrate this.

One of the reasons we did the box and U-turns in class, was to get you used to turning the handlebars fully at a slow speed.

From a dead stop, you are not going fast enough to countersteer.

I was wondering why I was always making turns that were not sharp enough and almost going into the opposite lane into oncoming traffic when I was turning from a dead stop. I finally checked it out on youtube and the lightbulb went off. Now, from a dead stop, I make very tight turns. Of course, I am also looking and turning my head to where I want to go.

Keep practicing, you'll get it.

Dec 22, 2011

Balance
by: Anonymous

My trick for making these slow turns is keeping my body straight, but having the bike leaning. This keeps you from having the feeling your going to fall off the bike and helps with the balance. If your making a right turn, sit on the left side of the seat, this should help with your problem

Nov 27, 2011

figure 8's and U turns
by: Anonymous

When I took the rider safety course I had a terrible time with that exercise. I did not trust the bike, me or what my instructor told me - which is to look back over my shoulder and the bike will follow. Keep the throttle steady as well - and - lo and behold - just like he said - I was able to make the figure 8 and it was actually kinda easy. I still practice that in the local parking lot sometimes - just to maintain that skill. Of course this then translates to cornering and such. Best of luck with your bike and just keep riding.

Nov 16, 2011

sharp turns
by: Mary

Thank you for all your comments....I guess i should have clarified what i meant by that....Its the u turns and figure 8's....that's where the problem lies.....going really slow is my problem.

Nov 16, 2011

sharp turns
by: Anonymous

You don't hold your brake when you go straight from a stop, so same thing applies to making a turn from a stop, you don't use the brake. TURN your head and look over your shoulder to where you want to go, take your foot off the brake, apply throttle and turn the corner keeping you eye on where you want to go. Sounds scary., but the bike will go where you look and Don't look at the ground pick something that is eye level. As new riders, seems we all want to watch that front wheel, even me but onced I trained myself to look around the corner and out in front of the bike, it was amazing thats where the bike & I went...LOL

Nov 16, 2011

MSF COURSE
by: Robin

Slow, Look, Press, Roll

You are not braking and throttling at the same time. Slow before the corner, look into the corner, press the handlebars in the direction of the corner, then roll the throttle, giving it gas to actually keep the bike up. You can actually go too slow in the coner, making it difficult

Nov 15, 2011

Practice!
by: Anonymous

Keep practicing! I started on a large bike myself and was also afraid of the turns. It has been four years on that same bike, and it comes easy now. Keep practicing and you will one day do the turns without thinking about it.

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