Difficulty Making Turns on Bigger Bike

[ZX600]

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Turning at slow speed on a sports bike is a pain in the ***, I have been ridding since i can remember and it is still intimidating, these bikes are not made to u turn slowly.

Learn how to ride the bike, then with experience you will get the hand of turning at slow speed.

You keep expecting your new bike to ride and behave like your old one did, it won't.

I've recently upgraded from a Ninja 250 to a 2002 GSXR 750 with complete Akropovic Exhaust and Power Commander. A bit more intimidating and faster/stronger than the average gixxer 750, which makes me wish I spent more time on my 250. Also wish I had gotten a 600 before the 750.

***NEWBIES!!! DO NOT GET A BIG CC BIKE FOR FIRST TIME!!! TO THINK I WANTED A GSXR1000 OR EVEN A 750 AS A FIRST BIKE MAKES ME WONDER WHAT THE FUKC WAS I THINKING!!*** You don't get to enjoy the bike at all, always riding like you're on thin ice.

I try making 90 degree turns as I did with the 250 but with more difficulty, and when I try making u-turns in a private street for practice I keep sliding out. I only use the friction/clutch and at a pretty slow speed but it keeps happening again landing me on my knee and hand. Luckily I get not a scratch on the bike, minor wrist pain but sh*t I can't make the U-turn. Any tips as to why this occurs and what I may be doing wrong?

I thought it was my tires sliding on gravel or oil or something or maybe bad tires but rear tire is brand new (required for safety -a continental) and front tire is decent (Michelen PP).

I'd like to get this down packed. I still haven't taken it out to the main streets in fear of not being able to make a u-turn when necessary and/or making a right turn into my own lane without veering off into traffic.

 

[macro]

Drag rear brake slightly, keep the revs up a bit while feathering the the clutch, and LOOK where you want to go. Look over your shoulder if you have to. Don't touch the front brake in the corner, it's a surefire way to wipe out. (walking speed corner i mean) Above all, practice practice practice. You'll get it. I found figure 8's easier than circles when I was learning.

Good luck!!!

 

[inreb]

Did anybody mention counter steering yet? Are the speeds in question breaking the counter steering threshold or are we talking direct steering speed here? And don't forget if you roll off of the edge of the tire that'l get you into a whole mess of trouble. I would set up some pine cones to practice slolom. Put on some Continentals, they provide positive feedback. When you're on your *** there will be no doubt. Hope that helps.

 

[kml]

Sportbikes (even big ones LOL) maneuver fine at low speeds, just requires training and practice.

[video=youtube;8oaathrV8Hg]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oaathrV8Hg[/video]

cheers
kem

 

[ZX600]

Compared to a 250 (which is what he has a reference on) they don't.

Of course they will maneuver but they are a pain in the *** compared to most other bikes since they are not made for that.

Sportbikes (even big ones LOL) maneuver fine at low speeds, just requires training and practice.

[video=youtube;8oaathrV8Hg]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oaathrV8Hg[/video]

cheers
kem

 

[Roomie]

Turning at slow speed on a sports bike is a pain in the ***, I have been ridding since i can remember and it is still intimidating, these bikes are not made to u turn slowly.

Learn how to ride the bike, then with experience you will get the hand of turning at slow speed.

You keep expecting your new bike to ride and behave like your old one did, it won't.

I agree with the burrito vendor. Takes time to get comfortable and especially going from a 250 to that.

 

[ZX600]

Call me Chad

I agree with the burrito vendor. Takes time to get comfortable and especially going from a 250 to that.

 

[LBV]

Notice where the guy in that vid above looks on those hairpin/U turns.

 

[inreb]

Notice where the guy in that vid above looks on those hairpin/U turns.

Oh I missed that, I was too busy looking at his front wheel.

 

[TSquared]

I agree with the burrito vendor. Takes time to get comfortable and especially going from a 250 to that.

having gone from a 250 isn't the issue, its because of the clip on handle bars. If he had an SV650 or a FZ09 he wouldn't have his turning issue.

Super Sport Riding position

Upright Riding postion.

You can clearly see that the bottom pic is not a 250 but has great turning radius because of where the handle bars are located.

 

[jonboy99]

Have been riding in our private streets for practice and don't go to parking lots anymore. The other day cops pull up and question what I was doing with an attitude. I told the truth and also stated there were no cars anywhere near me within that part of the lot (Canadian Tire) nor was I doing any stunts or aggressive driving. I told them I was simply trying to better my skills prior to riding on the road. Took my insurance and license and pretty much told me to leave the parking lot because I was trespassing lol

There was some cop on cbc radio last week advising that riders brush up on their skills in parking lots after the winter break. I'd do some more practicing in a quiet lot. Remember with a sportsbike you need to make a conscious effort to support your body with your legs so you're not holding up your weight using the handlebars - the bike will feel a lot easier to control, especially combined with dragging the back brake.

 

[Matthew.Tremayne]

Riding position of Super sport vs Sport Touring bike is a big difference. Maybe you should have upgraded to a sport touring like an SV650.

This rider should have stayed on a smaller displacement motorcycle and have learned all the proper skills before purchasing a super sport motorcycle. A lot of riders make this same mistake.

Learning skills at a slower speed, on a more forgiving machine builds your skill. Much harder to learn on a race replica.

 

[Matthew.Tremayne]

having gone from a 250 isn't the issue, its because of the clip on handle bars. If he had an SV650 or a FZ09 he wouldn't have his turning issue.

Super Sport Riding position

Upright Riding postion.

You can clearly see that the bottom pic is not a 250 but has great turning radius because of where the handle bars are located.

Doesn't matter what bike you're turning on, it requires the same basic skills, which this rider has not learned. Yes, some bikes turn better than others.... but you can still apply the same concept without falling over. I've hopped on a thousand pound cruiser and then back to my SS bike.... Guess what, I can turn still. Turning on a 250 and turning on an SS bike is the same thing, but harder. If you're great on a 250, you can hop on an SS bike no issue at all.

 

[-JERICHO-]

[video=youtube;LrbZJbXwgrY]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrbZJbXwgrY[/video]

 

[malim]

At MSF, they taught us not to use front brake in the corner as the bike wants to lay down. Using front in a corner for me causes the bike to stand up and go straight, so not sure why they told us that. Is it different at slow speeds, that using front brake at snails pace forces the bike towards the ground ?

OP, I am sure you know this but hug your tank with your legs/thighs. It makes a world of difference versus moving your knees out to balance as you are making sharp turns.

 

[fastar1]

At MSF, they taught us not to use front brake in the corner as the bike wants to lay down. Using front in a corner for me causes the bike to stand up and go straight, so not sure why they told us that. Is it different at slow speeds, that using front brake at snails pace forces the bike towards the ground ?

OP, I am sure you know this but hug your tank with your legs/thighs. It makes a world of difference versus moving your knees out to balance as you are making sharp turns.

Front brakes while turning will stand the bike up if there's grip available, at any speed. If the tire runs out of grip the front tire will wash out and the bike will lay down (lowside).

 

[Beekman]

I watched very large men turn very large Harleys inside what cannot have been more than a 15 foot diamter circle over and over without falling at the Toronto motorcycle show. Not to be rude but if you can't u turn in a street on a supersport bike than you really need to practice. Alot

(Not trying to be a jerk )

 

[Beekman]

I am no pro myself but I have done my time in my driveway and parking lot practicing low speed maneuvers until I was comfortable spinning circles

There's a great movie on youtube "twist of the wrist" I think it was called. Goes very in depth about throttle control and how using it properly will help you avoid a lot of situations you don't want to be in. Especially at low speed

Has worked for me

 

[TSquared]

Doesn't matter what bike you're turning on, it requires the same basic skills, which this rider has not learned. Yes, some bikes turn better than others.... but you can still apply the same concept without falling over. I've hopped on a thousand pound cruiser and then back to my SS bike.... Guess what, I can turn still. Turning on a 250 and turning on an SS bike is the same thing, but harder. If you're great on a 250, you can hop on an SS bike no issue at all.

I own both style bikes right now, and i find a huge difference on how they both turn. I have a GT250R and it turns the same way as my R6. My CBR 125 turns the same way as my FZ09. But my GT250R does not turn the same way as my CBR 125 or my FZ09.

250cc bike have both upright and super sport riding positions, so it depends on the bike. To compare a Ninja 250 to a GT250R, those two bikes ride completely different. GT250R rides like a super sport, and the ninja 250 rides like a sport touring.

of course the guy on the FZ09 could be knee dragging too. but you should get the idea.

I do agree that you should know the basic to learn how to adjust, but i have many friends who bough a SS and found it wasn't for them and bough the upright version of the bike. Like friends who went from the CBR 600RR to a CBR 600 F4i just because of the riding position.

 

[cool]

Its the riding position. Not the cc.

The weight does make it feel less flickery but i would say the op havent gotten used to hugging the tank

Just takes time. Remember the best way to feel in control of SS bikes is to let go.... Your hands shouldnt hold tight on the handle bar. Your legs will support yout weight. Dont try to do low speed maneuver now. Do what i said at higher speed on street ( not overspeeding, normal traffic speed) once you learn to let go then you go back to this.

Trust me im not a track rider but i have tons of tight maneuvering experience.

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