Parking lot practice

[MyNameIsBup]

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How many of you guys and gals still go to a parking lot to practice tight, low speed maneuvers?

After one season of riding, I've come to the conclusion that I suck at these types of maneuvers. I want to get better so I've been practicing in an empty parking lot for the past few days. I've just got comfortable doing full lock, low speed turns without too much lean and now want to add a bit of speed to it all. I'd like to get to the the skill level of those crazy folks that do motorcycle gymkhana over in Japan.

Does anyone have any tips on how to improve?

 

[mjavor]

Please check the whole lot for gravel and sand before practising. A lot of times, in the far back corners, there will be a build up of sand from cars not driving there. That is also where you will be doing turns and leaning your bike. Leaning over sand/gravel, not a good idea. Unfortunately, I am offering you this tip from personal experience. =/

 

[JFD]

^ slow speed manouevers, homey....


Probably little to none actually practice this skill, given how 95% of riders pull into parking lot meets and ride in traffic.

The best riders are the ones that can ride the slowest.

 

[TheDirty]

^ slow speed manouevers, homey....

Yes, because you can't drop the bike on gravel doing tight low speed turns?

If you can find a good parking lot. I've found the surfaces to be generally pretty crappy.

 

[Cat13]

Please check the whole lot for gravel and sand before practising. A lot of times, in the far back corners, there will be a build up of sand from cars not driving there. That is also where you will be doing turns and leaning your bike. Leaning over sand/gravel, not a good idea. Unfortunately, I am offering you this tip from personal experience. =/

Agreed... when we teach, every weekend the lot gets a quick look over with a walk thru and a broom.

Otherwise I would say you are being VERY smart Practising your slow speed skills improves you as a motorcyclist dramatically

 

[reciprocity]

learn to use your rear brake for low speed riding like this.

Try doing your fill lock turns and measure your turning radius.

now do the same turn, but drag your rear brake slightly, you'll cut your turning radius in half once you figure it out.

 

[Sushii]

learn to use your rear brake for low speed riding like this.

Try doing your fill lock turns and measure your turning radius.

now do the same turn, but drag your rear brake slightly, you'll cut your turning radius in half once you figure it out.

Using your rear brakes + slightly engaging your clutch will cut it even more. Thats how we did it at Learning Curves

 

[MyNameIsBup]

Thanks for all of the replies,

I made sure the surface I was practicing on was clear of any debris before I started. I actually dropped my bike earlier whilst practicing because of one tiny little pebble, but luckily the frame slider saved the day. Not a single scratch on the fairings at all! I highly recommended them!

So far I've been measuring my turn radius by parking lot spaces. I havent actually measured my smallest turning radius accurately, so I'm going to start using cones to sort that out and increase the challenge. Riding the clutch and dragging the brake, I'm turning around in just over 2 car park spaces. I've seen big Harleys and Goldwings do it in smaller spaces so I know my bike is capable of a tighter circle, I just need to increase the lean angle to use the inside of the tires. This is the part that I'm having trouble with.

Am I right in thinking that I need to increase my speed to lean the bike over more? I also find right hand turns trickier as I find it more difficult to modulate the throttle. I guess it just requires more practice, eh?

 

[Cat13]

So far I've been measuring my turn radius by parking lot spaces. I havent actually measured my smallest turning radius accurately, so I'm going to start using cones to sort that out and increase the challenge. Riding the clutch and dragging the brake, I'm turning around in just over 2 car park spaces. I've seen big Harleys and Goldwings do it in smaller spaces so I know my bike is capable of a tighter circle, I just need to increase the lean angle to use the inside of the tires. This is the part that I'm having trouble with.

Am I right in thinking that I need to increase my speed to lean the bike over more? I also find right hand turns trickier as I find it more difficult to modulate the throttle. I guess it just requires more practice, eh?

Just a couple comments on that.... keep in mind different bikes have different centres of balance different size tires etc. I rode the big harley decker and it was easier to manoeuvre than my vstar with less ccs. Your bike can prob still move better but its just a comment

As for the right hand turns… yep practice but your doing awesome in taking that time to do just that.

Last parking stalls are typically 2.75 metres by 6 metres long. Varies depending on municipality. But might help you in figuring out your distances.

 

[WebControl]

I do practice every spring in the parking lot, where I took my "M2", and lately "M" (in my case it's Humber College@Hershey)
Clean, marked lines, safe, etc

 

[Sushii]

Am I right in thinking that I need to increase my speed to lean the bike over more? I also find right hand turns trickier as I find it more difficult to modulate the throttle. I guess it just requires more practice, eh?

No you dont need to increase your speed to achieve a lower turn radius.

 

[Wheelieboy]

Practising your slow speed skills improves you as a motorcyclist dramatically

Where do you guys get those mini-cones from? I've been meaning to get them and practice in a parking lot.

A few years back at the CBR125 appreciation day at Seneca campus, Learning Curves was there with a course set up. I was basically running my own gymkhana course as not many people took advantage of improving their skills and it was a blast!

I do gymkhana/autocross in my car with the full sized pylons, but I'm not so sure my bike likes eating up pylons like my car does.

 

[Sushii]

Where do you guys get those mini-cones from? I've been meaning to get them and practice in a parking lot.

A few years back at the CBR125 appreciation day at Seneca campus, Learning Curves was there with a course set up. I was basically running my own gymkhana course as not many people took advantage of improving their skills and it was a blast!

I do gymkhana/autocross in my car with the full sized pylons, but I'm not so sure my bike likes eating up pylons like my car does.

Canadian Tires?

http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/5/SportsRec/Soccer/SoccerAccessories/PRDOVR~0842009P/Orange%2BMarker%2BCones.jsp?locale=en

9inch (22.5cm) and 12 inch (30cm).

 

[reciprocity]

I do gymkhana/autocross in my car with the full sized pylons, but I'm not so sure my bike likes eating up pylons like my car does.

The larger ones work better, the idea is to NOT hit them.

With the taller ones, you have to ride around them and not cheat by leaning over top of them.

 

[Jonnie]

Where do you guys get those mini-cones from? I've been meaning to get them and practice in a parking lot.

A few years back at the CBR125 appreciation day at Seneca campus, Learning Curves was there with a course set up. I was basically running my own gymkhana course as not many people took advantage of improving their skills and it was a blast!

I do gymkhana/autocross in my car with the full sized pylons, but I'm not so sure my bike likes eating up pylons like my car does.

Also from the dollar store. You can choose from cones or pyramids. They're a foot in height, so they're perfect for this kind of thing.

 

[slowbird]

Kudos to the OP for taking the time/effort to practice like this.

I used to at the beginning of every season but I have to admitt I have been slacking as of late.

Keep it up.

 

[Ash]

For small cones I've used orange street hockey balls which I cut in half. The lines for the parking spots usually work just as well though

 

[Cat13]

Where do you guys get those mini-cones from? I've been meaning to get them and practice in a parking lot.

A few years back at the CBR125 appreciation day at Seneca campus, Learning Curves was there with a course set up. I was basically running my own gymkhana course as not many people took advantage of improving their skills and it was a blast!

I do gymkhana/autocross in my car with the full sized pylons, but I'm not so sure my bike likes eating up pylons like my car does.

I wish I knew... I'm sorry.

The larger ones work better, the idea is to NOT hit them.

With the taller ones, you have to ride around them and not cheat by leaning over top of them.

BUT then you dont want him worrying about what will happen if he hits one, but rather focusing on his skills. He'll know he hits one and sounds like hes got to will to keep working on it.

 

[Wheelieboy]

The larger ones work better, the idea is to NOT hit them.

With the taller ones, you have to ride around them and not cheat by leaning over top of them.

They're not very forgiving though. I dont have1337 $K!LLZZ. Maybe I should spend more time at timmies.

 

[Sushii]

You can always just get some card board and cut tiny circular shapes out of them and add some light and thin weight at the bottom so that you won't have to worry as much about running into them.

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