Tight U-Turns

Hi there, as a relatively new SV rider I'm still in the 'learning curve', I have a lot of trouble performing tight u-turns, I know practice makes perfect but has anyone got any tips, I think maybe I'm riding too to slow during the turn and relying on the steering too much

Originally Posted by FishyMug

Hi there, as a relatively new SV rider I'm still in the 'learning curve', I have a lot of trouble performing tight u-turns, I know practice makes perfect but has anyone got any tips, I think maybe I'm riding too to slow during the turn and relying on the steering too much

I think I know what you mean.. When I am on full lock either way I am at once wary about not having enough motion to keep the bike up and also hesitant about turning on the power in case it is too much... seem to have no natural feel at take off.John

[mister c]

Same as on your CBT. Slip the clutch, use a bit more throttle & if you have to use full lock on the steering........... Oh & balance

[fizzwheel]

1. look where you want the bike to go, not at the floor 2 inches in front of the front wheel.

2. Sit up and stay relaxed, remember to breathe

3. Pick the revs up and slip the clutch.

4. Control your speed by dragging the back brake, leave the front brake alone. It unsettles the bike and makes it pogo which doesnt help with the steering.

5. Tiny inputs to the controls, rather than big clumsy movement of the throttle etc etc

If your really struggling, try sitting off to one side i.e if U turning to right, sit with your left bum cheek hanging off the seat a bit, it stops you from leaning the bike to far over and also it lifts your wrists up a little and gives you a bit more leverage, also it stops you from getting your wrists trapped between the bar and tank, especially on the S model.

HTH

Top tips Fizz, are you an instructor by any chance? That's exactly what my instructor told me on a refresher lesson a few months back.

[fizzwheel]

No I'm not, its just stuff I read in magazines etc when I was struggling with U turns, all of which helped me with mine.

Thanks guys, I will practise lots

Fast entry, then lots of rear brake - lock it and swing it round!

[M.C.]

i think the most importaint thing is look where you want to go

[mr.anderson]

Yeah, I also struggled just after I passed my DAS. Found the SVs have a much larger turning circle than the GS500 I did my test on.

Biggest help I find is use the rear brake to moderate speed with constant throttle and tiny adjustments from the clutch if on uneven or sloped road, also look where you want to go.