Re: Failed U-Turn resulted in my bike on its side :(
 

I suspect you may be doing it wrong if after 32 years you are still over worried about dropping the bike. Of course, one can drop a bike at any time, but I'd of thought you'd have the confidence in your abilities by now.

It may not be the most valuable riding skill you acquire, but saying "just don't do it" doesn't help those who may choose to do it and do it well.

Re: Failed U-Turn resulted in my bike on its side :(
 

Which is why I've asked him to expand on it. He may mean get the clutch in for a split second before re-engaging the bite point, which would help a newbie get control. For a newbie they have had more practice slipping the clutch and finding the biting point on the way out, then they have adjusting the drive on the way in.

Re: Failed U-Turn resulted in my bike on its side :(
 

Hehe, only a bit of tupperware innit :-P

Any method you choose, just go to quiet car park and practice it. When you are good at slow control you can hold it at full lock, very slow speed. Or just find a junction or something to do a nice wide turn in.

Actually number 1 infallible method I would recommend is learn how to read a map so you do not have to make U turns.

Re: Failed U-Turn resulted in my bike on its side :(
 

I live on a cul-de-sac, so perform a u-turn every day. The road is narrow, sometimes I head to the end where there's more room - turning there is never an issue, most times I try to turn in the road at the house, it's narrow (two cars can pass though) and has a camber. Some days my foot goes down, others it doesn't. Eventually I'll have it nailed every time, I'm sure of that.

I genuinely think mastery of the U-turn is valuable skill to learn. I'm no expert, but a competent u-turn can be performed in a smaller space that walking a bike round. Among many other reasons, and once mastered, a u-turn is easier and quicker to perform than getting off and walking it, especially with pillion aboard. It can be very useful when you find unexpected traffic jams where filtering may not be a safe or legal option.

As said by many, practise is key, try to do it within four parking spaces to start with. As your confidence grows, your ability to perform with marginally more speed and lean will increase, which in turn, will help give you master a smaller turning circle.

Re: Failed U-Turn resulted in my bike on its side :(
 

Loads of vids on youtube about them.

Re: Failed U-Turn resulted in my bike on its side :(
 

The idea of the U turn is to assess the individuals ability to maintain GOOD clutch and slow speed control, this can obviously be done in many ways but a system is needed whereby the Examiner can observe this under a regularly constant environment, merely watching a rider from behind, execute a series of turns at junctions, isn't accurate enough and it can be hard to tell whether they are in fact using the clutch.
Why do so many people struggle? Because it is a real skill, any joker can ride a bike along and bumble through a few turns round the block, but real clutch control and good balance are required for a good U turn.
Believe me as an Instructor it is the bain of your life and is probably the
single highest factor contributing to fails! So they aren't our favourite manouvre.
I've seen really good riders **** up this manouvre and fail, likewise some crap riders have pulled a good lucky one out of the bag and passed, it's not always fair but what system would be 100% of the time? That's life!
The U turn skils are adapted to suit many other situations and therefore it IS a valuable and worthwhile part of the test. Only my opinion of course, but I am right! :smt042

Re: Failed U-Turn resulted in my bike on its side :(
 

this is a bloody long thread about u-turns....

Re: Failed U-Turn resulted in my bike on its side :(
 

Its a bit like...how to sit on a bike:rolleyes:

Re: Failed U-Turn resulted in my bike on its side :(
 

No it's not like that at all. How dare you even suggest it is. Your so wrong you don't even know how wrong you are, and I know that I'm right and you should listen to me cos I am great! Now get back in the kitchen and make me some pie.

:p:p:p

Re: Failed U-Turn resulted in my bike on its side :(
 

:lol:
Of course with this post I should be massaging your mahhhooossive ego, as we know that its your way or no way, and I should put my pinny on and get cooking!

BUT I've had tea, so how about a nice cake intstead;)