Originally Posted by ogden

I think I last used my rear brake some time around 1997.

If you're doing a U-turn, you're probably going very slowly. Remember that slow control throttle stuff you were taught during your training? Ignore it. If you're on a rinky-dink 125 or a moped, you'll need to use all that throttle-blipping and clutch-slipping to get any kind of usable torque because there'll be nothing at low revs. On anything > 250cc that just won't be necessary.

Lowish revs, slip the clutch a tiny bit if you need to, just enough power to let the bike inch forward fast enough for you to complete the turn without flopping over sideways. If you need to use the back brake to slow things down, you're giving it too much gas, so focus on what you're getting wrong rather than complicating things by trying to compensate.

That said, I've probably done three or four tight U-turns since I did my test 14 years ago - junctions into side roads are perfect for U-turns, all that extra room! If I wanted to prat about doing low-speed maneuvers I'd become a trials rider.

And ignore the pillocks pointing and laughing. Practice lots, get good, then run them over.