MOD 1 - which gear?

Im practising my mod1 at the mo ( I got it on Tuesday :-/) and I've been doing the slow stuff in first gear on my 2004 sv650s and it seems a bit tricky getting it right on slalom figure 8 and uturn I heard second gear would be better for these manouvers to keep better control and power, I've yet to try second gear for these ( will be tomo tho). Is this right ? What are your thoughts people?

Doesn't sound right to me. If you've got the test on Tuesday, it's too late to change technique that drastically, so I'd concentrate on enhancing what you're doing already.

The key I've always gone with for slow manoeuvres like this is to keep the revs highish (for SV, 4k is probably enough - it's been a while since I've ridden one) to limit the risk of stalling or bogging down and use the clutch and rear brake to limit speed.

The key thing though is the one that no-one believes - the bike goes where you look, so get your eyes away from the front wheel (or the cone you're going around on the test) and turn it as far around in the direction you need to go as you're comfortable doing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtXBOA0_d3E is a good example. Once he's got the bike turning, maybe 45 degrees into the turn, the head comes around to look at the opposite cone.

Thankyou for your help

First gear just seems really jumpy tho

As orose said, first gear. It's a low speed manouver hence first gear. Set the engine first, give it some revs, don't worry about it being a bit loud, and slip the clutch a bit (sadly it's your own and not a training schools but oh well!). Then use the back brake to control your speed. If the engine is bogged down, pull the clutch in a bit more. If too fast, bit more rear brake, too slow, bit less brake.

Key is keeping your head up, as if you look down, you'll end up putting a foot down. So eyes up and crank your vision right around to help you turn. You'll be doing figures of eight like a pro.

Thanks people for your help

I did my mod1 about 5 months ago and i believe i stayed in 1st for maneuvers. Just like you would in a carpark or tight space in real life. I did it in 1st on my ybr125 and its always noisy as hell but not to worry. Ybr125 and sv650 engines are very robust.

'The key thing though is the one that no-one believes - the bike goes where you look, so get your eyes away from the front wheel (or the cone you're going around on the test) and turn it as far around in the direction you need to go as you're comfortable doing.' +1

[Tomor]

when you do your u turn and figure of 8, i found it good to turn your head as much as possible in the way you want to go and let the bike sort it self out. Highish revs and slip the clutch like a bas*ard

Found slipping the clutch at around 3000 rpm in 1st and being positive when committing to both the U-turn and figure of eight worked for me.

Keeping your head up and focusing on the point your pivoting around will do the trick and remember to relax and not tense up half way through the turn.

A couple of practices on the day before you set off for the test and you'll be fine. Good luck!

Thanks so much for all these responses