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

Originally Posted by Lozzo

I can, and have been able to for 32 years, but I choose not to because I hate the expensive sound of plastic hitting tarmac.

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.

Originally Posted by gruntygiggles

+1...that's what I'd have thought...unless by pull the clutch in weirdfish, you mean pull it back to the biting point if you've let it out too far???

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.

[yorkie_chris]

Originally Posted by Lozzo

I have a feeling those who are concerned have more thought towards the look of their bike than you do, therefore they want to make sure it doesn't get dropped. (Edit - I forgot a smiley)

While I don't agree with doing U-turns whenever the bike needs turning, I can see their point and I'd agree that learning how to ride corners properly should be a priority and leave the U-turns for when they are more experienced and have learned more about how to control their bike in other ways.

I stiil say it's better to turn the bike in any other way than feet up U-turning, until you're confident and experienced enough to do it without worrying that you'll drop it.

Hehe, only a bit of tupperware innit

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.

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.

Loads of vids on youtube about them.

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!

[Paul the 6th]

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

[dizzyblonde]

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

[ophic]

Originally Posted by dizzyblonde

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

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.

[dizzyblonde]

Originally Posted by ophic

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.

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