Guys or ladies got any tips on slow turns?

[quik89Kat]

Im just wondering ,my situtation is I have an 1100 kat giant beast ,and if I go slow in a turn it kinda feels like the front tire is bouncing across to make the turn rather then rolling in to it ...I know I know just go faster right? well thats not always possible I cant take a 40 mph turn in a parking lot weaving to find a spot like I can in normal situations on the street.Any thoughts opinions or ideas?

[scottynoface]

Wanna get better at slow speed maneuvers? Here's my method:

When coming to a stop (light sign whatever), brake early and see how long you can stay upright. I can stay up for almost 5 seconds at a dead stop without putting my feet down, and I swear it helps low speed turning. Its all about muscle memory.

Practice is what it takes. Go to a parking lot and drive really slow

[quik89Kat]

Yea Im great with balance I can ride about 20 seconds goin slow before puttin down my feet ...I think it maybe more of a tire issue/heavy bike issue but like you said practice will compensate for it .

[thetable]

MSF! And how do you get to Carnegie Hall? -Practice!

Seriously if it is bouncing, it sounds more like a tire/bearing/fork issue. Are the tires cupped? Bearings (head and wheel) loose? Slop in the forks?

[Robgsxf750]

Bit of back brake, ride the clutch, revs up to 4000rpm or so??? A bit of practice and you'll turn on a dime slower than walking pace.

Revs act like a gyroscope keeping the bike upright, back brake stops you from holeshooting.

[gobigorange189]

yahh use the friction zone and practice practice

[quik89Kat]

Thanx for the thoughts guys I appreciate it and will apply my new found skills on my long ride wednesday from pa to jersey

[katman05]

These might help

http://bcrider.com/practice.html

http://www.ridemyown.com/articles/riding/BTB-slowspeed.shtml

http://www.motorcyclesafetyinfo.com/motorcycle_steering_slow_speed_riding.html

[2000GSXKatana]

Thanx for the thoughts guys I appreciate it and will apply my new found skills on my long ride wednesday from pa to jersey

damn what part of pa

[VifferJim]

Thanx for the thoughts guys I appreciate it and will apply my new found skills on my long ride wednesday from pa to jersey

Depending on where you are in PA, we're looking at a wintery mix of rain and snow Wednesday and Thursday (which sucks, too, 'cause my Kat's been calling to me for two weeks now).

[The CyberPoet]

18 year old bike.
My first suspicions: needs new steering head bearings, a fork rebuild (seals/oil) if it feels like it's bouncing through the turn, and possibly a better set of tires (or the right tire pressures). The steering head bearings are particularly susceptible because they are open to the bottom, meaning lubrication, when it gets hot in the summer, tends to fall ground-wards; over time, this results in bearings that make notches in their races and is simple to test for -- bike on center-stand (or front wheel in the air via whatever method), turn the handlebars slowly -- the motion should be a smooth transition with no notchiness at all in both directions from extreme left to extreme right & back. Aftermarket replacements from All Balls are significantly better design than OEM and run typically under $35 for the bearings.

Technique will let you ride a bike slowly through a turn, but the symptom you are describing doesn't sound like an issue with the technique -- IMHO, it sounds like a symptom of the bike itself.

Cheers,
=-= The CyberPoet

______________________
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[Aaron]

These might help

http://bcrider.com/practice.html

http://www.ridemyown.com/articles/riding/BTB-slowspeed.shtml

http://www.motorcyclesafetyinfo.com/...ed_riding.html

Good stuff! Thanks for the links!

[Sandman]

I would worry more about why your tire feels like it's bouncing?? I don't care how slow you go and how much your bike weighs, you shouldn't feel a bouncing feeling. You need to fugure that out first....

However, slower turns: Turn your head, Counterweight, more rear brake and less front. In fact, for really slow turns, I use rear brake only

[Haggisman]

As an instructor this comes up all the time when teaching slow speed skills...the key to slow speed if the use of the clutch, gas and REAR brake. If you find the friction point and bring up the revs and use the REAR brake you will find that you have alot more balance and control of the motorcycle. Practice your slow speeds at all times and you will find you will become better the more you practice.