| Author | Message | ||
     Jkhawaii |
a local HOG group sets up some cones in a parking lot some nights to simulate the MSF corse. I have taken the MSF corse but I used there bikes 250 Nighthawk's those bikes are easy to throw around the slow stuff. the big harleys and even a gold wing did not seem to have as much of a problem! | ||
| Midknyte |
The small stuff is vexing for me too. Welcome input on this thread... | ||
| Ted |
Other than the high 1st gear, I think my 9s is nimble. | ||
| Gowindward |
MSF Experienced Rider Course. I had a blast on my Firebolt this summer in the class | ||
| Black_sunshine |
I'm with Ted, I find my 9S extremely flickable at slow speeds. | ||
| Wyckedflesh |
Its all in your balance and throttle input. Also remember, slow speed maneuvers are when to use the rear brake as drag to keep from having jerky starts and stops as you roll on and off the throttle. Practice Practice Practice...Remember, to keep your weight on your outside foot as you make the figure-8... | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
My X1 felt heavy and sluggish at low speeds to me when I first got it. I was coming off of an Iron sporty. I think it was the steep rake angle and fat front tire. I got used to it in time and now it's natural to me. One thing I think I was doing was tensing up my upper body. I can now come almost to a standstill in traffic. I know my bike didn't change; just my perception of it. | ||
| Skully |
JK, Have you set the suspension sag? Keith | ||
| M1combat |
Yeah, practice, set the suspension, get off the stock Dunlops if you're still using them and look FAR into the turn. Also, at very low speeds, it helps to lean outside the turn with your body as opposed to inside like you normally would (or so I've read in "Total Control" by Lee Parks anyway and it seems to work). Like Mikel said, work the rear brake. I also use the clutch. | ||
| Lastcyclone |
It's called "counter balance", rule #1 for slow turns and parking lots. They should teach that right away. I know I learned it 20 years ago from the IL MSF state course. | ||
| Bcordb3 |
Lots of good information above. Clutch control can really help and in the tight stuff try riding standing up, like a observed trials rider would, it really works. | ||
| Jackbequick |
Set the idle speed up a little and use the clutch instead of the throttle to control speed. Use the back brake, not the front. Especially around the slow tight turns. Getting your butt up off the seat and weight on the pegs makes for much better balance. I've taken motorcycle license tests in several states, two countries, and a number of military jurisdictions. If anyone wants to know the secret to passing the Spanish motorcycle driver's test at the course in Cadiz, Spain I can tell you how. Oh, and leave your motorcycle home, you have to use theirs. They are probably still using that same beat up, thoroughly trashed, Vespa they had in 1970. That thing got crashed about 20 times a day! Jack | ||
| Newfie_buell |
Counterbalance or not, My Tuber S1 does not have the physical turning radius to do some of the slow speed stuff we teach down this way. The handlebars do not turn far enough. I even tried to push it through and no luck. | ||
| Fullpower |
nice tips from jack b quick. picture here of my son riding XB12 , practicing some slow speed operation, aged 13. he was doing quite well, did not complain about the bike at all.  | ||
| Typeone |
all great stuff mentioned above, the counter balance, clutch/throttle and brake methods are a must at slow speed. might be a minor addition but... my XB12 gets sloppy-in-the-slow when my tire pressure is low and when the primary chain is a little loose. | ||
| Midknyte |
Link to post I'd tossed up earlier this summer. Links therein to another site with an excellent article on counterweighting. I went and practiced it out in the grass (you can argue the reduced traction, but I wanted to land on dirt rather than hard tarmac if I messed up...) It was a pretty amazing feeling to toss and turn the bike around. I've since lost that spot of confidence. I've set it out as a goal for next year. (I pulled back and decided a fairer goal for myself this year was to simply get to where I felt as comfortable on the XB as I did my old bike) Anyway, go read the referenced article. Really good stuff. http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/4062/120050.html | ||
| Rpmchris |
Took the Texas DPS Advanced class (exactly the same as MSF Experienced course) on my 12S - I found it extremely easy to complete the smallest "box" using clutch and rear brake to modulate speed. I also had fun doing the closely spaced cones at a fairly high speed (my instructor could tell I was anxious to let 'er rip). Yee-haw! |
