Performing the U turn on your motorcycle in the Motorcycle Safety Foundation Basic Rider Course is one exercise that cause students the most problem. Some riders can accomplish a full lock U Turn within the requirement but because they are not using the correct technique, they struggle when they attempt the same tight turn on a larger motorcycle.
So, let's talk about the correct technique and some things that you can do to perform a u turn on your own motorcycle.
The techniques for a tight u turn on a motorcycle are pretty simple. In this article we will take them in order and even provide some videos to help you better understand the technique.
Here are my tips to U Turn on motorcycle
1. The Friction Zone
The friction zone is the position of the clutch that allows partial power to go to the rear wheel.
If I fully squeeze the clutch…no power.
If I fully release the clutch…full power
But, if I slowly release the clutch until I get partial power and hold the clutch in that position…friction zone.
Watch the video to learn more about the friction zone.
2. Head and Eyes
You have heard it a thousand times…the motorcycle will go where you look.
If you look down performing a u turn you will be out of balance. If you look straight ahead the motorcycle will want to keep going that direction. But, if you look in the direction you want to motorcycle to go…especially in a u turn the motorcycle will magically go in that direction.
Turn your head…look where you want the motorcycle to go. When I am making a u turn I am looking as far through the turn as I can.
3. Rear Brake
Knowing which brake to use, when and where on a motorcycle will give you a huge advantage. Is it the front brake or the rear brake when performing a u turn?
I won't keep you in suspense…it is the rear brake for u turns. In fact using the front brake in slow maneuvers is one of the quickest ways to drop a motorcycle.
How much rear brake should you use when performing a u turn? The technique here is called “dragging the brake”. Not so much that the motorcycle instantly stops but just enough to cause some resistance.
It will help make the motorcycle feel more balanced and in control.
4. Counterweight and completing the u turn
The final step that will help make a u turn easier is counter weighting.
To counter weight the motorcycle I am putting weight on the outside peg of the turn. So if making a left u-turn I am shifting weight to the right and weighting the outside of the motorcycle from the turn.
By counter-weighting the motorcycle you are allowing to motorcycle to lean more while staying in balance.
I have a more detailed discussion of counter weighting and demonstration in this video.
If you perform the U Turn correctly you should be able to perform this within 2 standard parking spaces…at least that is the goal.
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