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slow speed riding

  • 23-03-2015 3:24pm
    #1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 925 ✭✭✭


    This post has been deleted.


Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,196 ✭✭✭✭jimgoose


    Are you dragging the rear brake and half-clutching? The former makes the back of the bike "tighten up" and squat down a bit, making it a little more controllable. The latter lets you keep the revs up and speed low, again nice and controllable.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 34,184 ✭✭✭✭listermint


    As noted above its all in the feathering of the clutch. The brake is there to keep it all fairly constant and even, The feathering maintains the engine revs.

    It will come with practice, I had the same issues when i was on the bike first. Its just a matter of time and frankly doing it when nobody is watching you. Its tough when you feel you are being judged, so try to either do it alone or get that out of your head.

    But again, good clutch control is the key, its not "all the way in" or "all the way out" its a mix and feather in between.

    Best of luck, it will come i can guarantee that much.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,344 ✭✭✭Skill Magill


    Slow riding (fnarr) is practice, anybody can open the throttle and go fast in a straight line, to drive slowly takes throttle and clutch control, I wouldn't even be figuring on the brakes.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,344 ✭✭✭Skill Magill


    Slow riding (fnarr) is practice, anybody can open the throttle and go fast in a straight line, to drive slowly takes throttle and clutch control, I wouldn't even be figuring on the brakes.
    But for a beginner, you'll be using the front brake, throttle, and clutch, don't let the revs go too high, keep the clutch in and gently release, slowly releasing the front break.

    Maybe drive around the car park for a few hours until you're confident, or get some professional instruction. Good luck :cool:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 34,184 ✭✭✭✭listermint


    But for a beginner, you'll be using the front brake, throttle, and clutch, don't let the revs go too high, keep the clutch in and gently release, slowly releasing the front break.

    Maybe drive around the car park for a few hours until you're confident, or get some professional instruction. Good luck :cool:

    Id always say rear break. Never tell a beginner to use the front brake on a bend. (slow turning is a bend) Front break - guaranteed to go down.

    Rear break for slow control.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,633 ✭✭✭✭punisher5112


    Its nearly all clutch control and for turning try and use your body to balance.

    Ask the instructor for tips he may be able to show you better then on a computer.

    Best of luck it is practice and just smooth control take your time and be fine.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,344 ✭✭✭Skill Magill


    L^
    Depends on the bike and feel for it, couple of hours in a car park driving in circles should sort it out! I'd say I use the front brake 70% / 30% back brake most of the time. For me thats the real feel and how I ride


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 34,184 ✭✭✭✭listermint


    L^
    Depends on the bike and feel for it, couple of hours in a car park driving in circles should sort it out! I'd say I use the front brake 70% / 30% back brake most of the time. For me thats the real feel and how I ride

    Grand if it works for you,

    however i hope you dont apply this when cornering. Its not really sound riding. But thats for another topic.




  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,461 ✭✭✭✭Wonda-Boy


    IMHO its alot easier to up the revs a tad and ride the back brake it looks alot smoother....if you are clutching it in and out it can get messy real quick.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,344 ✭✭✭Skill Magill


    listermint wrote: »
    Grand if it works for you,

    however i hope you dont apply this when cornering. Its not really sound riding. But thats for another topic.



    Unless I'm hockinging it round a corner, front brakes are left alone, slow riding round a bit of asphalt though is another matter. The only bit of brake, if i needed would be the front, and only a bit of squeeze if necessary.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 68,190 ✭✭✭✭seamus


    Feathering the front brake for control at slow speeds makes this awkward because it's the same hand as your throttle. Aside from the fact that you could fall on your face in a turn using the front brake, using the rear brake exclusively means that you have complete control over the clutch, throttle and brake at the same time, which makes slow riding much easier.

    It's a bit weird at first because instinctually you want to use the hand brake, but with a bit of practice you very quickly get comfortable that the rear is good enough to stop you at slow speeds.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 34,184 ✭✭✭✭listermint


    seamus wrote: »
    Feathering the front brake for control at slow speeds makes this awkward because it's the same hand as your throttle. Aside from the fact that you could fall on your face in a turn using the front brake, using the rear brake exclusively means that you have complete control over the clutch, throttle and brake at the same time, which makes slow riding much easier.

    It's a bit weird at first because instinctually you want to use the hand brake, but with a bit of practice you very quickly get comfortable that the rear is good enough to stop you at slow speeds.

    This is how i was thought, this is how i show others.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,344 ✭✭✭Skill Magill


    Listermint and Seamas,
    Youse are right of course, for beginners thats the way to teach them, I've never taught anyone to ride a bike, but if I did, I'd be teaching front brake and throttle control, one hand, and clutching going round in slow circles with the other.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 392 ✭✭Seanie_H


    Rear break only for slow speed control and practice, practice, practice on a short figure of 8 circuit


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,920 ✭✭✭zubair


    All back brake and clutch for me, I feather the clutch and the back brake now but when I learned it was all about varying pressure on the back brake.

    When turning you'll need to counter balance, try and keep your body vertical (i.e. leaning away from the turn) and let the bike lean in to the turn.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 925 ✭✭✭RHJ


    This post has been deleted.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,344 ✭✭✭Skill Magill


    OP, do they give you a few hours practice on the bandit 600, or do you just pull up on the 125 prior to test?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 925 ✭✭✭RHJ


    This post has been deleted.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,920 ✭✭✭zubair


    RHJ wrote: »
    Since I was bran new to motorbikes the instruter decided to start me off on the 125cc so I could get use to the controls

    Just make sure you get the A, you'll eventually get it and be able to do it on a 600. its second nature to all of us now but we were all in your position once.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 925 ✭✭✭RHJ


    This post has been deleted.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 702 ✭✭✭rowanh


    Try practicing on a bicycle, same thing use the back brake and pedal and try and go as slowly as you can in a straight line. If you use torrents there is a dvd called ride like a pro which is all slow speed practice stuff.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 925 ✭✭✭RHJ


    This post has been deleted.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 174 ✭✭Roadcraft


    RHJ wrote: »
    This post has been deleted.

    Are you doing a category 'A' IBT course?, if so you will get a category 'A' IBT cert & do your training on a category 'A' bike.

    For slow riding: cover & use the rear brake only, full hand on the throttle for good throttle control & use your clutch biting point combined with the rear brake & throttle to control your speed.

    "Eyes up & look where you want to go", the bike will go where you look.

    You should get enough practice time in the compound & on the road on a category 'A' bike with your IBT instructor without having to go anywhere else.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 961 ✭✭✭LookBehindYou


    RHJ.
    You are doing IBT to LEARN how to do those things.
    The Instructor should show you how to do it,,, thats his job.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 699 ✭✭✭danoriordan1402


    I was in the same scenario as you OP, new to a bike and found it hard doing the slow circles, but with practice, practice and back brake/clutch technique I finally got a system going.
    Having said that, I didnt do the last module for the IBT for the full A at the time as I was planning to pick up a 125cc and make my mistakes on that, including dropping it...

    Did the last module later on then and got the full A.

    Good luck with it


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 925 ✭✭✭RHJ


    This post has been deleted.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 329 ✭✭Roadskill


    RHJ wrote: »
    This post has been deleted.

    Not to jump on the bandwagon and I don't want to accuse your instructor of anything But! that's not fair on you and an hour with a beginner on a 600 is not enough to complete the module correctly if you are worried and not able on a 125.
    Talk to him/her about your concerns and they should do something to help you as myself and I'm sure the other instructors on here would do. Safety is paramount and rushing you onto the road will do you nor the instructor favours in the end.

    Good luck and call them


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 500 ✭✭✭lostboy75


    not sure where you are in Mayo, but that's where i do most of my riding. had a 125 varadero and while i really liked that bike (if it had even a 250cc engine i would still be on it), it wasn't a great choice for out in the country. maybe if most of your riding was in towns / cities. etc. its comfortable at the 90km, not so much at the 100. so there always tended to be cars right up behind you.
    I had my learner license before "having" to do IBT. so was legal to ride my little babydero. however for the test i decided to go for unrestricted. so did the IBT and test on a school 600 bandit. two reasons i thought doing the IBT was a really good idea anyway, and was thinking of changing the bike.
    to be honest riding the bigger bike is almost easier than the smaller lighter ones? or is that just me?

    so my point, do the unrestricted test if you have the option. grab a few more hours with your instructor in between your next official class. its all about practice, its never wasted money getting lessons, at a minimum the extras will make you more comfortable on the bike, and with the slow work.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 174 ✭✭Roadcraft


    What IBT modules have you completed?

    Why take extra lessons?

    You could finish your IBT with another instructor for category 'A'.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,226 ✭✭✭gerrowadat


    RHJ wrote: »
    This post has been deleted.

    I had the same issue and concerns, and most of my riding is in the country. I found both the 125cc school bike and the 250cc bike I borrowed to learn on WAY harder to control and ride than the 600cc. The extra power to get you around and pull you out of corners makes things a lot easier.

    For slow speed stuff, more power is also better for using the proper technique - I found I had to throttle the 125 with the clutch fully out to even move (I'm a big lad). There needs to a basic amount of power to suit your style and build, and 125 or 250 can be too sluggish for everyone.

    As for A or A1 - think about what kind of bike you eventually want to be on, rather than the learning bike. If you're going to be on a 500cc eventually anyway then A1 will do you. If you're not sure, shoot for the A - the extra module 5 could end up being an expensive mistake if you find yourself bored with a smaller bike.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 702 ✭✭✭rowanh


    RHJ wrote: »
    This post has been deleted.

    I got it on kick ass torrents.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 543 ✭✭✭DubVelo


    gerrowadat wrote: »
    As for A or A1 - think about what kind of bike you eventually want to be on, rather than the learning bike. If you're going to be on a 500cc eventually anyway then A1 will do you. If you're not sure, shoot for the A - the extra module 5 could end up being an expensive mistake if you find yourself bored with a smaller bike.

    A1 only get's you stuck with a 125, you need A2 for a 500cc -ish machine.
    Just do the A and then you'll have the choice of whatever bike suits you. You'll quickly get to appreciate how something with a little poke can get you out of trouble on the road.

    If you feel rushed and unsafe though I would very strongly suggest you look at going to a different instructor. Sometimes it's just even a personality thing that makes a better teacher/student match.

    An hour is not enough before you take a 600 on the road. It's not responsible or safe. :eek::mad:

    Anyway, actual riding advice; what's been said before about feathering clutch and rear brake, looking up and also RELAX! Specifically relax the upper body and your grip on the bars, grip the tank with your knees instead if/when you need to. Instead of going faster/slower with the throttle, keep the throttle steady - this is next to impossible if you've a vice-like panic grip on the bars, ease the clutch out to go faster, ease the rear brake pedal to go slower.

    Too much throttle input or using the front brake will have you lurching and pogoing all over the place which will make you tense up your arms which makes you do clumsier throttle input - vicious circle.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,265 ✭✭✭Richard tea


    rowanh wrote: »
    I got it on kick ass torrents.


    Any link you can pm. When I search I get 9 different porn movies:o


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,749 ✭✭✭✭galwaytt


    rowanh wrote: »
    Try practicing on a bicycle, same thing use the back brake and pedal and try and go as slowly as you can in a straight line. If you use torrents there is a dvd called ride like a pro which is all slow speed practice stuff.


    Pardon the repetition for those that know me - but for OP, I went and did the Ride Like A Pro class the Christmas before last: highly recommended.

    I practice these nearly every single time I go out on the bike.





    I think the DVD is worth paying for tbh - you can download it from his site.

    Ode To The Motorist

    “And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, generates funds to the exchequer. You don't want to acknowledge that as truth because, deep down in places you don't talk about at the Green Party, you want me on that road, you need me on that road. We use words like freedom, enjoyment, sport and community. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent instilling those values in our families and loved ones. You use them as a punch line. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the tax revenue and the very freedom to spend it that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said "thank you" and went on your way. Otherwise I suggest you pick up a bus pass and get the ********* ********* off the road” 



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