How low (and slow) can you go?

[Marcos]

I decided I need to get serious and take the skills test to get my full license ASAP, so I did some slow speed practicing in an emtpy parking lot late this afternoon.

1) I haven't had a formal practice in over a week, but I'm feeling even more confident now since I've been riding almost every day.

2) Being more confident, and trusting some of the things I've read here and in Proficient Motorcycling, I'm finding I can turn really tightly at slow speeds, and lean pretty far over as well. I'm scrapping my pegs slightly on a regular basis, and avoiding the instinct to put my foot down about half the time. BTW, I mean to say that the lean is from countersteering rather than trying to turn by leaning.

3) While I've had second thoughts about getting such a small bike because of my long distance plans, I love being this much in control of it so soon. My fellow beginners who haven't yet bought a bike: Really consider getting a 250 cc bike. Yes, most likely you'll outgrow it, but then you can sell it to the next newbie.

4) Right after my slow speed practice, I took the bike to where there's a nice curvy road, and I was much more agressive taking the turns, knowing how low I could lean the bike. It's a thrill being able to make better turns and feeling a little more in control.

5)Also during the slow speed practice, I was doing U-turns. The whole thing about looking where you want to go is weird, but it works so well. This also came in handy when I went on the ride after.

[Gixxerdale]

Originally Posted by Marcos

The whole thing about looking where you want to go is weird, but it works so well. This also came in handy when I went on the ride after.

As you ride a little faster in the twisties and on freeways, it is really important to do. Stay focused and look through the turn. Don't go blind into a corner not knowing what is around the bend. Don't get caught by surprise on an off camber corner.

On the freeway, watch the cage drivers head and shoulders. You'll learn to "read" them. Small movements will give you a warning what they may be planning to do. Try to ride in the larger gaps between the packs of cars and always have an escape route if someone makes a stupid move. They never do that in LA!

[Random]

When I took my test I used an old RF-600 with only one fairing on one side, it made it one side heavy, anyways, you should try and pratice on the actual circle that the DMV uses... you'll notice that its radius is pretty tight.
I was actually told that there was no way I'd pass with the bike I was using...
The best, for me, that is, to get a nice tight turn on a slow movement, is sit up and off the bike a bit and lean the bike and you like a rodeo clown sitting atop (kinda imagine doing a table-top but on the floor.)
and remeber once you go around the circle you would have to straighten out quickly to go thru the solid straights.....
but, who am.....

Originally Posted by Marcos

I decided I need to get serious and take the skills test to get my full license ASAP, so I did some slow speed practicing in an emtpy parking lot late this afternoon.

1) I haven't had a formal practice in over a week, but I'm feeling even more confident now since I've been riding almost every day.

2) Being more confident, and trusting some of the things I've read here and in Proficient Motorcycling, I'm finding I can turn really tightly at slow speeds, and lean pretty far over as well. I'm scrapping my pegs slightly on a regular basis, and avoiding the instinct to put my foot down about half the time. BTW, I mean to say that the lean is from countersteering rather than trying to turn by leaning.

3) While I've had second thoughts about getting such a small bike because of my long distance plans, I love being this much in control of it so soon. My fellow beginners who haven't yet bought a bike: Really consider getting a 250 cc bike. Yes, most likely you'll outgrow it, but then you can sell it to the next newbie.

4) Right after my slow speed practice, I took the bike to where there's a nice curvy road, and I was much more agressive taking the turns, knowing how low I could lean the bike. It's a thrill being able to make better turns and feeling a little more in control.

5)Also during the slow speed practice, I was doing U-turns. The whole thing about looking where you want to go is weird, but it works so well. This also came in handy when I went on the ride after.