[sparklenation]

Originally Posted by Triple Jim

When I first bought a motorcycle, I wanted to get skillful enough to take the license test on it. It was a 1972 Kawasaki H2, and I especially didn't want to fail the skills test on it, since it would evoke a lot of "I told you that bike is too big for a beginner" comments. Since the test was all low speed stuff, I did a lot of low speed maneuvering in parking lots and on the street in front of my house. I got to where I could do a figure-8 the hard way, across the street, without putting a foot down. The practice was worth it, and I did fine on the test.

I'm a big fan of practicing my weak areas until they're not weak. If tight U-turns are your current weak area, go somewhere safe and practice them. You can mark a parking lot or dead-end street with chalk or cardboard boxes, or anything handy, and repeat the U-turns, both right and left, until they're easy for you. It might take a week or two of 20 minutes a day, or something equivalent. Then move on to the next weakest link in your chain of riding skills.

One that comes to mind that's very important to practice is extreme stopping. I mean the kind that is likely to lift the rear wheel off the pavement, or close to it. That's one we all need to practice occasionally, to keep it automatic.

I totally agree. I am pretty good at extreme stopping. Though I have not lifted the rear tire yet. Perhaps this weekend I will utilize Angel Stadium parking lot for that. As for u-turns, they have only gotten easier. At least once a day I avoid a cell phone, texter or just plain oblivious driver. I just ride, watch everything and am courteous. I have no problem with yielding the right of way or letting somebody get in front of me, race in front of me at a light etc. I am just not in that much of a hurry, and I enjoy riding enough to just let it be.