Slow speed balance

cadd · May 27th, 2016, 09:38 PM

I find what helped me a lot with slow speed balancing is actually practicing on a bicycle. Although there's a 400lbs weight difference, a lot of the muscle memory remains.

I used to commute via bicycle 10 miles each way in NYC and just got tired of putting my foot down at stop signs and red lights. So, I started playing around with "track standing". This video was filmed almost 10 years ago when I started practicing it.

Link to original page on YouTube.

Today, when I come to a stop at a traffic light, if it's slightly uphill and the crown of the road is to my left, I can do this with the 300!!! Held it for what felt like 5-10 seconds. The only problem is, I have to do it standing up...

I'll try to see if I can get it on film for you guys.

But if you guys have a bicycle lying around, give it a shot...maybe it'll improve your slow speed balance on the motorcycle as well.

verboten1 · May 28th, 2016, 07:49 AM

As long as the Tenere (or KLR) is moving at a out 1 MPH I can keep it upright by standing. I quit standing on the ninja after the peg broke off.

SLOWn60 · May 28th, 2016, 09:18 AM

Much easier on a fixie but riding those in the city is nuts! There's a lot of nuts riding fixies in Vancouver!

toEleven · May 28th, 2016, 12:24 PM

I don't stand up, but that's basically the technique I use at really slow speeds/stop signs/lights on the CBR. I adopted it from BMX bikes, but you're dead on either way: bicycles have lots of transferable skills, especially with regard to balance.

I just recalled: when I first took the MSF, there's was a portion where we were told to ride slowly through a line of parallel cones. During the debrief after that drill, the gal who had been behind me complained that I was going too slow and she couldn't keep the bike balanced at that speed. Bicycle skills at work

akima · May 28th, 2016, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cadd

Today, when I come to a stop at a traffic light, if it's slightly uphill and the crown of the road is to my left, I can do this with the 300!!! Held it for what felt like 5-10 seconds. The only problem is, I have to do it standing up...

I'll try to see if I can get it on film for you guys.

That's impressive! I'd love to see it on video.

Quote:

Originally Posted by verboten1

I quit standing on the ninja after the peg broke off.

Second person I've heard say that that has happened. Are the peg mounts weak on the 2fiddy?

verboten1 · May 28th, 2016, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by akima

That's impressive! I'd love to see it on video.

Second person I've heard say that that has happened. Are the peg mounts weak on the 2fiddy?

I've seen one other in person, and one on here, and all of the fractures were in the same location.

May 27th, 2016, 09:38 PM	#1
cadd cadd cadd cadd Name: Cadd Location: 41°21'13.1"N, 74°41'37.4"W Join Date: Jan 2014 Motorcycle(s): 300 Posts: A lot. MOTM - May '15	Slow speed balance I find what helped me a lot with slow speed balancing is actually practicing on a bicycle. Although there's a 400lbs weight difference, a lot of the muscle memory remains. I used to commute via bicycle 10 miles each way in NYC and just got tired of putting my foot down at stop signs and red lights. So, I started playing around with "track standing". This video was filmed almost 10 years ago when I started practicing it. Link to original page on YouTube. Today, when I come to a stop at a traffic light, if it's slightly uphill and the crown of the road is to my left, I can do this with the 300!!! Held it for what felt like 5-10 seconds. The only problem is, I have to do it standing up... I'll try to see if I can get it on film for you guys. But if you guys have a bicycle lying around, give it a shot...maybe it'll improve your slow speed balance on the motorcycle as well. __________________________________________________ Riding it like I financed it.
	3 out of 3 members found this post helpful.

May 28th, 2016, 07:49 AM	#2
verboten1 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Jason Location: Monroe, MI Join Date: May 2013 Motorcycle(s): '75 CB550:.'82 XV920:.'00 KLR650:.'00 EX250:.'08 Ninja 250 Posts: A lot. MOTM - June '15	As long as the Tenere (or KLR) is moving at a out 1 MPH I can keep it upright by standing. I quit standing on the ninja after the peg broke off. __________________________________________________ '82 XV920: Soon to be tracker--'00 KLR685:adv --'04 DRZ400E--'12 Super Tenere --'13 Versys Ride more, worry less.

May 28th, 2016, 09:18 AM	#3
SLOWn60 n00bie to wannabie Name: Bill Location: St Ives, BC (Shuswap Lake) Join Date: Sep 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2012 250R (Red), 2005 VFR800A (Red), CRF450X (Red), 2012 F800GS (Wants to be Red!) Posts: A lot. MOTM - Nov '15	Much easier on a fixie but riding those in the city is nuts! There's a lot of nuts riding fixies in Vancouver! __________________________________________________ The Smart Money: #1 - ATGATT, #2 - Training (machine skills and survival skills), #3 - The bike; whatever floats yer boat with the money you have left over

May 28th, 2016, 12:24 PM	#4
toEleven Slower than you. Name: toEleven Location: NoVA Join Date: Oct 2015 Motorcycle(s): CBR600RR, CB750, EX300 (半蔵) Posts: 667 MOTM - May '16	I don't stand up, but that's basically the technique I use at really slow speeds/stop signs/lights on the CBR. I adopted it from BMX bikes, but you're dead on either way: bicycles have lots of transferable skills, especially with regard to balance. I just recalled: when I first took the MSF, there's was a portion where we were told to ride slowly through a line of parallel cones. During the debrief after that drill, the gal who had been behind me complained that I was going too slow and she couldn't keep the bike balanced at that speed. Bicycle skills at work __________________________________________________ DISCLAIMERv1.0: There may be more info on the topic than this forum post. Conduct your own research. If another thread is linked or quoted, go read it yourself.

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