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Re: [ST] U-turn diameter



[snip the bulk of message]
 
> Does anyone else have this "problem"? I think it's a
> matter of getting used
> to the bike, but the seating position and tall
> gearing makes it somewhat
> more difficult.

MSF suggests leaning the bike while keeping your body
upright for slow speed turns, esp sharp ones.  In
other words, keep your spine upright like you're
standing up, but lean the bike over, put your weight
on your right foot for a left turn.  It works, but
feals a bit odd (as others have mentioend).

Another thing, put your head on a swivel.  MSF also
teaches looking to where you want to bike to be.  If
you want to make a u-turn, then when you start the
turn, you should be looking at the exit point, or as
close to it as you can.  You *DO* go where you look,
so if you look at the ground, that's where you'll go. 
This holds true for *ALL* turns.  This is a skill most
beginning motorcyclists, and some veterans, dont have
(in my experience), but once aquired will make
cornering at all speads easier, more manageable and
more enjoyable.

You should check into the MSF Basic Rider Course
(BRC).  They start you off as if you dont know
anything about motorcycles, and when you're done
you're probably good enough to pass a state skills
test (in Ohio you get a waiver for the test for taking
and passing the course).  They teach the skills like
sharp cornering, u-turns, emergency braking, obstacles
in the road, swerving, you name it.

Also.....nobody said you have to take the skills test
on your ST.  There are places around here that will
rent bikes to you for the skills test (little 250s and
such that you should be able to put through a u-turn
in your sleep).

If all else fails, check out MSF's www page
(http://www.msf-usa.org to get info on teh courses, or
check with your BMV/DMV/whatever to get info about the
local MSF sacntioned course (here, it's called
Motorcycle Ohio).

Hope this helps

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