90 degree turns

[hunduc]

this might be a stupid question, but riding on city streets and taking 90 degree turns at corners (no stopping), what gear are you in? what is your speed? i always wonder if i am clumsy at those turns, or average.

[thought]

generally first because i'm still using a 15t front sprocket... being in second and having to possible drop a gear in case some pedestrians pop up is kind of annoying for me.  and this is in nyc, so average speed is pretty low... it's pretty rare i get above 3rd... or even get into 3rd for that matter.

[Howie]

Same, first or second, depending on pedestrian traffic.

[Slide Panda]

In city or slow riding, the rear brake can be your best friend. A little dab of rear brake while still on the power is part of how those LEO and skilled low speed riders manage such tight, slow moves while keeping the bike up.

Go find a parking lot and try to ride from point A to B as slowly as you can with no brake or clutch modulation. Now, give it a go again using a little bit of rear brake (no front) and slip the clutch as needed while keeping your RPMs up - say around 4-5K. And you'll find that you can keep the bike stable and tracking straight and really low speed. With practice you can get down to speeds that are fractions of MPH for a short bit.

The point of this is that a little bit of balance work, and some rear brake can really smooth out low speed navigation.

[hunduc]

In city or slow riding, the rear brake can be your best friend. A little dab of rear brake while still on the power is part of how those LEO and skilled low speed riders manage such tight, slow moves while keeping the bike up.

Go find a parking lot and try to ride from point A to B as slowly as you can with no brake or clutch modulation. Now, give it a go again using a little bit of rear brake (no front) and slip the clutch as needed while keeping your RPMs up - say around 4-5K. And you'll find that you can keep the bike stable and tracking straight and really low speed. With practice you can get down to speeds that are fractions of MPH for a short bit.

The point of this is that a little bit of balance work, and some rear brake can really smooth out low speed navigation.

that's the thing - i got so accustomed to clutch modulation in slow cornering i have to force myself not to do it. the l-twin just so rough on low rpms (i switched from an fz6) that i automatically start to play with the clutch when i slow down too much.

i will try the rear brake method. i guess you have to be very careful not to slid sideways.  

[meanmonster]

1st mosty for a very sharp from a stop 90 and Little combo of dip, sometimes clutch slippage  and turn for sharp and slow 90s. Wider 90s that I can just lean though and don't have to stop mostly 2nd sometimes 1st, depends.

[pitbull]

+1 for the rear brake

My GF took a msf course a couple of years ago and really struggled with slow speed manouvers the first day. So much so, she wanted to quit. I explained how to use the rear brake while executing slow speed turns and she came back after the second day reall yexcited about how easy it had been and how much more she enjoyed the day.

[jvax]

The rear brake is your friend when doing anything at slow speeds (even wheelies  ).

+1 on practicing this more till you feel more comfortable with the L twin's roughness at low rpms.  A bit of clutch play when needed is not bad either.

[Hellraising-vtec]

depends on my speed but probably 1st for me

[bikepilot]

It depends on speed and conditions of course, but most often 2nd for me if there's not a bunch of traffic in the way.  I'll usually have a finger on the clutch and usually feed it in as I roll on power to make the transition from braking to power nice and smooth (most bikes, incl. the wife's monster, have a bit of a jerk from the off-on throttle transition). I'd scrub most of the speed with the front primarily going into the turn and then might use the rear a little.  I like to be on the power by the apex if not earlier - keeps the chassis happier imo.  Dragging the rear brake into the turn helps though with scrubbing speed and helps keep the rear end calm.

[Duc796canada]

It depends on speed and conditions of course, but most often 2nd for me if there's not a bunch of traffic in the way.  I'll usually have a finger on the clutch and usually feed it in as I roll on power to make the transition from braking to power nice and smooth (most bikes, incl. the wife's monster, have a bit of a jerk from the off-on throttle transition). I'd scrub most of the speed with the front primarily going into the turn and then might use the rear a little.  I like to be on the power by the apex if not earlier - keeps the chassis happier imo.  Dragging the rear brake into the turn helps though with scrubbing speed and helps keep the rear end calm.

Sounds like what I do, I dominate my lane as well, gives me room. Hey there is no rush.