My old post ...
While reading this thread and some other similar. Then, I thought, while there are some excellent advises around, some riding techniques (such as this, slow speed turn) really need "visual" explanation. (you know, sometimes the words just aint' enough ...)
So, I try my best, trying to "show" (some already explained here) things with picture. Hope it helps.
Typical example of newb u-turn
What's wrong with it ?
1. turn your head (look as far forward as possible)
More than 9 out of 10 times, the newb riders are looking at too closely. (looking right front of the front tire, or a couple of feet away, too close. )
In a situation like u-turn (slow speed, full lock turn), you should be looking at the end of the turn when you start the turn.
And, TURN YOUR HEAD, not just moving eyeballs.
(when you properly turn your head, your left shoulder is down, slightly back, right shoulder slightly moves forward.
Left elbow bent slightly more. Your upper body is relaxed.
2. relax your shoulder and elbow.
If not, the bike's front end cannot turn freely, therefore, it runs wide. Not just doing u-turn, your upper body should remain relaxed while riding.
3. hold (& turn) the throttle in the right way
Starting with little finger, then ring finger. Then, middle & index finger, thumb all should be relaxed, only lightly holding the grip. And the throttle grip should be diagonal to your hand, not 90 degree. Hold and turn the throttle like when you turn door knob.
This is a bad example. Throttle grip 90 degree to your hand. You have to bend the wrist to turn the throttle. You cannot do precise control. When you turn the throttle, your elbow and entire right arm will move. Sit on a bike without engine running, try to pull throttle cable just by 1 mm with this grip. Difficult, isn't it ?
Then, try to hold it diagonally, and turn like door nob.
And don't put all four finger on the brake lever. In this pic, index finger is placed on the lever but close to the pivot. This finger placement is not for braking. (you will fall if you pull F brake during u-turn.) It (index finger on the lever) acts as a stabilizer. Because Ducatis have rather larger throttle cam, you need to control the throttle grip really delicately.
Ok, I need to explain more, about how to use rear brake during the turn (very useful technique in many , many situations), but I have to go to work now. So I'll cover the rear brake later.
PS. Hope you heel soon
And the 2nd part
So, as some people already mentioned, rear brake is really useful in many situations on the street.
First, try this simple experiment / practice. (Do it in a safe area, such as empty parking lot, etc.)
Start the bike, stay in 1st gear (or 2nd if it's too difficult to do it in 1st gear).
Keep the speed low, (30 MPH or less, as slow as you can go without stalling / using half clutch) maintain the same throttle opening.
Now, GENTLY apply rear brake.
At the same time, open the throttle just a little bit more, so that you can maintain the same speed WITH rear brake applying, but not too much so that you don't accelerate.
fig.1
Don't use clutch.
Can you keep the same speed while using rear brake? Then, try to apply a bit more rear brake. Don't shut off the throttle. The bike will slow down with the same throttle opening. You will notice engine rpm also drops.
Then, little less brake, the engine rpm rise and the bike will pick up speed.
DO NOT release brake pedal, keep pressing down the pedal, just change the pressure. Also, do not open / close the throttle.
Try to focus on adjusting the speed by rear brake, without opening / closing the throttle.
While doing this practice / experiment, you should be able to feel
1) this does not upset the bike's front end
2)when applying rear brake, rear end of the bike " sink" down a bit.
fig.2
Next, try to do the same slow speed adjustment by throttle on / off. Same speed as rear brake practice.
fig.3
You will notice the difference immediately.
You will feel a lot more pitching motion, front end moving up and down, unpleasant shock right after opening the throttle.
(Note : You have to do these at SLOW speed. As slow as you can go. )
Now, imagine you're dealing with this ...
fig. 4
It's downhill, and it's decreasing radius corner. You can easily tell , from the practice described above, doing throttle on / off during the turn is not a good idea.
Then, how do you take corners like this ?
(to be continued ...)
The whole thread
http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=52779.0
