Motorcycle practice drills for a parking lot

Riding skills fade when you do not use them, and the moment you need an emergency stop is a bad time to find out that you have not practised. Twenty minutes in an empty lot every few weeks make a real difference.

Set it up safely

Choose an empty, clean, flat parking lot where you have permission to practise, with no traffic and no obstacles.
Wear full protective gear, and check the bike with a quick pre-ride check.
Use cones, or any safe markers, and not anything that could damage the bike or hurt you if you hit it.
Stop when you are tired. Practice with tired muscles teaches the wrong habits.

Slow-speed control

Practise the friction zone of the clutch, with a little rear brake, to ride very slowly in a straight line. Then ride slow circles and figure eights, looking where you want to go, with your head and eyes turned and not at the front wheel. Slow-speed control makes junctions, parking and U-turns much easier.

Emergency braking

Start slowly, at around 30 km/h, and build up as you get more confident.
Squeeze the front brake progressively, rather than grabbing it, and add the rear brake. Keep the bike upright and look ahead.
Do not lock the front wheel. If your bike has ABS, you can brake firmly, and feel the pulse of the system.
Practise stopping in a straight line, and measure your stopping distance, so you know what to expect.

Swerving

Ride in a straight line, and practise a quick swerve around an imaginary obstacle by pressing the handlebar on the side you want to go to, and looking at the gap, not at the obstacle. Build up the speed only slowly.

Corner lines

Slow down before the corner, look through the turn, and roll on the throttle gently as you exit.
Practise wide, tight and decreasing-radius turns at low speed, so that your habits are ready for the road.

Think about a course

A rider training course, with an instructor who can watch you and give feedback, is the best way to improve and to unlearn bad habits. Many courses also welcome returning riders.

Practice is only as safe as the place and the gear. Check that you are allowed to use the location, and follow your training provider’s advice.

Sources: Motorcycle Safety Foundation. Links do not imply that these organisations endorse MotoCircleX.