The basic technique
- Look where you want to go, not at the ground in front of the wheel. The bike follows your eyes.
- Keep your head and shoulders up and your arms relaxed. Stiff arms make the bike wobble.
- Hold the clutch at the friction point and control speed with the rear brake and a little throttle, instead of switching the clutch in and out.
- Keep the throttle steady. A little extra revs and a slipping clutch give you stability at low speed.
Turning at low speed
- Turn your head fully in the direction of the turn before you start.
- Lean the bike slightly and keep your body upright or slightly outside. Do not lean with the bike at walking pace.
- Use the rear brake to tighten the arc if you are running wide, never the front brake with the bars turned.
- Use the whole width of the road for a U-turn and look for a spot with a level surface and no gravel.
Practise in a safe place
An empty parking lot is ideal. Mark a few lines or cones, and practise slow figure eights, tight circles and stop-and-go. See practice drills and clutch and gear changes.
Common mistakes
- Looking down at the front wheel.
- Grabbing the front brake in a tight turn.
- Stopping on a slope with the wheel turned and the bike leaning the wrong way.
- Paddling with the feet instead of keeping the bike moving.
If the bike starts to fall, let it go rather than hurting yourself trying to hold it. Check the controls and your boots before you ride.