slow speed control

Number 6 said:
My 2010 GSA wanders about at very low speed when travelling in a straight line such as when trying to stay feet-up approaching a red light. The bars tend to weave from side to side. I don't know what causes it.
Click to expand...

Interesting this, I thought it was just me. I find myself avoiding coasting slowly to lights as the front can twitch unpredictably to one side. I have only experienced this before on a Triumph Sprint when very heavily loaded but not as bad as the GS. Revving a little, applying rear brake and ensuring relaxed grip does work for me to an extent and I find the GS very good to manoeuvre otherwise e.g in full lock turns. Have tried different suspension settings but it makes no difference. Assume it's down to a combination of bike geometry, rider weight and position?
 
You might think about a day out with Hopp Rider Training - Martin's Advanced Machine Skills days will improve your confidence in low speed handling no end. I have no connection with Martin other than being a satisfied customer, but I recommend this training to the majority of IAM & RoSPA candidates I test - pass or fail...

Mike :)
 
Hi

I have thought of booking a course just for slow speed control,i have done a few track day based courses through the years that have helped with making progress, but the art of slow speed control is just as important as i am beginning to find out with the more two up trips i do these days, thanks again

Dave:thumb
 
Relax, it'll come with time and practice. When I got my first 1200 in 2004 it was enormous and made me nervous, now almost 8 years later on my even heavier GSA I really don't even think about it anymore I just ride and enjoy. I'm sure you will soon be doing the same.:thumb
 
If the tyres have done 20000 miles I strongly suspect I know what the problem is ;)
 
Do not look at the road directly in front of your wheel. Keep your head well up and look where you want to go. If you want to go right get your head round to the right and this will turn your shoulders and take your bike to where you are looking.

When carrying out slow speed manoeuvres, control the speed with the back brake. Hold the back brake on fully, set the throttle at about 1500 revs and set the clutch lever so that the clutch is starting to drag slightly (the revs will start to drop). Release the back brake and the bike will start to move forward slowly. Keep the clutch and throttle in this set position and slow down or speed up by applying or releasing the back brake. Get used to using the back brake as the speed control when manoeuvring at slow speed. In the beginning practise in a straight line and when you feel more confident start to practise turns in both directions.

At slow speed stay off the front brake and do not cover the front brake lever. Cover the rear brake lever. Another advantage of using the back brake is that it is more comfortable for your pillion and you. No more taps on the back of your helmet from your pillion's helmet.

Practise, practise, practise. Many IAM groups do slow speed riding courses that are free for members. Hopp Rider Training does advance machine skills courses that cover slow speed riding skills.
 
I think Wapping nailed it :thumb

Practice will help more than anything, I suspect in the open car park without the "scary" narrow slippy surface you will have no problems (or far fewer) and once you realise how easy it is to ride slowly the train won't make you nervous next time.

If all else fails get the Ferry :D
 
Move your body around to counter what the bike is doing too, as well as what everyone else has said
 
All pretty well covered here. The only thing I've got to add is don't be afraid to move your body. Obviously it's all tied in to staying relaxed, but fine balance control can be achieved with relatively large body movements (compared with movement of the bike). Watch some trials riders in action, they are the masters at low-speed control.
 
Thanks a lot guys for ALL your advice will get out there and practice,


Dave:thumb
 
Wapping said:
Bright and sunny today, too :thumb2

Shift yer butt from the chair and onto your saddle....
Click to expand...

+1:thumb

It's lovely up here too.....Been practicing slow control all morning.....Only thing is it was on the farm Quadbike(Kawasaki KLF300)

Does that count?

I never put a foot down even in the difficult and muddy sheep trough section!:D

FP.:thumb
 
Nice and sunny in worthing as well,did get out of my chair but went shopping instead:tears, but will get time to practice, And no i think quad bike could be cheating lol

Dave:thumb
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

F850GS clattering over slow-speed bumps from below seat LHS - source? Fix?
Replies
11
Views
972
Porcupine
Speed control on the B500
Replies
4
Views
2,519
mickellard
full lock slow speed turns
7 8 9
Replies
169
Views
28,583
Pablo1
slow speed control video
Replies
12
Views
4,415
Ogmios
Ogmios
armstrg
Slow speed skills - recommended trainers
Replies
15
Views
3,500
Kahuna


Back
Top Bottom