Manoeuvring a sports bike

[chris.b-c]

First post here - Hi all!!

I've recently upgraded from a 250cc cruiser to a '02 ZX636R. I used to pride myself on being able to manoeuvre my cruiser at low speeds in small spaces. The Ninja is giving me huge difficulties, particularly with tight right hand turns - The handlebars turn until my wrist hits the tank, I'm forced to close the throttle, and then my foot goes down.

Should I give up trying to do tight slow speed turns without using my feet, or is this something I'll just figure out with practice and pushing the bike into the turn rather than turning the bars?? I'd love any advice anyone has!


Thanks in advance
Chris

[robracer]

Hi Chris, welcome to KSRC, sounds like the bars might need to be moved out......Focusing on the mechanical side, your wrist should not hit the tank so it sounds like the bike might have been droped at some stage & the bar has been pushed in.....best thing to do is measure both sides to see if they match at full lock, then move the closer one out to match

[Colette]

Hi and welcome, Chris

I have an 06 636 and yes it is certainly possible to manoeuvre it in tight spaces at low speed; I'd suggest practise is the key so don't lose heart. I am sure you will adapt to the different riding style in no time.

[JetPilot]

Gday Chris and welcome to the club.
To be honest, we could give you all sorts of advice, good or bad. I would go do a stay upright course with the ZX6, to teach you the right and wrong ways to do all kinds of stuff. You cant go wrong with these kind of courses.
Saying that, the Zx6 has a larger turning circle than the cruiser you are use to, so more "body english" is required... Learn this from the instructor first hand is the best way. I know I didn't give much info, but really the best way is with someone who knows what they are talking about and can show you first hand. Ive been there and so has many others.

[dilligaf]

training is the go. the HART advanced 1 course down here in vic has a good slow riding session. you do it on their bikes (hornet 600) though. they have an intermediate course with a bit of slow riding but its not as good as everyone at that level seems to want to concentrate on cornering.

[kevindinho]

yea training and practice are the key to success! maybe try leaning the bike more, i'm still a noob but i practice hard when it comes to my u-turns. Just remember to ride the clutch at friction point and use rear break to balance that way the bike doesn't jerk around. Damn i wish i had a 636

[tim]

Working on my tight turning I've found that leaning in the "opposite" direction to the turn helps me by balancing te weight and letting teh wheel turn.

When I got a bit keen one night I actually stood on the footpegs... OOOOOOOOOO.

The geometry of my bike is probably in between the cruiser and the 6.

Just my newbie nugget of advice.

[javaman]

3-point turn is the way ! ... I learnt that after binning my trusty ZX6R in the middle of the road

[Glen]

Full lock, turn your head over your shoulder as far as it will go and keep your body upright so that your pushing the bike down. Have your arse on the top edge of the seat as well and just practise doing circles. Be ready to put your foot down to stop you from dropping it, but in no time you'll be whipping through U Turns like a pro.

..and make sure you keep looking at the horizon not the ground

[mike-s]

listen to the man, many moons ago he used to be a rider training de'structor

[tim]

turn your head over your shoulder as far as it will go

in the direction you're turning?

Will try tonight, thanks Glen

[Glen]

turn your head over your shoulder as far as it will go

in the direction you're turning?

Will try tonight, thanks Glen

Yep look to where you want to go, which when your doing a circle is always as far around as you can get your neck.

Be careful alright. If your practising U turns you'll bin it on the right hand side and I'm not lending you my radial master cylinder from the tracky

Start with big circles and then tighten them up as you get better at it by pushing the bike further down and keeping your body upright. If you really want to practise them you can use our Cul de Sac

[tim]

Thanks I can see Tammy chasing me around the cul de sac barking like crazy.

Don't worry about the cylinder, if I bin it I'll just ride the 6 home is that ok? GS500's go HARD Glen!

[tim]

GS500's go HARD Glen!

By that I meant when you take it to the track.

Ridden the 6 much yet?

[Glen]

Around the block a couple of times. It has it's maiden outing at Eastern Creek this Friday