[MaxPower]

A couple weeks ago I found an empty parking lot in decent shape (not too many cracks, few sand patches) and practiced figure 8's for about an hour and a half. I did low-speed (<5mph) and higher speed (20+mph) turns.

Though I've been riding for three years, I've never learned the full potential of my bike since it's foolish to ride hard on the street. In that hour and a half I finally dragged the pegs and turned low-speed figure 8's at nearly-full lock. I'm a MUCH better rider now and take on ramps with full confidence, an improvement from my previous wobblyness.

For newbies interested in really learning how to ride, I highly recommend getting in some practice time accelerating, braking, and turning in an empty, well-maintained parking lot.

 

[bumblebee]

I've been practicing and preaching the same advice for over 30 years...You will see me out in the parking lots after closing doing circles and fig 8's...

How can you handle a high speed maneuver out on the street if you can't turn slow speed circles and fig 8's in the parking lot??

 

[Dominion]

How can you handle a high speed maneuver out on the street if you can't turn slow speed circles and fig 8's in the parking lot??

Excellent point, good advise guys

 

[xgabriel]

It is a required part of the NY road test to perform 2 figure-8's. 2 right hand circles, and 2 left hand circles.

 

[Kein_Mitleid]

Absolutely required in Quebec, Canada, too to get your graduated licence.

 

[omegga1]

I was in the parking lot doing em today. The only way Im getting the low speed 8's to work, is to look over my shoulder at where Im abt to turn,and come off the seat with a lil counterlean. It worked for me everytime,if I didnt, I started tipping.

 

[sl33p3r]

I am under 21 so I had to get my endorsement to ride "legally". In the course we also had to do low speed figure 8's and other low speed driving maneuvers. The course was about 250.00 and lasted 3 days. I had been riding for 2 years previous on friends bikes (99 CBR600 and 01 R6) but after taking the course I gained alot of knowledge. and about the looking ahead of the turn, that is what we were taught in the course and it DOES really work. (Especially for those tricky U-turns.)

 

[tendar]

That sounds like a great idea doing figure 8 had never though of it. I will give it try.

 

[Shadow]

I may go try this as well. Cool info. I know I can ride crazy fast but having the ability to control it is another issue. I did find this out the other day on I-10 south going past chandler when a big rig and car tangled in front of me and I was going more then the posted limit lets just say. I had a chance to do some hard braking and manuver to a safe place from all the other traffic that was behind me. I have been reading that book on riding technique that said practice emergency breaking from the speeds that you normally ride....guess thats the reason.

 

[Iceman_954rr]

Figure 8's are great practice...

Not only is it important to practice stopping, starting, cones, 8's, etc...it is also important to do it as much as possible. I started commuting 5 days a week on the 954 and going to work each day is a blast. Every day I am learning more and more...in the past, I was strictly a weekend warrior and now I see a whole new world.

 

[StickItGraffix]

A couple weeks ago I found an empty parking lot in decent shape (not too many cracks, few sand patches) and practiced figure 8's for about an hour and a half. I did low-speed (<5mph) and higher speed (20+mph) turns.

Though I've been riding for three years, I've never learned the full potential of my bike since it's foolish to ride hard on the street. In that hour and a half I finally dragged the pegs and turned low-speed figure 8's at nearly-full lock. I'm a MUCH better rider now and take on ramps with full confidence, an improvement from my previous wobblyness.

For newbies interested in really learning how to ride, I highly recommend getting in some practice time accelerating, braking, and turning in an empty, well-maintained parking lot.

I TOTALLY Agree Everytime I go to Walmart I do Figure 8's and Loops . I use their Tire Lube and Express customer exit as a great surface to drag peg. after the corner there is a long road that i get a smokin wheelie on and wave at the crew in the receiving area. They love me and my crew. We tried to get permission to do a stunt show inn their parking lot.. Umm that was a big bad NEGATIVE..

the figure 8's do teach you to trust youyr bike. Which is 60-70 percent of the trick to rubbing the little nubs off the sides of your rear tires. Ill post some pics of my rear tires later today