hey guys,

just wanted to introduce myself. i joined honda-tech last summer and was waiting until i actually got a bike to post, but that might not be till sometime next year (after im out of college). new poster but not a new reader, haha. im hoping to become more involved, so here goes..

ive been into/learning about bikes for a long time, and am a big fan of motogp. ive had my m1 since last summer, but i dont have too much riding experience. during the msf test, i could do most everything just fine (i even scraped a footpeg on accident o_O) but for the life of me i couldnt get the slow speed figure 8 right. i tried releasing the clutch to the friction point and giving it a little gas, but i kept going either too slow or too fast. im sure i probably just need lots of practice, but i was wondering if anyone had any advice.

thanks a ton, this is a great forum!

 

practice makes perfect

If you want a real test, try a tight Uturn or a tight figure eight on an incline... separates the men from the boys

 

Welcome!

Yeah the figure 8 is one of the harder drills simply because of the tight turning radius and slower speed. Remember to look where you want to go, and to shift your body wieght opposite of the direction of the turn. Ive been riding for a little over one year now and hands down the slow speed stuff is among the most dificult skills to learn! Im comfortale now, but it took me that long to get here and by no means do I have it "mastered" yet. Practice in a parking lot once you get your bike!

PS Who has the vid of that one dude busting figure 8s like nobodys buisness. He lets the bike fall into each turn and catches it with the throttle. I saw it here so somebody should have it...

 

it is even harder on a twin... the big pistons make it really difficult

 

ill try that incline thing.....someday

 

Easiest way to pass that test and perform those tight maneuvers is to use the rear brake - allows better throttle control and lets ya keep the revs higher and more consistent by using the brake to control vehicle speed instead of the clutch.

My .02