It’s not the sexiest move you can pull on two wheels, but mastering the technique will get you out of many a sticky situation…
When you first get your licence, practicing U-turns is probably pretty low on the list of things you want to be doing. But while riding into the sunset may be the dream, there will come moments in your biking life when you need to do a U-turn, and you don’t want that to turn the dream into a nightmare.
Executing a perfect U-turn is a much-neglected skill among both new and experienced riders, simply because very few riders bother practising it. But we want to change that, because it’s a skill that can make the difference between a clumsy 12-point turn and a smooth and confident swoop.
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Knowing how to do a U-turn properly can also keep you safe if you need to do the manoeuvre in traffic.
Common mistakes
The biggest mistake with U-turns is not practising them. It’s simple enough to find a quiet space to practice, but make sure that the area is safe without any other traffic giving you a fright mid-turn.
The good thing about all of this is that you are not alone. Even advanced riders often struggle with slow-speed riding and U-turns. Not many want to admit it, but if you spend any time at a biker café or a bike night, you will see plenty of examples of riders awkwardly pedalling their bikes back and forth.
Remember that not all bikes turn the same. How easily and tightly you can perform a U-turn will depend on the steering lock, centre of gravity, riding position, etc., but with practice you will be able to turn any bike.
And remember this: Don’t be a hero. A little dab of your foot to the ground to keep things smooth is fine. This is not a test, and a foot on the floor is better than a bike on the floor. But with a bit of practice, you won’t even need that dab.
How to get it right
There are three key elements to doing a spotless U-turn. You need to concentrate on what you see and feel, and most importantly, believe in yourself.
Look around you for traffic and hazards. Once you’re happy that it’s safe to go, do a lifesaver check over your shoulder, then look where you want to go, not where the front wheel is. Scan your surroundings so you can take the largest safe radius for your turn. Take your time when preparing, and make sure you’re happy with everything before you commit to the turn. You don’t want to end up rushing or panicking during the manoeuvre.
Feel the throttle, clutch and rear brake. They are your friends for slow riding. If you have plenty of space and you are not going too slow, you can do a U-turn just on tickover without the other controls, but if it’s a tight turn or you need to go really slow, slipping the clutch and applying light and consistent rear brake makes the bike more stable and easier to turn. You also need to up the revs as you pull the clutch in and apply the rear brake – you will feel when you hit the sweet spot as the bike moves forward steadily and feels stable. The revs may sound a bit high, but you need that so you don’t stall, and the spinning parts in the engine add to the gyroscopic forces helping you to stay upright. DO NOT touch the front brake, it’s too sharp for U-turn control. Moving your body slightly may help a little, but this depends on your weight, and the weight and shape of the bike. As a general rule, moving slightly to the outside of the turning arc can help balance the bike.
Believe in yourself – you got this! As with most things, success partly depends on you being confident about your riding, and you can only truly be confident when you have practiced the manoeuvre so much it becomes second nature. If at first it seems difficult to get it right, don’t despair, repetition and practice will get you there.
And don’t forget…
Practice the turns both ways. In the UK the majority of your U-turns will be right-hand turns, but there are times when you need to turn left, too, if the traffic layout is unusual (roadworks, etc.); you are off the public roads; there are hazards or other reasons to make a left-hand turn preferable. And, of course, if you head out to Europe, you will be riding on the right, and doing the U-turns to the left.
When you do your bike test, you will need to keep your feet on the pegs for the U-turn. Once the test is done though, there are no prizes for not touching the ground, so don’t be afraid to have a little dab to help keep your balance. Try to do the turn with your feet on the pegs, but be ready to put the foot down early if needed – if you leave it too long, the bike will be more difficult to stop from falling.
OUR EXPERT
Nick Brown, Phoenix Motorcycle Training, Sidcup
Nick has been an instructor with Phoenix for six years, and involved with motorcycle training for the last 25 years, covering all aspects from CBT and DAS to advanced post-test training. Before joining Phoenix, Nick was a serving police officer for 30 years, with motorcycling playing a major role in his work, including being a lead member in theSpecial Escort Group, ensuring the safety of senior royals, government ministers and visiting heads of state. He was also a key influence in the creation of BikeSafe London which is now a nationwide recognised scheme. Part of Nick’s role within Phoenix is also being a key member of its in-house instructor training and development programme, ensuring each and every instructor, new and old, meet the highest level. Nick currently rides a Suzuki V-Strom for training and enjoys European tours on his Harley Davidson.
PHOENIX MOTORCYCLE TRAINING
Phoenix Motorcycle Training is the UK’s largest motorcycle training provider, with 22 local training centres. The company provides high-quality courses delivered by fully-accredited instructors, and is designed to meet a range of customer needs, from complete beginners to experienced riders.
Tel: 0330 223 4000 / Email: [email protected]
