Struggling with Mod 1 slalom practice.

[nickjaxe]

Had my second practice session at mod1 today on the 650...high speed swerve...emergency stop all fine but cant get consistent clear runs on the slalom...fig of 8 or the U turn.

I just dont feel confident to go onto the opposite lock for a fear of falling and overshoot the next cone...I need to grasp how the get that front wheel turned faster.

On my very first session with the 650 I stalled it and dropped the bike on a turn at to slow a speed....didnt get my leg out quick enough...I am not sure if this is still putting me off...that was around 5 lessons back...

Any tips guys...its very frustrating.

Edited August 30, 2015 by nickjaxe

[Joe85]

Forget the cones, and try not to keep your turns too tight. You want to flow through.

You need more practice feathering that clutch, it's all about controlling your speed. Once you've nailed it, the bike will take you where ever you want it to go.

[scotthamilton75]

I'm with Joe on this. Found it easier to increase the revs and feather the clutch. Dragging the back brake helps if needed. Give it a shot with more speed and no cones.

[nickjaxe]

I did slip the clutch quite a lot during my attempts.

The location of the practice pad may not help...its side in on a slight slope...nothing much but noticeable.

On going left your slightly going downhill...going right slightly up hill....as I say only a few degrees.

So you need to vary the power...would this make any differnce do you think?

[runningman]

Found it easier to increase the revs and feather the clutch. Dragging the back brake helps if needed.

+1 for this.

[Glorian]

When going through the slalom (5 cones I believe?) never look at the cone your on or the one your coming up to, they're to close and you will wobble. focus on the NEXT cone along. Keep your revs high about 4-5k. then use the clutch to adjust your speed if you're going to fast, don't move ANY of your hands and use the rear brake to slow you down. don't keep it applied as this can fail you if you hold it the whole time.

The figure of 8 is relatively easy. aim for the center, and once you pass it if you go left or right swing your head right around. target fixation will make you naturally go that way (try it) revs still the same and toggle the clutch, you can take this relatively wide (as wide as the last slalom cone I believe) it does not have to be super tight so don't make it hard on yourself.

The U-turn is where a lot of people struggle. It is hard to balance the bike when trying to turn especially when you likely haven't mastered countersteering. Start off, you have ALL that space to ride up so why turn straight away? Do your lifesaver, pull off high revs toggle clutch in and out, rear brake ready if needed. life saver and manouver, just like before swing your head RIGHT around and bring it up to the line, if you're a little distance away. that's why you used all the space, now you have time to correct it!

Good luck Mod 1 is hard I preferred Mod 2 but you'll nail it if you just think before you act! (also don't be lame, shake the instructors hand when you meet him!)

[number1barber]

hi depending on what bike you ride this may help

when i was training i found after i slowly pulled away if i let off the throttle and let out the clutch the bike would roll on tickover allowing me to worry about the steering and nothing else.

yesterday i tried it at the school messing around before mod two and a different bike was a bit quicker doing the same thing.

however if the bike will roll on tickover you can then adjust the speed purely by using the rear brake.

at present you do the following

feather the clutch

adjust the throttle

use the rear brake

steer

rolling tickover will be

steering

or

steering

rear brake

I hope this helps and i hope you pass i failed twice with a big bike because i ride a vara but thats nicely balanced and up right training bikes are low for me and i muffed it on salom twice despite being able to pass on the vara. the rolling tickover did it for me. maybe try some of the bikes till you find one that rolls slow and use that

[nickjaxe]

Thats amazing had a 2 hour session this morning and your suggestion re letting the motor idle and feather the clutch is just how I did it...felt so much more under control.

I tried it after reading the tips on this website...see below.

http://www.drivingfast.net/motorcycles/ ... -test.html

Also the instructor drummed it into me re looking where I wanted to go...made such a difference.

I feel much better about it now.

[Glorian]

Glad it helped

When you say motor idle. You are revving it right? Idles at around 1500rpm. you want to be revving around 3-4000 rpm and feathering the clutch in and out.

And looking where you want to go is great way of moving about It feels a little unbalanced but eventually you have confidence in yourself and the bike and you'll be fine.

Whens the test?

[nickjaxe]

No idle as in tick over....

[Glorian]

Blimey what is your bike sitting at? Should only be around 1500rpm probably a little less. Make sure you rev the engine or it will struggle along and your manouvers will seem sloppy.

[nickjaxe]

Yippieeeeeee did the Mod one this afternoon with a good pass...no bad marks...I am so so relived.

Thanks you guys for you help and advice.

Did the Slalom with the throttle full closed...the bike had no prob with it...nice and controlled just had to feather the clutch a tiny bit...but so much less to think about...may not work for every bike but the 650 Kawasaki did it with ease.

Another guy from the same school as me also passed with flying colours on the test after me.

So glad I dont have to do that again...just Mod 2 now...but I am not even thinking about that at the moment.

Nick.

[Joe85]

Nice one Nick!! Onwards to the Mod 2!

[Arwen]

Well done Nick!

[runningman]

Congratulations. Think most people find the Mod 2 easier but certainly not a forgone conclusion though. Good luck for that one.

[nickjaxe]

Thanks guys for the good wishes...dont even want to think about mod 2 yet...just need to chill for a bit now and let it sink in.

[Glorian]

Nice one man!

Mod 1 is harder by far its more tricky and you have less experience of the bigger bike. Mod 2 (if you've been riding a 125 at all) is just like normal riding.

Keep us posted!

[GaryJM]

Well done

[scotthamilton75]

Well done Nick !