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Anybody have any tips on turning the Stryker at low speeds? I could really use them...
Begginer rider needs help!!!
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Thanks for the advice. I don't know what the bike can do so I don't trust it. Unfortunately there aren't any videos out showing how well the bike handles at low speeds. When I ride the breaks how fast do you think I should be going to do continuous circles and figure eights?
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practice practice practice, you cant learn to play the guitar over night 
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Why do you want to do circles and figure eights? If you are going to do them don't use the brake, learn to do it with the throttle, if you grab the wrong brake at the wrong time...you're going to hit the ground...You need to concentrate on performing controlled stops and avoindance moves....find an open parking lot with no parking curbs and practice....remember the front brake is your friend....If you've not taken a motorcycle saftey course you should....I've been riding since 1965....yes I'm old....so....but I learn stuff every time I ride.
DM, there is no set speed so build it up and you will get better. The ability to turn any motorcycle at low speeds isnt easy but essential. Whether its making a U turn at an intersection or working your way through a parking lot, you need to be able to keep the bike upright and not be dragging your feet around looking like an amateur. I would suggest practicing bigger circles (going both ways) and decreasing the radius as you get better. Just a bit of throttle, release the clutch enough to get the bike moving and ride your rear brakes lightly while looking through the turn. See how it works out for you. As others have stated, practice is key. Oh use some body lean as you improve to counterbalance the bike.
Check out this video which may help you. He is doing on a big Harley. Good luck!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGtCMxu8PyM&feature=related
Check out this video which may help you. He is doing on a big Harley. Good luck!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGtCMxu8PyM&feature=related
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968 Posts
At faster speeds you lean with the bike but going really slow lean away from it a bit. The bike will want to fall inwards at low speed, you can counteract by leaning away from your turn. These bikes are very stable, trust it. Some dmvs have their courses acessable on the weekends you could try it and see how you do?
Mos Def>..... Go In A Clear Parking Lot And Manuver Trhough It At Low Speeds Not Excessing 20mph... Ive Taken 2 Safty Courses And They Both Have Us Going Slow And Focuses on Turns.... I Wondered Why We Wernt Going Any Faster In The Course And I Know Why They Do That Now.. And Turn Your Hear Towards The Direction You Want To Turn And Never Look Down Like They Said And You Will Be Fine
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keep your head up and look to the turn....turn your head where you want the bike to
go and the rest will follow.....you must trust the bike, if you dont then you need more
practice doing basic stuff. I wouldnt ride the brake in a U turn, I have become very good
friends with the clutch.
go and the rest will follow.....you must trust the bike, if you dont then you need more
practice doing basic stuff. I wouldnt ride the brake in a U turn, I have become very good
friends with the clutch.
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745 Posts
i agree with the thoughts about the motorcycle safety course. i took it because i HAD to because i'm in the military but i learned a lot! even after riding since i was 13/14. you do good cornering drills, figure 8s like you mentioned and controlled aggressive stops. you can then take those exercises with you to perform on your bike so that you can get more familiar with it
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Thank you all for your advice. I do have one other question that's bothering me. I'm trying to learn how to turn the bike at low speed obviously but I have a really hard time going slow!!! In first gear I seem to only be able to keep the bike upright at speeds over 10mph. I've watched many youtube videos where I've seen bikes that appear to be going 5mph or less!!! I would like to know if the Stryker as big as it is can go that slow without tipping over. I've read in these posts and others about using the rear brake to stabilize but I can't seem to make that work.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PERJTHu1Od0&feature=feedf
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvxsM4QaFAA&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PERJTHu1Od0&feature=feedf
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvxsM4QaFAA&feature=related
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968 Posts
Use the clutch, and brake to go as slow as you can balance. If you don't use the clutch you'll have trouble.
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650 Posts
With the raked front your not going to be able to turn on a dime. The bikes they set you up with when you take the course will turn alot sharper. You'll be able to creep the bike before you know it, it just takes some experience. I can roll up to a stop sign and sit still for several seconds then take off with out putting my feet on the ground holding the back brake while creeping will help you balance. I would recommend if your really having problems and want to feel safer is to hop on a bicycle and get good at it. I guarantee that if you get good at making balancing stops with a bicycle you'll have no problems with a motorcycle. Making slow sharp turns is all about shifting your weight to the outside to counterbalance the bike. This is another thing I recommend doing on a bicycle to get the feel of it theres no real difference in the two.
Yup, I agree with StrykEd. There is also advance or beginner Motorcycle courses available. I did the advance course last year September and I did that on my Stryker, I learned that at higher speeds I had to scrape my foodpegs to make the tight turnes (like the tight figue 8 ts). So my pegs are a little beffled, but it is ok. I also got a discount with my insurance for compleating the course.
I recomend it to anyone, new to riding or riding for years. I learned alot of new tricks 8)
I recomend it to anyone, new to riding or riding for years. I learned alot of new tricks 8)
I would have to suggest, like some others, you should really invest a little money and take a riding course. It will be well worth the cost. Not only will you be safer and make others on the road safer, but enjoy your riding more, because you will not worry so much during your ride. You will also save on insurence.
I've taken a couple and there is always something new you learn no matter how long you've been riding.
Now here's your answer. You use the clutch lever. By bringing it in and letting it out you control your RPM's. This allows you to control the speed as you turn. This is how you are able to do sharp cone turns in those demonstration events you see.
I've taken a couple and there is always something new you learn no matter how long you've been riding.
Now here's your answer. You use the clutch lever. By bringing it in and letting it out you control your RPM's. This allows you to control the speed as you turn. This is how you are able to do sharp cone turns in those demonstration events you see.
+1... Ive had been riding since I was about 5 on dirt bike and I was forced to take the class to get my licence since I wasn't 21 at the time and Oregon required it when I was living there to get it. I had ridden with experienced riders that showed me alot on how to ride defensibly on the street. The class was easy to go through for me and the instructor had me helping out thought the class but one thing I can stay is I still learned something from it. I personally thing everyone should take a motorcycle safety class. Most places offer them in different skill levels so you can continue to improve and learn new things
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