Low speed maneuvers on a SPORTBIKE?

Question

I rode some 250cc bikes around last night at a screening to become motorcycle instructors. I did the best, didn't have any errors. My friend is there taking it with me and brought his 03 R6. We got there early and I took it for a 5 mile loop. Screening went on. After the screening he said I won't be able to do the 20', 25' or 30' U-turn box on his bike. If you're not familiar with the MSF course then you probably don't know what I'm talking about.

Anyways I get on the bike and ride over to the box, then realize that clip on handlebars are extremely awkward! I hit my elbows off the tank, got my wrist stuck so I couldn't give it throttle, had to put my feet down. In the meanwhile I'm trying to work the clutch but it feels so akward. He's got a slip on so everyones watching me wobble and almost drop the bike. I tried to figure out how to do this, but is there any strategy any SPORTBIKE rider w/clipons could give me? I think I have to point my elbow straight up when turning....

Answer 1

turn up the idle so that you don't have to mess with the throttle (set idle at 8mph in first)

then all you have to do is release the clutch, slide off the side of the seat, and whip a nice tight U

i did a 25' U-turn on my 'Bird

EDIT:

YZF, "clip ons" are the handlebars...

they clip onto the triple tree

EDIT 2: The turning radius is better on a sport bike than on a cruiser (why do you think they race them on road courses?) the shorter the wheel base, the tighter the turn (assuming the fork stops are in the same spot...) just get a decent speed going (8-10 mph) and lean into it hard...

Answer 2

What are clip-ons? I probably know what they are but just have a different name for them.

Answer 3

I think magz has a good point every type is a little diff when pulling off the u-turn. when i did it  I found that my body position was the key my rt elbow had to be up in the air butt off the seat and my head as near to a 180 as I could get it that was on a small sport bike I looked like a clown riding a minibike. on my bob how ever i only have too shift my but off the seat and turn my head to 90. but I have been on this bike for a few I still pull a u turn now and then to make sure I can still do it.

Answer 4

Some friends and I used to have "slow" races in an empty parking lot from time to time.  It makes for some good laughs.  You can get them to turn pretty tight by turning the bars to lock, lean the bike into the turn as far as possible, slide your body weight to the outside to keep your balance.  Clutch, brake and throttle as necessary, which direction my head, a$$ and elbows went, changed frequently to keep from falling over. That's some old school stunting for you there, sonny, that's how we rolled back in the day.  LOL.

Answer 5

As long as the turn radius of the motorcycle can hack, it should be able to accomplish that task -- the only limiting factor is if the rider can accomplish that task.  Of course, balancing the bike becomes more problematic as gyroscopic effects and tire geometry effects decrease with speed.

Experimentation and practice can help you figure out what works for you.