Precision Maneuvering School

[msbuck]

Wow.   Just finished up my class with MotoMark1.  It was incredible - and HOT!  I've been riding a long time, but I've always had a fear of the parking lots.  Being vertically challenged and on my tip toes doesn't help.  My first year of riding I dropped my bike 5 times - all in parking lots.  I finally decided it was time to tackle this fear of mine and took the Precision Maneuvering School.  This is all about slow speed skills.  



I was SO NERVOUS when we began the day, but as the day progressed, so did I.  What a difference by the time the day was over!!! I now have the confidence to make u-turns and parking lot maneuvers without worrying about dropping my bike.  These exercises we learned are part of the motorcycle police drills.  We even worked on the IronCross and I was successfull!  I just can't tell you how excited I am about this class and how much more confident I feel!!!  

Here's a video of the Offset Cone Weave I finally got the hang of - all on my pretty black R65!  

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/video/video.php?v=1478605167545

[Melena]

Yay for you Aïda!   [smiley=clap.gif] [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

Congratulations on completing that course and coming out of it with such confidence in your slow riding skills.  What a great thing to do.  I'll have to see about getting in a class like that.

I can't get into Facebook, so if you can share that video any other way I'd love to see it.  But I do love the picture of you on your bike in line with the other women.  What fun!   8-)

[SCJJR65]

Way to go, Aida!!!   [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

[msbuck]

Melena -

I made the video open to everyone, so I was hoping you wouldn't have to sign up to be able to view it.  Did you even try?  Let me know and if you still can't see it, I'll upload it to youtube as well.

It was really a fantastic experience.  I would recommend this to anyone that has any interest in honing their driving skills.

[Melena]

Yeah, I tried.  It wants me to log in.  

I don't want to sign up for facebook though.  Got too much going on as it is.  Plus I've been hearing too much weird stuff about it lately.    :-?   Maybe I should sign up and just not put much of anything up.  Hmmmm.

But, if you could put it up on you tube that would be great!  Then I won't have to make that decision yet.  

[msbuck]

I'll try to get it on youtube sometime today.  Might put two up.  I'll let you know when it's done.

I'm very careful with my facebook account, but I'm hooked.  I joined to keep up with my nieces and nephews, then family, now I've hooked up with old high school and college friends.  I've reconnected with some long distance cousins as well.  It's amazing how small the cyber world is! Just look at this forum... 8-)

------Here ya go-----

Offset Cove Weave
Figure Eight

[Melena]

Thank you Aïda!  Those videos are great!  What fun to see you taking the R65 through its paces!   8-)  You did a great job!   [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

[nhmaf]

Great job Aida !!

 [smiley=clap.gif] [smiley=clap.gif]

These R65s really handle well for that type of riding, except that the dry clutch is a bit heavy and can get "grabby" as it gets hot if you have to do much slipping.   I setup a figure 8 and a triangle course in my driveway (which is gravel) that makes for some interesting challenges, too.   I can definitely manuever the R65LS in tighter circles with confidence compared to the 300-pound heavier, longer, and more top heavy Kawi Concours!

These are good things to practice at the start of every riding season, I think!

[suecanada]

Wow!!!! You did great!!!! Thank you, thank you for posting those videos Aïda!!! Boy, do I ever need a course like that!!! Hmmm. Might be just the ticket!

So far the Triumph, I think, tends to fall in a bit more than LRB on a tight u-turn and it can take me by surprise. Bonnie has a 17 inch front wheel and LRB has an 18 inch front wheel. Bonnie has a pretty tight turn radius too. I gotta practice!!!  Cluck, Cluck!!!

Was there anything said about weighting the outside footpeg on those tight turns?? I know about the friction zone. Also, what about the use of the rear brake slightly on and off???  I think I heard the instructor say to make sure you were squeezing the gas tank with your knees???

I was very impressed with your riding!!! "How you do that, Willis?!"

[msbuck]

Thanks all for the kind words.  I have to say that I'm quite proud of myself.   [smiley=happy.gif]

I will now admit that I had Graham bring the Laverda over at the lunch break and thought I would give the offset cone weave a try with that bike...that didn't work AT ALL.  The Laverda has a much wider turning radius and it doesn't have the same turn lock to lock with the handlebars as my BMW.   I dumped it pretty hard - broke off the brake pedal and so didn't try anymore with that one...    I have some more learning to do - those short sport bars don't help either!

Sue,  he did talk about weighting the foot, but somehow I missed that specifically.  I might be doing it without thinking, but I just don't know.  As far as the brakes he told us NOT to use the front brake - only the rear.  It was mostly the friction zone in use.  As far as squeezing the tank with your knees - that relaxes your arms!  It's AMAZING how much it helps!!!  Gotta keep that grip relaxed.  

It was a really AMAZING day for me.  I can't begin to put into words the difference it has made for me.  He's planning another Ladies Only class in Sept - Sue you should come on down and I'll join you in class!  Melena, I often thought of you and the maneuvering you have to do to get your bike out at all!  This class would help your confidence more than you can imagine.  

OK, I guess I've raved enough...   8-)

[suecanada]

I checked out their internet site and I thought I read there was a ladies only course again in Oct?? Sept. is much better but Derek and I hope to be in Cape Breton with my brother Rich.

[msbuck]

Oops, yes the Ladies Only class is Oct 9th, but the same class - open to everyone - is in Sept.  I really liked the Ladies Only class.  Women are so supportive of each other.