Discussion
Yes, I use full lock very often. Even when you are on full lock you can corner harder by leaning the bike more, so maybe full lock isn’t the one way street you think it is. Leaning the bike, not the bike and rider is the key. If it starts to fall to the inside I tilt my body out from the turn, the bike leans more and balance is regained. As another wrote a little throttle can help too.
Bob,
You're over thinking it.. you would rarely need full lock to complete a U turn..
The key is to learn to lean the bike into the turn under yourself. This effectively reduces the radius of the tyres and tightens the turn, no full lock required.
Keep your head up and looking around to where you want to go and you'll see how easy it is.
A little bit of back brake can be helpful but honestly, once you're comfortable with the bike balanced under you you'll rarely feel the need.
Also, don't try it too slowly. It's not trials riding so a little momentum can help keep the bike rolling as the tyre resistance increases and help complete the turn.
Don't make me drive from Ottawa to show you!!
You're over thinking it.. you would rarely need full lock to complete a U turn..
The key is to learn to lean the bike into the turn under yourself. This effectively reduces the radius of the tyres and tightens the turn, no full lock required.
Keep your head up and looking around to where you want to go and you'll see how easy it is.
A little bit of back brake can be helpful but honestly, once you're comfortable with the bike balanced under you you'll rarely feel the need.
Also, don't try it too slowly. It's not trials riding so a little momentum can help keep the bike rolling as the tyre resistance increases and help complete the turn.
Don't make me drive from Ottawa to show you!!
Scorched yellow said:
I wouldn't bother asking here, you need expert advice on performing u turns - just ask Bojo... 
If it's the test you're worried about^ they wont pick a road so tight you're reliant on full lock.
^I was rubbish at u turns and failed my first test on it. The second time around I sat in traffic for 20 mins stationary pretty much so we just drove straight back to the test centre and I passed. No U turn^^.
^^Sorry this doesn't help you specifically in this case.
No test, been riding for while, just curious if everyone goes full lock.
Steve Bass said:
Bob,
You're over thinking it.. you would rarely need full lock to complete a U turn..
The key is to learn to lean the bike into the turn under yourself. This effectively reduces the radius of the tyres and tightens the turn, no full lock required.
Keep your head up and looking around to where you want to go and you'll see how easy it is.
A little bit of back brake can be helpful but honestly, once you're comfortable with the bike balanced under you you'll rarely feel the need.
Also, don't try it too slowly. It's not trials riding so a little momentum can help keep the bike rolling as the tyre resistance increases and help complete the turn.
Don't make me drive from Ottawa to show you!!
LOL. I can generally do U turns just fine (i.e. within two lanes), I just never use full lock. So when I saw someone doing it on a video I wanted to try it. Just couldn't get there.You're over thinking it.. you would rarely need full lock to complete a U turn..
The key is to learn to lean the bike into the turn under yourself. This effectively reduces the radius of the tyres and tightens the turn, no full lock required.
Keep your head up and looking around to where you want to go and you'll see how easy it is.
A little bit of back brake can be helpful but honestly, once you're comfortable with the bike balanced under you you'll rarely feel the need.
Also, don't try it too slowly. It's not trials riding so a little momentum can help keep the bike rolling as the tyre resistance increases and help complete the turn.
Don't make me drive from Ottawa to show you!!
File-down the lock stops then you won't be on full lock for the same radius of turn 
Seriously though, full lock on one bike is not the same as full lock on another. I did the IAM through/round cones thingy and did it on the Indian and the lock was bugger-all compared to some other bikes - I was hard on the lock in both directions. But I guess as I expected the turn not to be on the full lock it wasn't a problem really...if that makes sense. Probably doesn't...but I think the point is if you're aiming for a full-lock turn then that might be over-thinking it, but if you're just turning as tight as you are comfortable with and you happen to hit the lock then it's not such an issue.
Seriously though, full lock on one bike is not the same as full lock on another. I did the IAM through/round cones thingy and did it on the Indian and the lock was bugger-all compared to some other bikes - I was hard on the lock in both directions. But I guess as I expected the turn not to be on the full lock it wasn't a problem really...if that makes sense. Probably doesn't...but I think the point is if you're aiming for a full-lock turn then that might be over-thinking it, but if you're just turning as tight as you are comfortable with and you happen to hit the lock then it's not such an issue.
Bob_Defly said:
LOL. I can generally do U turns just fine (i.e. within two lanes), I just never use full lock. So when I saw someone doing it on a video I wanted to try it. Just couldn't get there.
For reference, you should be able to execute a full 180 degree U turn, kerb to kerb in a single lane on most bikes... Goldwings etc excepted.And without hitting the lockstops..
Steve Bass said:
Bob_Defly said:
LOL. I can generally do U turns just fine (i.e. within two lanes), I just never use full lock. So when I saw someone doing it on a video I wanted to try it. Just couldn't get there.
For reference, you should be able to execute a full 180 degree U turn, kerb to kerb in a single lane on most bikes... Goldwings etc excepted.And without hitting the lockstops..
Bob_Defly said:
Steve Bass said:
Bob_Defly said:
LOL. I can generally do U turns just fine (i.e. within two lanes), I just never use full lock. So when I saw someone doing it on a video I wanted to try it. Just couldn't get there.
For reference, you should be able to execute a full 180 degree U turn, kerb to kerb in a single lane on most bikes... Goldwings etc excepted.And without hitting the lockstops..
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