Suddenly can’t turn right at T-junctions???

[pasmith73]

This is very embarrassing, and I will (deservingly) take some stick for this, but worth it if anyone has some advice/experience.

All of a sudden I’m really struggling to turn right at T-junctions. I don’t know why, but it’s obviously something in my head. I’m not turning enough and head towards the far roadside. It started a few weeks ago and I thought I’d “ride out of it” but it’s getting worse. Now when I approach the junction, my body is already tensing up. And there’s certainly an element of target fixation on the far roadside, although I’m trying to consciously look down the road. I instinctively feel like I want to turn the bars more, but there’s very little movement before the bars would hit the stop, and I’m worried about that putting me down.

So basically I’m worried about either running out of road, or the bars hitting the stop and me coming off.

Weirdly absolutely no problem turning left, and then you’ve only got half the road to turn in (instead of the full road width for turning right). And absolutely no problem turning/cornering when I’m moving, the problem is just turning from stationary.

At this point you’re probably thinking that everyone is like this when they first start and I just need more practice on my 125. But I’m not a beginner! Been riding for 12 years and average 3k miles per year in the summer.

Had a Daytona 675 for several years and then replaced with a S1000RR a couple of years ago. One issue with the BMW is that I can only just touch my feet down when I come to a stop, and I think that’s a contributing factor. I’m sure a shorter naked bike would be much easier, but that’s not really the point. Ultimately something in my head has made me lose the ability to turn right from stationary.

Does anyone have any tips? I’m thinking about finding an empty factory carpark tomorrow and just practice. Anyone else experienced anything like this or it’s just me?

[Electric Blue]

Grip the tank with your legs, tense your core and hold yourself up with them. Let your arms and shoulders relax and look where you are going. Don't over think.

[pasmith73]

Electric Blue said:

Grip the tank with your legs, tense your core and hold yourself up with them. Let your arms and shoulders relax and look where you are going. Don't over think.

I guess that over-thinking is why I’m getting worse. I never thought about it before and didn’t have a problem.

[trickywoo]

When I’ve experienced similar in the past I’ll give the bike an extra check over.

Head bearings being too loose or throttle / clutch cable being out of adjustment make manoeuvres like that more difficult.

If you find something that needs adjusting it can also change your frame of mind.

[A993LAD]

Do a few practice turns on private roads with no traffic or pressure.

Industrial estate on a Sunday morning is ideal for this kind of thing

[Neal H]

As you approach the junction make sure that you have the nose of the bike already pointing right when you come to a stop. Much easier that way.

That’s what I do anyway.

[hiccy18]

Find the empty car park and practice full lock turns left and right from rest.

[_Neal_]

Neal H said:

As you approach the junction make sure that you have the nose of the bike already pointing right when you come to a stop. Much easier that way.

That’s what I do anyway.

Good tip I reckon - what I try and do too. Perhaps try some u-turn practice as well, really get your head whipped around - could help with the target fixation?

Also are you left foot down, right foot up when you're waiting to turn? Rear brake (or ability to use it) may help control the turn and/or build confidence. Again worth a practice I reckon.

ETA - Maybe take a look at motojitsu on YouTube as well, good drills for manoeuvring, with some simple steps - including car park practice stuff. Good luck, sure you'll crack it

Edited by _Neal_ on Saturday 20th August 23:25

Edited by _Neal_ on Saturday 20th August 23:28

[Steve Bass]

Easy, just pull a Zoolander and make 3 left turns instead....

[Big_Dog]

I once had something similar. The front tyre had a slow puncture and the tyre was shot. Had a stiff spot on the amount of lean for the job.

Practice your slow speed counter steer too as suggested above. You might be having trouble dropping it in to the lean. Or even steering with the bars so you feel like you are fighting the lean. (waggle your elbows)

[pasmith73]

Thanks for all the replies, some useful advice there.

Talking it over with my dad has made me realise a couple more things:
- I’m definitely having trouble leaning over to the right from stationary (but only from stationary, and not to the left for some reason).
- Maybe now I’m being too cautious with the throttle and moving away too slowly, so the bike is more difficult to balance than if I was more positive on the throttle?

[cwis]

pasmith73 said:

- I’m definitely having trouble leaning over to the right from stationary (but only from stationary, and not to the left for some reason).

Are you hanging off the left of the bike to get your foot down when stationary?

[Slowboathome]

I get this problem sometimes.

Sounds like you're well on the way to getting it sorted - give it a bit more throttle; stop with front wheel pointing to right (I often angle whole bike to right when I come to a stop at a tight right turn); an hour of practice in a car park and you'll be sorted.

[outnumbered]

Position the whole bike pointing to the right as has been said. Do some practice in an empty car park, maybe try riding a few circles (watch for dizziness!), and practice looking where you want to go, never at the ground.

[nordboy]

Use the rear brake, gently apply pressure and then the turn speed can be regulated with the clutch/ throttle. Just as you would doing a U turn.

The rear brake will help make the bike feel very stable. I use the rear brake quite a bit on RH T-junctions.

People will poo poo this as basic amateur riding, but for me, it's just using the controls correctly to ensure the stability of the bike.

[black-k1]

I've said it before on here, you go where you look!

Actually, YOU GO WHERE YOU LOOK!

You are currently looking at the far side of the road opposite, thinking "st, I'll never turn in that space". You keep looking at the same point thinking "I'm not going to make it .... I'm not going to make it" and that's exactly where your bike goes.

Look as far up the road as you can and keep looking at that point up the road until the turn is complete. Your instinct will be to look at the other side of the road. Force yourself not to and to keep looking up the road.

After a few, that approach will be instinct and you won't have a problem.

Remember, you go where you look!

ETA Forget gripping the tank. rear brake etc. That won't solve your problem, you'll just ride into the far bank/pavement with the tank gripped and the rear brake applied. Those are techniques to improve your slow speed handling once you have the basics right. You don't have the basics right.

Watch where this chaps eyes are pointing ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVoXGGXRl5k

Edited by black-k1 on Sunday 21st August 08:03

[Gunk]

Neal H said:

As you approach the junction make sure that you have the nose of the bike already pointing right when you come to a stop. Much easier that way.

That’s what I do anyway.

^^^This.

Watch Police motorcyclists they always use this method

[tafkattn]

Out of interest, when you come to a stop, are you putting your left or right foot down? Are you having any balance-related issues lately, even if they're very mild? Weird dizziness, vertigo-like sensations, travel sickness, that sort of thing?

Any recent ENT problems / illness?

[Hungrymc]

With it getting worse the more you think about it… I’d say it’s where you are looking (you looking at the opposite kerb which you are worried about?) Make,sure you’re looking up the road where you want to go.

[Twolane]

Are your tyres and pressures ok?
Have you had an near miss at a junction that's now stuck in your mind?
I know my R1 is a little tricky at slow right turns, I think its because the throttle is close to the tank and feels awkward.
Can you go out with some other bikes and follow them or swap bikes to see if its any better.