Hey all,

Just wondering if any of you use the 'friction zone' slow turning technique, and if so could clear some stuff up for me.

(here's a youtube example of what Im talking about http://youtube.com/watch?v=jDfyDRXapKg
(and here's a link to an amazing police rodeo run using the techniques http://youtube.com/watch?v=99KKx7cB-Ok

for slow turns it says
-be in the clutch friction zone
-apply rear brake throughout
-keep constant throttle

Does anyone know what the suggested method of the 3 is to control speed?? If you want more power, should you let out the clutch or let off the brake?
Also, does anyone have a feel for how much wear this type of riding will put on the clutch. I intend to practice this stuff, but don't feel like replacing my clutch anytime soon!

Thanks!

Very cool videos. Gonna have to look around for those.....

WOW. Big bikes doing those maneuvers is just a marvel of great technique. I know that I'm impressed and a little jealous, too.

I've got all of his videos and this stuff really does work. If you're in the friction zone correctly, you can pop the throttle and still not increase your speed.

In the first part of his lessons they show him walking along side his wife as she rides. They show that even if she revs the throttle her speed doesn't really increase. Sound strange I know but I've done it.

You can increase your speed slightly by using differing pressure on the clutch, but you don't vary the pressure by all that much.

I think the most important skill they stress is the head and eyes. It's really tough to trust that where you look is where you'll go. Once you get that down the rest is more or less muscle memory so you get the right touch for your clutch hand and rear brake pressure.

M7

that is a technique i use to pass the motorcycle test.... i use it alot a traffic lights stop signs i almost neve put my feet down unless im at a dead stop i mean dead if there is a mm of roll its up right no feet and your drag your floor boards right and left... feather the rear is easier if you were to use the front brake the bike would fall over...

Mark7 wrote:

In the first part of his lessons they show him walking along side his wife as she rides. They show that even if she revs the throttle her speed doesn't really increase. Sound strange I know but I've done it.

M7[/quote]

Really? that does seem a bit unexpected. So I guess steady light rear brake, steady throttle, and make adjustments to friction zone clutch pressure? The whole thing seems really cool to me right now, I really want to get out there and master this stuff. Perhaps I should buy some engine guards!!


And like you say Mark, the head and eyes thing alone I have found has really been working for me. It's something I learned initially and since then I have forgot about with bad riding habits.

Crash bars (or whatever you call 'em) are a good idea regardless. I've heard from guys over and over about how they've done the job and kept their legs safe. Cheap insurance I say. Especially if you can get 'em a little used off ebay or something.

M7

Probably pretty hard on the clutch plates, if they are partially engaged the whole time..

In real world use the techniques are used a very small percentage of the time so I don't worry too much about that.

It's the practice that that develop the skills which may be hard on the clutch and rear brake. The guy cautions you to take frequent breaks so both you and your bike can cool down. Keeping the sessions short allow you to break your concentration and gives the bike a chance to literally cool down. I'm sure the slow speed maneuvers can be tough on both brake and clutch so taking breaks seems like good advice all around.

I'm still working on getting my skills down. Every time I head out for a ride I make sure I take at least 10 min. at some point to run through some drills. It gets easier and easier the more you do it, but isn't that kinda the case with most things we learn?

M7

I actually asked my MSF course instructor about the clutch plates when he talked about using the clutch to control speed. I've always known it would cause premature wear in a car/truck and assumed that with a motorcycle. His opinion was that if I were on a HD then maybe so, but the Yama's were almost bulletproof in that regard.



yet another thing to love about owning a star!