How to gain confidenceLearning to balance and control a motorcycle at slow speed is a skill that takes time and practice. Build your riding skills with some exercises. In a large vacant lot use some marking cones to make a course (large plastic pop bottles partially filled with water work great). Arrange cones in a straight line. The distance between them should be two times the length of the motorcycle to start. The exercise combines clutch-throttle control and balance while slaloming through the course. Remember to maintain a slow, steady pace and look in the direction you're going. Don't focus on the cones. Once you have gained confidence, move the cones closer together until eventually you can slalom through the course with a distance of only one and a half times the length of the motorcycle.
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Parking Lot Practice
Have good posture and foot position. Don't watch your hands on the controls. Keep scanning the road ahead and look where you want the bike to go.
While maneuvering the motorcycle through the slalom course your front wheel should aim for the midpoint between pylons.
Control the throttle and clutch and use the rear brake slightly to help slow down. Never use the front brake while in a turn, the bike will fall right over.
As you perfect the straight slalom you'll want to practice counter-balancing. Try figure-8 and circle riding exercises. The secret is to look through the turn and your motorcycle will follow.
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Riding The Road
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