lots of folks like me been riding 30+ years and still just have basic skills mainly because I'm just do daily street riding and odd day out. if you don't practice a skill and put outside outside your comfort zone you will never learn. I went to a car park yesterday to practice a u turn. I have never done a full lock u turn. Surprisingly I felt very true wobbly, foot on the ground a lot and my hands when tired from all the tensing up. 20mins and it started to come together but lots more practice needed. Thanks!

After almost 50 years of riding, I’m still committed to learning, developing, and polishing my riding skills and I search out videos like this one for that purpose. I’ve seen a number of these speedy hero cop type u-turn videos lately and I feel that I ‘should be able to’ do these too so I’ve become a little conflicted about the best way to do tight turns. But your video has reminded me that low speed and high speed turns have totally different approaches and skill sets, and that the slow u-turn not only has it’s place, but will work in far more circumstances. So in a way your video has kinda ‘given me permission’ to stick with how I wanna do it. So thank you. Even after riding for almost 50 years I still go to car parks to practice and refine these skills, but just as importantly I use every chance out on the road, to keep these skills as fresh as I can. Loved your precise and carefully worded video. Newbies listen up; this advice is worth gold!! Phil Akl NZ.

Many thanks for "if you muck it up it's no big deal"! U turns scare me unreasonably and the pressure to "get it right" is part of that.

A tip I learned when training for my license in France is in addition to two-finger clutch control, use the other two fingers as a counter control to the two outside fingers - this increases the tactile response and the amount of tight control you get over the clutch. I would also advise against use of the front brake in any sort of turning maneuver and use the rear brake only - at least at the start as for any non-experienced rider, use of the front brake during a slow turn is way more likely to do more harm than good.

I’m sold, you covered the procedure very clearly.

U-turns are absolutely fear-situations for beginners. Nice done!

You made some great points and addressed all the key factors, it did seem very technical with your choice of words, maybe that is how the younger generations are wanting to hear explainations, however for me I've been riding motorized 2 wheel vehicles for about 50 years, and the reason I put that way is I started on a home built mini bike and progressed up with all different kinds of motorcycles, dirt, street, enduro, ect... I currently ride a HD Road King and a HD Sportster 1200 and the simple way I learned "slow speed" u-turns was practicing in a parking lot. Started with getting use to using the clutch with slight pressure on the rear brake, and the reason I choose the rear brake is that using the front one while going slow is more likely to #1 change the direction and degree of how far the handle bars are turn too quickly, which will cause the bike to fall over, #2, you even mentioned it in your video when you explain why you only use two fingers on the clutch, because out of fear you want to grab hold of something and if that "something" is the front brake the bike is going to fall over, so by keeping slight pressure on the rear brake allows you use the "friction zone" of the clutch to keep the bike moving. It's normally only when the bikes momentum is halted at slow speeds that you will drop the bike. So find a parking lot to practice in and start first by going in a straight line at what would be a fast walking speed 4 to 6 mph, do this by using the clutches "friction zone" and the rear brake, once you're comfortable with that use the painted car parking spaces to start practicing u-turns, most people can do a turn within 18 to 24 feet, which is approximately 2 car parking spaces without having to put a foot down, just continue to practice that a get comfortable turning the handle bars and leaning an you'll soon be able to make those turns tighter and tighter, and when you get really proficient at using the clutch and the frictions on you won't even have to use your back brake at all. Good luck to everyone and be safe and watch out for everybody because nobody's watching out for you when you are on your bike.

The biggest thing for me is mindset. Being able to keep myself calm, control my emotions, and don’t freak out. I had a 12 year break from riding and am just getting back into it. It’s like learning to ride all over again.

One of the best explanation ive watched. Good job

Very important skillset. Use of both brakes, body balance, stance, good clutch feeling will make the difference in tricky maneuvers or just ease handling everywhere. I remember a path where not had a 20-24° climb in Italy around Varese. Streets were a little over 2m wide and turns had a radius a hardly more than two meter and were falling to the inside. Stopping on a turn left without putting your weight to the outside so you could decide if you make that turn in one go or stop with the foot to the outside raised part of the corner... Felt just brilliant. A thing I trained which brought me there was doing figure 8 on parking lot from lock to lock. Around two half tennis balls distance ~ 3m between them.

Watching videos like this make me happy I made the progression from pedal bikes, to trail and dirt bikes, before moving to street.

This is just magnificent! Very well covered. I am going to try a few of the skills and build on what I already have. I am still a learner hough I have been riding for the 2 - 3 years. Thank you for a very well presented video, demonstrations and explanations. Keep it up.

Awesome thanks for this video. I can now u turn with a lot more confidence knowing that it can be done slowly and its ok if I don't get all the way around and need to stop and back up. Good one!!!

A fine tutorial. There are always minor variations or techniques one can add to the tool box, but your offering here was quite good. I am of the opinion that there's nothing better than a few years of dirt bike riding to develop techniques that can cross over into a lifetime of safe street riding. If one is setting out to learn riding from the start, a smaller cc dual sport bike used regularly on the trails can yield excellent skills for managing maneuvers required for survival on the street. Thanks for your work here.

Your videos are always outstanding! They are clear, very easy to understand and the information makes sense to me. This video was no exception. I always look forward to Mini Tip Monday! Thank you!

very nice vid and explanations. I just figured in a nice course by last year. That by standing up, I was able to turn even slower and on also a smaller circle then by sitting on the bike. Of course, with no heavy load on the bike. Keep the nice work up. Cheers from Switzerland.

Good job. Thank you. I’ve seen a lot of Jerry Palladino vids (all high grip maneuvers) and, while they’re valid and everyone should see them, yours gives a broader perspective.

Well Done!!!....staying in the friction zone helps immeasurably

Brilliantly explained, great job.

Great reminder of basic techniques again. Many thanks.

Excellent point at the 6-minute mark on 'counter weighing', I forgot this last summer and dumped the bike, such a crucial step and SOOOO important. Good job for mentioning it!

The one or two finger clutch has always worked for me, the same for the front brake, I'm a big fan of shortie levers. It's easy enough to lock the front with one finger, still have control of the throttle and have a solid grip on the bar, even on a 750lb Harley. Great vid BTW, subbed.

Very well explained, free advice, for a beginner like me is gold. Thank you

You make good tutorials 👍thank you - makes me Motivation to train !

Thank you, great video so I'll get out & start practicing

Pure gold, thanks mate.

Well presented vid mate and one of the best on the subject. Every bike riding technique is easily understood on YT but seldom replayed accurately in real life so practice, practice and more practice. The only way to gain confidence and cement muscle memory. I think a perfectly executed U turn on a big GS is a sight to behold especially with an audience waiting for you to cock it up. 10 mins in a parking lot is all you need but performed regularly. Thanks for posting....

It as very good. Thanks for the slow motion clips also. I'm practicing this now on my new Rebel 1100cc Honda in the manual mode and it worked for me every time. Great video. Hope to see more from you. Greetings from the US.

Agree completely with Aunty Mary below. Probably the best explanation for how to do a U-turn I've heard.

I went to practice just after watching this video. I only implemented his version of how to “look” when doing a U turn, as a result my U turns and figure 8s were tighter than ever before. This was on a V Star 1100. Thank you!

Thanks for the tips and advice.

Amazing explanation with emphasis on details with a nice demonstration 💯

Excellent, intelligent explanation and very helpful. Thanks from Australia.

That was probably the best explanation I've heard in the U turn technique...good job...

So many slow-skill videos out there but you've presented the best one I can find. Fantastically explained and demonstrated, and to also show dropping the bike a couple of times demonstrates how that's part of the learning process - and it's ok! The crash bars on the GSA are there for a reason, but I still don't want to scratch them up, so I've wrapped a bit of corrugated plastic hose around the parts that rest on the ground if it goes over, now I don't care if I drop the bike when I'm practicing, I just learn from it and get to practice picking it up again! Fantastic video, thank you!

This is the best U turn video I've seen. I'm sharing it! Thanks so much.

This is the best tutorial I’ve seen on this subject. Thanks!

great video, even at 68, I am still learning the different characteristics of each bike. My teacher in 1970, (one of Stirling Moss mechanics, advised me to master riding and balancing at very slow speed, this has worked for me, balance is important, clutch slipping is also great. awesome info

Lell’s advice from 2:50 I believe is critical. My experience is that smooth and continuous use of power all the way through the turn is a crucial skill.

I liked this vid and many of your others. Thanks.

Always good to learn alternatives. Becoming familiar with your controls inputs, effects and friction points is much more important than been told not to use front brake. The both brakes work depending on situation appeals to me much more so. Thank you sir

absolutely love the tutorial!👍🏼

Good explanation - I fully underline this procedure

great video! great advice! this is a massively important skill to have regardless of what you ride! nice one!! :)

bum to the outside of the saddle - brilliant! that's the key!

I am missing one very convenient and often overlooked technique. Next to using the clutch + throttle to control the bike at slow speeds, add some rear brake. What this does is keep the rear chain in tension, making the power delivery much much smoother, plus being able to give even finer control of the bike's speed.

Thanks for that . Very well explained

Thanks for making this video. This is exactly what I have been looking for :)

Excellent job on this!!!!

Excellent advice!!

Thank you...this is much easier to understand...

Great explanation , thanks!

Well Llel, what a great instructional video. Well structured with the right amount of information and with appropriate terminology. I'm a police trained rider (now retired - yippee!) and I've got to say that any rider - novice or 'experienced' can take a lot from this footage and practice, practice and practice. Well done mate - keep up the good work.

Great video, thank you for this.

Wow, Great Video. Excellent details; I'm a competent driver but your tips much appreciated.

Great advise! Thank you very much.

Well done, articulated and cut really well. I understood every word. Thanks for your effort. Many people will benefit from your lesson. I subscribed and look forward to your next tip. StayUpOn2 Mate. ✌️😎🇨🇱

Excellent advice

Thank you! Well done!

I just recently started riding myself, already dropped the bike twice trying to do low speed u-turns. Your video was a solid break down of information and I believe will help me out alot in practice. Thank you for breaking it down to this level.

good technique. thanks a lot!

Well composed vid and great way to share those tips! Thank you!

Thank you for the excellent video. Detailed but concise. Excellent use of graphics. Nice aerial view to better show the big picture perspective. Outstanding pedagogy.

Yes, thanks for the informative tutorial. It was very helpful. I would add these tips: practice, practice, practice, and practice left & right handed turns equally. Happy Trails

Great video, many thanks! It helps a lot. 🙂

one of the best things is to preload the motor while using the friction zone, slightly drag your rear brake, which will make you more stable and you should be able to drag peg almost under 10mps and over 5MPH for U-Turns. I'm shocked he doesn't focus on using the rear brake so you can lean more while in the U-turn good video overall!

Beautiful place, gorgeous motorbike and very good and helpful explanation!!

I've been having problems doing u-turns on my GSA. I'll give these tips a try and see how it works out.

Very clear, very concise well done

Brilliant, I'm a learner and this tutorial is just what I needed.

Yet another great video. I've found using a little rear brake to be useful but not always necessary.

This is the first u-turn/sharp turn video I've come across that accepts the fact that not all roads are spotless. Every other ones shows a person practicing on a super clean parking lot or road. I live in a state where it snows a lot and I have not found an empty parking lot that doesn't have sand all over it, even in the summer time.

Great advice. This will save lives! Thanks.

THANKS AWESOME TIPS

The body position was like a light turning on. Many thanks. 👍🏻👊🏻

Well said. Excellent, as always.

all makes good sense. Thank you.

Absolutely fanastic..thank you.

Thanks for the tips!

great video and wonderful reminders practice practice

Really nice video thanks

Thank you sir It's great experience 😊

I've only just reached my full bike licence and have only been riding my Honda CBR600 for a few months. This video is absolutely first class tuition on a subject that seems taboo amongst a good number of experienced riders, especially sports bike riders. I don't understand why because I think this is a critical skill to have. Thankyou for a terrific vid and clear instruction. 😀👍✌️

that was awesome thanks from a learner rider. have subbed x

Excellent stuff. I’m not bad at this, but there’s still a lot to learn in here and stuff to go practice. One thing I’d add is that for road use there’s a critical observation stage which you don’t really cover. Yes, you assess the terrain and where you’ll be turning, but before that you need to assess other traffic and hazards. Trying to check if there’s something coming up behind as you start the turn is hard and wrecks all that careful vision placement you stress. If you try to look over a shoulder at the commencement of a turn it can throw the whole thing. Need to get that done before and choose a place where it’s safe and you have time to do the turn as you need to, not being rushed because another vehicle appears unexpectedly etc. Other example…If you’re turning, is a pedestrian going to step off pavement in front of you causing you to brake? They haven’t seen, anticipated you turning or are just, well, you know, a 2021 pedestrian.

Excellent explanation, will practise myself.

Covered all the bases. Great job!

Excellent tutorial, cheers !

Thanks fella. I'll go practice. 😊

Liel,,, this is an excellent video,, the best video for u-turn i hae seen,,,thank you,,, you explain in deep details,,,and not boring,,,and i like your humility,,,I will watch more of your videos,,, take care !

Great video and just the way your dad taught me on an R1150GS on the Offroad Course a few years ago:)

Great info for someone who has returned to the Motorcycle after 35 years abscence..... I noticed early that the rider shifted his seat position, just waited for you call it...👍 I'm enjoying my W reg GSF600 Bandit S, I don't want to drop it. Thanks again....

I learned using the rear break and not the clutch to keep enough power available; I do this 28 years. I do like alle the info in the video. I can imagine the clutch works more sensitive for many. I will practice this also. ;-)

Great vid and very useful. Thank you.

Good video! Thank you 😊

Nice control.

Well explained!

I love this video now understand clutch or break how you properly manipulate. As first time rider or beginners some time we are able to use the clutch but understanding how it works. On this video ilike exact this details the video . This video most detail I watched

Now you've done it. You just found a new subscriber! Well-done breakdown of the essential u-turn components. In the MSF Basic RiderCourse, we teach it much the same way. Isn't it interesting how *some* long-time riders resist or avoid this technique? Personally, I don't understand why everyone would not wish to learn every possible means to control their machine in every conceivable situation, insofar as possible. Watching new riders learn this skill, and the accompanying surge in confidence, is a real joy. I look forward to more in the riding skills series.

Thank you for helping us all oit's all out 40 years of riding on the road it's odd it's a challenge to ride off road now