IAM Slow Riding Teach-in and Mock Test Verdict

In the previous video I took a Mock IAM Motorcycle Test with Karl. We finished the ride with a few minutes of slow riding, then the verdict on my performance.

[@FLoaB]

Jerry Paladino is your man for slow riding and tight turns, bonny lad... excellent advice. His channel is full of good stuff...

[@Back2TheBike]

Thanks for the tip David. I've also been looking at some of the stuff from Fast Eddie/MotoJitsu.

[@johnpresland1537]

Well done Neil, it was the result I was expecting - be interesting to hear Karl's analysis of your ride, but take your level of ride for the mock - add to it the feedback you received and you have a lot of efforts put into your riding, I'll just add that little extra we all needed for the test - good luck! - go for it

[@Back2TheBike]

Thanks John. Chairman Geoff reckoned I'd benefit from another observe so that's in place for this Sunday. I think the major lesson here was to actually enjoy it. I felt very relaxed, even when I knew I'd fouled up a few times.

[@glencarter4697]

Very honest video. Its nice to see at all levels there are still run for practice

[@Back2TheBike]

Thanks Glen, glad it's helpful.

[@garyshort7738]

Well done, you have a great attitude towards learning new skills, and show respect for those who are teaching you. And now ,that shows in your riding. . You deserve to pass.

[@Back2TheBike]

Cheers Gary, they are a great bunch, really generous with their advice but their jokes are terrible.

[@Johnnywoo7]

Well done, slow riding is a valuable skill. As an IAM observer I teach my associates basically the same. Remember keep the rev’s up and ‘feel’ the clutch, if you stall you will fall. Turn you head in the direction you want to go as far as you can, to keep the turns tight, you go were you look. Keep it up.

[@Back2TheBike]

Thanks for the advice Johnny.Turning the head isn't easy with helmet / jacket etc I find. Maybe I'm just getting old!

[@0770322]

I have to say Neil you are a very good student, you immediately put into practice whatever your instructor imparts to you

[@Back2TheBike]

Ha! Try too but some of these lessons are hard to grasp. Slow riding and cornering still need some work.

[@richardnicholson3912]

Thanks for this. I’m right at the beginning of my motorcycle journey having only done CBT and got a 125. It’s nice to see an advanced riding video with slow speed stuff on.

[@Back2TheBike]

Have you seen Nottingham Roadcraft? Binge watch.

[@richardnicholson3912]

Back2TheBike I’ve not. I shall take a look! Thanks

[@petery3523]

Pleased for you Neil that Karl assessed you as test ready, well done. Karl is certainly a very good mentor / coach, and if you practice your slow speed manoeuvres somewhere safe and quiet, you will notice improvement. Three things to remember, stay loose on the bars, steady speed controlled by rear brake only and turn your head to look through the turn, everything Karl mentioned to you.

[@Back2TheBike]

Thanks for the advice Peter. I'm out this morning on the RT so will give it a go. Things getting chilly here in the UK so presume it's hotting up down under.

[@petery3523]

We are having a lovely spring so far and expecting it to start warming up soon. Perfect bike riding weather for us and I hope your riding continues to develop.

[@martinstevens1477]

Well done Neil go for it enjoy the ride all these things will come naturally without thinking. One more thing listen to your bike it will tell if your doing things it doesn't like.

[@Back2TheBike]

Thanks Martin, I look forward to that day!

[@tomtilley3162]

high 5 to your work and attitude your certainly paving the way ...great stuff

[@Back2TheBike]

Thanks Tom. Trust all is well with you.

[@mulegizmo]

Bloody interesting Video mate, thank you for taking the time on this , just about to sell my ST1100 for R1200RT so I am enjoying your vids

[@Back2TheBike]

Nice to hear from you and thanks for watching MG. I'm off out today to investigate some Ducatis ... Hehe ;-)

[@TheDervMan]

Nice one Neil. Love how honest you are with your videos. 😬👍🏻

[@Back2TheBike]

Thanks for the feedback. No point me trying to act something I'm not, especially with so many experts watching ;-) Funnily enough, it also takes the pressure off because the films are a diary rather than a how to, with the added benefit that they record a level of performance so I can work on the weaknesses, which are many ...

[@seaflyfisher]

Have you looked up the dictionary meaning of "many" - it just means a lot ? :D

[@neiloakey5183]

Nice one... good slow manouvering tips too.. thaught Carl was trying to loose you as you departed the narrow runways.. 😁 great vid..

[@Back2TheBike]

Neil Oakey Thanks Neil. Nothing like a bit of aviation heritage is there? As always, my brain is fried after an observe, so was quite happy to follow obediently ;-)

[@maz2496]

Did mine a month ago and passed , your doing great and be honest can’t see you not passing

[@Back2TheBike]

Well done Mario - and now the real learning begins!

[@maz2496]

Back2TheBike never ending my Freind , but thinking of doing masters now just as challenge!!

[@Back2TheBike]

@@maz2496 Best wishes with that Mario.

[@mikeroberts]

Neil, congratulations on the mock test pass. Your Observer saw it first hand, we had to comment on a video. Always difficult. (I stand by the feedback I gave though :) ) As you know I'd back up all that Karl said in the video about the slow riding (as I've said it before) regarding head movement and relaxing/positioning your arms. I don't want to confuse you but just be careful doing the tickover thing on big flat twins! A few more revs is useful and will avoid a stall if you push too hard on the brake pedal. It would good to hear/see/read what feedback Karl gave overall. I guess you didn't film that part.

[@Back2TheBike]

Thanks Mike. I never film the bit in the pub and we didn't stop for a debrief apart from the slow riding. Briefly: 1. The Aston was a mistake but not a critical error (I was still on my side of the road) - I 'redeemed' myself through my own analysis of the situation, and the fact that my positioning was generally much improved 2. A bit gears and clutchy still 3. Lack of progress at the double give way 4. Good with cyclists 5. I moved out to soon on the dual carriageway, could have waited to let the Merc pass 6. Cornering good 7. Town work good 8. Didn't get flustered after initial missed indicator 9. Liked the exit from the early T junction off the estate 10. A little restrained following traffic when I could utilise the last few mph to catch/match/despatch 11. Generally a good, safe ride though with no critical errors or speeding Chairman Geoff said if I make a mistake don't assume I've failed - I probably haven't - keep bashing on. Also reckoned I'd benefit from another observe which I'll do this Sunday.

[@kevinmobile]

Informative video as ever and good tips from Carl about keeping that head turned and up on U-turns/figure-of-eights etc. I think this can't be over-emphasised at the training stage. On my first full test I dropped the bike while leaving - and turning at slow speed - the centre's car park when by instinct I just touched the front brake to avoid a wall. Doing that, needs to be added to the deadly sins! Anyway, 'only' a Suzuki 650 Bandit fell on me but it was amazing how quickly I picked the bike up with car drivers about to take their test looking on. A lesson learned...

[@Back2TheBike]

Yes, it was a good session. I find slow riding highly demanding, can't do any more than 15 mins actually.

[@kevinhicks3091]

Also ,well done Neil, I am a little envious as I am way behind in the amount of "observes" done, so I am inspired ( backside kicked ) to get to the same level, many thanks.

[@Back2TheBike]

I reckon on about one a month with 2-300 miles in between. Back at it tomorrow ...

[@Back2TheBike]

Nice to see you yesterday Kevin. Hope the ride went well!

[@Grahamvfr]

Good luck for your test Neil, and don't worry too much about your slow speed work, I personally find the type of bike your riding has a lot to do with confidence on u turn (loved helpcat Harley comment about that also ha ha) eg, on my fazer 1000 no problem feet up, but on an the mv agusta I also ride oooh no that foot is ready to dab down all the time. Giving that accident statitistics show very few fatalities from putting your foot on a u-turn I'm surprised training organisations put so much credibility to it. Good luck once again.

[@Back2TheBike]

Thanks for your kind wishes Graham, although I don't believe in luck, just hard work and the grace of God! You're spot on about slow-riding, and I won't lose too much sleep over it. Given time and some disciplined practice, it will come.

[@mikeroberts]

You'll be surprised how much difference mastering slow riding makes to your everyday riding. Sure you won't use the technique to crawl along in travel, but the confidence it instills when coming to a controlled stop, or momentarily pausing at a Give Way to assess the view, is so obvious from someone watching from behind. I'm still surprised your Group don't have events for this as it allows you to have a go, rest, engine cool, and then have another go, all while being encouraged/advised how to improve.

[@Knobblytyressoggysocks]

The thought of doing a figure of 8 under test conditions, breaks me out in a sweat 😅

[@Back2TheBike]

To be honest I've given up on the slow riding tricks now. No point in dropping the bike for no benefit. I can dawdle along at 3mph in a stright line though!

[@Knobblytyressoggysocks]

@@Back2TheBike absolutely 😃

[@gordon4221]

Hah ! I knew it - get in there B2TB. Before testing though you really need to practice slow speed riding like u turns, figure of 8's, walking pace. You can do it but I tension is palpable and I feel you are on a knife edge.You should be aiming to easily make the turn within the tarmac and I feel you bottled it a bit. You may not be asked to demonstrate this specifically but you could be. If you demonstrate enough on the open road bit you will be ok so make the very best impression from the get go i.e. in the carpark when setting off etc. I would have a little more drive on and use the power of the back brake more though as I find the boxer can stall very easily at idle revs and if you are in the middle of a u turn you will drop the bike ! My RT has hill hold control and you need a fair bit of revs on to break free of it unlike my previous bike the K1600. On the K1600 the motor was so strong at idle that you could control the speed entirely with the back brake and break free of the hill hold control - amazing engine but boy was the bike heavy and the main reason I went to the RT. I so loved the K1600 but feared it was only a matter of time before I dropped it and having to hire a mobile crane to get it back upright again, on top of an expensive repair job. Karls tips were spot on - head up and really turned to look at the direction you want to go are the two basic thoughts that I concentrate on.It's all about feel so forget about the instrument panel . Simple good technique, trust the bike ( confidence) and practice and the job is a good un ! You have all the necessary knowledge and ability to pass. Everyone can do with a little bit of good luck on the day as anything can happen. All things considered you will pass. Book the test and get practicing. All the best.

[@Back2TheBike]

Cheers Gordon. Hopefully my secret is safe between me, you and the 1100 other subscribers ;-) I've been out today to practice the slow stuff. It's feeling better every time now. I'll get there. Meanwhile, another observed ride tomorrow ...

[@MotorSportsFan46]

Hi this was good timing, just having some lunch and thought I wonder how Neil is getting on? My immediate thought on this was you need to turn your head more and keep it turned until you are looking up the road in the direction you want to go. I was therefore pleased to hear Karl give the same advice. I think I'd previously given a fairly lengthy set of exercises about building your machine control skills by focusing on slow riding. I genuinely think that you will see massive improvements throughout your riding if you concentrate on mastering the slow stuff and then add some pace and lean angle. The bars on the GS come back no further than the RT when set to straight ahead but, because of their width, the outside bar gets much further away. This does require you to lean into the bars as you said. This is where really turning your head also helps as your shoulders will go with it, extending the reach of your outside hand and making space for the inside hand to pull back. If your shoulders stay square to the bike the inside bar becomes constricted against your body and the outside hand runs out of reach. All that said, I'm delighted at your progress and I would have been sending you for test too

[@Back2TheBike]

Chris Kelly hi Chris, good to hear from you. Thanks for the advice. I've also yesterday found a place to practice the slow stuff, so no excuses now ! I guess it's interesting for you to see other observers at work too. Karl is a top bloke and usually drives something much bigger and faster. Just got his Masters with a distinction too.

[@MotorSportsFan46]

Have to say that all of the observers I've seen in your videos have looked pretty good but I've most often found Karl saying the things I'd have been saying (which clearly makes him the best). I keep getting badgered by my area manager to take the Masters but it holds little interest for me. It currently is not well defined (IMHO), I hear different sets of expectations from different people who have taken it (including Mike Roberts who passed this year) plus I get reassessed every three years as a National Observer / Local Observer Assessor so why pay to get tested on the Masters every five years as well? I do see the benefit for anyone who isn't an Observer but for me it would just be a case of collecting a badge for the sake of it.

[@Back2TheBike]

Chris Kelly Ha! And then of course there's ROSPA Gold ...

[@MotorSportsFan46]

Back2TheBike yep! Some people love to collect those badges 🙄😉🏅🏅🏅🏅

[@mikeroberts]

Hi Chris. Badge collecting. Guilty as charged :) IAM F1rst, IAM National Observer & Local Observer Assessor, IAM Masters Distinction, ROSPA Gold, oh and a F1RST in the car recently. To be honest I've done them to carry some weight behind what I'm advising others to do. Also helps kill off that boring IAM vs ROSPA debate as I've never done any ROSPA training. I know we've discussed Masters via email, but believe me the National Observer re-test is no comparison. However I won't be renewing the Masters when the 5 years is up as I'll be even older, and they've put the price up to a silly level.

[@HepcatHarley]

Did Karl mention the car scenario and gave you a 'test ready' presuming you wouldn't do that again? I always find the ability to do tight turns is proportionate to the value of your bike :) try leaning your shoulder out to the outside of the turn, usually comes naturally when you lift your elbow. Also I find it helps if you give a tiny steer to the left before making a right hand turn (& vice versa), kinda makes the turn more natural, controllable and smoother...It's all practice, practice, practice. Chances are you won't be asked to do a slow manoeuvre on test anyway, maybe just a U-turn. They used to have a fantastic Car Boot Sale event every bank holiday Monday on that airfield, you literally couldn't walk round and see it all in a day. Nice little cafe just down the road at Wilton Park too :)

[@Back2TheBike]

Hepcat Harley thanks for the tip HH. Karl reckoned the sports car was an aberration and untypical of my ride in general. He said I was on my own side of the road but could have been better positioned. Interestingly Dale didn't see it as a show stopper either, but something that could have been avoided by delaying my positioning for the LH a little later.

[@andrewbloomer306]

Your initial journey coming towards the end now with your test to book. You'll be fine on your test I'm sure and no doubt you'll let us know how you get on?? This is just the beginning of your journey though, as I'm sure you'll keep striving to get better and better and treat every ride as a learning curve as we all learn something everytime we go out. Not sure about Darren Elbrow comment about being able to stop at traffic lights without putting your feet down - you'd certainly fail your IAM test if you did that for not having proper control of your machine. Maybe i've just not interpreted his words correctly......

[@Back2TheBike]

Andrew Bloomer thanks Andrew. The difficult part comes next, although I'll take another observe with IAM first. Re traffic lights, I've seen Dale do this, and at junctions too, but no idea how he stays upright, unless he's using the Force ;-)

[@ianmills35]

Hi Neil, re bars, mine do come further back as I have risers on my GS Adventure which lift them up and bring them closer to me, only by a few mm but makes a difference. Also remember the GS and GSA have much wider bars so are easier on slow speed handling. I have had an RT and my GSA is a much easier bike to handle at slow speeds despite being heavier. Well done again, keep going sir and thanks for sharing the video 👍🏍. Regards Ian

[@Back2TheBike]

Cheers Ian, you just made me feel a lot better :-) I'll keep chipping away at this skill.

[@seaflyfisher]

@@Back2TheBike I'll let you ride the CR Neil, piece of cake with clip ons ;D

[@Back2TheBike]

@@seaflyfisher It would look good with apehangers ...

[@edwardleniston1076]

Good for you and not unexpected. I did mine two weeks ago in pouring rain together with a misting visor and needless to say failed. Still there is always another day. :-)

[@Back2TheBike]

Edward Leniston sorry to hear that Edward but well done for taking it on. Sounds like the conditions didn't help you. When my turn comes I'm just hoping I can spot all the change of speed limit signs !

[@edwardleniston1076]

Do you know the likely test roads? If so give yourself time to ride them, it will help with the inevitable stress level when you do your test.

[@Back2TheBike]

@@edwardleniston1076 No idea Edward. Just planning to enjoy the experience if I can, pass or fail.

[@seaflyfisher]

A bit quick to start with Lad - it'll get away from you unless you rein it in on the back brake - you need the opposing forces of drive against rear brake to balance it - listen to it like Karl said - its talking to you all the time - well done on being "test ready" concentrate and commentate - you produce the goods when you don't yap :D

[@Back2TheBike]

seaflyfisher Playing with this concept at the moment. I can't understand why it works though. I've heard the analogy of the tug of war between brake and throttle, but why doesn't the lack of forward momentum at 2-3 mph cause the bike to fall?

[@mikeroberts]

Remember these Neil? www.vintagenostalgia.com.au/products/schylling-metal-spinning-top-humming-abc There's a lot of gyroscopic forces in a spinning engine, add that to taking all the slack out of the drive train.

[@seaflyfisher]

@@Back2TheBike - as soon as your moving you've got better balance and it's like honing a knife blade - fine tuning the balance down to just balanced - but balanced - it doesn't have to work for long and out on the road we probably do that trickle for a few seconds at a time - don't overthink it - just feel what the bike is telling you and like the rest of your riding, aim for one controlled smooth move :-)

[@Back2TheBike]

@@mikeroberts That's fascinating Mike. I got a 'B' in O-level Physics so consider myself an expert in such stuff ;-) Does that suggest higher the revs the more the gyroscopic effect?

[@Back2TheBike]

@@seaflyfisher Interesting. I probably had my best day yesterday (on IAM #11) trickling into T junctions, probably as a result of the slow-riding practice I've done in the last 2 weeks? As you say, I didn't 'think', apart from remembering to apply some back brake.

[@johncarrigan6338]

what are we all going to do when you pass hope you don't give up on the video really really enjoying them

[@Back2TheBike]

john carrigan Ha! IF I pass (and I'd give myself a 50/50 chance) that's the start line and proves only I can ride to a decent standard for 75 mins as a one off. There's more learning to come ahead than behind I suspect John!

[@motoventure_6938]

Awesome!! Get that test booked 👍 Great bit of info on the slow riding too. That is one part I still need to work on. Luckily my local group set up a little course before the ride outs so when you arrive you can practice. My figure of 8's are getting much better, it's just the pulling off on full lock slowly is the one that catches me out. Need to improve my balance.

[@Back2TheBike]

MotoVenture _ I'm sure you're right on this. It's one of those things that needs proper technique and lots of hours in the saddle.

[@darrenelbrow5144]

Were you using the back brakes to control your slow turns? You need to learn how to listen to your bike and not rely on looking at the the cockpit gauges. Slow riding is an art form in its own right. 75% of my commute is spent filtering at low speed, feet up, looking at everything at once, checking for the slightest movement of a car’s wheels or drivers reactions. Can get to work some days without having to put a foot on the road. Can stop at traffic lights as well without touching the road. Also it’s possible to turn a figure 8 in one lane ( half the space that you were using). I know you’ve only been on the RT for a year, it looks like you’re still nervous of the bike. Having had an RT, I know they’re a big old lump, but they handle really well in all sorts of situations. Also just be a bit more confident when following traffic. I’ve noticed you don’t seem to be looking for overtaking opportunities to enable you to make progress. Having watched Dale, he sees opportunities much earlier and nails the overtake. It’s difficult to really see what’s going on from your camera angles as they don’t really give the whole picture. A good effort though. I had a deer leap out at me on my pre test. My observer and the chief observer had to both do an emergency stop to avoid it. I didn’t even touch my brakes. They both asked if I’d seen the deer, and I replied that I had, and braking wouldn’t have made a blind bit of difference to me not hitting it. It was coming at me the right and I was quite a distance from it when I saw it. Was past the danger so no need to brake. I think clean underwear was required by the others though 😂

[@Back2TheBike]

Darren Elbrow a little bit, but the surface was flat so didn't need it much. I'm still very much a novice at this as you can see!

[@darrenelbrow5144]

Back2TheBike even if the ground was flat, the brake keeps the bike stable whilst you balance the throttle and clutch. It’s like doing a track stand on a fixed wheel bicycle

[@Back2TheBike]

I watched Karl enviously with those tight turns he did. I'll get there Darren, but it will. We'd work. Funnily enough I've just found a place to practice locally, so can work on it. You should get- ogether with Dale. He's local and likes filming deer. If he can combine it with biking too it sounds perfect ;-)

[@darrenelbrow5144]

Back2TheBike to be honest I’m only riding my bike when absolutely necessary. Mostly for commuting. My best friend had a very serious bike accident 3 weeks ago. A Mercedes 4x4 turned right across him and he hit the rear passenger door at 30odd mph and was launched over the car. Broken femur in 3 places, fractured pelvis, arm and ribs. Plus 30 stitches in his head. Air lifted to Plymouth trauma unit. Not the best way to end the summer. And 3 1/2 hours away from his family here in Dorset. He’s just been moved to Bournemouth hospital yesterday, so he can now get better with his family close by. Fortunately the driver has admitted liability and has been charged with driving without due care. And the worst part, he’s a blood bike rider in London! So really no excuse for not looking for a fellow rider🤬

[@Back2TheBike]

Darren Elbrow Yikes! Hope he gets well soon Darren. I only ride for fun, there's no functionality to it. Back in 1980 and I was a poor apprentice I had a 25 mile each way commute on an FS1e.

[@andypandy955]

Respect.

[@gordon4221]

Having just read through the comments about life after passing the test , which I have every confidence will be the case for Neil, I would like to ask a question of those who know more about these things - what is the point of doing a Masters ? The cynic in me thinks it is just income generation for IAM which is fine. Sure it is good for the individuals ego , and that is fine too but really what is the difference ( apart from a few hundred quid) in passing the Masters test and the IAM test. Does a masters pass test mean you are a bit smoother, a bit safer and a bit more legal ? I am not sure I get it. I accept further training is always a good thing . However I feel if you have passed the IAM test you know what to do so it is the starting point of perfecting the craft and doing all the basics better and consistently which is achieved through practice and discipline each and every ride. Sorry Neil / B2TB channel if this is going off piste again but I am genuinely interested in what others think.

[@mikeroberts]

Gordon, the difference between an IAM pass, a F1rst, a Masters and a Masters with distinction is consistency. The basic principles are the same but you are expected to display them to a much higher and consistent level throughout the longer test ride. You will also be expected to have a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter and be able to discuss and display how you implement it in a thinking and flexible manner. You will be expected to be Systematic throughout (ie IPSGA always in the correct order). It's a high level of Sparkle from the five S's (Safe, Smooth, Systematic, Speed, Sparkle). I took mine as the "test only" option, no longer available, but I have been doing this a long time. I don't know your riding background, but if you can afford it, then go for it. I do have personal concerns about the pricing level, but that's a different issue. I have a demo ride, that was filmed by my colleague, as we both prepared for the test on my KZbin channel (warts and all ... there's no such thing as a perfect ride).

[@gordon4221]

Mike - thanks for the reply. I will go and have a look at your video to see whats what. After my test in June my examiner said I should carry on and do the Masters. I looked at it on the IAM website and do feel it is a bit pricey, especially with the revalidation intervals, and couldn't really work out what the real difference would be so kind of forgot about it. I agree there is no such thing as the perfect ride, and keep reminding myself of exactly that each time I go out. You can be a Master with distinction one minute and make a rookie error the next - humbling really.

[@Intbel]

I'm surprised slow riding and slow riding manouvres were given attention so late in the training.

[@Back2TheBike]

I think part of this is the lack of suitable practice grounds.

[@Intbel]

Here's another way of doing it ;-) kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y5vcnad3dquGaqc

[@IanWheldale]

I'm sure you said you watched MCRider on here. He has some excellent videos on slow riding, you should check them out. BTW nearly all the bigger bikes will pull away on tickover.

[@paulcollins7185]

No! You don't want a "tug of war"! That's a contradiction in mechanical terms and can be detrimental to the bikes mechanics, (creating the bike to have an "argument with itself"...). If you wish to make the bike move, slowly, under clutch control to carry out "U-Turns" or, move forward slowly in slow moving traffic for example, especially if the ground/road surface you are riding on is flat, with no substantial declines/inclines, you need the clutch at the "bite" or "friction" point and plus a bit more. You will get all the movement you need, on a flat surface with very little added throttle on a big engined motorcycle. Using the rear brake only to slow down, or completely stop as and when required. Constantly dragging on the rear brake throughout and therefore using the clutch, "slipping" it to move slowly, the rear brake starts to create a tug of war with the bikes forward movement which the clutch action is allowing! In one sense you are asking the bike to move slowly, slipping the clutch, then you use the rear brake at the same time, handicapping what you have the clutch doing-moving the bike slowly, at the rate you set, by the amount of slipping clutch. It is a total mistake to have a dragging rear brake used at the same time (constantly) and if badly applied, the rider then over compensates and applies more clutch slip against the slowing the rear brake is making, some riders then adding throttle when realising the movement is becoming to slow. This causes the "tug of war" effect and then you start to suffer with the bike mechanically overworking/stress with the two effective applications working "against each other". Brakes are for slowing and stopping and clutches to start to move and control the release of the drive to the back wheel through the final drive. The clutch, all by itself, with skillfull application by the rider (on a big bike) will, get all the movement he/she needs from the bike in slow (3-5mph) movement, as required to the situation, on a flat road surface.

[@Back2TheBike]

Interesting analysis Paul. I think I'm at the stage now where I can ride as slowly as I need to without conscious thought. To be honest I found the RT too heavy in those situations. My Monster, some 85kg (my full body weight) lighter, is very easy to manoeuvre.

[@paulcollins7185]

@@Back2TheBike The technique for riding any of the bikes, especially bigger engines, in a slow riding clutch control manner is much as I described. Each and every bike though will emphasise a particular part of the technique by its weight, sitting geometry, feel of the controls and steering lock, so every bike will feel slightly different. Essentially the technique is best applied as above, on first explanation, but,...it isn't totally "hard and fast", conditions and uneven surfaces will influence the technique and the rider's own body position (the use of) will come into effect. Adding very subtle rear brake by the knowledgeable rider can add a finesse to the movement as that rider is more and more experienced and applies and disengages, as when needed and determined by the conditions of road space and topography (decline/incline) of the road surface. But rear brake should not be thought of as the dominating"tool" to use and will be actually prohibitive in proper movement, then heavy use and reliance on a perceived effect expected from the rear brake will not materialise, and then throttle gets added with more urgency than is needed = stressed motor & stressed rider. In any case, any rider wanting to achieve good to excellent clutch control, for slow movement everything under 5mph, without putting feet down just has to practice correct, unstressed, technique a great deal with their own machine. Once thought of by the rider "as learn't" then left and never much practiced again, will render the rider as "useless" at doing it and will not have any confidence about doing it and will avoid,...and in a real world choice; go on to the next junction or roundabout to turn around instead! Nothing should feel stressed in application, if it does, incorrect technique is being applied. Fairly crucial with big machines. Anyway good luck in your riding and safe riding.