The KEY to low speed turns!

[@guldank]

As a relatively new rider, having only ridden for a few years now, your videos have been so helpful. One of the best motorcycle instructors on KZbin. Thank you so much.

[@robertdaley1194]

Like the inshot of clutch lever ❤.

[@GeezNutz]

I'm getting back on a bike after 10yrs off. Been watching these vids to get my head back in beginner mode. Thanks Jerry!

[@BangChief_AllIsOne]

Godspeed Salute

[@davec8117]

Seriously. Watched tons of videos on riding. Thanks for making me go to a parking lot to practice this stuff. I mastered the 3MPH full circles with the wheel locked all the way in. Both directions. Best tip for new riders, the back brake is essential at low speed so you don’t dump your bike over and brake your foot/ankle. These are the best videos for new riders. For real.

[@davidmalone4017]

Jerry-your videos are the very best training aid-thank you so very much!!!

[@steviedog54]

I have learned so much from watching your videos,you explain things very well

[@karenshoucairmcgray4902]

Good exercise refresher! Thank you Motorman! 😊

[@michaelwenzel3196]

Thanks again Jerry! Your videos are so helpful. I live in Maine and recently moved from a Suzuki M50 to a 2013 Honda Goldwing 1800. I am practicing in a parking lot at the school, we don't have many motorcycle schools in my rural setting. I was struggling with low speed turns and once I started working and learning the "friction zone" as you suggested I feel more confident and in control. Also the straight line exercise is a great hint for improving slow speed control. Grateful for your mentoring, best wishes!

[@lmj5994]

Great video great tips, great idea to show your clutch hand with pic-in-pic 👍

[@ratjaw75]

Pickup a new FLHTP tomorrow and I'm excited to improve my low-speed handling skills. I was on the fence about the motorcycle drop guards due to the price but with the discount code it was a no-brainer. I ordered my first accessory and I don't even have the bike yet.🤣Hope to sign up for your class in the spring! Keep making the videos; I'll keep watching.

[@jasperveer8011]

hello Jerry. Im jasper from the netherlands so excuse my english. I want to say i realy apriciate your videos. it inspires me to go out and improve my skills. i own a 2019 ultra limited. when i was taking motorcycle lessons i was pretty good with the figure 8 and the u turn and stuff but that was a small bike this is next level. ive been watching your videos for a while now and i love all your videos. a lot of respect for you to handle those heavy bikes so easy. in a couple months when winter is over i want to go out to a empty parking lot and start practising. thanks for your videos and all the time and effort you put in those if i was living in the states i would defiantly take some classes from you

[@Ron-e4o]

Thanks MotorMan...You have made me a much much better and safer rider over the years. Always learning from you.

[@kman-mi7su]

The key to this technique is repetition! repetition and proper technique every time. Once you get it, keep at it or its "use or lose". practice often, practice always!

[@sturgis6777]

I definitely need to practice my right hand u-turns. I did one a week or so ago and it was extremely awkward. LOL

[@samslade739]

Thank You Jerry. This really does work. But...? The hardest part of this for me was to overcome the idea that I'm wearing out parts by slipping the clutch and dragging the brake. After spending most of my life fixing things that someone else broke it was hard for me to intentionally wear things out. Been following you for many years and have learned so much. Again, Thank You.

[@Slowcalcones]

If you do it right and don’t over rev the engine it won’t wear it out any faster than normal.

[@phiberoptik232]

Good stuff, as usual. Ride safe out there.

[@mrgundog_07]

I just ordered the drop guards. Thank you for the discount!

[@firefly17292]

Perfect Jerry thanks, I can’t wait for weather to break so I can practice

[@Freedomridingcompany]

Another good one. Like the jacket!

[@I_am_archie]

Chilly, 50° pffft 🤠 you're killing me Jerry.

[@motorman857]

Tomorrow it's going to be 75 🤣🤣.

[@I_am_archie]

@@motorman857 I'll bring my gear, I'd like to borrow a bike.. 🤠 It's 24 here.

[@joejanzen5511]

In my region we’ll be dipping down to -35 Celsius which converts to -31 Fahrenheit. 🥶 No riding for a few months yet.😢 Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

[@I_am_archie]

@@joejanzen5511 - 20 is the coldest I've experienced. Utah, Usa

[@I_am_archie]

I'm getting a ride in this afternoon.... No more ice.. 🤠

[@tylerhubbell6410]

Riding the rear brake alittle at the same time as using the friction zone on the clutch as well as maintaining good throttle control helps alot.Using the momentum of the bike makes throwing the bike around much easier.I'm sure many people will try to tell me I'm wrong but I've used this technique for years and I've been on 2 wheels since my 4th birthday.

[@alexandersmith8241]

Hey Motorman here in Scotland we drive on the left but we're changing over in a couple weeks. Trucks & busses are changing first then after a week cars & bikes are changing too 😅

[@nja3224]

I didn’t know this. It’s going to seem weird, much like when I travel to places where it’s opposite to me. I was in the Bahamas, or maybe it was Bermuda, IDK, but my wife and I rented mopeds and we came to a busy traffic circle with multiple exits/entrances and I nearly lost my mind with confusion, lol.

[@buzzcrushtrendkill]

😂 Satire aside...that is plausible when gov'ts employ their great ideas.

[@trondcaster]

Very good and useful videos. I practise theese things on my Ultra Classic. Keep ‘em coming. 🎉

[@sgt63b]

I will definitely have wait till spring a snow storm is on it's way here in Wisconsin

[@gregwright7129]

Thank you I’ll be practicing it’s been a while since I’ve had a big bike ps love the paper bag idea !!

[@louieavi]

Nice starter tips for making a turn. Confidence make a tight turn is my last hurdle.

[@BigNord]

All the training videos and classes are well and fine, but all ya really gotta do is just ride. Obviously learn basics however you need to, but then just get out there and put the rubber on the road. Riding a lot and time is how you learn and get better, every last one of us. New riders if you're down on yourself early on that you just don't get some of these moves Jerry is showing, or it's scary or you don't always nail it, that's ok you will get there...in time. Some pick it up quicker than others. Keep riding. That all said, great video Jerry P! ~Riding for 44 years here dirt enduro and road bikes from cafes to now old man cruisers :) ~

[@alle2321]

I was doing some slow eights yesterday here in Toronto ontario, chilly but theres allways time for practice if the suns out

[@wayneschmidt5739]

Your the motoman, Motorman without you I may have been fructose on the freeway or on the streets of Sydney, but I studied ya and here I Am brotherman in the living flesh unscraped...

[@motorman857]

Glad to help.

[@wayneschmidt5739]

And I'm glad to watch whatever your putting out, your the best... Mucho Gusto again.@@motorman857

[@saddle8bag]

Love that jacket.

[@robertdaley1194]

Thanks again Jerry .

[@bikerbrinrac]

Great vid Jerry 👌. Yep gotta be able to do low speed turns without falling off. Don't wanna be that dude who falls off round tight corners.

[@alexhb12333]

My course teacher kept yelling at me "GET YOUR HEAD UP, LOOK WHERE YOU WANT TO GO". It feels like cheating, using Target Fixation for good!

[@grantodaniel7053]

Another great refresher, thanks Jerry. The bike in the thumbnail... which one is that? You seem to be a bit stretched reaching the bars. I was surprised as I know you identify as 6'2"! 😂😂 Cheers from Oz. 👍🇦🇺

[@motorman857]

That's my Street Glide ST.

[@McFlyGuitarsandStuff]

I found myself slipping the clutch, riding the rear brake back in 85. I found I could go super slow with my feet on the pegs. It's amazing how people Wobble around on motorcycles. Embarrassing to.

[@ronmessinger9934]

You sound like you are a very good teacher I wish I could attend one of your classes

[@lordofbasement]

how long survives a clutch if you are doing this on a daily basis and how often do you change your primary oil?

[@motorman857]

If you keep your revs at about 1500 rpm's, use light pressure on the rear brake or no rear brake at all and breeze the bike out after 7-10 minutes of practice, there will be no excessive wear on the clutch. I change all fluids every 3k miles.

[@lordofbasement]

@@motorman857 Okay, thank you.

[@kathyhebert8140]

It’s definitely not brain surgery because I actually had brain surgery! Just getting back in the saddle!👍🏼#RoadKing & #LowRiderS

[@marathon8649]

Glad to hear you're getting back on the saddle, my bro in law in his forties had brain surgery and is still doing just fine near ten years later.

[@kathyhebert8140]

@@marathon8649 Thank you! Glad he’s doing well! That’s very encouraging!

[@petestamm]

Thanks!

[@GoodGuysCarry]

Thanks Motorman! You’re definitely 6’6 in my book!

[@CJCon885]

I hate saying it. Everyday I have to do this on the way home. Many times we do 4-5 mph for miles. Gets tirering. Especially when we have had most days over 100 degrees.

[@gottfriedj1647]

Very nice. Thanks

[@0873sp]

Hi Jerry. Question about this. You've discussed hydraulic clutches vs cable. I have found that my friction zone is very small. I'd say 1/4 to 1/2 in range. With hydraulic clutches, can that be adjusted to have a little more area in my friction zone? I might be incorrect in my numbers but I didn't actually take a measuring tape to it

[@motorman857]

You can't adjust a hydraulic clutch. But if you have a Harley touring bike, go to softbrake.com and get one of his clutch levers. Your clutch will then grab at the exact spot it should.

[@0873sp]

Thanks Jerry. I do remember you talking about that product before. Does it actually increase the total range of your friction zone or does it only change where the friction zone is on the lever?

[@motorman857]

@@0873sp It changes where the friction zone grabs.

[@RecipeForMayhem]

When I was learning to drive a manual trans car, I was told not to "ride the clutch". Essentially what you are teaching here. Are MC clutches more robust than car clutches to handle riding the sweet spot for extended periods of time? Thanks for taking the time to make your vids.

[@motorman857]

Cars have dry clutches. 95% of motorcycles have wet clutches that are bathed in oil to keep them cool. There are 2 ways to manuever a motorcycle at low speeds. Use the clutch and throttle or duck walk the bike. BUT, if you duck walk the bike, you still have to use the friction zone and if your making a u-turn for instance, you will spend more time using the friction zone to complete a u-turn duck walking than if you keep your feet on the pegs or floor boards and just whip that bike around at 8 or 10 MPH VS duck walking at 1 mph.

[@CoryFalde175]

I came up with a technique to teach someone to drive a manual car. Take them to a parking lot or low traffic area. Find an incline or small hill and have them use the gas and clutch to hold the car perfectly still on the hill, inch forward a bit, roll back a bit, stop, etc without touching the brake. Once they learn to hold the "Delicate Balance," they basically know how to drive stick.

[@rcnelson]

It was mandatory for all my children to learn to drive a stickshift, and they all took their driving exams in a stickshift car and passed. But not until the last kid did I figure out the easy way to teach the procedure. Find an untraveled, flat road. Have the child completely ignore the throttle and with the engine at idle, very slowly let the clutch out.(The engine won't die.) Not having to manipulate clutch and throttle at the same time eliminates the big bugaboo of driving manual transmissions. Still idling along, have the learner gradually give the car throttle, then let off the throttle, depress the clutch pedal, and shift into second and so on. This approach worked so well I kick myself for not teaching this earlier, or being taught that way myself way back when.

[@lamontemorman430]

Hello , I hope all is well with you and have a great New Year

[@joereed4097]

Excellent

[@marathon8649]

The correct side of the road :)

[@robszatkowski3792]

Excellent video Jerry! What size and kind of windshield do you have? I feel that would work for my Street Glide. Thank you again for all your videos!

[@motorman857]

I have a 6 inch shield from freedomshields.net

[@josephgalligher1058]

Looking kinda of cold with that leather jacket Jerry. Stay worm down there!😂

[@motorman857]

We've had some mornings dipping into the 30's. No snow or freezing rain though.

[@JCunningham21]

Id like to see you do with a foot clutch. im sure you can no problem. it would just be neat to see it.

[@jamesfreeman7067]

Hi Gerry.. dose the lean angel not change according to the road surface, on the bike you ride, ?wet or dry, cement or asphalt or concrete roads, I find Asphalt very slippy. it freaks me out on the lean angel. best wishes from Ireland,

[@motorman857]

The lean angle doesn't change. If you have two people on the bike, the extra weight will lower the shocks and that will limit the lean angle a bit but the road doesn;t change the lean angle.

[@AndreySoyustov]

Спасибо за видео!

[@Seagate_vlog]

I am beginner of HD ultra, My only concern is keeping the clutch continue at friction zone can cause overheat at oil/ clutch pad.. please correct me. Cheers from Indonesia.

[@bigdaddysshop8180]

Since it's a oil bath clutch it doesn't get hot too quickly. You'll be fine doing it.

[@richc767]

Does this cause excessive wear tot he clutch plates?

[@motorman857]

Because motorcycles have what's called a wet clutch. The clutch plates are cooled with oil and have 8 to 10 clutch plates. Cars and trucks have a dry clutch and a single clutch plate. Since the friction zone is needed on a motorcycle to keep the bike up at low speeds, the designers cooled the clutch with oil. Can you still burn out a wet clutch? Yes, but ya gotta be a real dofuss.

[@kathyhebert8140]

Will the drop guards work on a HD Mustache guard? Do they come in black?

[@motorman857]

Yes and yes.

[@kathyhebert8140]

@@motorman857 Great! Thank you! I bought the cheaper ones from you for my RoadKing that snap on and they work great! Didn’t see them for the Mustache bar.

[@debra3375]

Just wondering, did you or have you ever attended a Friday 13th in Port Dover Ontario Canada?

[@motorman857]

No.

[@delbertgenewoods6837]

It Never Dawned On Me Before --------- Motorcycle Clutches Are Wet ------------- Like In A Automatic Transmisson ----------- They Are Designed To Slip A Little --------- Feathering The Clutch For Short Periods Is Ok ------------ I Have Always Freewheeled At Low Speeds -------- Thanks ! I Guess Old Dogs Do Learn New Tricks

[@ohiohouston3560]

As someone who hasn't had an automatic vehicle since I learned how to drive, this was really tough for me to get over. After I convinced myself that I wasn't going to burn out the clutch it was all gravy

[@delbertgenewoods6837]

@@ohiohouston3560 Yes Wet Clutches Are Much More Forgiving ------ I Wouldn't Recommend It In Your Car Though

[@RolandMillington]

I feel so silly for having _just now_ noticed this. I was always taught to ride with only *two fingers* on the clutch, and on my FLHTP (affectionately nicknamed Big Pig, for obvious reasons), that can be quite a chore after a while. On the inset video, I noticed you using *four fingers* on the clutch, and I'm sitting here saying to myself, "Oh ... _that's_ how he's so smooth on the clutch for such long durations." Duh.

[@motorman857]

Yup. 4 fingers are better than 2, both for endurance and feel.

[@RolandMillington]

@@motorman857 another question. At all times or just in slow speed, because now I’m questioning everything. 🤣

[@robby1816]

No mention of using the back brake, but the rear shots have the brake lights on.

[@motorman857]

The camera picks up the LED lights and they flash...if you've watched any of my videos, you'd see that happens quite often.

[@robby1816]

@@motorman857 And if this is the first video of yours that I've watched, I still don't know if you recommend using the back brake.

[@motorman857]

@@robby1816 Watch at 6:08 into the video.

[@craigk.1839]

By using the Friction Zone for a long time, will this burn up the clutch? aka slipping the clutch

[@motorman857]

10 minutes of practice using the friction zone with revs at 1500 rpm's or so, then a 5 minute breeze out and the clutch will be fine for many thousands of miles.

[@7viewerlogic670]

How long before the clutch gets hot?

[@alm4132]

Oil bath clutch takes quite a while to overheat.

[@motorman857]

If you practice for 10 minutes, let the clutch cool for 5 minutes and you'll never have a problem.

[@7viewerlogic670]

@@motorman857 Sounds good, thank you.

[@frankjgornickjr3676]

I've been riding for over 30 years and I see some people riding that shouldn't even have a bike license!

[@Brokenlogic2898]

​@motorman857 alwww😢 but duckwalkiiinnggs so cute though...😅 you know you laugh your bum off every time you see it😅😅😅 (insert eye roll here) God im glad I found info that will insure I'm not doing that much thanks motorman for the vids I never realized the cruisers run wet 😊clutches yet another thing I learned here though some vids ago😊 can you get drop guards and crash bars for a 06 sazuki s83 bolivard 1400( it's a intruder with a restamped name as of 05 i think it was) ?

[@motorman857]

motorcycledropguards.com are made for H.D. and Indian motorcycles only.

[@Brokenlogic2898]

@motorman857 shame on that but understandable. Thanks for the info

[@motorman857]

@@Brokenlogic2898 Yea, he was going to make them for 20 year old Suzuki's but I talked him out of it.

[@geraldfitzgibbon7428]

Turning to right is poorer. ! I wonder is it because the trottle hand is back into ur body and ur wrist is in position on trottle we not use to while on bike ?

[@ginoasci]

Watched a video about a guy explaining how to master slow turns with just the clutch. No throttle, and no brakes. I tried it and it works great. That’s a really nice leather jacket btw.

[@motorman857]

Watch this link and let me know which of the riders are using no throttle and no rear brake. kzbin.info/www/bejne/h4jcmnWLrdWEipo As a good rule of thumb, do what the best riders do.

[@ginoasci]

@@motorman857 : are you trying to say that you’re the best motorcycle rider on the planet and nobody can teach you anything about slow turns?

[@motorman857]

@@ginoasci I never said that I'm the best rider on the planet. But yes, nobody can tell me anything about slow riding that I don't already know. You can of course, do anything you want on your motorcycle. But if you want to get really good, watch what the best riders do. Come to my class anytime and try your method. You'll find that using all 3 techniques works best. Because that's what the best riders do. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qXPRmJmjjdicnsU

[@ginoasci]

@@motorman857 : I retract my response and apologize. I thought you were coming back either an ego, but I was wrong.

[@scottphillips6342]

Surprised no mention of dragging the rear brake as needed as well.

[@motorman857]

I'm suprised you didn't watch the entire video. see 6:10 into the video

[@scottphillips6342]

@motorman857 I feel dragging the rear brake while keeping the RPM's up and modulating the clutch has greatly improved my cornering radius on all my bikes, Street. Adv, and dirt and I've been riding for over 50 years. Something I just learned a few years ago. Keep up the good work.

[@maureenreagan9544]

Okayyyyy…..how come “riding the clutch” like that doesn’t burn out your clutch?

[@motorman857]

Because motorcycles have what's called a wet clutch. The clutch plates are cooled with oil and have 8 to 10 clutch plates. Cars and trucks have a dry clutch and a single clutch plate. Since the friction zone is needed on a motorcycle to keep the bike up at low speeds, the designers cooled the clutch with oil. Can you still burn out a wet clutch? Yes, but ya gotta be a real dofuss.

[@anthonyresto8596]

will the clutch burn out?

[@motorman857]

Not if you follow the instructions in this video.

[@kwik2008]

😊👍🙏

[@rogereastman3187]

Motorman....well, having never done it before....you encouraged me. However, this is what I found out for me. The clutch friction point turned out be somewhat confusing to me. I didn't even fool with the throttle. I've got a road King, and found a big parking lot. Here's what worked for me. I just got the cycle rolling at idle speed. Started rolling , making wider turns at first. It didnt take long before I was making full turns and figure 8's with no brake, no clutch, no throttle. I went a little faster and only used the clutch and slight brake to slow me down slightly. Then when the turn first started, let the clutch out fully and made the turn easy peasy. I did it for a couple hours, and will continue to practice from time to time. I could see if I was going to do the tight cone thing that the friction zone would be utilized, but, I'm not interested in cones at all. I can now do sharp turns, u turns and figure 8's comfortably, and smoothly..no biggy...I'm a happy camper. I'd have to say that momentum is more important than power. I haven't tried this yet, but I think as long as I got the bike moving....I could turn it off and make the turns just fine ! Thanks for all the help and encouragement .

[@motorman857]

You must master the friction zone (clutch/throttle) to be a skilled rider. THERE ARE NO SHORT CUTS TO THAT. If you have the clutch fully engaged you are not fully in control at low speeds. The more you practice the wrong technique, the better you'll get at doing it wrong.

[@Beastius24]

I can't do less than 5miles/hr without the back break :(

[@motorman857]

Practice more.

[@Beastius24]

@@motorman857 yes sir

[@osaze61]

Turn your head/Look where you are going...

[@JD-jq5bs]

You make good content but it amazes me how americans think driving on the right side of the road is the correct side. Then they wonder why they have so many crazy crashes on their intersections and highways.

[@frankgambino7964]

Thanks!