Does your motorcycle feel top heavy? 

20 years of riding and 100,000 miles later, I still watch your videos to see what I can learn.

Is it just me or does Jerry want us to practice? Simple as that. Get to know your bike before you're in a situation where your reaction determines your fate. Jerry makes everything look so easy cuz he's ridden a bazillion miles and figured out what works and what doesn't. Thanks Motorman!!

"The nut behind the handlebars" That's perfect

I just want to thank you for these videos. I’m 45 years old and looking to get my first motorcycle. I’m thinking a 250cc to start. Your videos have helped me greatly in getting an understanding of how a motorcycle functions and behaves. I really enjoy them. Again, thank you!

I’ve been a customer and subscriber for a long time, I think this friction zone explanation is the best especially seeing your hand manipulating the clutch. You’re awesome!

I have learned a lot about riding from watching your videos on RU-vid and while I do not agree with everything you put out there, I do see that you have a lot of knowledge that riders can learn from. Thank you for making your videos and posting them.

Recently purchased 2 videos and really enjoyed learning how to ride safer. Great videos. Please keep them coming. Have a great weekend.

Your clutch work has changed my world!! I have an HD ULTRA and was very unsteady. THANK YOU

THANK YOU Jerry for making these extremely helpful and informative videos for us less skilled riders! You’ve been the driving force in teaching me how to ride (semi)competently. My confidence grew 1000% after just 10 minutes of practicing the techniques I learned from your Ride Like A Pro dvd. I watch your RU-vid videos as they come out to stay up on my skills and mindset. You are the man. MOTORMAN!

Thanks Jerry. Great video. I learn something every time, and what I already know just gets more deeply programmed in my head even more. You're talking specifically about me....but I know, Im one of many! Im so glad you dont get tired of this. It must be frustrating but you teach it so well. Thanks for doing what you do. I put my trust in you and Im so glad you are here because I wouldn't and couldn't do this without you.

Invaluable advice!

Nut behind the handle bars. Great quote.

Great video, as usual. These skills are invaluable. I was out today running around to several stores, navigating parking lots, construction cones and clueless cagers. Sure enough, head, eyes, clutch, throttle and rear brake is the difference between smoothly navigating parking lots and doing the Dufis duck walk. Well worth the time to practice. Thanks Jerry.

Mr. Palladino. Thanks to your videos, I no longer look like a doofus when making a U-turn. Thank you very much sir.

Thanks Jerry. Your videos are great. I can't stop watching them!

I want to say thanks! I got my license last spring and bought a bike. It was to replace my Jeep that was totaled in an accident. I learned how to ride a dirt bike when I was 14, but never had enough time on it. I remembered the basics, but considered myself a new rider. I was afraid of tight turns and my vstar 650 is too small. But it’s a good bike for me to learn on. Only $2,000! I can make a turn on a side road, I’m able to use the clutch, brake throttle to keep my feet off the ground at traffic lights or very low speed driving (a crawl). All it took was watching police motorcycle courses and your page. My next step, to receive your book, in the coming week, and start doing more. My hope is to do motorcycle challenges after parades or at events with other American Legion Riders and friends. I’m looking at it as a sport and taking training to another level. Thank you for your videos. I hope to see an event in NJ. If not, I’ll have to get down there to see the real action! Thanks!

Loving these videos. Just went from a 17 Street Bob, and traded into a 15 Ultra Limited. These videos are helping me sooo much. Maybe I will be able to find a course like yours close by and see how my practice is working out.

Thanks for another vid, Jerry.

I am loving your videos on you tube, thinking very much about buying your complete set. I have learned quite a bit before watching your videos, except for eliminating the doofus completely. Your videos seem to be putting my on the right track to killing the doofus inside me, and leaving him crumpled up on the roadside behind me.

I took my motorcycle safety course about a month ago, I rode for around a year, your videos are right on,the course is all about the friction zone, I no what you're saying about lighter bikes, I took my test on Harley 500 in absolutely loved the bike it was great, now it's took me a minute to get use to my Sportster 1200 but there again all about the friction zone thank you be safe everyone n God bless.

Excellent vid! I’ve ridden over 50,000 miles and sold my last cruiser, then bought an adventure bike with a high seat. That high seat and new type of bike caused my brain to feel intimidated, and yet intrigued. Your vid reminded me to get back to the basics which, in my opinion, is important for any of us who temporarily lack a bit of confidence. Thank you!

Great video Jerry, as always. Thank you.

Where I live there are lot of stop signs on hills . I still don`t have a problem but a lot of people do . Great video . I love what you do.

The instructors I had when I took my course taught us about the friction zone and using clutch and rear brake for tight turns.

Brand new rider. Taking the beginner safety course next month but I wanted to find a way to practice before then. Just purchased your Ride Like a Pro download. Looking forward to learning some new skills!

Thank you Jerry.

Thanks Motorman. Essentials never go out of style.

Good stuff man, thanks

I ride an 05 deluxe, it’s way heavier then a sportster, but thanks to your videos and going through riding classes I am still mastering the clutch friction zone

Awesome video. Thank you. Copy that, add to preride checklist - ensure nut behind handlebar is tightened. Nice! 👍🏻

Your information is always great and easy to understand

The world loves a risk taker 👌 Learned so much from your vlogs.

I like that exercise against the curb. I practice the friction zone at stop lights by holding the bike back with my feet but the curb will be a much better test. Gonna practice that. Thanks Jerry.

Excellent points! I truly believe motorcycling is for a good part also about riding with feelings/senses, how the bikes behaves, the sound of the engine, the balance etc. But then I also drive 4 wheels with manual transmission, so driving with feeling & listening etc is 2nd nature to me. One of my instructors (police officer) showed me that on my BMW is could be in perfect balance even when in complete standstill, it is about feeling and know what your bike is capable of. Like you have explained almost countless times, clutch- and brake-control. Do not overthink but ride with your senses and build on your confidences. Get the routine, the muscle-memory, get into the zone. And to me the centre of gravity would change depending on the amount of fuel in your gastank, so to me I don't care too much about that, as I would feel/sense how the bike behaves under all circumstances.

Thanks Motorman , l always enjoy your videos and sense of humour. 🇨🇦

During my motorcycle license driving test at the DMV 35+ years ago I used a similar technique or method. Albeit on a 1990 Honda Elite 250 Scooter. In order to acquire an M1 or Freeway legal motorcycle license I had to used a 250cc or bigger motorbike. I had failed one attempt on my 1949 Panhead Rigid Tank Shift with foot clutch and one attempt on my friends 1989 Dyna with a built motor and clutch. This Honda had what I call a centrifugal clutch. I used this type of clutch along with the throttle and the rear brake to achieve a similar effect and speed around a lined circle track the DMV had on its property for motorcycle riding tests. I manipulated the throttle just enough which moved the bike forward while pressing the rear foot brake ever so slightly as to keep it at a slow enough pace to get me around the painted circular circuit twice and in opposite directions as well. Needless to say I received my M1 motorcycle license with no hiccups. Great video!

Thank you Motor Man.

Friction zone I've heard that in other videos, but they never explained friction zone. I'd like to thank you for explaining what friction zone is.

Great video thanks

Always more to learn, and I've set cones and taught this course numerous times (requiring attendees to first buy / watch the video) and until this video, it never occurred to me to NOT use the rear! I tried it once, didn't like it, and remain supercomfortable using the brake, but now I'm curious again. Rebuilding bike; maybe later!

Well, so many discussions about this, actually because one particular acquaintance actually lowered the bike based on misinformation. The bike now is actually dangerous! Lean angle is 1/3 gone! You're videos help people understand the dynamics of riding better, perhaps based on experience and common sense. Thanks for the continued effort, keep the shinny side up, stay safe...ride safer.. Cheers from Canada.. 🤠

I just did a big bore stage kit on my SGS. I could swear it feels like it added 30 more pounds at the top. It's just trying to get accustomed to it when you have been riding the same bike forever but the techniques work.

Just through listening and watching your videos I have learned quite a bit. I'm eager to take your Louisville,KY. Class and have a friend that's going to take the class with me we have both been riding most of our lives and know your course will improve our skills ten fold we rode the dragon tail and devil's Triangle this weekend and the dragons tail has nothing on the switchbacks on the triangle.

That darn front brake is the bain of my existence. Twice I panicked, grabbed the front brake and over I went. I saved it once but the second time my left knee said "aw hell no! You're on your own, buddy." Thanks, Jerry, for your continued tutelage.

Thanks brother. I'm only 5 four and I need these tricks! Have an 07 Classic. Will not use lowering brackets

great info thanks

Love your videos. A couple of years ago I saw your videos for the first time and I had just got my Harley Davidson Dyna Low rider.I watched and saw you talking about clutch throttle and friction zone the next morning I went to the parking lot and practiced and was just so happy with my success.And it got me thinking about my scooter days with the CVT transmission and how to make a tight turn I would as I would call it The back brake VS the throttle enough brake to retard the throttle but not enough to lock up the wheel and the tight turns were really fun. So now that I have the Harley and listened and applied your techniques My friends are all saying Wow for a little guy you sure can lay that bike over in a tight spot I say it's all thanks to Motorman@ Ride like a Pro So Thank you so much and keep up the videos and reviews Stephen McCabe

Just bought your ride like a pro dvd. Went from vstar 1100s and 80k miles, traded up to heritage last summer, now traded that for 09 Electra glide ultra. Going to spend a lot of time practicing low speed manuvers.

THANK YOU! Prove my point about the "center of gravity." I own a Sportster and hear about it all the time. And then I ask them about the friction zone and they have no idea of what I'm talking about.

Went from a juvenile rider in college to a mid age rider recertified in 2012. I took the Harley riders course over 3 days and it was awesome! Put 1000 miles on a borrowed 85 BMW in PA. Bought a victory in 2014 xroads and have learned so much. I ride primarily in the mountains and deserts of so CAL great practice. Have 15,000 so far - yes U turns can be tough when the slope is against you. Foundational info needs constant practice never assume you have learned it all

I wondered how a linked brake system would work. Thanks for clearing that up.

Great video 👍

I love the doofus comments. I was doing well with a dirt bike tearing up the trails. Thanks to you I'm not a doofus anymore. Blessings to you and yours.

Been riding street 12 yrs Yamaha tw 200 ktm640/BMW f800gs HD wide glide . Presently vstrom1000 and Harley duece . I'm 5'5" and have had to lower all my duel sports . Conciderd myself ok rider can't say I never rode over my ability . But never did concider slipping the clutch to gain more control Cringe! . If I had known the advantage as a kid in the dirt would have smoked the clutch . But just a few of your videos and I've cut my radius tremendously and the anxiety level when coming to a dead end even on my vstom is gone . Hell I can turn on a dime now! Thanks Jerry . /

My only friction zone issue is with Hydraulic clutch HD's. I had to buy an adjustable clutch lever because my hand size is small .The friction zone is so far out that holding it there for a long time practicing was a pia. Also, sometimes I would over rev. I have an Indian Challenger now and the cable clutch is much easier. I will only ride around town in std mode. Sport mode I tend to over rev in slow speed because of the tighter throttle response.

So cool to hear that ride like a pro is coming to California soon!

A cryin shame that you don't have a Euro tour with your courses. Tha k goodness you have the videos, love them!

I’ve always used the friction zone intuitively. In fact, when I fit start riding, I thought I was using it too much at lower speeds, and was in danger of ruining my clutch. Your videos have helped me know my instincts were correct. However, I still struggle with lean angle, but getting better.

A couple of things I found while practicing to do is always give the bike a little gas first before starting to release the clutch. This feel of adding some torque helps make the bike feel more stable. Second when making a full lock left hand turn try not to press the rear brake at first. Doing this makes the bike want to start straight and not fall into the turn.

This is the first time iv watched your vids me and my dad r talking about taking a class sinular to what u do for fun iv been wathing to try and pin point mistakes iv been making and i found a couple iv been using the friction zone the whole time out of instinct however iv been on some kond of a bike scence elementary school i still cring using it sometimes because of the coust of a clutch just did one in my 2018 harley this summer upgraided it to a performance clutch but u r right that friction zone gives u tons of control over the bike

The motorcycle safety police lol helarious!! love the videos and humor. Thank you!

Master the friction zone and you master the world.😊

Thanks Jerry! Picked up one more factor in making a tight turn. The tighter the turn, the more rear brake application. Maybe I'm wrong, but as the turn tightens up, and you apply a little more rear brake, I'm assuming that a slightly bit more throttle and letting the clutch out just a slightly bit more in combination will help to keep the bike from falling over, and will help to pull you through the turn. Please correct me if I'm wrong! I welcome any and all comments.

I have been watching your videos on RU-vid and assumed that when you talk about the friction zone, you only used it whilst doing the actual turn, not the whole time you are operating at slow speeds. The ride where you risked life and limb by riding gloveless and show ing the clutch the whole time was very educational to me. Thanks from Australia. Oh, I will be ordering your course.

I changed to a a slightly lower seat on my electraglide.... i personally found that my control of the bike changed drastically. however, i will admit, that with practice and comfort your control grows exponentially. i recommend riding regularly. if you only ride every couple of weeks, you will be rusty and dangerous.

I completely agree with you that the techniques you promote will enable you to maintain good control of any motorcycle at slow speed. However it is a fact that some bikes are easier to handle than others. The height of the centre of gravity will have an effect on how the bike feels and the margins of error you have while handling it at slow speed, a standstill or while manhandling it. As you say, once falling any bike will fall at the same rate. But a bike with a higher centre of gravity will have a greater tendancy to fall if it moves off the balance point and be more difficult to catch once it starts going. I find my Goldwing much easier to ride at very slow speed, straight or in turns, than any other bike I have ridden. It also takes less effort to keep it upright when coming to a stop and while at a standstill if slightly off balance point. All of those other bikes were much lighter than the Goldwing but had a more top heavy feel. It is a fact that weight distribution, as much as and perhaps more than total weight, has a significant effect on how a bike feels and handles. Riding position does as well. A sporty crouch with low narrow handlebars can make slow speed manoeuvring very awkward compared to upright with wide handlebars, especially if combined with a high centre of gravity. As you say practise is what is required whatever bike you ride. And your techniques really do work with any bike.

Mr P, I went from a Streetglide to a Chieftain back in September of '17 and instantly noticed the Indian felt far more top heavy than the Harley. Never dropped the Harley on low speed maneuvers, but I dropped my Indian 3 times. Always on low speed (parking lot) turns. While riding on the road, it was not noticeable. However, I found myself struggling with the Indian in parking lots, even though it was only about 20lbs heavier than the Streetglide. The way I fixed it - - I took your course up in Jacksonville! So glad I did. Night and day difference in my low speed riding. Friction driving keeps my feet on the floorboards, even when nearly stopped! But my point - Although I'm very happy with the Chieftain, I will still argue that it definitely feels more top heavy than my Harleys at low speed.

ALL vehicles exhibit various degrees of top heaviness. 2 wheel, 3 wheel, more wheel. How the individual rider perceives, counters and works with that 'top heaviness' is the difference in a Jerry Palladino level of rider verses other riders. Watch his videos, watch again, then watch again, perceive, and apply his advice to your riding techniques to advance your personal riding skills. It's really as simple as that. If you don't feel confident in your own results based on his videos, I implore you to personally take his course. It may very well save your life as a result, as well as the lives of your riding partners, to which you can in turn, pass your gained skills. 100% worthy.

Love the Motorman

Yeeeeahhhh.... I'm still working on tightening up that darn screw. 😂😂😂

I recently rented a cruiser with floor boards for a trip up to Whistler. It's REALLY hard to operate the rear brake smoothly when you can't pivot off the peg. As a professional driver, I rarely use my brakes anyway so it wasn't a problem - just a little touch of the front brake as I gear down and glide to a stop at an intersection. As for COG - I'm a shorty and forgive me, but I feel way more secure with a low seat height, especially in stop-and-go traffic with a passenger.

So excited! Classes in Arizona due to start soon. Thanks Rich!

I ran a 2009 Fireman's Special edition Ultra and it practically balanced itself. However, in florida I rented a 1790 cc Ultra and had my wife on the back and it was difficult to keep it balanced at stops.

I only police myself and my passenger. All my friends wear different degrees of gear and we've gone on many cross-country trips along with weekly local rides.

Great tips thank you. Say, @12:00 perhaps you can spot check that Dufus in the white car who’s entered the turn lane going the wrong way and heading into oncoming traffic. Talk about a disaster! 👈🤠👉

Hey Motorman, thanks for the videos. I got a nut that practice with me, he can’t do the friction zone cause he won’t let go of the front brake starting off, some ppl are very strange.

I learned fiction zone from a narrow parking area video you did. The element of having a camera on the left hand showed me that you need to constantly feather the friction zone. I haven't paid attention to the left had camera since. If this is someone's first time seeing a fiction zone video it could be helpful to them also.

Jerry, I can't quite agree with you on the top heaviness issues. My 325kg '82 Gold Wing GL1100 Interstate was a pleasure to move around and ride, the flat 4 engine weight was low, as was the fuel weight due to the tank setup. My PCX150 is a pleasure to ride, once again all the weight is carried low. I've just bought a 325kg ST1300 - haven't collected it yet - but immediately felt the top-heaviness in the showroom, past a certain lean the bike wanted to tip (and it does with many riders): 1,300cc V4, 29l of fuel (28 of them in the top tank). BUT, your videos are excellent and I will practice what you advise.

Hey motorman like the videos. Wish I saw them when I brought my first bike a Kawasaki concourse dropped it more than once. Moved to Florida ten years ago had to sell it to pay rent. Haven't been riding for 6 years now. Buying a new Indian in the future and the first thing I'm doing is buying the videos and then taking your course. Won't be dropping this one.

Really wish you could bring your classes over here to the UK, there's nothing like them here. I have your DVDs, of course, have done for years, but there's no substitute for a live class. When I was first learning to ride 35 years ago, we were taught low speed manoeuvres with slipping the clutch and gentle use of the back brake; we had to be able to handle the bike at slow speeds to pass the off road part one of our bike test. Even knowing how to do this though, I now ride a Harley and find the handling really very different to my last bike, a Yamaha cruiser. The Harley is a much heavier bike, but I'm not sure it's that. Jury is still out whether I like the Harley to ride or not, I still find it quirky.

Thanks Motorman, I have an old Guzzi with linked brakes, and as you say, you are not using that rear brake to pull the front down, Been riding for almost fifty years, but still learning. Carl, just journeying through.

It’s amazing to me how many people are out on these roads without knowing the basics like you preach every day. Just shows how bad most motorcycle training is, if you can pass a class, get a license, and still not know this stuff.

Motorman, totally looking forward to your class in Louisville next month. I hope Danny Rhodes is as good an instructor as you are!

Hhhhhooooolllllyyyyyyy cow I owe you so much I was just about to trade or sell my ultra classic till I watched you videos and you saved me wow I thought I was a good rider till I seen your videos your amazing thank you sir so very much

I live in Canada, the town I live in is nothing but hills, you are wither going up or down so are there riding skills for that type of riding, all your videos that I have seen so far are on flat well paved parking lots.

Thanks Jerry! I was a Dufus, did I spell that right? Who knows, I’m a ex-Dufus! Practice people, you can watch and listen to Jerry all day, but you’re still gonna have to practice!

They don't advertise this but on Valkyries, and Gold wings, the computer gives you some more RPM's as you let the clutch out. This really helps at all times.

HiJerry, can you please, please do a similar video using a Honda with DCT, as it doesn’t have a manual clutch. I know that you did a short video with a DCT Goldwing, but that did not go into much detail. Thanks for all of your videos, very helpful. From John in Spain with a Honda ATAS with DCT.

RideLikeAproJerry, I rode Motorcycles for 50years. My last bike was a Dyna StreetBob. My 2011 Dyna had a HIGH C.O.G.

Jerry it will be a plus if you can set a camera facing the rear brake lights to see how they interact with the clutch hand!

What is scary for lots of people including me is the degree of lean at very low speeds while you have the handlebars cocked over at a sharp angle. Especially a full dresser that sits a bit high. It's really a matter of practice.

YES! I have a new line to use! "The nut behind the handlebars is loose." ROTFL I don't know why that's so funny, but it is.

Great lesson! Enjoy your videos! You make it look so easy. Out of curiosity, how many times did you drop your bike learning these techniques?

hey motorman...I am a recovering duckwalker because of you...thanks so much...btw, I lived in Hudson, FL for 2 yrs in 2011-2012..I think I remember you hanging with some cops at a restaurant called Marzella's on Little Road...am I right?

Yeah, I have a RT and with a full tank, it's top heavy. It holds 7.1 gallons. The bike is more responsive in handling when I get closer to empty.

Shift body weight on seat when I do this help me balance in tight turns

Like your videos 👍 ....

It absolutely does during slow speed maneuvering if the bike’s engine is wide (four or more cylinders) and has most of its weight at the top (Twin OHC). When you start to lean during slow speed maneuvering (

Well, I’m getting quite good in MT parking lots. This particular nut behind the handle bars still comes a little loose out on a narrow street with parked cars and other real world obstacles. I know I can do it, yet my speed drops and my foot goes down. Perhaps I should try some practice in full parking lots?LOL

Hi Love your videos. I am having a hard time keeping my self confidence up. I broke my neck 2 times and my back 3 times now. My biggest problem is being concerned that I don't have the strength to ride. I have the skills. I used to be a strong 7.5 rider. I can still do it if I can just stay out of my head. Any suggestions? Watching these small ladies ride has helped a lot. I am no where near as strong as a man my size but a 120 pound lady. I know that I am as strong as the average one is. Thanks for your videos and most of all your years as a police officer. God bless