Motorcycle Tips & 2 drills for low speed control 

If you are a new rider or a rider who wants to continue to grow (That should be all of us ;) ) and you are not a Member at MCrider you are missing out on the best part of MCrider. Go to www.MCrider.com/Member and get access to the Forums and Field Guide. - The Forum is an active, friendly place where riders share riding tips, ideas, travel photos, and show off their new motorcycles. Riders and instructors from all over the world are active on the forums and ready to share in the adventure with you. - The Field Guide is a section of the forums that have very specific training exercises that you can work on in any open parking lot to develop your riding skills. In addition to these resources, you can discuss every MCrider video, suggest future training videos, read and share gear reviews, and more. By becoming a member you help support MCrider and keep the weekly videos coming but you also get access to a world of riders who share tips and techniques to help us all enjoy the ride and increase our skills. www.MCrider.com/Member

This summer will be 40 years since I bought my first bike. I continue to learn from Kevin and never pretend to know it all. I wanna live a long time. Thanks again Kevin. Keep safe.👍🏾 Victoria Canada 🇨🇦

2 years later and you’re still helping beginners with your videos!! 💯👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽

This is the same technique that we teach in police motor schools. The rear brake helps tremendously with maintaining control/balance. It’s great to see good information being put out. Also, the drone footage looks great!

Just joined, 60 years old and just bought first bike. Have no problem riding tap round at speed but really uncomfortable with slow. Started to do your very basic drills, still need a lot of practice! Thank you!

Just got a Pan Am. Devouring techniques vids. Thank you for reminding of my practice as a youth. And Go Rams. Same here. Was living in St. Louis when “we” won there. And 2022 was extra special as i was sick.

I'm getting better with the slow speed. Got down to 3Kmh the other day. I'm doing a lot of my slow speed turns & figure 8s on a cricket oval and gravel parking area. It really shows how important that is, because I can now turn more sharply, effectively and safely at intersections and roundabouts. I feel like I'm attacking corners and riding through them rather than hoping to go around and trying not to go too wide.

As a Master Tech from 3 different manufacturers and a few credits short of a degree in Mechanical Engineering, I want to comment on some of the concerns about wearing out brake pads and or the clutch. You need NOT be concerned about either. Kevin's advice is 100 percent SPOT ON, as always. Following his instructions will ensure you folks a lifetime of memories and safe miles in the wind. As far as brakes and clutches, your attention should be towards routine maintenance and upkeep of your motorcycle. A simple check of cable free play before each ride if you have a cable actuated clutch, and follow your manual for hydraulic cluch maintenance. Hydraulic or Cable/Rod actuated brakes are the same. Routine maintenance is paramount and quite easy for most anyone to learn. GOD BLESS YOU ALL, AND ESPECIALLY KEVIN for these videos.

This was one of the smoothest and cleanest intros I've heard in a long time.

Definitely something I have practice/develop. Never too old to learn. Thanks Kevin.

Thank you for giving novice riders a solid skills base Kevin. I really appreciate your calm demeanor and teaching style ... Cheers Neil Norris Ottawa, Canada

Thanks so much Kevin for including your Goldwing! I got my 2020 Goldwing about a month ago and it's great to see that everything you are telling us applies to the DCT also. I hear about the friction zone and now since I don't have a clutch it makes me wonder. I'll be practicing as soon as it stops raining up here in Northwest Indiana, and well it gets above 50 degrees...ugh! Stay safe!

Thank You Kevin for this valuable refresher! I’d been iff the bike for awhile (unrelated to riding), and these refreshers do the trick! Thanks So Much!

Great practice. We're doing it again this year. Beautiful skies.

Thank you so much for this video. Haven't ridden in 40yrs and this really helped!

Magic using the drone, really made it life like. Thank you!

Thanks again Kevin, look forward to having restrictions lifted so I can resume my practicing and riding, stay safe everyone.

Thanks Kevin. Essential fundamentals that you can practice anywhere.

Kevin, great to see you joined the "Light-Side" and you're riding a quality bike. I enjoy your teaching videos and gain a lot of quality instruction from you. Keep your instructional videos coming. We need your foresight.

Brother, you really help me feel calm and comfortable on my Sportster. Really appreciated.

Great vid and I totally agree these are great skills to master. When I figured out the rear brake, it all got much easier, especially U turns.

Wow! I just love this. Short and sweet. Great tutorial!

Thanks for this video....I needed it. I've been practicing my slow speed control, but I haven't been able to nail the right turn from a stop yet. I'll work these exercises until I can get slower.

Thanks, will definitely try them out.

When I taught my wife and sons to ride, I used to have slow speed races with them, to help them with slow speed control. It is something that can be worked on even in your driveway. I will be changing my channel name soon, but will, of course, still watch, comment, like and share your videos, Kevin. Y'all be safe.

Thank you, Kevin. Always learning something. Nice tip to try to stop with out the foot. I'll try it too. Greetings from Bolivia

Priceless tips. Thank you so much.

Excellent tips...I saw this and your u-turn tips vids yesterday and went out and practiced. It is amazing how quickly I was able to improve, on my new Africa Twin (I’m new to this size of bike). I was practicing other things too, like standing up, and realized I was doing so at too high a speed. I realize now how, just like drumming, the trick is always to start slow, and hold the tempo, building or speeding up after you can do so smoothly. Many, many thanks for what you provide.

Thanks Kevin, good advice as usual.

Thanks Kevin. Another great video! pouring rain here in Fl so it was the perfect time for me to hit the parking lot and practice my slow speed and braking maneuvers. Still have a way to go until my shoulders and relaxed, however redundancy builds fluency :)

Been riding motorcycles for 50 years now, I had great slow speed skills and used both of those techniques to great effect, but now after major back surgery that didn’t go as planned I have great pain getting my feet onto the pegs, also lost some leg strength. Now I have to make a conscious effort to get my left foot down. My confidence is shot, some may say my riding days are over but it’s such a big part of my life , even if I can only do a couple of short rides a year, it still matters to me , I wish I could afford to have a system on my bike that could help me overcome this, not even sure such a thing even exists? My riding is now one of the biggest pleasures I still have. Keep sunny side up everyone x Dave

Great exercises! This is a must-watch.

Thank you so much for videos and the effort!! greetings from COSTA RICA

Love the upgraded videos. Keep up the great work!!

Thank you Kevin.

Great Video Kevin. Thanks 🤙

Great skill and what a lovely parking lot for practice

I am way more nervous at low speed on the Goldwing than on my V-Strom because of the weight of the Wing. I will go practice in the parking lot. Coming to a stop on the Wing two up is what I dread the most.

First of all, thank you for the great content you produce everyday. Where I did my license, part of the practical test is to ride your bike 10 meters (32 feet) in no less than 15 seconds in a lane with a width of 1 meter (3 feet). For me, that was what I had to practised for the most. A general tip for everybody who wants to practise this would be, to lean your upper body forward, so that you got your weight closer to the front wheel. This brings a bit more stability, especially when riding at very low speed. Also depends a bit on the bike of course. Cheers!

Great vid. I need work on this!!

Great Tip Thanks Kevin

Great video. Thanks

Wow couldn't be more informative!

You explain very well, and have a very calming voice

Wow! Great tip. I am a new rider. I am going to practice this a lot. Thank you sir!

Kevin great video. Wish I a parking lot that big, without gravel. Our snow has just left so out to practice now 👍

Thanks. I need this.

Most excellent topic!

Great video from a Rams fan in St. Louis. Many people here really hate them now that they moved back to LA, but my son and I are still loyal fans regardless of where they are playing. Now off to find a parking lot to practice...

2020 Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports DCT - Riding 3 years now. Started with a manual CB500X. The biggest change I found with DCT is that the rear brake is your clutch. Off road, gravel, on road, it's all the same. I use the rear brake more than the front brake keeping it balanced. Emergency stops are the same. Keep things balanced. The beginner course I took told us front brake and no rear brake but I think this is a disservice. People need to know there is a balance to be had between the two. Once up to medium and beyond speeds the gyroscopic effect takes over and the bike will stay upright unless you tell it otherwise.

Another excellent video Kevin! I always wondered about the DCT in slow speed maneuvers so was glad you brought that up. Have a great weekend

Excellent quality video Kevin, you rock! The content is bang on too. I practice my U turns but still cannot get them to a maximum of two parking spots wide. Two and half spots for now, still practicing. I just challenged my buddy to a slow race in a parking lot. I'll be using your techniques. Thank you Sir.

In my youth (early 80s) we used to goof around off-road on small trail bikes (XL125s, TS100s and similar). Mostly low-speed stuff, just goofing around. When we stalled, we kick-started without putting a foot down. Lots of daft games like "slow races". It all comes from there. I now no longer ride, but have friends who came to bikes in middle age, quickly bought a GS Land Whale and ride it as if it was a Camry with handlebars. Ladies and gentlemen, find an old TS100 and go out into the forest. The playground can be the best school.

For those of us who ride 365, it is important for me to watch your videos to polish up on key fundamentals to keep myself safe (and upright) . Knowledge IS power. Thanks brother.👍

Teach it Kev !! Low speed and a big parking lot are alot of fun . . . .

Great Video and thanks for the tips. I've been riding my Sportster for 45 years now and never had any formal education on how to ride except from my boy friends when I was young. Apparently I was given some good advice as I haven't gone off this bike in the 25,000 miles I have put on it. I have a good master of the "friction zone" and I get looking where I want to go. But what is new to me that I haven't heard about before is dragging the rear brake. It's winter here in Klamath Falls, Oregon and the bike won't see daylight until April or so but I would love the rear brake "drag" theory talked about a little more. As mentione it will be awhile until I can try all this and believe me I'm anxious to get out and really after all these years get comfortable with the true slow speed riding but the rear brake drag I have not had that explained at all. Thanks again for a great video. Lisa

Thanks for the reminder Kevin. Late last season I had to do some slow speed maneuvers around a gate. It was very awkward, and I recall doing slow speed riding very well when I was younger. I'll have to practice this again when I plate my bike this year. Stay safe.

That was helpful - thanks

Giving that drone a work out! Love It!

Thank you!

Up at it early today I see, great day for a SAFE ride! Thanks for sharing your skills brother 🙏❤...funny how I was thinking of this slow control lately...ease forward.

Absolutely! I pride myself on being able to make a full stop at stop signs without taking my feet off the pegs!

Great info thanks

*watching MCRider doing perfect u-turns inside of 20'* I have so much work to do

Thanks !

61 years old and rode dirt bikes at a much younger age. Got back into cycles again 2 yrs ago with a dual sport. First time being a cycle rider on the rode of course with a cycle endorsement. Going to a HD and somewhat fear the weight factor. Kevin’s training videos have me on the right track to make this transition. I believe my biggest fear is low speeds and ultimately dropping the 750lb bike. Fantastic Videos!

Great tips

Huge huge help! Ive been riding one month and the scariest part for me is... parking. Not anymore!

Would love to see you perform more slow speed turning maneuvers and videos on your DCT just to show the comparison of your two bikes, clutch and DCT. Narrow U turns between two parking spaces is a bit more difficult on the th DCT I have found, and couture to practice. Love your site, keep it coming.

I appreciate this.

Thanks Kev

A Rams fan, huh. Now I know I made the right choice in choosing you as my first instructor. I've been a Rams fan since the days of Roman Gabriel. Thanks for the lessons. Jesse

Great reminder, Kevin, on why paying attention to the small stuff pays off in the bigger picture.

****Standard long comment warning**** I have discovered since my re-entry into riding that I really enjoy the challenges that come with slow speed maneuvers. I practice them in traffic coming to a stop and in stop and go traffic as well as in parking lots. I purchased a little set of cones like the MSF course uses here in Oregon so that I can set up some specific things to do. As a side note I have put 1500 miles on the scooter in these last two weeks (as of 09/15/2020!! ) I thought that 2020 was going to be a bust but the covid restrictions lifted just enough to allow me to get my MSF passed (THANK YOU TEAM OREGON) and my written taken. The fires have hampered me a little but I am getting as much seat time as I can before we get into the wet and cold of an Oregon west side Winter. To Kevin specifically, your words go well beyond the scope of this channel. I am sure I am not alone in hearing your voice in my head, "Point your nose where you want to go", "Trust your tires", "keep your head and eyes up", "Lean a little more", " look at least 12 seconds ahead", "Practice every chance you get", "Ride within your vision", etc. I know I paraphrased some of those but there is no doubt that Kevin goes with me every time I throw my leg over my S50 Boulevard scooter. Thank you Kevin for keeping me and my fellow drivers/riders safer on every ride.

Nice video, Kevin, good use of your drone. Your multiple figure 8s at the end is one of the goals that we should aim for. 18 feet wide X 32 feet long crossing the X in the middle each time around. Well done. I hope everybody sets this goal for themselves. Any flat open parking lot with lines painted on will do, so there is no excuses...

Awesome!

Thanks Kevin.

I hope I can describe this well. I completely agree with you Kevin on practicing this technique as a slow speed skill, especially the slow to pause. I’ll take that skill even further and go ‘slow to pause to slow to pause’ and focus on making as few steering inputs for balance as necessary. Using the clutch zone and slow speed U turns are very important. But I disagree with the assumption that a rider is less skilled because both feet are down. Now coming to a stop, left foot down right foot up (to apply rear brake pressure) is my standard practice but once stopped, many times I’ll drop the right foot down simply because it’s a more stable and a more upright position. I ride a heavy bike, a BMW GTL, there have been times when I’m stopped, right foot up, and for some reason my balance force shifts right and I have to quickly get the right foot down. In that instance I have to plant my foot (hope for good footing) and catch the weight. My point is there are several things that need to happen and sometimes very quickly without issue, or I could go over. Both feet on the ground is always a more stable and more upright stance. This is even more important when a passenger is aboard were weight shifting can happen without notice. Same thing goes for rolling at a slow speed. Most of the time both feet are up and only use my left foot for momentary touch and go situations. But there are times when both feet are down, gently gliding the surface, simply because the speed is too slow or the distance between stops too quick to get a foot up and down. This technique again keeps the bike more upright and it requires almost zero steering input for balance corrections. Again, with a heavy bike or with a passenger, this too me is a more stable and much safer technique...in some situations. I think that’s my point ,while most of the time the technique of ‘left foot down right foot up’ is correct, there are situations when a rider should not feel shame or less skilled, because both feet are down. Stay covid safe and sane 👊

Thanks for teaching these two skills that constantly need "polishing."

Heeey looks like someone got a drone and wanted to put it to use. Good idea.

Hey Kevin....last week I got caught in a 20mi+ back-up on my '87 BMW K75. I never got out of 1st gear- and my clutch hand is still shot....from a week ago. All that feathering wore mine out. Literally, for about 45min- and I'm still toast. EXCELLENT Drone work!!

Thank You. Background in your shop is looking good. Be safe👍🏻🙏🏼👴🏻

Kevin is absolutely right about the necessity of developing slow-speed skills on motorcycles. I know I am proficient when I can do linked lock-to-lock turns at will. That being said, the thought of being critiqued on my riding posture and technique while moving up in stop-and-go traffic is ridiculous. I am not riding in an observed trials event, I am just trying to enjoy the ride. I have ridden unfaired, wind in your face motorcycles substantial distances, over 160 miles in one trip I can remember taking in 1972, without touching a foot to the ground, because New Mexico. When I stop, if I want to stretch my legs, rock the bike from side to side, stand on tippy toes, or otherwise loosen up at every opportunity, it does not mean that I need to go to remedial motorcycle training class. Thanks anyway.

Thanks! I've ridden about 325K miles, but in the last couple of months I've dropped my GSA twice, beginning a low speed turn. When my crushed right foot heals, I"ve be out in the parking lot practicing the above. Many thanks!

Excellent stuff Kevin & Excellent Control with a Beautiful Motorcycle, that's Excellent training to get great control, thank you Kevin & Happy Riding Friend 🙂🙂🙂

Fantastic

My 54 yr. old Son-in-Law just bought his first bike last Friday. His daughter just got her first bike this spring. Your channel was my first recommendation along with Motojitsu. I just sent this to Steve a minute ago. Thanks for helping create three generations of safe riders. I can’t wait to meet up with them for a ride.

Nice tutorial sir pls. Keep us intact...thank you...

It is quite funny to read the "foot down" reasoning from across the Atlantic. Here in Sweden you learn something that is the opposite. When taking your MC driving license you need put down the right foot and the right foot only, the left should stay in control of the gear lever. The fact that one might perform a smoother stop with another method is not considered important for safety and is not an accepted alternative.

Thanks for showing the dct.

I've watched so many videos of people that can't use the clutch rear break and throttle to ride slow, so many people squid and duck walk on here that I went looking for a video like this to thumbs up and promote. Edit I learned at Fanshawe college in London ont great program.

Always informative Kevin. I like training for slow speed manoeuvres but with my new motorcycle it has a dry clutch, and I'm concerned how much training I can do at one time. Even the wet clutch you have to go for a ride after while to cool it down wonder how it's going to be with my dry one.

Had my first riding lesson 2 days ago and approx. 80% of the time was learning how to ride slowly.

Thankyou for your on going great educational videos.. i also have the same DCT like yours...and i see you have a bike that looks like the Africa Twin (dct tour)..that i want to also get and im trying to justify getting it for the adventure of exploring the differences i might experience *money is blessingly not the issue here....question is how do you feel about riding one verses the other from one time to another...thankyou, Jerry.

For the slow race, the Honda CB650F I learned on, when you first started the bike, the ABS warning light wouldn't go out until you rode faster than 5 mph, good little indicator as to your speed if you need to keep your eyes up and away from the speedo...

Thanks kevin

So I’ve watched this video several times. Great training and i do practice this. I have great control in my opinion. But being stuck in traffic when interstate merges to one lane and slow speeds for a long while, around 15-20 min killed my wrist. And how still a great video. Actually its what i thought about while stuck in that traffic

When you finally get the perfect pause down: "I am Spartacus!" LOL C'mon, admit it.. You felt that way!

Too funny. Gotta love the Internet/RU-vid. I always thought that those were "my techniques" & I always feel a lill' guilty for "burnin' da clutch" & "ridin' da brake", the "rear" brake no less (are we even still allowed to use it?), as my Dad would call it. I actually thought some of that was my imagination since some bikes handle so differently when doing these techniques, especially with modified front-ends. Great video...nows there's word & pictures to explain it all. Too funny.

I am glad you did that demonstration with both bikes. I find low speed maneuvers much easier on my Honda CB500X than my HD Dyna Fat Bob. Some of it is the weight but also the riding position for me. And I know the answer, I just need to practice more on the Dyna to get used to it. Something good to do in the closed school parking lots if you can find a window between all the kids doing donuts :) Thanks for another great video