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Slow-speed maneuvers with clip-ons

R

rn00175

Member
Joined
Dec 25, 2025
Moto(s)
ZX-4RR 40th Anniv. Edition
Got a nice opportunity to use the empty parking lot at College of San Mateo this morning. A CMSP course is being held but the other lot was entirely empty. A nice security officer actually advised me to use that empty lot after catching me practicing in an only slightly-empty lot (and he showed me cool pics of his Ducati 916. If you're here, hi LOL).

So I practiced a bunch of slow speed turns, mostly tight circles and U-turns. I tried some of the DIY MSF courses that they share online but only did a couple of reps on some of them. Setting them up was a bit of a pain.

My main question is what should I be focusing on when maneuvering at slow-speed with clip-ons? My left U-turn can fit in 2 parking spaces when I do it well, but I'm struggling with my right turns. I generally go on the counter-lean position when doing these, and on right hand turns the tank just gets in the way of me controlling the throttle, which in turn makes it hard to keep the revs up while I modulate the clutch.

Any more seasoned riders on sport bikes would be kind enough to share tips?
 
I’ll be interested to hear what others say.
U turns are only done turning left (duh) and it sounds like you’re good there.
I don’t ever have a need to make sharp right turns but I see what you’re saying about throttle control.
 
Control your speed with the clutch. Learn to feather the clutch while holding the throttle at one RPM. Practice this until it's second nature and then work on meneuvers.
 
dravnx said:
Control your speed with the clutch. Learn to feather the clutch while holding the throttle at one RPM. Practice this until it's second nature and then work on meneuvers.
Click to expand...
I get that, but the ZX4RR lacks torque down low. Like I said in my post, the position of the clip-ons is getting in the way of me trying to keep the engine at a constant RPM. So I’m looking for tips to improve or work around that limitation.
 
He’s talking about the handlebars cranked all the way to the right as he goes through a right side U turn which almost points the throttle bar end directly at his body making it awkward to twist.

In real life I can’t imagine having to do this but it’s an interesting exercise to do in a parking lot.

For me I’d just crab walk the bike around using my feet but challenge is to do it without putting your feet on the ground.
 
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In real life there are some countries where that right U turn would come into play.

It has been so many years since my clip on days when I saw the post I just stopped dead for a second to contemplate riding with them. I did run back to my high school days 47 years ago falling over in the parking lot with.... new clip ons. So I have not got much.

Can you adjust the bars out a tick? Not even sure that will work on your bike.
 
You can try to change your grip on the throttle. Pull the hand back, and more "pinch" the throttle than "grip" it.

It's low speed, it's ok to reposition your hand or arm, you won't be needing the front brake.

The goal there is to try and maintain the throttle and RPMs.

Saw a video of someone trying a police maneuvering training class. And the biggest take away I got from that was that they rev the bike all the way to 4K, and use the clutch for everything. 4K is pretty high, and most folks aren't initially comfortable at that rate. I know I'm not.

But you won't have any power problems at 4K, that's to be sure.
 
I took a 7 hour police training class last weekend with the Napa PD. My R1200RS likes 2500 rpm. Each bike is different depending on where the power band is located. As to the OP, you don't use a Porsche 992 to plow a corn field. Your bike with clip ons is not the right tool.
 
I don't know how the gas tank is shaped on your bike, but on my Yamaha R9 the gas tank is narrow between the knees but wide on top.

Doing a full lock u turn sitting straight up, my forearms hit the gas tank before I reach the steering stops. I have to bend at the waist and get low over the tank to get my elbows bent to get the clearance I need to reach the steering stops.
 
greenmonster said:
In real life I can’t imagine having to do this but it’s an interesting exercise to do in a parking lot.
Click to expand...
Budman is on point here. Southeast Asian countries drive on the left side so right hand U-turns. Given I go there to visit family time to time, it doesn’t hurt to practice.
dravnx said:
I took a 7 hour police training class last weekend with the Napa PD. My R1200RS likes 2500 rpm. Each bike is different depending on where the power band is located. As to the OP, you don't use a Porsche 992 to plow a corn field. Your bike with clip ons is not the right tool.
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You have a point regarding the wrong tool. I just thought it wouldn’t hurt to practice and have that skill.
peterhively said:
I don't know how the gas tank is shaped on your bike, but on my Yamaha R9 the gas tank is narrow between the knees but wide on top.
Click to expand...
Pretty similar to your description. I’ll experiment around with position.

One thing I forgot to mention, I try to countersit opposite to the direction of the turn. So reaching for the rear brakes is also a little difficult with my entire left ass cheek hanging on the left side of the bike LOL.

Maybe one of these days I’ll record and show what I mean.
 
dravnx said:
I took a 7 hour police training class last weekend with the Napa PD. My R1200RS likes 2500 rpm. Each bike is different depending on where the power band is located. As to the OP, you don't use a Porsche 992 to plow a corn field. Your bike with clip ons is not the right tool.
Click to expand...
Another plug for Napa PD "ride to live" class - next one is coming up in June - I plan to be there. Hope to see others
 
Provincial_sweater09 said:
Another plug for Napa PD "ride to live" class - next one is coming up in June - I plan to be there. Hope to see others
Click to expand...
Next class is May 9. If the class is sold out, come on down anyway. There are always a few openings.
April 25th, May 9th, June 20th, July 18th, and August 15th, 2026
 
berth said:
You can try to change your grip on the throttle. Pull the hand back, and more "pinch" the throttle than "grip" it.
Click to expand...

This is good advice. When opening the throttle, if you can start to train yourself to use the contact point of the webbing in between your index finger and thumb, you'll have much finer control and won't be pressuring the outside of your hand (pinkie side) on the throttle tube. A full hand grip/ twist is pretty imprecise.
 
You don’t have to hang off completely when you counter-weight. You can scoot over to the left on the seat and you should still be able to catch the rear brake pedal.
 
main concentration is on how much lean angle you are going to use and how much tires are "gripping" the surface below... if at any instance the tires break traction, a counter steering maneuver is usually needed to stop a slip or fall... using a foot out (or knee, if you have a lot of grip) can help too...

... so, as always cornering on a motorcycle is a question of "how much grip" do I have and how can I best use that grip available...
😇

also, need to factor in how hard you might need to hold the handlebars + when to steer and not to steer + counter steer vs. steer + weight transfer...
 
rn00175 said:
My main question is what should I be focusing on when maneuvering at slow-speed with clip-ons? My left U-turn can fit in 2 parking spaces when I do it well, but I'm struggling with my right turns. I generally go on the counter-lean position when doing these, and on right hand turns the tank just gets in the way of me controlling the throttle, which in turn makes it hard to keep the revs up while I modulate the clutch.
Click to expand...

You'd change the grip angle as you turn the bars, otherwise, as you noted, your hand/forearm would get trapped between the bar and the tank at full lock. As you turn the bar farther to the right, move your right elbow away from your body a little so that your right forearm becomes more inline with the right bar/grip, and you'd grip the throttle from the bar end side (like holding a knife pointing forward) and turn the throttle like turning a door knob.
 
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