Learning to balance while stopped?

KTMSprocket · Post by **KTMSprocket** » Fri Apr 20, 2012 5:20 pm

Ok guys. I just bought the young fella a 125 sherco. He is just about 13 but very tall.

He is an accomplished mx and enduro rider but wabts to improve his 'obstacle' skills. So.....

One of the many techniques we need to improve is balancing while stopped.

I'd love to hear from you all on the different ways we can practice to get this just right.. Many Thanks.

phoenix75 · Post by **phoenix75** » Fri Apr 20, 2012 7:48 pm

I learnt by firstly turning my wheel to the left and placing it on a rock, then apply the brake while the front wheel is on the rock this will cause the bike to stop you from rocking side to side to much ..... once finding your balance on the rock, take the rock away and then make a little ditch with your wheel and get your balance again....

Neo · Post by **Neo** » Sat Apr 21, 2012 9:13 am

phoenix75 wrote:I learnt by firstly turning my wheel to the left and placing it on a rock, then apply the brake while the front wheel is on the rock this will cause the bike to stop you from rocking side to side to much ..... once finding your balance on the rock, take the rock away and then make a little ditch with your wheel and get your balance again....

Good advice but continue that by letting the air out of the rear tyre then add 1 PSI at a time as he gets better and better, over a few days/weeks.
Once he can balance with over inflated (15 PSI) tyres on a concrete floor he'll be ready for anything :lol:

All the best.
Neo

phoenix75 · Post by **phoenix75** » Sat Apr 21, 2012 9:49 am

yer was going to suggest that but too much information at one time is a bad thing... especially when your learning

sdeane01 · Post by **sdeane01** » Sat Apr 21, 2012 11:10 am

Lift the front wheel against a wall so it is about 1 foot off the ground, leave the bike in gear and kill the engine. This makes it easier to balance. once this is mastered go the opposite and have the front off a drop off. No need to stop the engine though. Next step is to practice in the garage with the engine dead for 5-10 mins at a time.

Neo · Post by **Neo** » Sat Apr 21, 2012 12:18 pm

phoenix75 wrote:yer was going to suggest that but too much information at one time is a bad thing... especially when your learning

Absolutely :wink:

KTMSprocket · Post by **KTMSprocket** » Wed Jun 27, 2012 7:31 am

Thank you soooo much guys. We'll try all of those. Graham Jarvis makes it all look so easy :-)