Motorcycle Riding School/ Logs

In teaching my motorcycle riding schools I have learned myself of how intimidated some students are of logs. In my
motorcycle course I try and teach the proper fundamentals of all types of off-road riding that all ages and skill
levels can benefit from. As I wrote about in an earlier blogg about wheelies, you will learn that the proper clutch control
will help in negotiating logs.

Lets start out with a smaller log and lets approach it standing and let the front wheel kiss the log and then rebound so
you can wheelie the motorcycle. Meaning try and carry the front wheel in the air at least one bike length. Practice this
sitting and standing slowly. How do you do this? Well approach log standing slowly, as soon as the front wheel kisses the
log pull in the clutch a bit and then as the forks rebound back at you let the clutch out putting the front wheel into control
wheelie, and lean a bit back and hold pressure pulling back on the handlebars. Keep your fingers on the clutch in case you get into trouble.
Once right before the rear wheel makes contact with the log let off the throttle a bit and pull the rear wheel over with your legs,
by gripping the motorcycle with your knees.

Now that you understand the easy way over a log, lets talk about hitting a log with speed. Have you ever hit a log so hard that
once the rear wheel made contact with the log it kicked you really hard? Yes! Okay.Well try this,(you will have to practice this slowly first)
Approach the log standing , because it is easier to absorb the impact of the log with your knees. While approaching the log
pick a spot about a foot before the log where you can pick up your front wheel from. You want to to pick up the front tire like
you were going to wheelie before the log and then use the clutch you are going to set the front wheel back down on top of the log. This will
lesson the kick you get with the rear wheel. So do not let the front wheel touch the front side of the log, wheelie before it and
let it kiss the top of the log. Then let off just a little bit and pull the rear wheel over with your legs. Some key things to
remember are to not lock your knees, let them absorb the log. Also be sure not to fixate on the log itself. When some people do
this they miss time when they should wheelie before the log and have trouble with the log. Always keep a finger on the clutch in case
their is a problem and you can bring the front wheel back down by pulling it in, especially if there is a tree following the
log. Be smooth and practice this slowly.

For more on motorcycle training, motorcycle safety, and motorcycle lessons you can go to www.rlafferty.com