Basic Vehicle Control and Riding Skills
Smooth inputs, eyes up
Everything at low speed comes from the friction zone - the narrow band of clutch lever travel where power begins to reach the rear wheel. In that zone, with steady throttle and light rear-brake pressure, you can ride slower than walking pace and still stay stable. Keep your head and eyes up and look where you want to go; your hands follow your eyes, so staring at the cone you are trying to avoid is how you hit it.
Turning and shifting
To turn, press the handgrip on the side you want to go and lean with the bike; roll on the throttle smoothly through the corner rather than coasting. At very low speed, let the bike lean more than your body so it stays balanced. Shift into the correct gear before the turn, and never coast with the clutch pulled in or in neutral - you lose the ability to accelerate out of trouble.
Starting and stopping
Start with the clutch in, the bike in first, and both feet down or the right foot on the brake. To stop, use both brakes together: progressive front pressure plus light rear brake, squared handlebars, eyes up. As you come to a halt, put your left foot down and keep the right foot on the brake so you do not roll.
Traps and rule of thumb
Expect wrong answers like “pull the clutch in and coast through the curve,” “brake hard while leaned over,” or “look down at the front wheel to check your line.” Slow, look, press, roll - the sequence for every turn.