Should You Pull the Clutch When Making a U-turn on a Motorcycle?
2 Answers
You need to pull the clutch when making a U-turn on a motorcycle. Practice techniques are as follows: When starting to practice, control the speed at around 20-30km/h. Drive straight at this speed and tilt the bike to the left. Adopt an outward-leaning posture (the rider and the bike lean in opposite directions), press the right foot on the pedal, and use the right knee to press the weight onto the fuel tank. The body is supported by the right foot on the pedal, while consciously turning the handlebars to the left. Pull the clutch and firmly press the rear brake to lock and slide the rear wheel. Precautions: Drivers should pay special attention to debris piled by the roadside, slow down and honk within 50-100 meters, and indicate the direction of travel with turn signals or hand signals. Use low beams at night, adhere to the principle of 'slow down, look, and then proceed,' and closely watch the inside of the turn to beware of pedestrians, bicycles, or motorcycles competing for the right of way. Also, be mindful of the outer side of the front wheel, the inner side of the rear wheel, and potential collisions or scrapes between the rear of the car or cargo box and obstacles. Drivers should honk and slow down 50-100 meters before starting the turn, depending on road conditions. When visibility is poor at the curve, quickly move the vehicle to the right side of the road to avoid obstructing other vehicles. Turning at intersections: When turning left, signal early and stay as close to the center of the road as possible to facilitate vehicles behind and those turning right. When turning right, signal first, turn slowly, and be aware of the inner wheel difference to prevent the right rear wheel from going off the road and hitting pedestrians or obstacles.
I consulted a professional coach specifically on this issue. Whether to pull in the clutch when making a U-turn depends on the situation: if the current speed is relatively high, fully releasing the clutch can easily cause the rear wheel to lock up due to engine braking. In this case, you need to half-pull the clutch to maintain a smooth power transition. However, during very low-speed, small-radius U-turns (such as in a U-shaped bend), pulling in the clutch while using the rear brake makes it easier to control balance and prevents sudden power output from causing the front of the bike to lift. Especially when making a U-turn on an uphill slope, clutch control is crucial for smooth power engagement. However, keeping the clutch fully pulled in throughout the entire U-turn is also unsafe, as completely losing engine traction increases the risk of rolling backward.
