Floater turns

[JTT]

OK, anybody out there that can do these? For those who don't understand the term, it is a very cool turn, where the bike actually pivots on the back wheel, like a wheelie with a twist :eek:

Anyways, I am stuggling....I can get around about 90 degrees, but in a long arc (15'). Looks like an extended wheelie :mad: I cannot seem the get the bike to pivot. Any suggestions?

I am still too chicken to try the bounce turns, where you intentionally wheelie into a stationary object and pivot off of it.

 

[Patman]

I'm pretty good at the bounce stops! That's here I bounce into something attempting to turn off it and end up laying on the ground. I've seen TexKDX do some nice floaters but I think he does it just to keep me down :D

 

[JTT]

LOL...yeah, I getting pretty good at "ketchup's", where you loose the bike out from under you and run along behind trying to catch up. :)

 

[wayneg]

Gidday JTT - I was having a look about and found some stuff on floaters in the Techtips part of the Trials Australia web site.

"I really suck at floaters, so I took a private "floater lesson" from my National
Expert partner in Inter-Zona, Jeff Hursh. Floating turns well will become a
critical skill if the "no-stop" rule is implemented in the U.S.

After agreeing whole-heartedly that my floating turns truly suck, he gave me
the following tips:

Approaching the turn, look for something to use to "time-up" the move. If an obstacle
is not available to kiss the front wheel off of (tree, rock, etc.) pick a spot on the ground
just into the turn to begin your floater. Even a small branch or rock will help to time-up
the move and get the front end up.

As you approach, move your upper body between the bike and the direction of the turn.
Your weight will be on the footpeg outside the turn.

When your front wheel hits the "take-off" point, you must do several things simultaneously.
"Switch places" with your bike...move your body outside the bike and the turn. Heavily
weight the inside footpeg. Pull up on the outside handlebar. LOOK WHERE YOU WANT
TO GO. TURN THE FRONT WHEEL IN THE DIRECTION OF THE TURN.

The last two points are very important. Along with weighting the inside peg heavily,
these are the factors that make the bike turn.

Jeff's pointers really helped me. I'm still a ways from doing floaters consistently well,
but the rest is practice.


Jon Rentschler
Inter-Zona Trialsport "



Hope this helps,
Cheers

 

[JTT]

Thanks wayneg, I think it must be a timing issue, as I seem to be struggling to get the bike to lean into the turn. In fact, I am working hard enough at trying to lean the bike that I have developed a nasty bruise on my right leg (outside leg, left turns) from apparently trying to pull the bike over (no, I do not have boots yet, and have been doing the ultimate no-no of wearing work boots, MX boots are way too bulky). The steering and looking in the direction of the turn feels very strange, but I know that it is "a must". It just seems to be instinctive to try to correct a "crossed up wheelie" :eek:

..oh well, I'll just have to keep practising :)

 

[wayneg]

I guess the other thing is to try practicing really slow wheelies in first gear, and then add a floater turn in when you are feeling confident. Also in first you won't have to run as fast to catch up with the bike again - I know this very well as I only have little short legs!!

 

[RMXBOY]

Floaters

JTT,
In the early to mid eighties the then World Champion, by the name of Bernie Schriber wrote a book with Len Weed about Trials. The book is now old, but it was written at the time when the "new Style" of trials was emerging. The book was good at explaining how to do the old style of riding, floaters bunnyhops, flick turns etc. I dont know if you can still find copies of it but it would be worth while tracking it down.

Hope this is of some use.

Keep your feet up and your tyres down.

JW

 

[JTT]

Thanks, I'll go on a search.

 

[TexKDX]

Sounds like you want to do the big floater, not a little one. Ray Peters taught me on a hill, in 2nd gear. Anything involving a wheelie is easier on a hill because the hill does half the wheelie for you.

Keeping in mind that the bike is steered with the feet, initiate the downhill turn with the inside foot, pick the front wheel up, bring it around, then shift your weight to the outside as you near the competion of the turn.

On the small floaters, practice moving the front end over 12-18 inches with just your body, not the motor. This helps you land balanced and continue making the turn after you touch the wheel back down. Maintaining balance after you make the move is the critical part, not just the move itself. Once you can do this without power, try adding some power to make the move bigger. Next thing you know you'll be doing bigger floaters on flat ground.

Then, go try it in a section. That is where the smoothness and balanced you acquired from the small move will come into play.

Good luck,

 

[Patman]

JTT try White Horse Press for the Bernie Schriber book. It's AWESOME from a newbies perspective but VERY difficult to obtain. You may luck out because my wife got me one at Christmas and it was one of a few Bernie had in his garage and they were discovered by accident. They are new books but the covers show a little wear/damage from storage. If they don't list it on their site call them because it's a very limited item.

 

[JTT]

Thanks Pat, I just ordered it! And thanks TexKDX, when you refer to "small floaters" are you referring to hopping the front wheel?, only in a big hop? I am not familiar with all the terminology yet, and haven't heard that one until now. Thanks, I'll keep working on it. The steering with the feet is a little difficult to adjust to ;) , and I think may be one of my many problems :eek:

 

[Patman]

I bet the expression on my face when Tex said "Steer with your feet the handlebars were just a convienant place to put the controls." was priceless.
:scream: "DO WHAT?!"
It's coming together slowly for me now though.:)

 

[TexKDX]

JTT, yea you could call it a hop, but in the spirit of no-stop trials I prefer to think of it as a small floater since you are supposed to be moving forward.

The concept is the same, that is tightening the radius of the turn with the front end off the ground. The big ones are thrilling, but for an Amatuer or Intermediate line rider mastering the small ones will save you points in an event.

 

[JTT]

Thanks Tex, yes, I struggle with front wheel hops :mad: I can move the rear around fine, but have yet to find the "feel" to hop the front. I always seem to try too hard and loose my balance. When hopping, do you actually pull on the bar in the direction you want to turn, or is it more of moving the body first and bike to follow?

 

[TexKDX]

I guess the basis for doing good front wheel hops is to be able to move it up and down well before moving it side-to-side. Put your foot on the rear brake, then bounce the front end off the ground with a rythm in place. Once you can do this well, then try moving it to one side when you set it down.

Bend your knees and use your body to pick up the front end; don't try to pick it up with your arms. The momentum of your butt moving up in the air is what will pick the front end up without power. Same applies to wheelies - bend the knees, use the arms as hooks, and use the body to pick the front end up after you've compressed the forks. The idea is to use your suspension and your weight, not your arms.

So I've read and been told....

 

[Patman]

So I've read and been told....

And demonstrates quite well:)

 

[TexKDX]

Pat, we're gonna have to get out together some time soon. Your recollection of my abilities is VASTLY overstated... :cool:

 

[Patman]

Yeah, well when your looking up from the ground like I do...:D