[PerazziMx14]

When I was taking the basic rider course the instructor said everyone gets hung up on the figure 8 turn. He said he got more requests for practicing it and/or advise on how to do it. He would tell us that unless you plan on doing figure 8 turns in a parking space don't worry about. Yes, it's a clutch/throttle control thing more so than turning the bike in a small area bit its nothing to worry about. His advice was when it came to the road test focus on doing everything but the figure 8 well. That was if the figure 8 is all you screwed up you pass the test and get your license. After people took the pressure off themselves out of the group of 20 or 25 in my class none failed.

Since taking my road test I have yet to be in a situation where I needed to turn my bike around in a parking space w/o putting a foot down.

 

[PerazziMx14]

I seldom have to make a U-turn. Usually when I overshoot a dirt road I want or Being At One With Nature, and suddenly realize I missed my turn.
For me, the crux of the biscuit is "full lock" U-turn. I learned a long time ago that full lock while sitting on the bike makes it more likely that I will topple Only when I'm off the bike with it resting on my hip do I use full lock. to wheel the bike.

Virtually all of my U's are done counterclockwise, so I start out by turning the front wheel almost, but not quite, full lock; much better control at walking speed. Feather 1st gear, feet on the pegs ,keep looking over my left shoulder, looking down the lane I want to be in; not the opposite puddle, curb, parked car etc. This is important. Your brain is wired to take your body where you are looking, so if you are worried about hitting the curb or puddle on the other side, that's exactly where you'll be.

And you can put you feet down as much as you like. Unlike the MC test where if a toe touches the pavement, you get a dinged