I lifted these from a police motorcycle course:
The key to safe low speed motion is to modulate and control your speed by feathering the clutch and rear brake in unison. This allows one to travel slower than stall speed in first gear, and won't hurt a wet clutch if done in relative moderation. (This is how the cops do it)
At slow speeds, ignore the instinct to look down at the ground. NEVER look down at low speed. If you look down, you'll go down. I find this practice handy for grooved roads and bridges too. DON'T look down.
When making turns at low speed, turn your head in that direction, and the bike will follow. For very tight turns and U turns, turn your head as far as it will go, like an owl. The farther you turn your head, the tighter you can turn. It sounds weird, but it works.
NEVER use the front brake at low speeds.
It is possible for everyone who rides a motorcycle to make controlled full lock turns at 5 MPH. It just takes practice. Start by having someone stand in one place, or prop up a broom as a sighting target, and circle around, while looking at their head or broom height only. (DON'T look down!) Feather the rear brake & clutch as you go. Keep making the circle smaller, and practice in both directions. If you practice this on a hot day, make a run or two now & then to cool the engine. This is a very handy skill to have in traffic, when parking, and when making tight U turns. It should be second nature to be able to make a U turn within two parking spaces, with both feet on the pegs, in complete control, and with full confidence. EVERY production motorcycle sold in the US* is capable of this U turn in two parking spaces maneuver. A few hours with the circle exercise will get anyone there. Try it and see.
These techniques and many more are on this DVD, which is primarily devoted to low speed high proficiency riding techniques.
http://www.ridelikeapro.com/RLAP4.asp
This is a great DVD for low speed technique. Depending upon availability, it could make for a right nice stocking stuffer too. The second portion of the DVD is the actual police riding course, which requires ample & sturdy crash bars, even for the majority of skilled and highly experienced riders interested in riding it. If one can master that section, they can literally drag the pegs at 3 to 5 MPH and in full control. (I never tried that part of the course - my knees are my crash bars.)
*OK, so maybe the 14' production choppers can't U-turn that tight
