Riding Curves
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,184
Likes: 5
From: Oregon
RE: Riding Curves
Sometimes I drop it into 5th from 6th just to get some engine brakeing power around curves/twistys....
But It usually takes practicly every day riding to get used to ur bike to trust it enough and yourself when going into twistys/curves....
Just ride more my friend, get use to the bike and you will soon be taking them turns with a grin on your face and a relaxed grip.
But It usually takes practicly every day riding to get used to ur bike to trust it enough and yourself when going into twistys/curves....
Just ride more my friend, get use to the bike and you will soon be taking them turns with a grin on your face and a relaxed grip.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,807
Likes: 1
From: North Jersey
RE: Riding Curves
ORIGINAL: bamabadboy
Get a book entitled "More Proficient Motorcycling, Mastering the Ride", by David L. Hough. It's one of the best books out there on Motorcycling. It has an entire chapter on curves. I got mine at amazom.com.
Get a book entitled "More Proficient Motorcycling, Mastering the Ride", by David L. Hough. It's one of the best books out there on Motorcycling. It has an entire chapter on curves. I got mine at amazom.com.
Alot of good advise already given here. I can't contribute anything new. But, if all you do is buy Hough's book, that will be enough. I've never read anything that explains cornering more comprehensively than this book.
P.S. I just looked at my copy. It is entitled "Proficient Motorcycling" by David L. Hough.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 6,913
Likes: 87
From:
RE: Riding Curves
All good advice. I just want to repeat what was already said because I know it made a big difference for me years ago and that is to not look down in front of your bike but look as far into the turn as you can. You will lose your nervousness and your turns will be smoother, steadier and a pleasure to take.
Banned
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 17,265
Likes: 21
From: Los Angeles, CA
RE: Riding Curves
Look where you wnat to go guys. Sometimes as far ahead as youcan see if the road has blind corners. Look wo you will see around that blind corner as soon as it comes into view so you can decide what to do withthe bike. Stay focused and target fixatin is a killer. I agree...
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 765
Likes: 0
From: Alleghany Co., NC and SW Florida
RE: Riding Curves
One thing not mentioned is your line in a curve. I believe you should go to the very outside (right side in left turn, left side in right turn) of the roadway and "straighten out" the turn by crossing to the very inside at the apex and then back to the outside coming out. This method makes the really tight ones less intimidating and gets you concentrating on where you are aiming for rather than fearing losing traction.
I ride the BRP, almost daily and, not proud but its a fact, find myself doing ten to fifteen mph over the limit most of the time. I catch myself and slow down but am convinced it is just from working the turns, having them become fun rather than scary and experience in them. Not suggesting you go that fast, I try not to now but sometimes forget. At first, like you, I got very nervous, having ridden in the straight Florida road system for years then coming to the mountains.
My fear now is overconfidence and I have to remind myself, some caged squirrel may be over the line on my side coming at me around that bend OR Mr. and Mrs. Buck and Doe Deerfamily may be crossing just around the next curve.
BTW, I almost never touch the rear brake unless I'm panic stopping or doing under 20 mph. Under 20, I try to never touch the front brake.
Hope this makes some sense to you. Take it slow, relax and in no time you will gain the confidence to do stupid stuff, like me!
EZ
I ride the BRP, almost daily and, not proud but its a fact, find myself doing ten to fifteen mph over the limit most of the time. I catch myself and slow down but am convinced it is just from working the turns, having them become fun rather than scary and experience in them. Not suggesting you go that fast, I try not to now but sometimes forget. At first, like you, I got very nervous, having ridden in the straight Florida road system for years then coming to the mountains.
My fear now is overconfidence and I have to remind myself, some caged squirrel may be over the line on my side coming at me around that bend OR Mr. and Mrs. Buck and Doe Deerfamily may be crossing just around the next curve.
BTW, I almost never touch the rear brake unless I'm panic stopping or doing under 20 mph. Under 20, I try to never touch the front brake.
Hope this makes some sense to you. Take it slow, relax and in no time you will gain the confidence to do stupid stuff, like me!
EZ
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 530
Likes: 0
From: Texas
RE: Riding Curves
All the advice above is right on. The only other thing I can add is pay attention to the posted speed and treat it as the maximum until you are comfortable in handling curves. Donât feel that you have to push it beyond your comfort level even if you are riding with others.
Account Suspended
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 590
Likes: 0
From: usa
RE: Riding Curves
I took the MSF course in Sept 06 so cornering is a bit nerve wracking for metoo (rode for 2 mos then off the bike until April 07).
One thing I remember (in addition to the counter steering already mentioned) is SLPR (I call it "sleeper") which is Slow, Look, Press, and Roll. Slow before entering the curve, look around the curve at where you are going, Press on the handlebar/countersteer, and Roll on the throttle. Down hill adds the gravity to it all and I down shift to slow down (and I love that noise when I let off the throttle w/ the big radius pipes! good nerve calming music). I was told also that slowing or breaking in the turn, can upset your suspension; so best to glide thru the turn.
Now if only I can over come all this fear and ride CNC Wheel Guy's deluxe w/ apes!
One thing I remember (in addition to the counter steering already mentioned) is SLPR (I call it "sleeper") which is Slow, Look, Press, and Roll. Slow before entering the curve, look around the curve at where you are going, Press on the handlebar/countersteer, and Roll on the throttle. Down hill adds the gravity to it all and I down shift to slow down (and I love that noise when I let off the throttle w/ the big radius pipes! good nerve calming music). I was told also that slowing or breaking in the turn, can upset your suspension; so best to glide thru the turn.
Now if only I can over come all this fear and ride CNC Wheel Guy's deluxe w/ apes!
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Road Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 891
Likes: 1
From:
RE: Riding Curves
The counter steering definitely makes a big difference for me now in cornering. Every time I go into a sweeping curve, I try to remember to force myself to push forward on the grip on the inside of the curve. If you make it a practice to do this in the middle of the curve, you may be amazed to find that what seemed like a tight curve suddenly gets a lot easier.
I studied this stuff in the MSF course and have riding for 45 years. But, it is not intuitive and most explanations of counter steering are confusing. To me, it is not at all natural to counter steer when you are already leaning in a curve.
I studied this stuff in the MSF course and have riding for 45 years. But, it is not intuitive and most explanations of counter steering are confusing. To me, it is not at all natural to counter steer when you are already leaning in a curve.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 341
Likes: 0
From: Richmond, VA
RE: Riding Curves
Just take it easy and remain in your comfort zone. You will get better as you gain experience. Everything said here is very good info. I believe we all naturally countersteer without really realizing it when it is gradual. I used to ride a Yamaha 650 and I thought I got pretty good riding the twisties with it, dragging pegs and all. But when you get into some back to back hard curves, you must, must countersteer hard because that's the only way to get the bike back up and over on the over side to take the next curve. I push with one hand and pull with the other to get the bike over quickly. Also comes in handy in evasive manuevers like driving around a car that just turned left in front of you (believe me, I know).
Tnicean
Tnicean