Your statement is dead wrong regarding suspension loading and throttle in a turn. Ideally you either holding what you got on turn entry or roll on the throttle exiting a turn to *keep* the suspension from unloading. I think you got yourself wrapped around the axle.

 

Dustball,

Maybe I explained it wrong or shose the incorrect words. Let me try again.

They way it was explained and demonstrated to us at motorschool is that when braking, the suspension compresses and the bike squats down, or "loads up". Maybe those aren't the right words and I apologize if they are not. Under this condition the compressed shocks and springs are now retaining energy. This is why under ideal circumstances all the braking should be done before entering the turn and while the bike is upright and travelling straight, hence the term "Brake Straight".

As the bike enters the turn and starts to lean over, steady throttle should be applied. This application of the throttle will allow the susension to decompress, or "unload". We've all felt it during acceleration. That same pulling motion that stretches our arms and throws our head up and back under throttle also stretches out the compressed shocks and releases the energy stored up in the compressed springs.

Now the bike can lean over further because it is no longer squatting close to the ground. Moreover the springs and shocks are free of the stored energy and can now absorb the road and track better. This allows for the smooth and seamless turn.

We were lucky in that at motorschool there was a track for us to actually see this in motion. When we were allowed to brake and enter a turn without applying throttle we found the bikes scraped, wallowed and wanted to stand up. When we did the same turn under throttle the bikes rolled through nicely. Those that braked and tried to steer the bike really had problems, and a few guys dumped them (Good thing they were old police department bikes!).

So in my original explanation I equated "loading" with the compressing of suspension and springs, in other words if you set a "load" of books on a spring it would naturally compress and the spring would store the energy. Likewise if you "unloaded" the books off the spring, it would release the energy stored in it.

I hope this explanation is clearer, if it's not then either I ate too much turkey, or you maybe right and I am wrapped around an axle.

Mark

 

Thanks for the info, it now makes sense....body lean, less bike lean....there was 1 statement from Mark: In modest turns found on most highways, I often don't lean. I stay loose and relaxed and upright and comfortable. I can ride a lot longer that way. I still of course countersteer and add throttle.................. In most highway travels do you just countersteer and your body stays upright or will your body angle be that of the bike angle?

 

man the price went up I think it was 125.00 back in 82.For 2450 you could buy a used track bike and do nesba track days. Have you been to the museum at barber?

 

Paniolo,

I haven't taken the MSF, (I will be taking the advanced course this summer.) but I have been riding for over twenty years. I also have many years of racing various motorized vehicles including motorcycles. In nearly every type of racing I have been involved in you entered the turn in at a controlled speed and applied a steady and controlled throttle for exiting the turn. Most racers will also use their brakes through the corner as well.

As for braking in the corner. I almost always use a small amount of rear brake through the corner which keeps the suspension loaded. This is called trail braking and apparently Freddie Spencer was one of the first to talk about it.

If you are looking for a very controlled and quick cornering technique I encourage you to find a nice twisty road and appliy theese techniques.

I think your riding buddies will be quite impressed when you pull away from them through the corners. A few of the folks I ride with now use these same techniques and are amazed at how easy cornering can be.

 

No I havent yet .. Is supposed to be really nice , it's an hour from here ..

Dont know if you know his story or not , but he owned a very large milk company , was always into motorsickles , sold the milk company to build the track ..

 

Did not know that ,the museum is definitely worth checking out .I went with some guys from work that aren't really into motorcycles and they thought it was cool.

 

freddie was one of the best . It is sad his school just closed .I also almost always trail brake through the corners but I prefer to trail with the front brakes but you have to use the style that best works for you.

 

Actually I think you quoted me?

My body leans with the bike. I just don't shift my weight/butt to the low side on normal sweeping turns on highway trips. I reserve that for real twisties or accident avoidance.

Actually keeping my body upright against the lean of the bike would be counter productive - the opposite of what's best. I simply stay in the seat and let the bike (countersteering) do the work.

Again, here is a link to a run through the twisties from above. Watch the comfortable position of the rider in front, on the Wide Glide. See how easy he makes it look? The guy with the camera is all over the place and in real danger, imho.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aiOFubM8YB0

hth.

 

At very slow speeds such as parking lot maneuvers or a u-turn in the middle of the street, or even on a very sharp corner at under about 15 mph, a slight drag on the rear brake coupled with slipping the clutch is very stabilizing. Also, swivel your head and look at where you want to go and you're golden.

However, if you are talking about highway speeds as a normal practice, all I can say is WTF? I don't have time to even get started on what all is wrong with those statements. Please read this whole thread.