Fear of Curves
Road Captain
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 717
Likes: 18
From: perry, fl
could also try in an empty parking lot, getting some cones or tennis ***** (cut in half) and make some tight turns and practice. no oncoming traffic or ditches to worry about. just make sure clean of loose debris, dirt, gravel etc. and as has been said..practice looking where you want to go and not down...you will go where you look. good luck
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 7,079
Likes: 21
From: Queens, NY
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4,626
Likes: 98
From: Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri
Forgot his first name but his last name is Hough, he wrote two books called "Proficient Motorcycling". Get at least the first. He tells you how to ride through the curves. Understanding counter steering is critical to safe riding, he explains that in detail as well.
Other than that, you have received some sound advice here. Look through the curves, not at the ground in front of you. Also, forget the speed limit and trying to keep up with someone else. Ride the speed you are comfortable at. You will progress with time. Hell, you should have seen me when I was reacquainting myself with riding.
Other than that, you have received some sound advice here. Look through the curves, not at the ground in front of you. Also, forget the speed limit and trying to keep up with someone else. Ride the speed you are comfortable at. You will progress with time. Hell, you should have seen me when I was reacquainting myself with riding.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 9,239
Likes: 3,261
From: west Michigan
If you're talking about "blind" mountain switchbacks, slow down for them. Even if you know the road, mountains like the Rockies are falling down 24/7 and will leave rocks and boulders in the road any time of day or night. Animals and stopped vehicles are also found in the blind corners. If you're in a hurry, brake hard and downshift just before you turn in, roll through slowy on the inside of your lane and accelerate hard as soon as you have a clear view of the road ahead - "point and shoot".
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 3,356
Likes: 2
From: Las Vegas, NV
I have been riding motorcycles since I was 19, but bought my first H-D 2 years ago. I have always had a terrible fear of taking curves, especially blind, downhill curves, and have to slow down to a crawl, until I can see my way around them before I accelerate through the curve. I always get left behind on mountain roads, but I have one buddy in particular who rides an Ultra and always takes the curves at speeds that seem a little crazy to me. He leaves me in the dust on twisties and loves giving me advice on how to keep up, to point where I feel pressured to ride at speeds where I don't feel comfortable. I don't mind scraping floorboard or anything, I just feel uncomfortable taking curves at speed, which I can't see around, for fear that they might tighten up on me, sending me into a ditch or worse, oncoming traffic. Is there anything I can do help overcome my fear? Any advice from anybody here, or does it just come with practice and experience? It just seems to me that no amount of experience can bring comfort in taking a blind curve at the speeds I see a lot of riders do.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,871
Likes: 4
best advise do what is comfy do not listed to people who don`t know you having said that what the guy said above look forward your bike will go where you are looking if you look to your right thats where you aare going
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 7,079
Likes: 21
From: Queens, NY
how are you gonna tell him to not listen to people he doesn't know, then proceed to give him advice?
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,039
Likes: 11
From: Northern Ontario
my advice is, let him go as fast as he is comfortable with, and you do what your comfortable with, Accidents happen when a person pushes themselves into riding beyond their ability. Just ride, if you need to corner slower, then slow it is, and go home intact with a bike intact...really man, just ride your ride.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 660
Likes: 2
From: Schaumburg, IL, near Elgin, IL
If you're talking about "blind" mountain switchbacks, slow down for them. Even if you know the road, mountains like the Rockies are falling down 24/7 and will leave rocks and boulders in the road any time of day or night. Animals and stopped vehicles are also found in the blind corners. If you're in a hurry, brake hard and downshift just before you turn in, roll through slowy on the inside of your lane and accelerate hard as soon as you have a clear view of the road ahead - "point and shoot".