What are we doing wrong?
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 715
Likes: 81
From: London, UK
Because the average biker doesn't know the first thing about braking in a turn - and that is don't brake in a turn! However, there is a way to do it but most guys just think if you hit a turn too fast you can just brake like a cager - wrong!
Roll off, straighten out, THEN brake! It takes practice, because it goes against instincts since you are not laying into the turn harder, but instead you straighten out INTO the danger area (outside of turn).
Roll off, straighten out, THEN brake! It takes practice, because it goes against instincts since you are not laying into the turn harder, but instead you straighten out INTO the danger area (outside of turn).
all the best, ride safe,
R
Banned
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 216
Likes: 0
I watched a guy miss a curve going slow and completely sober. What a lot of newer riders don't do is look through the turn. Look to where you want to go, not at your damn front tire as you try to hold a consistent line/arch through the turn.
inexperience and speed would be my guess there. Just a quick story.....stopped off at a rest stop least month and met a group of riders heading to the dragons tail...1 of them admitted to not being very good at right hand curves...always goes really wide and sometimes dips off the road.....I had 2 thoughts...the first was thank god I am NOT heading to the dragons tail...and the second one was how the hell are you gonna ride probably the triwistist road in america with the basic skills required to go around the block.....that said I am all for new riders joining our brotherhood but I am also worried about them and the reputation they pass along to those of us why actually know how to ride....just sayin....
Banned
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 216
Likes: 0
I certainly agree. I've been riding for years, but I will still be taking the course when the OL takes it...I'm SURE there are things I haven't learned yet. Michigan has a "basic" and an "experienced" course. I might take the experienced course.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,842
Likes: 16,583
From: Wisconsin, USA
I agree. I feel comfortable riding on curves, I have been riding for 7 years, 25K miles. I took the Skilled Riding Course this weekend and I sucked at looking through the turns. I know they are artificial in the parking lot, but I am going to concentrate a lot more on that in real life.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 6,716
Likes: 13
alot of times you have no chance...like last sunday when a illegal drunk immigrant pulled out in front of this man and his son had to watch the whole accident happen...its sad
http://www.nwherald.com/2011/07/26/d...crash/avi3gk3/
http://www.nwherald.com/2011/07/26/d...crash/avi3gk3/
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 93
Likes: 1
Even experienced riders, while understanding the concept of braking in turns, rarely actually practice it. Ask yourself when was the last time you balled into a corner too fast, on purpose, just to practice braking?
Personally, I think the DMV riding test is bunk. Nobody gets killed turning at 2mph in a parking lot while negotiating a turn around a shopping cart... you might look like an idiot when you tip that scooter in the parking lot, but chances are it aint gonna turn you into road-pizza. I think that DMV riding test should actually test your skill as a rider, instead of testing your skill as a parker. And if they won't test your skill, then like others suggest; manditory driving course. At least then you will learn it.
Personally, I think the DMV riding test is bunk. Nobody gets killed turning at 2mph in a parking lot while negotiating a turn around a shopping cart... you might look like an idiot when you tip that scooter in the parking lot, but chances are it aint gonna turn you into road-pizza. I think that DMV riding test should actually test your skill as a rider, instead of testing your skill as a parker. And if they won't test your skill, then like others suggest; manditory driving course. At least then you will learn it.