Belief confirmed
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,832
Likes: 37
From: Rockland County, NY
I agree with the assumption that many riders don't know the limits of their bikes. Early in my riding days I feared leaning too far. Found myself over the line on a curve facing traffic. At that moment I leaned that bike twice as far as I had ever done and made it safely back to my lane. Learned a big lesson about my abilities and the bike's limits. I absolutely believe that most of those 600 crashes were avoidable.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,635
Likes: 58
From: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
I'd much rather go down from a lowside with the bike in front of me than a high side with it behind me just waiting for a chance to tumble over my stupid azz.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,892
Likes: 3
From: New Hampshire
Capability of bike does not equal capability of rider. Sure, the bike and tires can make it, but if the rider has no faith in himself, his bike or the tire, he won't make it.
To paraphrase a famous bing: There is not "try" in this case. There is "do", or "do not".
To paraphrase a famous bing: There is not "try" in this case. There is "do", or "do not".
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,932
Likes: 4
From: 46th State, USA
I'm really not surprised to hear that missing a curve was the second highest rate of motorcycle accidents after reading about so many that like to brag about dragging their foot boards.
I'm sure a fair number of the crashes have to do with riding to fast for the conditions and not being familiar with the roads.
I'm sure a fair number of the crashes have to do with riding to fast for the conditions and not being familiar with the roads.
Last edited by shortride; Sep 15, 2011 at 06:58 AM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,594
Likes: 5
From: warner robins, ga
That statement is just not true. Go to the track and get some lessons on road racing.
Shifting your butt over on the seat or off the seat into the curve and you can get all the lean angle you need.
Buy yourself a used Ninja 250 and head to the track and really learn to ride.
Watch the guy on youtube that used to ride the yellow Goldwing on the Tail of the Dragon and tell me again you can't get the lean angle you need on a cruiser or bagger.
I type too slow, CtCruzer said it first.
Shifting your butt over on the seat or off the seat into the curve and you can get all the lean angle you need.
Buy yourself a used Ninja 250 and head to the track and really learn to ride.
Watch the guy on youtube that used to ride the yellow Goldwing on the Tail of the Dragon and tell me again you can't get the lean angle you need on a cruiser or bagger.
I type too slow, CtCruzer said it first.
this is my one complaint about the nightster (though i knew this before buying it, being a lowered sportster), it cant corner for crap. all my other bikes can thrash the curves.
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Joe Kucinski
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 446
Likes: 4
From: Nevada
What he's saying is that if you get your body mass out more on the side of the turn, you've moved the bike's center of gravity out further, even though you are at the lean limit ... and that makes the turn much tighter.
Or something like that, not exactly the best description.
Or something like that, not exactly the best description.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 225
Likes: 1
From: ct
wait, what? im inclined to agree with the original statement by doer (that if youre dragging metal, you cant lean any further). if my pegs or kickstand or whatever is scraping asphalt, how is it *possible* to lean any more? ive personally dragged pegs enough to feel parts "catch" on the ground -- im pretty sure thats maxing out the lean angle, no?
this is my one complaint about the nightster (though i knew this before buying it, being a lowered sportster), it cant corner for crap. all my other bikes can thrash the curves.
this is my one complaint about the nightster (though i knew this before buying it, being a lowered sportster), it cant corner for crap. all my other bikes can thrash the curves.
change your riding style to something like a sport biker
I mean im not leaning like super track racer hell im 6'1" 275 lbs not nimble
but i do carve up on glide first i change seating position lean forward a little over tank movez weight foward and easier to shift left or right next is move butt left curve get left cheek off seat to left by counter balancing thi way bike can stay more verticle meaning if need be a harder bar push and youll cut it in harder
theres a nice youtube on this ill try to find
left cheek off srat to left