Another article about cornering

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Another article about cornering

Post by Firewa11 » Tue Jun 25, 2013 11:49 am

I found this while looking for some better examples of how to properly corner on a motorcycle, that might help out some of our riders with less experience in the twisties. One thing I've noticed on the last few rides I've been on, is some folks have a tendency to be afraid to get out of the staggered formation line when hitting corners. As a general rule of thumb, the reason for staggered formation is so you have the whole lane at your disposal to use. Don't be afraid to be single-file when hitting corners. Slow down and give the rider you were once staggered with but now single file enough room so you're not right up his tailpipe. This is actually a fairly common practice with sportbikes, and is a necessity during intermediate rides.

Here's a pretty clear example of what I'm talking about:

Image

If you imagine the curve is just your lane in a corner, by using the full lane in the corner, you dramatically decrease the tightness of the curve rather than following the geometric line of the curve. It turns tight corners into much wider, relaxed corners. Now granted I don't mean start in the shoulder and hug or cross the yellow line in the middle, especially in a blind corner. But by using most all of your lane, you are still reducing the amount of turning necessary and allowing you to take the ride easier, and with greater confidence and speed.

http://www.mgnoc.com/article_much_ado_a ... ering.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I encourage you to read this (it's short), even us older riders alike, as there is good information to keep in mind and refresh your noggin about.
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Re: Another article about cornering

Post by DarcShadow » Tue Jun 25, 2013 1:10 pm

Useing the whole lane is great, but you also want to watch out for the middle section of the lane. It can have a good amount of oil, and junk in it. Typically on the road, I try to stay on the inside 1/3 of the lane, but still use the above method. If you do this, you still make the turn a little easier and leave yourself plenty of room for that o shit moment.
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Re: Another article about cornering

Post by DLSGAP » Tue Jun 25, 2013 1:25 pm

And remember on a bike... In left hand corners, just because your tires are touching the ground on your side of the road doesn't mean the rest of you isn't across the line
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Re: Another article about cornering

Post by milesmiles » Tue Jun 25, 2013 1:36 pm

It funny you mention that. Darc was the First to point that out to me..."your bike may not be over the line, but if a big truck comes around the corner it will take your head off"

That always stuck with me lol
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Re: Another article about cornering

Post by Firewa11 » Tue Jun 25, 2013 2:40 pm

Yep, absolutely. My point was basically to use the lane, as much as you can as conditions dictate, instead of following the geometric curve of the road itself.
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Re: Another article about cornering

Post by U-Turn » Tue Jun 25, 2013 6:31 pm

I've watched videos of ppl shooting up an down The Dragon and one or two of them show just that. Rider in a left hander bangs the oncoming car mirror with their shoulder or helmet.
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Also watch out for the gravel on the edges of the roadway.
Also watch out for right-hand turns, if for any reason you must go-wide that might put you in front of oncoming traffic.
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Re: Another article about cornering

Post by milesmiles » Tue Jun 25, 2013 7:28 pm

Good post firewa11
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Re: Another article about cornering

Post by DLSGAP » Wed Jun 26, 2013 6:34 am

milesmiles wrote:It funny you mention that. Darc was the First to point that out to me..."your bike may not be over the line, but if a big truck comes around the corner it will take your head off"

That always stuck with me lol
Case in point. This was at deals gap in 08 on a borrowed repsol 1k with bald tires, not slicks, but bald. I had to cross up and bring my head up because there was a car coming
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Re: Another article about cornering

Post by milesmiles » Wed Jun 26, 2013 7:07 am

Yep I've seen a few good videos of people pulling their body in at the last second
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Re: Another article about cornering

Post by DarcShadow » Wed Jun 26, 2013 7:16 am

And I've seen one or two of not getting them pulled in in time.
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Re: Another article about cornering

Post by Polokid69 » Wed Jun 26, 2013 7:26 am

I think my fear in cornering is that I will somehow fall over or slide down if I lean too much. I know it's probably an irrational fear but when I actually get to a curve the anxiety kicks in. Something I definitely need to work on to improve my speed in curves
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Re: Another article about cornering

Post by milesmiles » Wed Jun 26, 2013 7:39 am

It's not an irrational fear at all, but your bike can lean and lean some more and some after that! I always thought I had some really good lean angle until I started going to the track. Them I realized how low you can actually go.

I've said this a few times to other people, but putting confidence in your bike will put confidence in you
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Re: Another article about cornering

Post by Polokid69 » Wed Jun 26, 2013 7:40 am

Of course the fear of going to far on the side of the road and hitting gravel is always there
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Re: Another article about cornering

Post by Firewa11 » Wed Jun 26, 2013 9:00 am

Honestly Scott, I know exactly what you're talking about, and what you're going through with regards to cornering. It's like riding in a heavy crosswind. The first time you experience it, it feels like your bike is going to slide out from underneath you going in a straight line. But I have been exactly where you're at. And I was instantly transformed by a track day.

Please do not misunderstand, a lot of people think track days are for racers, or for people who want to go fast. Not with ridesmart, not with level 1. You are in a safe, controlled environment with the best possible surface to practice on, no traffic like oncoming trucks and cars to deal with, no worries about trees and cliffs to run into if you go off the track. And you have EMS standing by should something go wrong (unlikely).

I believe without a doubt that a single level 1 track day will transform you into a much more confident, happier, safer rider in the course of a few hours. You get personalized instruction, and you have a nice slow progression throughout the day as you get to practice on the same corners dozens of times throughout the day to get a much better feel. And you've got instructors out there to give you personal 1-on-1 time to help you get more confident.

With my first track day, I was on my Katana, with no illusions of doing anything like racing, with no plans to go back and do another track day. Terry (club Founder) told me I won a free track day and said I had to go. So I went. And I can honestly say that single day transformed my life for the better. In one day I now had a firm understanding of not only what my bike could do, but what I could do on my bike. This directly translated for me to the street. I knew now that I could take a corner faster, and that my bike wouldn't slide out from under me. I knew I could be leaned over and still maneuver around an object in the road. I am under the firm belief that you are in the same boat I was in before my first track day.

My personal advice to you is to sign up and attend just one level 1 track day. YOU ARE READY. I followed behind you enough out to Mt Scott to know you can handle speed, you can handle your bike, you have the muscle memory down to not have to think about shifting or braking, you have good throttle control, you just need some confidence in the corners, and the absolute best way to get that is on the track. I promise you it will be something you will thank yourself for doing.

I am absolutely confident that after you do a single track day you will be wondering what all the fuss was about. And you'll be so much more confident in the corners that you wouldn't believe you were timid before. Seriously. Do it. I'll go with you if you'd like :)
Last edited by Firewa11 on Wed Jun 26, 2013 11:10 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Another article about cornering

Post by Polokid69 » Wed Jun 26, 2013 9:07 am

I think you may be right . This is the ride smart level 1 at Cresson ? How much does it cost ?
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Re: Another article about cornering

Post by milesmiles » Wed Jun 26, 2013 9:14 am

We can get you 1/2 off. I think I've seen you in leathers once...pants. Is that corrext
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Re: Another article about cornering

Post by Polokid69 » Wed Jun 26, 2013 9:16 am

Correct, I have leather pants, not chaps( I know you were hoping Miles)
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Re: Another article about cornering

Post by fixxervi6 » Wed Jun 26, 2013 9:33 am

This may sound odd but I am afraid lean my bike too. When I am riding fast the only way I can tell how far I am leaned over is by seeing how far off the deck my eyes are and how much my knee is being pushed up. My actual lean angle is unknown to me. If I just tried straight up and down in the saddle so that I know how far I am leaned over it scares me I can't do it
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Re: Another article about cornering

Post by Stardog82 » Wed Jun 26, 2013 9:47 am

Great article. Thank you. You talking to me on the club ride...that's the stuff I need to hear.
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Re: Another article about cornering

Post by milesmiles » Wed Jun 26, 2013 9:52 am

[quote="Polokid69"]Correct, I have leather pants, not chaps( I know you were hoping Miles)[/quote
Well forget that idea of cruising for chicks in our chaps
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Re: Another article about cornering

Post by Firewa11 » Wed Jun 26, 2013 11:11 am

Stardog82 wrote:Great article. Thank you. You talking to me on the club ride...that's the stuff I need to hear.
You too are in the same boat and I believe a track day for you would do the same :)

BTW, if you don't have leathers you can rent them.
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Re: Another article about cornering

Post by nitzer » Wed Jun 26, 2013 6:22 pm

Actually I think RideSmart does a free rental of leathers on your first track day if you so choose...

Quote from website:

"We have a limited number of 50% off coupons that the various shops and forums didn't use up, so we are making them available to new customers on a first-come, first-served basic. You must be a new customer for the code to work. There's a limited number of uses, so if the code doesn't work, it's all used up! If you also need leathers and boots, just request them at sign-in the morning of the event and we'll supply them for you free of charge.

Copy the code below and then click the corresponding event. Use the "Order Now" button next to "Level 1". Add any extras (remember, if you want leathers and boots, just let us know at the event and we'll provide them for free). Enter your name, then read the agreement and click "I Agree". Paste the code in the Promotional Code box and click Validate! You just saved 50%!"
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Re: Another article about cornering

Post by DemonDuck » Thu Jun 27, 2013 12:44 am

Firewall... seeing as your willing to go with people to track days... You commin to the 3.1?
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Re: Another article about cornering

Post by Firewa11 » Thu Jun 27, 2013 8:09 am

Too soon with not enough notice. I am hoping to attend one or two this year but may be further out this year. Not sure yet. We're also looking at putting our house on the market so we can upgrade.
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Re: Another article about cornering

Post by DemonDuck » Thu Jun 27, 2013 8:42 am

Well..... In the next 3 months if I do another track day it will be a Friday track day.
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