Curves & Turns

Curves & Turns

by Melissa

I've been riding for 4 1/2 months now & took the MSF Course but I can't get over my fear of curves and sometimes turns. I slow down really slow but not enough to drop it I know to give it some throttle! So how do I get over my fear so I can become a pro? I also ride my son on the back with me so I want to be safe.

Comments for
Curves & Turns

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Oct 02, 2010

Update Please
by: Anonymous

Melissa, I'm sure you have gotten in some practicing on the curves and turns. You were given some good advice in the comments. I was wondering how your are doing now? Please share your experiences, thoughts and comments.

Thanks and ride safe!

Aug 19, 2010

Me too!
by: Davine

I get scared by curves and turns also. I have been practicing as often as weather allows. My first few times out I had my husband ride behind me on his bike so he could give constructive comments on what I need to work on. One really big help for me is that I took a MSF certified safety course. There are times when I am riding and I can hear what the instructor said in my head as I am going around a curve or making a turn. My biggest problem was looking through the turns. Look where you want to be and the bike will follow you. On a blind corner just keep looking for the end of the curve or turn and eventually you find it and get to straighten back up. And practice, practice, practice...do it without a passenger until you feel you can do it with confidence. Good luck!

Aug 10, 2010

Practice Alone
by: Sassy2731

I would suggest riding and practicing those curves and turns and riding in general before riding a passenger. I've been riding now for a few years now and still fear some curves, but I'm much better after we spend a few days in the Hill Country of Texas riding curves and getting the feel of them. My first big ride after learning to ride was in the the Hill Country out of Kerrville, TX. I was so scared and would slow down around most of those curves, but the last trip we made I had no problem with them and was able to keep up with the hubby that has ridden for 40 years. I now feel much more confident on curves, but I still slow down on ones that I'm not familiar with or at night when I cannot see the curve well and my judgment is off. Just remember it is always better to be safe especially with your child riding behind you.

Jul 30, 2010

THANK YOU
by: Melissa

I want to THANK everyone for the comments!! I'm sure these will help me a lot!!

Jul 30, 2010

Two Suggestions
by: Sandra

One. Have an experienced rider ride your bike in a parking lot, doing figure 8's. Watch the rider and the bike; get a full mental picture of exactly what YOUR machine is capable of...if your friend can even drag the pegs or whatever, just so you can see that the bike WANTS to stay up and it takes effort to actually drop the bike when executing the turns correctly...keep that mental picture etched in your brain and realize that you can do that, too.

Two. Read about the physics of motorcycles; what makes them stay up on a turn. Again, you are implanting the FACTS into your brain that leaning into a curve is the PROPER technique for turning, not just hot-dogging. "Proficient Motorcycling" by David L. Hough is a great book.

It sounds like you do not realistically accept that this turning technique is safe; until your brain accepts it as fact, you will fight against leaning too far.

Jul 30, 2010

Push Steering
by: Helen Wheels

As goofy as it sounds when you are going into the curve push very lightly on the opposite side of the handle bars to where you want to turn. If the curve is to the right, push left and vice versa. Don't try it when you have a passenger or in heavy traffic, but do try it. Scared the crap out of me the first time I did it. Your bike will slowly carve to the opposite way of the push. It's got to do with the shape of the motorcycle tires. You also need to start trusting your bike and your abilities. Even if you do hit a rock in a curve you are only going to bounce the back tire a bit, you aren't going to hit the ditch, plus there tend to be less debris in a curve as the car tires sweep them out of the way.

Happy riding and keep practicing.

Jul 30, 2010

Turns
by: Robin Willey

Nothing wrong with a healthy respect for curves and corners. Don't push yourself and practice will make it better. And yes, throttle into a tight turn is the key to keep it upright. Fast curves on highways still get my attention, mostly because of maybe rocks on the road or speed too high. Don't ride out of your comfort zone. Better be safe, especially if you have your son with you. I carry my 10 year old daughter and definitely makes a difference on my awareness.

Jul 30, 2010

Press and Roll
by: Anonymous

Slow, look, press, and roll. Sounds like you are doing the slow and look part correctly. You may be slightly tentative on your press and roll. As you probably know, press means to lean the bike in the direction you want to turn. Make sure you look where you want to go. Go into the turn slow enough (which sounds like you are doing that), so you can roll on the throttle to pull you thru the turn. Press and roll with confidence and enthusiasm. Trust the bike and your skills. It just takes practice. I know, because this is the same area I have trouble in. If you can find a neighborhood with a cul de sac (circle), practice riding around it. Repeat until you are not nervous anymore. I know it is harder to turn when riding someone on the back. Good luck and be safe!

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