Riding Into Corners

Riding Into Corners

by Lisa
(NH)

I have been ridding since 2004 and I am confident, but when it comes to corners, I am still nervous.

Any advice?

Comments for
Riding Into Corners

Jun 24, 2011

Turning
by: Lynn - Florida

A helpful hint on turning: When turning right, begin your turn from the left side of the lane. This places you at the proper angle for a smooth turn. Opposite for turning left. Now that doesn't mean you have to be on the divider line or in the gutter, just a bit towards one side or the other.

Jun 24, 2011

Body Alignment
by: Sandra

I would agree with the previous comment; look where you want to end up.

BRC training stresses:

SLOW - reduce speed to a controlled speed BEFORE you get there;

LOOK - let your eyes scan the entire curve/turn, but keep your focus on the end goal;

PRESS - that counter-steering thing...when turning right, you initiate the turn with a gentle PRESSING of the right handlebar grip which immediately allows the bike to transfer that contact patch of rubber to road from center to right side of tire - a lean of the machine is initiated; and

ROLL - as the bike "falls" (starts leaning) into the turn, gently increase the speed with throttle which pulls the bike right on through to where your eyes are looking (your EXIT POINT, right?).

Body alignment: every bit of your ride is controlled with your entire body working together with your machine...or NOT! The former responder explained her elbows were fighting the process. For me it was the knees. Most of the time, when I remember to hug my bike with my knees it is most helpful. There will be times when throwing a knee out, either direction depending on the situation, will assist in better control. The head should be squared off, upright, chin up, eyes focused 4 seconds ahead or so. Shoulders, arms and hands should be relaxed - you do not hold onto the bike with your hands, but with your legs. Your hands must be relaxed and able to make adjustments to steering, speed, gear, etc., not keeping you in the saddle. Feet should be comfortably on those pegs/boards. Feet dragging will NOT help you!

The absolute joy of riding, for me, is in the "dance" - how I must totally engage my body and mind to match the machine. She's the best dance partner I've ever had, and we could have danced all night...! LOL

I have read David Hough's "Proficient Motorcycling", which writes all the tips in a very understandable way, allowing your mind to fully accept the concepts. I'm almost finished with Pat Hahn's "How to Ride a Motorcycle". It is a good read, too, saying all this from yet another perspective. Reading it helps me accept the concepts; riding it helps me put the concepts into reality.

Enjoy!!

Jun 24, 2011

Cornering
by: Cathy

I've also been struggling with corners and curves, and failed my license test two weeks ago because of it, but this morning I passed my second attempt (yay!!), and what I learned in the past two weeks may help:

Firstly the advice that has been given on this forum elsewhere - to look ahead, to where you'll exit the turn, or around the corner to where you want to end up, and not right in front of you. That really does make all the difference in the world! I've also been told that the further ahead you can look, the better you'll ride, and the faster you can take the turn (within safe limits, of course).

The second tip is to counter-steer - I think that's the correct term: you actually push the handlebars out of the corner, as it were - to me it seemed totally illogical, until I tried it - very gently, on a very gentle curve - and it works! Gently pushing the handlebars out (ie towards the outside of the curve) makes the bike lean into the curve, and it all just flows easily from there.

My biggest learning, however, has come in the last two weeks - and it may only apply to me, but my instructor almost gave up on me being able to do the curve test at speed without going over the boundary line (an instant fail), until he really looked at how I was doing it - with my elbows up! I wasn't even conscious of doing it, and it may have something to do with me being short & my reach to the handlebars. As soon as I consciously kept my elbow tucked in - viola - all the difference in the world!! It's logical really - how can you lean into a corner when your elbow is forcing your body into an upright position!! Maybe, if you're still struggling, you're doing something similar that prevents you from leaning in?

Now that I've figured all that out, cornering feels so much easier - I'm not fighting the bike - and I'm getting better at it, also not so afraid any more.

I hope this can help some.

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