i was trying too hard.

out for a ride today, got frustrated 1/2 way through with my cornering problems. told myself, go as slow as you need to so you execute a perfect carve thru the turn. result: slowed down to my entry speed about 1-2 seconds before the turn, and ended up riding thru the turns at the same speed i always do, but not hard on the brakes at the entry to the turn.

thats the smoothest i've ever been in the corners and the most relaxed i've felt negotiating those roads.

what i was doing wrong: entering the corners too hot (for my skill level) made me panic as i was trying to brake hard, stand the bike up, and start turning too soon as i was trying to get to the inside of the turn asap so i didnt run off the road. this left me standing the bike up well into the turn. not good.

slower entry speed let me ride into the turn without being on the brakes, allowed me to ride farther into the corner before leaning, which puts me in the middle of the lane instead of on the inside (with my head sticking into the other lane on left-hand turns). being in the middle of the lane meant i was carving a larger radius circle, which requires less lean, or more speed at the same lean.

so basically i am now cornering properly, instead of riding in hard on the brakes and trying to get the bike hauled over and maintain a good line all at once.

entering the turns slower let my brain catch up and see just how much road i actually had and that it was safe to ride deeper into the curve before leaning over. actually its much safer since i am using the whole lane instead of the inside edge. now that i have proper technique, i can practice it and i am sure it will come naturally to me at higher speeds now that i am processing information comfortably instead of entering life-preservation panic mode.

 

This should be a sticky, too.

So are you scraping your saddlebags now?

 

Yeaaahh time for some trail braking excersizes

 

Just ride that front brake as you start leaning over, and come from the outside line, get most of your turning done before the apex. If you need time to allow your brain to "catch up", slowing down a tad is the perfect way to correct it, but try to enter just a little bit faster every time so you can gradually build up to it. Always stay on throttle too, engine braking is turn-compliant

 

i always thought there was something wrong with my technique in handling the bike, but it was just how i saw the turn and how i reacted to it. this is the breakthrough i've been hoping for. talking to sportbikers never really got me the advice i needed, and made me overanalyze my technique. for those that didnt know, it was an early corner crash when i was 18 thats left me paralyzed mentally from improving this aspect of my riding. now i just have to keep working on it.

riding just got twice as fun

 

good stuff!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by falconGSR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> for those that didnt know, it was an early corner crash when i was 18 thats left me paralyzed mentally from improving this aspect of my riding. </TD></TR></TABLE>
Thats gotta be tough man . . . But like you said, just keep working on it, and keep progressing foward. By no means stay content. If you are really comfortable with your entry speed, try speeding up a tad bit upon entry and riding the front brake a tad more (not too much or your front end will wash out). In any case, just keep progressing foward and you may amaze yourself . . .

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by falconGSR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">riding just got twice as fun </TD></TR></TABLE>
awesome

 

glad to hear it. I wonder how many people have incorrect technique and never know it...

 

aside from a couple relapses in some left handers, i had a glorious 70 mile ride today.

the weather here in dallas was spectacular with a high around 73 and nary a cloud in the sky aside from a few cirrus streaks in the distance. a bit breezy though.

found my way to a park on the edge of Lake Lavon and nearly dozed off resting on a sloped sidewalk heading down to the water.

headed back into town for a bathroom break and decided to call it a day. had to take the highway back to my street, and as soon as i got on, bam. sitting in traffic.

running hot but the fans kick in to cool it nicely. they've never turned on before. never thought i'd need them in January, but traffic is traffic.

make my way to the scene of the accident. i see 6 parameds huddling around a guy. a cop at the scene is staring at me as i pass. i dont see any cars. ride up to the the huddle and see a honda cruiser laid over, in a puddle of fluid. oh god. look back and see the guy on a stretcher with his neck immobilized, unconsicous. he looks alive though. no blood. no gear. maybe they removed it. not being terribly religious but still wanting to acknowledge the fallen rider, i raise my left hand and give some sort of military salute wave thing as i pass by.

it caught me completely off guard coming home after such a fun afternoon. i had no idea i was going to see a bike laid over and the rider strapped to a stretcher. it was like being sucker-punched.

it was a sobering end to a otherwise great ride. ride safe.

 

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by falconGSR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i was trying too hard.......


what i was doing wrong: entering the corners too hot (for my skill level) made me panic as i was trying to brake hard, stand the bike up, and start turning too soon as i was trying to get to the inside of the turn asap so i didnt run off the road. this left me standing the bike up well into the turn. not good......
so basically i am now cornering properly, instead of riding in hard on the brakes and trying to get the bike hauled over and maintain a good line all at once. </TD></TR></TABLE>

This is similar to what I was doing last Friday. Me and my bro went our for a ride on some twisty roads. I was in back of him and I was doing fine. Later we met up with another rider, we let him lead and I was behind him. I found my self doing what you were doing, "entering the corners too hot (for my skill level)". Subconsciously I was trying to keep up with him. I ended up going wide on two right handers, which is my weak side anyways. That's when I said to myself, "Slow down! Ride within your own limits!" I did just that and all was well.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by backlash &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
That's when I said to myself, "Slow down! Ride within your own limits!" I did just that and all was well.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Awesome