Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 15 of 29

Thread: Bad technique = Less bike potential?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    29th June 2008 - 12:46
    Bike
    Sonic the Second (II)
    Location
    Waikato
    Posts
    1,728

    Bad technique = Less bike potential?

    Alright so I was reading up on some general riding techniques (Thanks Mister Koz ) and came across a bit when you get in the shit, namely when cornering (why else do you ride a bike?).

    It said you have to trust you're bike a lot more and if, say, you went into a corner too fast, you ask yourself is it too fast for you or too fast for the bike?

    This is a good point. My bike far exceeds my skill. I know that. But the question is does my lack of skill mean the bike now has less potential?

    So if I hit a corner too fast for me I know my bike can take it faster. Does a rider need to "suck it up" and let the bike do it's thing to get out of the shit? Or the skill level of that rider means the bike won't do what it fully can?

    This is, of course, forgetting about all the other variables like being a muppet mid-corner.

    A learner rider lacks confidence. When you gain confidence, you know you're bike can do more. Is my lack of skill from lack of confidence or actual skills not yet developed?

    Just to be clear (everything above probably isn't), I'm not a completely green learner rider. I'm just always looking to improve and fine tune my skills. I think my biggest problem at this stage is confidence in my bike. I just wanna know that if push really comes to shove, the bike will do it's thing.

    Clear as mud

  2. #2
    Join Date
    18th September 2007 - 12:14
    Bike
    VFR400, ZX9R, GSXR750, ZXR750, TRX850
    Location
    Auckland
    Posts
    3,677
    I think that the general point is that if you find yourself in a corner too fast, then rather than going oh shit and braking and looking into the bushes on the side of the road, you should clench your ass, look around the corner where you wanna go, and go for it.

    I.e. Chances are that the bike/tyres are capable of making the corner if you commit to it, whereas as soon as you freak out and fixate on a target off the road you're most probably fucked.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    30th August 2006 - 21:44
    Bike
    Triple Delight
    Location
    Mangakino
    Posts
    7,040
    No, that all made sense to me love.

    You are thinking about things and that is all good. Having/learning the skills you need to ride on the road is the first thing you need to have confidence in. To know you will be able to ride your way out of trouble if you have to, is something that we all should have.

    I am not talking about an emergency situation where some 4 wheeled maniac has decided to attempt to turn you into a hood ornament here, I am talking basic bike handling when the going gets a bit for what ever reason, you have to have the confidence that you can ride through what is happening.

    A moment of panic can be catastrophic. Your bike, providing it has reasonable rubber and suspension, should be able to allow you to control your way through most situations.
    Quote Originally Posted by Gubb View Post
    Nonono,

    He rides the Leprachhaun at the end of the Rainbow. Usually goes by the name Anne McMommus

  4. #4
    Join Date
    31st August 2005 - 12:00
    Bike
    2018 GSXS1000
    Location
    Temple View
    Posts
    5,042
    Blog Entries
    1
    talk to your local mentor

    me

  5. #5
    Join Date
    13th January 2004 - 11:00
    Bike
    Honda PC800
    Location
    Henderson -auckland
    Posts
    14,163
    You have the idea. actually a wise old (er) bloke I over heard recently saying --if in doubt -LEAN more.
    To see a life newly created.To watch it grow and prosper. Isn't that the greatest gift a human being can be given?

  6. #6
    Join Date
    9th October 2003 - 11:00
    Bike
    2022 BMW RnineT Pure
    Location
    yes
    Posts
    14,591
    Blog Entries
    3
    People think too hard. Shut up and ride yer bike.
    If a man is alone in the woods and there isn't a woke Hollywood around to call him racist, is he still white?



  7. #7
    Join Date
    18th June 2009 - 23:43
    Bike
    2003 Honda shadow VT 1100. wheredhego?
    Location
    Dunedin
    Posts
    13
    I Found a book in the library Proficient motorcycling. David L. Hough.
    The first part explains the dynamics and design of the steering ,balance and weight distirbution and a good section on cornering, It helped me a lot getting back on after 20yrs break.
    Before (when younger)I would just ride and go around corners.
    good luck!

    Quote Originally Posted by ckai View Post
    Alright so I was reading up on some general riding techniques (Thanks Mister Koz ) and came across a bit when you get in the shit, namely when cornering (why else do you ride a bike?).

    It said you have to trust you're bike a lot more and if, say, you went into a corner too fast, you ask yourself is it too fast for you or too fast for the bike?

    This is a good point. My bike far exceeds my skill. I know that. But the question is does my lack of skill mean the bike now has less potential?

    So if I hit a corner too fast for me I know my bike can take it faster. Does a rider need to "suck it up" and let the bike do it's thing to get out of the shit? Or the skill level of that rider means the bike won't do what it fully can?

    This is, of course, forgetting about all the other variables like being a muppet mid-corner.

    A learner rider lacks confidence. When you gain confidence, you know you're bike can do more. Is my lack of skill from lack of confidence or actual skills not yet developed?

    Just to be clear (everything above probably isn't), I'm not a completely green learner rider. I'm just always looking to improve and fine tune my skills. I think my biggest problem at this stage is confidence in my bike. I just wanna know that if push really comes to shove, the bike will do it's thing.

    Clear as mud

  8. #8
    Join Date
    5th February 2008 - 13:07
    Bike
    2006 Hyosung GT650R
    Location
    BOP
    Posts
    7,141
    Quote Originally Posted by ckai View Post
    So if I hit a corner too fast for me I know my bike can take it faster. Does a rider need to "suck it up" and let the bike do it's thing to get out of the shit?
    Yes. Write it across your forehead "bar-push or die, son." This has happened to me, but I got a bad fright doing it (left the road and hit a culvert), and burned all my nine lives in one hit, so I won't do it now.

    I strongly recommend you didn't make a habit of it, but if the shit level is up to your chin, you should ignore little irrelevant things like the scraping sound from the footpegs, and your boots touching on the road, and put your shoulders out, look where you want to go and steer with the bars. or die.

    There are other things you shouldn't fuck up too, like making sure your body weight is well inside the centreline of the bike (the further the better in an emergency.)

    But seriously, if you took my advice and went and did it intentionally, it is just a matter of time before you got dead. So don't. Best you get on the track and inch your experience up with someone rather more qualified to coach, rather than add it in frightening great gobs on the public roads.

    Steve
    "I am a licenced motorcycle instructor, I agree with dangerousbastard, no point in repeating what he said."
    "read what Steve says. He's right."
    "What Steve said pretty much summed it up."
    "I did axactly as you said and it worked...!!"
    "Wow, Great advise there DB."
    WTB: Hyosung bikes or going or not.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    29th June 2008 - 12:46
    Bike
    Sonic the Second (II)
    Location
    Waikato
    Posts
    1,728
    Cheers you lot.

    The moral of the story is because I'm at the level when I know not to do anything stupid min-corner, if I get in the shit,

    - harden up
    - look where I need to go
    - lean harder (of course I won't be near my lean limit)
    - go around the damn corner!

    Quote Originally Posted by James Deuce View Post
    People think too hard. Shut up and ride yer bike.
    haha don't I know it. I actually worked that out when I had a mammoth "twist-a-thon". Was thinking about entering corners and all the other junk. Then thankfully, I had a brain freeze, went blank and started to groove quite nicely thank you very much.

    It's still in the back of my mind if something goes bad...but as you've all pointed out the bike will do it. Puts my mind out ease a little more.

    @Carver: I'll be too slow for you to mentor mate. I do sub-100 around 35km/h corners. I'm trying to be able to do them a minimum of 120 before I give you a holla

    @ Steve: Done the trackday thing (The one organised by the Hamilton MC). It's nuts how much you learn. That was what made me realise how much you could actually lean. I'm working on doing another session like that.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    10th May 2009 - 15:22
    Bike
    2010 Honda CB1000R Predator
    Location
    Orewa, Auckland
    Posts
    4,490
    Blog Entries
    19
    I remember some lessons from my first track day when I was getting training.

    Always adopt the attitude you are going to make it. Because if you decide you can't, you probably wont.

    You can always turn harder. Never give up. So yes, if your in a corner and it looks bad, don't give up and turn harder.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    4th August 2006 - 12:37
    Bike
    Sportster
    Location
    Hamilton
    Posts
    1,673
    Blog Entries
    1
    Quote Originally Posted by ckai View Post
    A learner rider lacks confidence. When you gain confidence, you know you're bike can do more. Is my lack of skill from lack of confidence or actual skills not yet developed?
    Hey Ckai

    That is the crux of it I reckon. Those two are pretty closely linked. Confidence and skill. I have the skills to corner hard. Not the confidence so therefore I don't corner as hard as I or my bike can.

    I believe I will only gain the confidence by pushing my envelope. To do it alone is difficult and not my personality type. So I will either need to do trackdays or get mentored.

    The mentor would need to be someone I trusted and felt comfortable with.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    31st August 2005 - 12:00
    Bike
    2018 GSXS1000
    Location
    Temple View
    Posts
    5,042
    Blog Entries
    1
    Quote Originally Posted by wysper View Post

    the mentor would need to be someone i trusted and felt comfortable with.
    .....me!......

  13. #13
    Join Date
    5th March 2007 - 18:08
    Bike
    Gone
    Location
    AKLD
    Posts
    2,154
    The way I see it, if you are going 'too fast' around a corner and only realise this mid corner, you only have ONE option, to lean it over some more and just go for it. Whats the alternative? Ride off the road into a ditch? Nah.

  14. #14
    Join Date
    17th March 2007 - 18:17
    Bike
    Aprilia RSV1000R
    Location
    New Plymouth - Taranaki
    Posts
    326
    Quote Originally Posted by ckai View Post
    @ Steve: Done the trackday thing (The one organised by the Hamilton MC). It's nuts how much you learn. That was what made me realise how much you could actually lean. I'm working on doing another session like that.
    Did you know they have set their date for this years training day?
    'He's a simple man, with a heart of gold in a complicated land...' Working Class Man - Jimmy Barnes

  15. #15
    Join Date
    26th September 2007 - 10:28
    Bike
    Ducati Mostro
    Location
    From behind :)
    Posts
    831
    Quote Originally Posted by ckai View Post
    Cheers you lot.



    - harden up
    - look where I need to go
    - lean harder (of course I won't be near my lean limit)
    - go around the damn corner!

    Will it be that simple when the time comes?
    I hope I have got it wrong, but if you are mid corner and you need to close up as you are running wide... you not going to gun the throttle are you or would you..... figure of speech I hope?
    I would hope you ease off the throttle and the bike will drop in faster than it was at the speed you are traveling at.... Please if I am wrong please say as I would not want to misguide ckai
    DUCATI ------- A real bike in a sea of shit!

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •