Cornering

[SPman]

Don't expect to become an accomplished rider overnight.If you've just started riding, you'll be stressing your system just learning all the little things that become automatic with time. Just concentrate on the basics first - preferably with a course of some kind - what ever they have in Welly. Once you'vr got the basics under control - ie - they've become more automatic and you dont have to think about them (actively), then concentrate on smoothness - forget speed and big corner angles at the moment - you'll find that as your confidence/experience builds up, you can start explonng boundaries more and then ..............
Otherwise - just get out there, observe and ride - all weathers - and dont be afraid to ask questions, no matter how stupid they may seem - you may even get a good answer sometimes........

[Big Dog]

Welcome to the art of falling off. lol.
The hardest part for me to learn is that you have more traction during constant acceleration than during deceleration (as far as physics go constant speed is a flux between the two, on cold tyres this flux can cause nasty high sides, I saw a mate do this).

Do your braking before you lean and Gently accelerate through the corner. I don't mean send the front for the sky!

After each corner think about it.
If you filled you undies, change them and try again braking harder or sooner.
If you fell buzzed about it thats about right but willl be too fast in the wet.
If you feel bored by the prospect of doing it again go a little faster or brake a little later.

Practice leaning in using counter steering rather than throwing your wheight behind it. If you want to see why it turns in better when to lean try to roll an ice cream cone in a straight line. It works when the wheel upright coz your contact patch is flatish oval. In a lean its more of a triangle.

Subject to your tyre being in good nick and you having reflexes faster than those of a sloth your cornering is safer by leaning than trying to steer without the bike pitching over.

If the above sounded like gobbledy gook seek proffesional help!

[Motoracer]

Squaring tyres off has more to do with the ratio of upright motorway type riding you do than anything - the more time you spend commuting on your tyres (esp if not touring tyres) the more the centre of the tyre will become flatter.

I have seen the reverse whereby guys tyres are shagged on the outside - but the centre is mint (not often mind you - but common on the 'Takas)

You can call it triangleing off lol

[diss1dent]

Cheers for the responces guys.

I didn't realise how little protection I have till reading these forums, now I feel strange about riding since I dont have any gear (cept a helmet).
Didn't get any riding done today anyway, was changing the oil, plugs and filters today; and I took my exhaust off, gave it a good rubbing back and painted it; should look good.

For now I'm just going to ride around sedately till I get some gear, then I'll take to some corners.

[Motoracer]

For now I'm just going to ride around sedately till I get some gear, then I'll take to some corners.

Good plan Do keep in mind that there is no such thing as being too careful when riding a motorcycle in traffic. You either get lucky and slowly learn to protect yourself after near misses or you learn it the hard way when the unfortunate happens.

Not wanting you to scare you or anything but when you are on a bike its a completly different world all together in normal traffic situations. eg Giveway (How many of us have stories to tell about this one?)

Motorcycleing is an addiction, once your hooked, your hooked. Its really good fun but there are always the dangers. Stay safe and have a blast mate. Welcome to our world. You are now a part of something bigger.

P.S. I shouldn't give any advises on cornering otherwise I might pass on some bad habbits. Just take advise from the pros and practice practice practice!

[Sycophant]

eg Giveway (How many of us have stories to tell about this one?)

You mean, like in the last day, right? Because I am sure I have a couple from my ten minute ride home just before, then there was the taxi on K'Road last night, and the bus on Dominion Road after that. And the debris on the road on the way to work. And...

[Sharkey]

... and the guy who cuts you off when he doesn't indicate around a roundabout in Orewa, or the other guy who runs a red light on the Pakuranga highway, or your own silly fault for applying lots of brakes on a painted arrow at an intersection.....

[Big Dog]

MMMM, pays to keep in mind the old saying, "Many a man has died defending his right of way". (it used to say that on the inside cover of my motorcycle road code).

[Marmoot]

Heh, I like that one BD

You don't have to be at fault to die, eh
In the war it's called Collateral Damage.

[Big Dog]

Yup, always assume you have not been seen.


Funnily enough all those near misses and not my faults dry up when you obey the golden rule......


Every other MF on the road is only there to kill you!


I find assuming this makes for a very relaxing ride! Because every time you are proven wrong is a reason to celebrate... leaving you all warm and fuzzy.

Its all about expectation... a bit like christmas really. If the wife buys you a R1/GSXR100/ Ducati for christmas how on earth are you not going to be disappointed next year?

[Marmoot]

I find assuming this makes for a very relaxing ride! Because every time you are proven wrong is a reason to celebrate... leaving you all warm and fuzzy.

LOL. AMEN, BROTHER!!!