How does one learn the art of leaning?

[slofox]

I have to say I have doubts about "learning" to lean...

From about the age of five, I rode two wheeled vehicles - treadlies first of course and motorised later on. As kids, we spent half of our lives on bikes. I figure that leaning was something that just happened - "learned" by a process of osmosis I suspect.

I don't really ever "think" about leaning on a motorbike - it just happens. Well, maybe when some dork comes around the corner on my side of the road, I might think about leaning a little (or a lot) more to get out of dorkface's way. But in general, it's just something that happens.

Having said that, I'd love to do the superbike school at Hampton Downs, just to gain further insight into the whole process of cornering.


Just my opinion.

[Deano]

CSS is a great course.

Not sure about an leaning apparatus at level 2 ? (or was that a PT) The only leaning apparatus I had was my bike.

[Voltaire]

1. Watch all 7 Twist of the Wrist 2 videos on youtube
2. ????
3. Profit

You'll have the underpants Gnomes after you

[ckai]

The "leaning machine" is a friggin expensive kit that was considered by the people that run the Superbike School here but they thought, bugger it. It's is pretty cool because the US school uses it on a wet pad so you learn about what to do when the shit hits the fan.

I'm with the wise "young" slofox . I don't think you can "learn" to lean. The simple fact is you just go with the bike. That is something they teach you in Level 1 of the superbike school, but that is also where the stop when it comes to body position. There's more important things to learn before the knee hits the deck.

If you're going around a corner and you find your upper body seems to be in line with the outside of the bike, you're fighting the bike. Your upper body should be nice and relaxed and go with whatever it feels like it wants to do.

Definitely go for a ride with someone experienced that you think rides smooth and doesn't look like they rush. It really is about being relaxed on the bike and going with the flow.

I've done a few professional training sessions on road and track and by far the best is the Superbike School.

[slofox]

I'm with the wise "young" slofox .

You are a gentleman and a scholar Sir!

[tigertim20]

cant be fucked reading every post...

Get your hands on a copy of the video or the book twist of the wrist - it explains alot.

If its lean angle you are after - a big empty carpark is a good place to learn to get your knee down at low speed if thats your thing.

Mostly though, its about getting out there - how many kms have you dont on your bike in 5 months? - it takes time to learn to ride smoothly, dont rush it, just get out there and enjoy your ride

[DrunkenMistake]

Enjoy.

[FJRider]

To fully learn the art of leaning and cornering ... it is best practiced on a borrowed bike ...

[Horney1]

I don't know about this learning to lean thing either. Happens naturally, doesn't it?

Centre of gravity (CoG): try these with small changes from normal position first. Once you have a feel for the effect then you can try more.

• Try riding along in a straight line (a big empty car park might be good as previously mentioned). Then with arms a little bit relaxed and taking a little of your weight on your legs (both) try moving your butt off to the side of the seat a little bit (the more you move sideways the greater the effect). This makes the CoG move sideways, bike wants to (& can) fall over, if you allow it and you haven't moved too far sideways the bike will generally turn. You might want to be ready to get your butt back on the seat properly fairly quickly though if you go too far sideways or hold that position too long. If you do it while going too slow the bike will fall over (stopped being the extreme of slow!). If you do it too long the bike will fall over (or go in a circle ).

Same applies for moving the CoG downward, forward or backward - body positioning.

As someone basically said earlier, try to not over think it. FEEL the bike, the balance point, the force(s) (and may the force be with you ).

+1 for Keith Code

[Fast Eddie]

To fully learn the art of leaning and cornering ... it is best practiced on a borrowed bike ...

best advice. I concur.

[WillskE]

wow thanks for all the reply s every body i guess i ll just slowly learn and adept as i ride more from what most is suggesting

[WillskE]

Enjoy.

what i dont get from watching the video is that wouldn't you low slide if your leaning and use counter steering?

[davebullet]

One thing that hasn't been mentioned is fear / panic. Signals are when you enter a corner "too fast" and feel:
a) your vision shortening (can invole looking down or to the outside edge of the road) or you
b) your arms / hands tightening
c) your body going rigid
d) leaning out (the bike leans in and you fight it by leaning unconsciously out "motard" style).

When the above happens you are NEVER (in that moment) going to learn. The best solution is to go slower. That's right. Learning occurs at 7/10ths - not 10/10ths. I don't mean 10/10ths in terms of what the bike can handle - but 10/10ths is your maximum current comfort zone. AS you gain more skills, you will corner quicker with the correct technique and increase your comfort zone.

If you feel panic coming on the single most important thing you can do is look further through the corner.

When you look further out - there is less "rushing" your vision (you know that feeling you get when you look sideways out a car window at speed, vs. in the distance straight ahead?) Too much motion induces panic (sensory overload).

You may not have heard the expression "you go where you look" and that is 100% the key with motorcycling.

If you focus on an object - you will go there (eg. lampost).

If you see a car brake in front of you and focus on that... well...

The secret is to focus on the gap, the end of the corner etc.. where you want to go (not what you want to avoid).

Hope the above helps. Don't be in a rush to learn. In fact you never stop with motorcycling (doesn't matter how many Kays or years you have under your belt).

Look for people on here with an :Me after their name. They are mentors and can be called on for advice and even rides with to tutor you.

PS: make sure you always wear all your protective gear too and invest in good quality gear. Ask family / friends to give you vouchers / cash so you can upgrade your gear. It will save your arse.

[Monsterbishi]

what i dont get from watching the video is that wouldn't you low slide if your leaning and use counter steering?

Time for your first real lesson in motorcycles :-)

Pay some attention to what direction your handle bars are facing the next time you go round a corner at speed. Spooky, huh

Summary - counter steering is how bikes turn at speed, the only time you're not counter steering is when you're maneuvering at low speed.

[Horney1]

........

"you go where you look" and that is 100% the key with motorcycling.

If you focus on an object - you will go there (eg. lampost).

If you see a car brake in front of you and focus on that... well...

The secret is to focus on the gap, the end of the corner etc.. where you want to go (not what you want to avoid).

.....

It will save your arse.

Very true, look where you want to go. I would add keeping your head (eyes) level with the horizon will help initially and longer.

As for saving arses, don't worry too much about that part of the anatomy, they grow back after a decent graze - some more than others! It's the skeletal system, joints, ligaments and nerves you have to watch out for.