How does one learn the art of leaning?

[SPP]

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

Ummm, yes? that's why you stop counter steering once you've reached the lean angle you need

Counter steering works the other way as well. If you pushed the inside bar to turn in what do you think would happen if you pulled the inside bar? stand the bike up? would that be good at corner exit?

[actungbaby]

not sure if this is the right place to post this, have been riding for bout 5months... and keen to learn some new corning skills but i just have no idea who this "counter balance" and "change of center gravity" thing work

so could any experienced riders explain to me how its done?

saw this online the other day, seems interesting...http://www.superbikeschool.com/machinery/lean-bike.php

do we have anything like that here?



ps. any tips for the restricted test?

man from chch told me he raced owned bike shop for many years , like skating its all in the balance and being smooth with body moments, counter steering is pushing bars out left to turn right well more gentle pressure.

Riding course i did we but weight belt on so u chould feel what weight did , just take your bike around empty car
park but some things to ride around at slow speed is way to get your skills poished, try diffrent body leans
keep top half still move your middle little see how it affects the bike , also can drag rear brake to quicken steering

only in slow bends though under 30 kph

[BMWST?]

you have got to learn on a familar road,relax and let the bike lean over.You must do this on a part of the road that you can see whats coming in advance so you can moderate your speed/lean if you have to...its the only way of doing it shoer t of going to a race track.We all learnt how far we can lean by degrees,and have to relearn to some extent when we get another bike....you will find the bike will feel different if it is coasting or under power.

[EnzoYug]

Setup a date with Will and Myself to get all romantic over burning fossil fuels. If anyone else of serious noobdom wants to come for a ride in central Auckland this Wednesday night PM me.

note - we're not going to be carving corners but practicing all the basics of good, smooth riding.

[Grubber]

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.

I'd go with the CSS. I've done all levels and i've ridden bikes all my life, i still learned alot from doing it.
don't think we can tell you in a forum how to ride to be fair. Seat time always helps after you have taken on some basic skills from someone who knows a bit.

[ckai]

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

Superbike School Level 1. Physics and gyroscopic forces. Of course, over thinking all this brainy stuff does not a good rider you make.

If you've ever riden around a corner above 50km/h the bike will be leaning and you will be counter-steering. Good old forces of nature. The amount of force of the counter-steer determines the speed of your turn and the speed at which your bike will get to lean. Racers push 'hard' and quick. If you just slightly lean towards the inside of the corner, your body and bike naturally counter steers. Just very mildly. It's a bloody scary concept though and I've been on 2 wheels all my life.

Try counter steering on a bicycle at slow speed You'll soon work out it's a quicker way to turn and you can go a lot faster.

Like I was told, accept that you're already doing it, do it a little harder each time to see what happens and go with the bike, not against it. It really is simple.

[Bender]

+1 for Karel Pavich and Pro-Rider.

I did a course with her at Puke after struggling to lean and therefore turn the bike for the first 1000km riding. It helped like you wouldn't believe.

b.

+1. Excellent courses. Best money I've spent on biking.

[Voltaire]

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.

All good points and the CSS has training modules on all this and it works, I worked a lot on being relaxed, turning points, the three step, etc. I run an old Skool BMW 900.....I never expected to scrape the heads cornering....and I have raised the motor....
CSS,Best money I have spent on my bike.
The next ART day is in April and it caters for all abilities, first time is a bit nerve wracking but its all good.