I want to corner faster but how?

**kaz** · 2nd February 2015, 16:57

I have been riding for about 18 months, though my Street Triple is new this week (before that I had tried a big scooter, and then an Aprilia Shiver which I actually found a bit too big in frame size). I absolutely love my Street Triple - lighter and smaller and integrated with me.

Here's the thing: I've been told that I can easily take corners faster than I do. But I am scared to. I understand some of the cornering theory and I have good lines, I look through the corner, I stay relaxed.... But I'm pretty slow - as in slower than a car would be (e.g. if a corner has a recommended speed of 65, you might do 70 in a car, and I might do 60 on the bike).

So does anyone have any ideas as to HOW I could get faster cornering? I realise this means getting more lean angle but HOW do you determine what it should be without getting it horribly wrong? Exactly HOW do I go faster when, despite understanding the mechanics, I am scared I will mess up and crash?

I've tried following my husband on his bike and I believe I am a bit faster then - like he's "pulling me through" the corner. Are there other ways I could get better?

Thanks in advance for your ideas!

**tigertim20** · 2nd February 2015, 17:13

rider training days at a trackday.
if youre scared to ride faster than you do, and your mates are giving you shit for it - well its time to get some new friends

**ducatilover** · 2nd February 2015, 17:18

Ride more.

And you probably aren't as relaxed as you think

Ride a bit more. And then some more.
Then get training.

Repeat these steps up to the day you die. Winning.

**Mom** · 2nd February 2015, 17:22

Why not try to make your cornering as smooth as you can? Speed can wait, and will come with experience. Get some training to recognise the vanishing point, that will help.

**Mike.Gayner** · 2nd February 2015, 17:23

Watch this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVWLIfChUwg

**Mike.Gayner** · 2nd February 2015, 17:25

Originally Posted by kaz

So does anyone have any ideas as to HOW I could get faster cornering? I realise this means getting more lean angle but HOW do you determine what it should be without getting it horribly wrong? Exactly HOW do I go faster when, despite understanding the mechanics, I am scared I will mess up and crash?

The only thing I can tell you is what helps me - I know for a fact the bike is capable of more than I'm giving it, given ideal conditions. The same is true ten-fold of your triple. So just twist the throttle a little more, push a little harder on the inside bar and lean. The more you do it the more relaxed you'll feel that the bike isn't going to lose traction or go crazy.

**skippa1** · 2nd February 2015, 17:32

The fear is lack of confidence. Lack of confidence is due to lack of experience. Experience is gained through riding more.
Your bike will lean far further than you imagine, the limiting factor is your experience and confidence.

ride more, ride with others, have a go at one track training day.....you will be amazed

as a side note, fear mess's with riding style, you need to be relaxed to ride smoothly and controlled

**skippa1** · 2nd February 2015, 17:38

^^^^dont listen to anything this fuckin puddin says

**kiwi-on-wheels** · 2nd February 2015, 17:49

Keep riding. I'm fairly new to it, been riding for a month now, i know the bike can go a lot faster, but i'm not ready to yet. More seat time is key imho, the more time you spend doing the things, the easier the things are to do

**Katman** · 2nd February 2015, 17:51

Originally Posted by skippa1

^^^^dont listen to anything this fuckin puddin says

In this instance I think Cassina is pretty much bang on the money.

**SVboy** · 2nd February 2015, 17:58

Haha! Katman's got a new mate! Priceless!

**skippa1** · 2nd February 2015, 18:07

Originally Posted by Katman

In this instance I think Cassina is pretty much bang on the money.

Dont encourage him

**bluninja** · 2nd February 2015, 18:16

I'd suggest you actually slow down so it's easy peasy and relaxed . Forget the speedo and just focus on being smooth and relaxed and feeling like you have lots of time. After a while you may find you are riding faster through the corners, or not; just ride and learn at a pace that suits you and makes you smile.

I had a while off the bike and then got it out and did 800ks in a day last week. I just took it easy, but by the end of the day I was cornering smoothly and faster than I was when I set off...even with the addition of rain.

**Madness** · 2nd February 2015, 18:22

You're in Wellington, yes?

Go and ride over the Rimutaka Hill. By yourself. At your own pace. Do this at least 4 times in quick succession. Then do it all over again another day. Focus on smooth, fast comes later.