MUST READ - Quick guide to road riding

[Motoracer]

I am not sure if you guys have already read this but it is a great read and there are some very wise advices http://micapeak.com/info/thepace.html

[James Deuce]

Repost, but will be timely anyhoo. You'll see why soon!

[CookMySock]

I am surprised to hear his suggestion to use all of the available lane when cornering. I have two problems with that ; Firstly, once I start doing it I tend to rely on it, and when one day its not available there is a serious scare, and secondly I think its poor discipline - that is, if you can't stay in your half-lane you are going too fast.

I say leave spare road in case of an oops.

edit: and wtf no hanging off?? get real.. thats half the fun. Who cares what people think.

Steve

[YellowDog]

I have to agree that using the entire lane is a track and not a road discipline.

I do use as much of my lane as I can because I am a really bad person. I know it's dangerous.

Hey Steve, one of us should change our KB name to DangerousDog

[=cJ=]

I am surprised to hear his suggestion to use all of the available lane when cornering. I have two problems with that ; Firstly, once I start doing it I tend to rely on it, and when one day its not available there is a serious scare, and secondly I think its poor discipline - that is, if you can't stay in your half-lane you are going too fast.

I say leave spare road in case of an oops.

Steve

You need to re-read the article methinks. Specifically the bits in the key points at the end...

# Never cross the centerline except to pass. Crossing the centerline in a corner is an instant ticket and an admittance that you can't really steer your bike. In racing terms, your lane is your course; staying right of the line adds a significant challenge to most roads and is mandatory for sport riding's future.

# Don't crowd the centerline. Always expect an oncoming car with two wheels in your lane.

[Hiflyer]

Hey Steve, one of us should change our KB name to DangerousDog

Oh god not a COMBINATION!?!?!?!

[Dare]

I am surprised to hear his suggestion to use all of the available lane when cornering. I have two problems with that ; Firstly, once I start doing it I tend to rely on it, and when one day its not available there is a serious scare, and secondly I think its poor discipline - that is, if you can't stay in your half-lane you are going too fast.

In the diagram it looks like he is using more of the lane on the (visible) entrance so that he apexes later and doesn't go wide on the (less visible) exit. Another method of doing the same is to turn in sharper and later.. This seems safer to me as if you straighten up earlier you have more room to avoid unknowns, although at the apex I wouldn't have head and shoulders over the centerline :S
What exactly do you mean by half lane?

Yeah.. I've been reading Total Control by Lee Parks and his advocated method is roughly the same as that diagram.

Ed: Actually using the whole lane means you can do the manouver at the same speed with less lean doesn't it? So if something happens you have lean in reserve, as long as you didn't increase your speed to compensate for less lean

Ed2: I'm english, by lane I mean the half of the road going the same way you are. I guess you might mean the whole road.

[javawocky]

This read should be sticky. If you are handy with your search skills you can dig up the California Riding school videos on this site. I went through the lot and started applying the techniques. Immediately I went from nervous turning in early sphincter clenching cornering to Danni Padrosa style - who am I kidding - should I just say faster safer happier cornering.

Turning in late makes for much safer cornering - suddenly I can see around the corner and have lots of room to make a mistake, plus the exit speeds are way more fun. Obviously on the road you leave more room with your lines, I have more than once noticed gravelly bits just where the ideal late turn in spot is, leave half a meter for the possums to play.

Leaning is of course missing. Maybe they don't know about that in the americas.

[CookMySock]

Hey Steve, one of us should change our KB name to DangerousDog

LOL you know you want to!

@=cJ=, yeah crossing the centerline is what I would regard as an oops, but a minor one, certainly not like crossing the white side line. I'm agreeing with him, of course - Staying right (our left) of the centreline is good for discipline, but I'm taking that a step further.

In a way it is more difficult to track a line on the road, ie the centre of the half-lane, but it is great for discipline and accuracy to be able to do this.

If I was riding with a learner I would give them a good frowning at for using the entire lane, racing-stylez. It's lazy, dangerous, and unnecessary. Learners should be building accuracy, discipline, and therefore choice, into their riding style, not weaving about the entire lane. Should one day come where they need to call upon their accuracy skills, then they have it available by choice, and are not so much subject to the consequences of their mistake. And that day will come - it's just a matter of time.

That level of discipline is also essential on a group ride, where you do not, or should not, be using your entire lane, especially when riding close formation.

Also, I find it is more fun staying exactly and precisely where I choose on the road. It is certainly more difficult and requires more skill and concentration, but the most important thing I think, is it makes corners fun at legal speeds. Corners are trivial when I apex them hard - try planting your wheels exactly in the centre of your half lane through the bendies - no mistakes! and see how difficult that is.

@Dare, yes the half-lane is the tyre-track one side of a cars' wheels would make. And FULL MARKS for reading such an informative book. Did you buy it yourself?

Hey, my way is just my way, but I like it and it keeps me safe and entertained - two things I value most.

Steve

[crazyhorse]

If its safe and I am going quick, then yes, on occassion I do use both lanes - however, I find it more challenging to try to stay inside my lane and corner harder. More experience does that and cornering gets easier, instead of getting lazy and taking too many risks.

Good article though