Cornering

**Hoon** · 30th September 2004, 19:16

Another interesting point from Twist II is "how quickly you turn the bike" i.e the transition from upright to leant over.

This is one area I've been working on with my racing when I noticed I had to slow down on some knee-to-knee corners, not because of my speed or traction but simply because I couldn't flick the bike over quick enough to make the turn (Pukekohe turns 1-2 and 8-9 before the hill). Keith Code says that the quicker you turn the bike, the less lean angle you need to go thru the turn so I put some effort into this and it really works!!!

However I also noticed it improved my street riding too especially with late apexing where you have to be more aggressive when turning in as the window is smaller. Early apexing is a result of a slow, lazy turn in where the rider likes to let the bike fall into the turn with minimum effort.

But with late apexing you need to learn quick turning skills otherwise you might run out of road!!

**Angry Puppy** · 30th September 2004, 19:29

Originally Posted by Celtic_Sea_lily

Bing a newbie rider I get really nervous about cornering. I'm not even up to understanding all that "apex" stuff. I just get nervous about binning off and tend to slooooow down and squeeze on the front brake. I know the whole priciple of counter steering but I guess it's just the leaning over thing that really gets me nervy.

How do I get over that??

Celtic, We've all been there (well, I have at any rate). It's what Keith Code in Twist of the wrist II calls survival reactions (a must read if you haven't already). The trouble is, when you break, you throw more weight over the front which throws your cornering off. When going in to a corner, do all your breaking before hand. You want to be excelerating slightly in a bend. This will transfer more weight to the rear (Keith talks about a 60:40 split if I remember rightly) which will make you more stable.

One more note on late apexing - keep an eye on your mirrors. Sooner or later some toss-pot is bound to think your moving over in a lane is an invitation to over take you.

Andy

**Ms Piggy** · 30th September 2004, 22:53

Originally Posted by paparazzi

I'm in no position to offer sage advice after my last cornering effort, but fear is not a bad thing, it will keep you in one piece.

If you don't know a road then it's a good idea to take it easy, rather than being caught out by a corner that exceeds your or your bikes abilities.

What do you find difficult about cornering on the open road? I find that the higher speeds gives me less time to react to a corner, but I've been improving my (still slow) response times, which allows me to approach an unknown corner faster, and make a decision later.

I agree that leaning the bike over is a bit scary at times, as you don't know how far you can actually lean it before it low sides, but I've been slowly leaning it more and more in a corner, and can scrape the pegs now.

Do you need to go faster though? I'm keen to become a fast rider, but if your happy with cruizing and enjoy it, then stick with that.

Ahhhh yes, all good advice - thanks paparazzi

Fazer - I had a quick look at Keith Codes book and I printed off those pages from Erik. Something else to study.

**vtec** · 1st October 2004, 13:01

Apexing late means you can get on the throttle earlier as the second part of the turn is a lot less sharp.

Also I tend not to take very tight apexes on the road cause the road edge is usually very uneven, and the are things like powerpoles and traffic lights waiting to take your head off.

And I never corner hard on unfamiliar roads, because they often might have dips and things that you don't expect, and can badly unsettle the bike.

**riffer** · 1st October 2004, 13:06

Originally Posted by Celtic_Sea_lily

I had a quick look at Keith Codes book and I printed off those pages from Erik. Something else to study.

I also have Keith Code's Twist of the Wrist on Video if any KB'ers in Welly want to borrow it.

**Blakamin** · 1st October 2004, 14:20

Originally Posted by celticno6

I also have Keith Code's Twist of the Wrist on Video if any KB'ers in Welly want to borrow it.

I can AVI celticno6's copy if anyone wants

**riffer** · 1st October 2004, 14:21

Originally Posted by Blakamin

I can AVI celticno6's copy if anyone wants

Actually Blakamin, I'd like a copy on AVI

**Blakamin** · 1st October 2004, 14:24

Originally Posted by celticno6

Actually Blakamin, I'd like a copy on AVI

No probs! will organise a pick-up on the weekend at some stage??

**dhunt** · 1st October 2004, 14:38

Originally Posted by celticno6

I also have Keith Code's Twist of the Wrist on Video if any KB'ers in Welly want to borrow it.

What's like compared to the book? I've got the book and really enjoyed it, is the movie basically the same?

**vifferman** · 1st October 2004, 14:47

Originally Posted by Two Smoker

BUT THEN..... what do i know.... im a nana and wouldnt know my arse from my elbow when it comes to cornering.....

Phark, TS - I thought you'd got past this "I'm a nana" stage.
Sounds like you need a beating or summat.

Originally Posted by Jaz

I have nothing to add here as of yet, except for the sage advice: "Avoid the sodding %£@* gravel, young 'un.."

You sure it wasn't, "When you see some gravel, keep the front end light, stick you inside leg out, and gas it!" ?
How's your eye, by the way, Young Missy Jazbug?

And CSL: Cathy, make sure you don't overthink it. The advice given here has all been good, but if you are too worried about doing it right, instead of just relaxing and enjoying it, you'll tense up and may blow it. Go out on a nice day, on an easy road, and ride at your own pace and let the bike ride the road. It doesn't actually take a lot of input from you for it to corner seemingly by itself, if you're looking where you want to go and not trying to countersteer, late apex, get everything right, etc. Plenty of time for the fine points and technical stuff, but if you're nervous and unsure at the moment, the critical thing for you is being relaxed and having confidence in you abilities and the ability of the bike to get you there. If you're uptight, thinking too much, you may well tense up, grip the bars too tight, worry that you're cocking things up, and the ride will suffer as a result.
Go out, have fun, enjoy the ride, and ride at your own pace. Ride your own ride; you're not Rossi, Motoracer or whoever.

**erik** · 1st October 2004, 19:26

Originally Posted by Blakamin

I can AVI celticno6's copy if anyone wants

I'd like one. I'll pm you.

**StoneChucker** · 1st October 2004, 20:36

Could I borrow that video sometime too? The avi will be too big for me to d/l, unless you can put it on cd or something?

Dave.

**Ms Piggy** · 2nd October 2004, 00:02

Originally Posted by firestormer

And CSL: Cathy, make sure you don't overthink it. The advice given here has all been good, but if you are too worried about doing it right, instead of just relaxing and enjoying it, you'll tense up and may blow it. Go out on a nice day, on an easy road, and ride at your own pace and let the bike ride the road. It doesn't actually take a lot of input from you for it to corner seemingly by itself, if you're looking where you want to go and not trying to countersteer, late apex, get everything right, etc. Plenty of time for the fine points and technical stuff, but if you're nervous and unsure at the moment, the critical thing for you is being relaxed and having confidence in you abilities and the ability of the bike to get you there. If you're uptight, thinking too much, you may well tense up, grip the bars too tight, worry that you're cocking things up, and the ride will suffer as a result.
Go out, have fun, enjoy the ride, and ride at your own pace. Ride your own ride; you're not Rossi, Motoracer or whoever.

Ok thanks FS

That's true. Those who know me well, know I tend to overthink lotsa stuff, so riding is no different. I'll just think about realxing