Cornering - what happens after the lean.

[Lurch]

Hi guys,

I've done around 10,000ks after having just getting started in motorcycles in Sept last year and am getting to the point where I will soon be upgrading to a new toy.

I'd like to know what the 'correct' technique is to tighten a corner once leaned into it. For example here's a little story:

Riding on the Rimutakas you approach a marked 30 kph bend which is mostly on the flat.

You downshift to a suitable gear that will get you through and out the other side.

You shift your shoulder and head forward a bit and left so they are just past the mirror whilst applying pressure to the inside handle bar to get the lean and corner happening.

At this point you find the corner is tightening quicker than you expect just as you reach the apex.

What bar inputs/body adjustment should you do to get further into the corner?

My instict says push (gently) more on the inside bar, is this correct?

Lurch.

[munterk6]

aah...yeah.
you sound like you know what you are doing lad...carry on

[Lurch]

sorry to bore. Guess all I wanted was validation.

[munterk6]

Correct....

[AllanB]

And use a quality engine oil. All the top race teams use good quality oils.

[FJRider]

Don't forget to wave ...

[Solly]

Two hands....one hand.....whatever you feel comfortable with

[Lurch]

Don't forget to wave ...

Well that opens up a whole new can of worms, I mean is it acceptable to counter lean mid corner to facilitate a wave to other KBers?

[FJRider]

Well that opens up a whole new can of worms, I mean is it acceptable to counter lean mid corner to facilitate a wave to other KBers?

Only to non-Harley riders ... compulsory on sprot bikes ...

[Mystic13]

Grab a couple of books on riding technique and have a read.

"A twist of the wrist 2" by keith code

"Performance Riding Techniques: The motoGP manual" by Andy Ibbott.

etc.

But basically yep, you countersteer to pull the bike down whether you push left or pull right doesn't matter. Weight the outside peg. This is assuming you're turning left.

If you're not weighting pegs give that a go.

Usually the bike will go around the corner and you'll discover a new limit. You'd also use this to avoid hazards that are on your line that you either didn't see intially or couldn't see.

I wouldn't shift weight because you run more of a risk of unsettling the bike.

Or you could (if the road is clear) stand the bike up and go bush. lol. Although I'm not sure why that seems to be a preferred options for some riders.

[Lurch]

If you're not weighting pegs give that a go.

Thanks Mystic! I haven't paid a lot of attention to how my weight is transferred to the pegs yet, it's definitely something I'll try to be more conscious of.

I'll have to do a trip to the city library at some stage, thanks for the reading suggestions.

[davebullet]

Don't forget to keep looking to the vanishing point, even with the tightening corner, may need to look further to the left. Don't look to the opposite side of the road where you thought the corner was exiting.

[Warr]

Thanks Mystic! I haven't paid a lot of attention to how my weight is transferred to the pegs yet, it's definitely something I'll try to be more conscious of.

I'll have to do a trip to the city library at some stage, thanks for the reading suggestions.

There must be some mentors in Wellington to help you
Get someone to ride with you and give you some pointers

[mynameis]

Scrape your tits on the ground.

That will carry enough weight and drag around the corner

[Lurch]

I certainly will Warr, I'll settle into my new (not yet chosen) bike a little once I get my full in a month and then find a few likely suspects to give me some tips.