I feel a bit crap ...

[Jaqui_uk]

Does anyone else feel tense turning from small side roads? I got my curvey SV650 a few weeks ago and it feels great except for this...maybe I just need to get used to the bike, I dunno :(

I'm not used to the fairing staying straight when I turn...and I feel like I'm gonna drop the bike. My body just stiffens up which makes the whole thing worse... I try to relax and let it flow, but it still happens. I've ridden a bike for years with no problems and but my confidence is suffering now, which throws everything else out of wack. :?

Any help gratefully received!

Jax

[skidmarx]

I know what you mean, as I still feel like that sometimes. At first it lurched off a bit too quick causing you to have to turn too tightly for comfort, and also nervousness about putting too much power down at gravel strewn junctions whilst turning sharply. I'm much better now as I happier about putting a bit more power through the back wheel whilst turning. Maybe practice your slow speed control at a carpark? How's your countersteering?

[SVeeedy Gonzales]

Keep that head up - when you're looking where you're going you won't notice the fairing/the bars. It may be that you're focusing too much on the fairing and the area directly in front of the bike and this is making it harder.
Looking where you're going (20-30 metres ahead or more, rather than 1-2 metres ahead) makes turning much easier... it takes practice to look that far ahead though, especially when low confidence makes you want to drop your view to the handlebars and the area directly in front of the bike. Keep that head up, keep looking where you want to go, and the bike will follow. :D

[fizzwheel]

Might sound daft. But its not...

Dont look at the fairing. Lift up your head and look where you want the bike to go and it will follow.

[Scoobs]

If you are turning left, set your bike up so it is angled pointing left. Then move your butt over to the left of the seat. About half a cheek hanging off is sufficient. For right hand turns do the opposite. Also, look where you want to go and not at the front of the bike.

Hope this helps.

[lynw]

If you are turning left, set your bike up so it is angled pointing left. Then move your butt over to the left of the seat. About half a cheek hanging off is sufficient. For right hand turns do the opposite. Also, look where you want to go and not at the front of the bike.

Hope this helps.

This is good advice which I also do [aside from moving my bum on the seat]. For a left turn I angle the bike so its easy to go once Ive done a check for traffic. For a right, I go to the left of the lane then turn to the right for the stop/giveway line so its angled to the right [indicating right though when I do it in case someone behind thinks Im pulling over for them].

Makes life a lot easier. :D

[keithd]

gotta be honest, this threw me for a while after i had passed my DAS. i was used to a nekkid ER5, got on the SV for a test ride and felt a bit uncomfortable seeing the fairing stay still!! but take the advice of everybody else in making sure you keep your head up, look ahead, look at where you want to go not where you are

[Peter Henry]

Scoobs...Not for me to contradict Your Holiness but as the mentioned problem appears to be when pulling out from small side roads,I hardly think the CBR600RR riding technique is required! :P

Much as watching Jacqui's botty move around on her bike might have certain obvious appeal. :wink: :P

As mentioned above,look at where you want to go....and go there...end of,no more to it than that. 8)

[Scoobs]

Scoobs...Not for me to contradict Your Holiness but as the mentioned problem appears to be when pulling out from small side roads,I hardly think the CBR600RR riding technique is required! :P

Much as watching Jacqui's botty move around on her bike might have certain obvious appeal. :wink: :P

Pete.....SHHHHHHHH!

Seriously, I had a similar problem when I first started riding and I found weighting the inside of the bike by shifting my weight slightly helped me get the bike round the corner.

[Peter Henry]

Scoobs...Fair do's then mate. :wink:

[kwak zzr]

thats how i nearly dropped my first big bike (gpz500s) i remember that first corner evan now :?

[Toypop]

I know this is unhelpful but anyone having that problem must be doing something seriously wrong.

My SV was my first faired bike and I never noticed it. It just never crossed my mind.

Come to think of it though I have never really looked at my fairing in that situation. I think you should be looking far further down the road otherwise its only a matter of time before you have a head-on with a cage.

[kwak zzr]

thats how i nearly dropped my first big bike (gpz500s) i remember that first corner evan now :?

with me i was very nurvous cuz of the awsome power of the gpz( :roll: well when you come off a gp100 :roll: ) and i was looking down alot :roll:

[Mutley]

Might sound daft. But its not...

Don't look at the fairing. Lift up your head and look where you want the bike to go and it will follow.

I have to agree totally with Fizz, look where you want to go and the bike will follow. If your focus is too close to the front of the bike you will always put yourself in a position of panic and, most probably, grab the front brake and topple it. If in doubt, as low speed, cover the back brake you will always stays in control and build confidence. Just a bit more practise required.

[Jaqui_uk]

Scoobs...Not for me to contradict Your Holiness but as the mentioned problem appears to be when pulling out from small side roads,I hardly think the CBR600RR riding technique is required! :P

Much as watching Jacqui's botty move around on her bike might have certain obvious appeal. :wink: :P

Cheeky bug**r :lol:

[Jaqui_uk]

I know this is unhelpful but anyone having that problem must be doing something seriously wrong..

I've been riding bikes for a long time...about 21 years, passed my test 11 years ago and never had an accident..... I wonder if you can say the same thing? That supercilious attitude of yours will not help you ride your bike well. :evil:

[Jaqui_uk]

I'm gonna be practicing on Sunday in aldi's carpark.... I can't stand the feeling of not being in total control. Thanks for the advice, I reckon I do look down...I s'pose as I ride a bicycle lots, the perspective is different. The weight is definitely something I have to get used to as well.

Cheers Jax

[goonrider]

All comments above seem to be pretty dead on, as mentioned it would probably help to revert to a bit of 'Test' style riding until you familiarise yourself a bit more with the faired bike.

Look where you're going (as mentioned x10), dial in a 'healthy' constant amount of revs and control/balance using the rear brake until you're clear. :)

It would'nt hurt to find a nice very quiet area (trading estate/car park or other maybe) and spend a bit of time doing some very tight turns.

Just don't let it stress you out at all :wink:

(before you know it you'll be GP riding like the rest of us)

[madmal]

jaqui, slow tight turns........keep revs slightly higher than normal for setting off. use clutch control and feather rear brake :wink: rear brake will keep the bike stable so you can look exactly where you want to go and the bike will follow at exactly the speed you want by how much you release the clutch.

keep practising but just be carefull. try at a comfortable pace then slow it all down a little. be carefull............. :wink:

it does feel a bit strange when you turn the bars and the fairing stays still but you will get used to it. :D

[madmal]

I know what you mean, as I still feel like that sometimes. At first it lurched off a bit too quick causing you to have to turn too tightly for comfort, and also nervousness about putting too much power down at gravel strewn junctions whilst turning sharply. I'm much better now as I happier about putting a bit more power through the back wheel whilst turning. Maybe practice your slow speed control at a carpark? How's your countersteering?

skidmarx, not piccing on you (honest) but this is what happens when you try and control the bike at low speed just on the throttle. like i mentioned, clutch control will help you gain more confidence in your machine at low speeds. :wink:

[skidmarx]

No piccing taken. Clutch control is indeed key, as is a spellchecker.

[PBx]

Junctions can be a little fraught, but I think that it is usually helped by doing some slow speed stuff (as was suggested earlier). A little practise in a quiet car park makes a hell of a difference to those slow tight junctions.

[Jaqui_uk]

I knew there was a reason I like you guys :) I feel greatly encouraged! Just went out for a little blast and coming out of the side roads was lots easier and less stressfull this time...just putting the revs up and being determined has helped.

Thanks!

Jax

[madmal]

No piccing taken. Clutch control is indeed key, as is a spellchecker.
:roll: :)