Clutch use and cornering?

Turning a corner in 2nd or 3rd. Is it acceptable or bad form to pull in the clutch to biting point to control speed, or should this only be done in 1st, and in higher gears you should reallly be changing down, maybe using back brake only?

[kaivalagi]

It's bad to use the clutch on a corner...you're best to have the right gear on entering and the throttle should be on, if you get that wrong and enter too fast use the rear brake and don;t lay off a lot of throttle, you need drive in a corner...it's an easy thing to get used to, just takes practice

I sometimes have to use the clutch at very slow speeds but that's only on my ktm which is very lumpy low down, but that's the only time it's used other than to change gear or for stop and go traffic

Here's a good site: http://www.lazymotorbike.eu/tips/corners/

[NTECUK]

Book up some training.
It's going to be cheaper than your excess and hert alot less.
Don’t Panic
Your safest bet is to make certain you’re not going too fast when you enter the corner in the first place. If you’re in doubt, slow down even more. If you find yourself going into a curve too fast on dry pavement, don’t panic. Just countersteer more to lean harder into the curve. The more you lean, the sharper you turn. Leaning harder also scrubs off excess speed with your tires, slowing you down. You need to trust the capability of your tires; motorcycles have more traction than you might imagine.

[ophic]

Originally Posted by NTECUK

motorcycles have more traction than you might imagine.

except when they don't, and you lowside.

Are we're talking about 10-15mph around town kind of turns where sometimes it feels like 1st is too low but 2nd is too high?

At that speed feel free to do whatever you feel keeps the bike best under control, it's not going to hurt anything.

Faster than that and you shouldn't be thinking about using the clutch, or changing gear for that matter, in a corner.

[NTECUK]

Originally Posted by ophic

except when they don't, and you lowside.

I'd rather say ..

I went in hot ,, scrapping the pegs I was thinking to myself .. Yes I have got this ,, then the front tucked ..
Than say ..
I thought I was not going to make the corner ,, looking at the hedge when next moment I was in it ..

[ophic]

I'd rather just make it round the corner.
As my old man used to say:

Slow in, fast out
Fast in, carried out

[NTECUK]

Well yes ..
And to that end all I would say is ..
"Hold your head up and look were you want to go".
But if you pull in the clutch before a proper corner .it's a bit like opening the throttle .. Especially on a V twin .
You're immediately lost a freindly engine brake ..
Like your dad installs in you .
Set it up before the turn .. Keep the bike happy .. If you have missed a mudflap lying in the road etc .. Don't look at it .. Look either side of the thing .. Your go were you look ..

Originally Posted by SvNewbie

Are we're talking about 10-15mph around town kind of turns where sometimes it feels like 1st is too low but 2nd is too high?
.

Partly this, yes, but creeping into elsewhere too. Maybe a product of too much London commuting and not enough spirited out of town riding.


Useful comments and a particularly good link, thanks.

[johnnyrod]

If you're finding 2nd too low and 3rd too high (or same for 1st/2nd) and your road speed is more or less okay then you can tame the torque of the lower gear by dragging the back brake. Use some back brake and keep it constant, then use the throttle as normal i.e. don't try to vary brake and throttle at the same time. Think of it a bit like riding up a steep hill in that respect.