Learning to corner.

Originally Posted by chakraist

thing was, I was looking at the way he rode (didn't hang off at all) and it was very weird seeing someone corner without sitting off the side of the bike.

That's exactly the way I ride most of the time. I don't see the point in climbing all over the bike when it's just not needed. About the only times I do hang off like a monkey, is either when I'm hooning around, or it's wet (more weight to the side, bike doesn't have to lean as far - marginally).

Originally Posted by Blue_SV650S

You might not think it now, but I'd say having a 33hp kit is the thing that will make you a better cornerer and faster rider in the end ... actually you wanna try restricting it to 12hp and then you will learn how to carry speed!!

I directly attribute people not 'coming up the ranks' these days as to why so many people can't ride for ****!!

In my day ... ... you didn't read books on how to go fast, as a spotty 16yr old, you got you a 50cc bike, put a genelli pipe on it (probably a 65cc big bore kit too as that made one hell of a difference ) and rode it as fast as you could - coz you were 16!! ... it was all about carrying what little speed you had ... you then stepped up to a 125 carrying these traditions, but capable of more speed ... it was then time for a 250/400 .. where you started having some pretty major power/speed but knew how to carry it/corner ... then by the time you got 600+ you were already a riding god and capable of quite mental things as yo had the welly as well as being able to corner, you certainly weren't running scared like most ****s you see going out and buying a 600/1000 straight off!!!!!

Now this scares me immensely., but I have to agree with you. In general (note, there's probably a raft of exceptions), it's those that have started on smaller bikes, or dirt bikes etc, who make better riders.

The books I read weren't about riding fast, they were about doing so safely.

Today I lost a lot of confidence with my cornering I sorry to report!

Ground was wet so I was taking it really easy round a large roundabout, approximately 10-15mph. Exited the roundabout and the road bent to the left immeadiately. As I was turning front wheel slipped out a little bit and had to plant my foot on the floor to stop the bike from falling flat on it's side. Left leg took the bike's weight and even bruised me! Left leg took the weight whilst my foot was sliding along the floor - if that makes sense!

Wasn't fun in the slightest!

Originally Posted by TazDaz

Today I lost a lot of confidence with my cornering I sorry to report!

Ground was wet so I was taking it really easy round a large roundabout, approximately 10-15mph. Exited the roundabout and the road bent to the left immeadiately. As I was turning front wheel slipped out a little bit and had to plant my foot on the floor to stop the bike from falling flat on it's side. Left leg took the bike's weight and even bruised me! Left leg took the weight whilst my foot was sliding along the floor - if that makes sense!

Wasn't fun in the slightest!

Nice save!! You should actually take solace in the fact you instinctively acted such you saved the bike, many others would have been down!!

Originally Posted by Blue_SV650S

Nice save!! You should actually take solace in the fact you instinctively acted such you saved the bike, many others would have been down!!

+1, there aint many folk that can save a lowside.

I'm starting to think that autumn/winter isn't the best time to be a newbie rider!

Where can I buy some stabalisers...!?

Originally Posted by TazDaz

I'm starting to think that autumn/winter isn't the best time to be a newbie rider!

Where can I buy some stabalisers...!?

Think you're wrong. I found it great come my first summer (such as this year has been) as you can really feel the difference from the winter. If you passed in spring, you may go into winter slightly over-confident.

As it's been quite wet recently, I've been finding myself trying to push the rear to spin up out of corners just to see where the limit of grip is; it's quite weird at the moment as I feel like I'm riding on a bit of no-mans land where grip is concerned.

[Nobbylad]

Originally Posted by chakraist

As it's been quite wet recently, I've been finding myself trying to push the rear to spin up out of corners just to see where the limit of grip is; it's quite weird at the moment as I feel like I'm riding on a bit of no-mans land where grip is concerned.

Hmmm...I'm not that brave, I accidentally found the limit of my rear wheel in the wet......on a straight! recently. Not pleasant, but reassuring in a sense that a) I know the limit now and b) I (unconsciously) saved it (although that's probably down to pure luck as opposed to anything else!)

Originally Posted by Nobbylad

Hmmm...I'm not that brave, I accidentally found the limit of my rear wheel in the wet......on a straight! recently. Not pleasant, but reassuring in a sense that a) I know the limit now and b) I (unconsciously) saved it (although that's probably down to pure luck as opposed to anything else!)

I've had loads of rear slides in the wet, I do do a lot of what are 50% of the time (these days) wet miles so I like to build my confidence up and recently I'm not sure where the limit is. I'd love to do a track day in the wet, I'd also love to do one in the dry though... Ah well

I had a front end slide once on cold tyres when I was practicing getting my knee down on the industrial estate near me, I saved that one by basically luck- already had my knee down which I imagine helped, and also accelerated a little bit to take the weight off the front.

[21QUEST]

Originally Posted by chakraist

As it's been quite wet recently, I've been finding myself trying to push the rear to spin up out of corners just to see where the limit of grip is; it's quite weird at the moment as I feel like I'm riding on a bit of no-mans land where grip is concerned.

IMO it's silly actually trying to find the limits on the road....more so in the wet.

I actually enjoy riding in the wet but have no reason to go trying to find any limts. I can ride fast and hard but every 'input' is applied smoothly whilst remaining relaxed.....even if it doesn't look like so to anyone on the sideline.

You achieve that 'balance' from being just that ie relaxed and smooth....that means any limits found(unintentionally) can usually be recovered from.

Re saving a slides(front or rear), one can usually save what would be for many, a crash by being really relaxed....you can almost feel them before the happen. And 'No' , I'm not valentino

I actually think I ride better in the wet .....and it fecks me right off sometimes




Ben