How to get around corners quicker?

Originally Posted by carternd

I'd love to do a trackday, but unfortunately I need the money for - leathers, petrol, crash bungs etc. How much do they actually cost?

£50-190 for the day depending on circuit and time of year. Plus petrol & food.

All you need is a bike and leathers (1 or 2 piece zipped together). Don't be a hero and you won't fall off so don't need bungs etc.

WARNING: Trackdays can be highly addictive.

I just pull on the right bar to go left an left bar to right.

Originally Posted by trumpet

I just pull on the right bar to go left an left bar to right.

You got it wrong mate... you push on the left bar to go left -- and push on the right one to go right!!!

I know, I know... same thing. But it does make my head hurt when I have to think about counter-steering! Leaning off the bike / dipping your shoulder etc in the respective direction tends to make you pull/push the bars accordingly I've learnt.

I'm a pusher not a puller, ooerrrr missus!

I was always taught to push the bars when counter steering as pulling can be a bit to "snatchy" (can't think fo the right word)...

[garynortheast]

You don't need to be on a track to learn from this book. I've never done a trackday in my life but I still learned an awful lot in the way of technique from the book. The man knows what he's writing about and puts it across very well.
I started riding bikes before there was any mention or general knowledge of countersteering. This book explained the whole process, made me aware of the way in which it works and as a result improved my ability (after nearly 30 years of riding) to get around corners in a controlled and confident manner. He also deals with a number of other things I had problems with - not fixating on objects, looking far enough ahead, body position and suchlike. To say that reading the book and making the effort to understand and put into practise the things about which he wrote have revolutionised my riding would be to put it mildly.
If you are to safely and efficiently ride a bike on the road or on the track, then there are certain basic techniques that need to be mastered regardless of where you are riding. For me, this book eplains in a very clear and concise fashion how to put those techniques into practise.

Originally Posted by dizzyblonde

If I hear about that book any more I'm going to burn it on TV

Its fair to say that if you like that sort of read, fair enough read it. BUT, IMO you go out and learn yourself, fair to say if you need extra training go and book someone who can teach you,

Old chinese proverb
Show me and I'll remember, tell me and I'll forget.

Its ok to read, but in reality it don't show you nothing, now if you went to the guy and asked him what he was writing about, it would make more sense. A certain somebody of close friendship tried to give me and Peg an idea of this book....well you can't really sell the techniques in there to a combined riding age of about 27 years! or indeed convert them to reading it

Neither do I warm to the train of thought...go on a track day it'll teach you loads.
I've never been on a track nor does it interest me. Going round and round in a circle with a whole load of bikes barging about everywhere to be faster than each other is not my personal cuppa. Prefer to get some real world practise in.....cause I have a road bike, not a track bike!

Originally Posted by Tim in Belgium

Track day for the cornering win as the yellow naked curvy rider said..

Didn't anyone think that was a bit strange?


As already mentioned, leave the heroics for the track. If necessary (probably is) get some professional instruction in a safe environment.

[Geodude]

Heres some of the answers i got when i asked a similar question http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=138143

Do a trackday, helped my cornering confidence no end!

Bah, trackdays? All you need to do is live the right side of the border

Find some roads, ride them till death(not literaly), apply techniques learned to all other corners.

I am a pusher and a puller, push left bar to go left, and pull right bar to go even more left.

I am lucky, I have the highlands within a few hours riding, local roads are quite good, police are scarce if you choose the right roads. Learnt alot from riding behind a few faster riders, LuckyPants, AD53 GGZ, Carelesschucca and a few others.

Find a riding style which works for you, I am more comfortable leaning off the bike, rather than staying on, makes it feel more stable to me. But alot of people ride without moving and still shift very fast.

Always think what could be round or on this bend...
Gravel, mud, pothole, another tighter corner...

No substitue for getting more miles under you're belt, and feeling comfortable with the bike you are on!
Good luck And have fun