Cornering technique

I can generally manage to keep up with people quite well now. But that's simply because I have a damn powerful bike and I've learned not to be afraid to open it up where appropriate.

But corners - aaargh. Yes sure I can get round, but this is the worst part of my riding. I can usually do a reasonable line, and I know about road positioning, vanishing points and all that gubbins, but it's irritating that I find myself slowing for a corner, and I put it down to poor technique and body positioning. I see people with one **** cheek hanging off the bike, but I physically can't slide around - so should I be lifting off the pegs? And when?



Edit - this censorship of the word 'a-r-s-e' is tedious

[mister c]

In the dry or wet?
On a dry day I would find a roundabout somewhere quiet and just keep practising at a higher speed until you find your limit. it does help to lift your bum slightly off the seat to move around, you know when, because it will "feel" right.
Can't help you in the wet because I am one of the worlds worst wet weather riders. I always think I am going to crash, so keep the entry speed low and accellerate coming out.

Ed, this is one of those points that need to be visual for anyone to really be able to give an opinion on your riding. Otherwise it will just be a whole load of suggestions and tips that could quite possibly not be for you and your style or riding.

I'd seriously suggest taking some advanced lessons on this particular subject. I'd also look elsewhere other than your bog standard riding school. Most of the instructors probably wouldn't be able to give that sort of intense training as they have only really learnt how to get someone through a test. (I know this as I was one).

Originally Posted by Ed

...but it's irritating that I find myself slowing for a corner, and I put it down to poor technique and body positioning.

Hell, I know naff all really, passing my test back in the stone age and never having a proper 'lesson' in my life, but...

... perhaps you have a trust issue. With your bike I mean.

Me, I know I know jack **** and am more than ready to admit that Mr Honda knows far more than me - therefore if I was to suddenly dissapear from the back of my bike it would, in all probablility, be perfectly happy and continue on without my interference.
Basically I have complete trust that the BlueBlade is far better at this biking lark than I am so I should just point it in the right direction and let it get on with it.

I just ride and only when i'm trying to be clever and pretend like I know what I'm doing to things go a bit pear shaped.

But then I think I was perhaps a little more influenced by Herbie films as a kid that is probably deemed 'normal'.





I'm not helping am I.

Foot position on the pegs helped me out here. Are you on the balls of your feet when cornering? When coming into the corner I think about keeping the bike as upright as possible (for max grip) by moving myself off the seat.

[Luckypants]

It's that 'c' word Ed - confidence! Confidence in your bike, tyres and ability. Then you will be able to go in to the corner at good pace, on the throttle. The difference an extra millimetre of throttle opening makes to the bike's stability is huge.

You need to go into / round a bend on a neutral or slightly accelerating throttle (you know this I'm sure) before opening her up as the bend opens. It is confidence that allows us to actually be on the throttle rather than on a slightly trailing throttle. The difference is often that 1mm of throttle hand.

Find a twisty road you know quite well, where you can position the bike correctly without too much thought and work on getting the braking done early, getting into the bend on a 'positive neutral' throttle then getting on the gas early as you exit.

Could it be that you think about what could go wrong if you lean to much plus the fact that you have a family and kids?

Typically I ride around on the balls of my feet with toes pointing at the ground. On entry into a corner I try to point my inside foot into the corner so my knee is pointing the right way. Well sort of. But that's about as far as I get, further body movement doesn't happen.

CSS maybe?

Edit - 600+ and Luckypants replied as I was typing. You are both right. Having come off badly once, I don't want to repeat - so it has taken me three years to get to this stage. I want to improve...

Originally Posted by K

But then I think I was perhaps a little more influenced by Herbie films as a kid that is probably deemed 'normal'.

This has got to be the most worrying thing I have ever seen written on this forum.

[fizzwheel]

Originally Posted by Ed

Typically I ride around on the balls of my feet with toes pointing at the ground. On entry into a corner I try to point my inside foot into the corner so my knee is pointing the right way. Well sort of. But that's about as far as I get, further body movement doesn't happen.

CSS maybe?

Edit - 600+ and Luckypants replied as I was typing. You are both right. Having come off badly once, I don't want to repeat - so it has taken me three years to get to this stage. I want to improve...

I havent got it right, but I do hang off a bit with one butt cheek off the seat.

You want to practise sliding from left to right and right to left in the seat first, try and make it a smooth transition, if you it to quickly or in a jerky manner it upsets the bike on the suspension which doesnt help matters.

You want to be gripping the tank with your outside knee and have your inside arm bent at the elbow, also try to kiss the inside mirror. Dont sit right on the tank either, leave a gap about the size of a packet of fags between you and the tank.

It really is just practice and confidence, I'm not convinced it makes me any faster, but I do find with a bit of weight transfers to the inside of the corner it does make the bike easier to turn. I've been out ridden by plenty of people who stay sat in the seat.

Its hard to master on the road just find a big quiet roundabout on a hot day with warm tyres and ride round it and sit off lean over a bit more each time. Do it a couple of times and then go home, you'll get the knack of it.

CSS sounds like a good idea I know a couple of people who have done it and the instructors have helped with their body positioning, probably easy to master it on the track where you dont have to worry about cars etc rather than on the road.

Like I said I havent got my body positioning right so dont take all I have posted as gospel.