Relatively New Rider
 

Hey i'm a relatively new rider, i say new becuase i rode a Hyosung GTR 125 for a whole year and in april i bought a SV650 Naked 03 and the power difference was immense, that bike is a beast. I wanted to know if anyone had any tips on taking corners with this riding posistion becuase it seems as soon as i try take a corner it's as if i am trying to stop the handle bars from going right in and ening up flat on my face.

What i also did not realise was that on a naked bike doing 90 MPH+ its like i'm being torn off my bike while my mates on R1's and Ninja's are tucked safely behind their wind sheilds. Anyhow i'm rambling but i'll have some pictures up of it later, nothing special yet just a stock sv650 all silver.

All advice is greatly appreciated.

Re: Relatively New Rider
 

Welcome to the madhouse!!

As for cornering, hmm, not quite sure what you're describing. I personally push on the opposite bar (counter-steering), then once the bike is leant over, just hold the bars neutral & let the suspension do it's thing.

Re: Relatively New Rider
 

Welcome to the mad house dude !!! Pics would b gooood !!

Oh and don't ask me about corners, I cant help LOL..... I don't like them much he he

Re: Relatively New Rider
 

Plenty of posts on cornering all over the web. Suffice to say it's a lot about body position on the bike and body position relative to yourself. Also keep an eye on where you are going; don't get fixated on the 2 or 3 metres in front of you.

The key is to take it at your own pace. Don't be afraid of bends but increase speed only when you gain in confidence and experience.

Ignore the warriors who suggest knee-down antics. You simply don't need this until you get to the track - and then not really to still go fast.

Re: Relatively New Rider
 

Check tyre pressures (check them regularly anyway, at least weekly if not every day).

Check the rear suspension isn't adjusted fully up (high).

Re: Relatively New Rider
 

Also have a look at your tyre wear: if your tyres are squared off they can feel funny tipping in.

Welcome to the madhouse by the way!

Re: Relatively New Rider
 

Welcome to teh forums Peacefull! I had some similar issues when I first started riding my sv a year and a half ago. Check your tyre pressures; the SV does respond well to having slightly higher pressure than the manufactures suggestions (maybe 3 psi higher). Also, are you famillier with the theory of countersteering? Pushing on the inside handlebar (i.e. pushing in the opposite direction to the corner you are taking) makes the bike drop in smoothly. Try to relax your grip on the handlebars and grip the tank a bit more with your knees; also try positioning your feet nearer to the toes as opposed to the flats of your feet on the pegs.

And, the great Baph once gave me this advice:

In like a pussy cat, out like a tiger. He meant, slow in, keep a constant throttle, and then as the exit appears, gun it!

Hope this helps a little bit; I'm no cornering god, but thats what I've learnt.

Matt

Re: Relatively New Rider
 

you forgot steps 4-6

4. Get up off the road

5. Pick your bike out of the hedge

6. Laugh that you've just lowsided your bike for the first time

;)

Re: Relatively New Rider
 

(when i say gun it, I mean accelerate at a speed which feels quick enough to make you smile but slow enough to keep you the right side up) :D

Re: Relatively New Rider
 

Welcome...

Don't think about it too much. Try to relax and enjoy the whole journey but keep our speed down. One mistake many (well ok, me) make is to try too hard and go in too fast which not only compromises the chances of success but also frightens the preverbial out of the rear burp orafice. The more you ride keeping things smooth and easy the more you will improve instinctively. I also found that riding with other well seasoned bikers that I felt I could trust helped enormously, watching their style, road and seat positioning etc. And I agree with others - forget the knee down stuff, ok I've done it, but didn't need to other than to say I could.

I know sod all about the technical mumbo stuff so I've probably just told you a load of fluffle - but it works for me!! :shaking2:

Oh, and don't try to compete with your R1 buddies - at least not yet ;) Good luck :D