Cornering speed

[al v]

Just wanted to start a discussion on "cornering speed". Seems like everyone has a different speed that they are comfortable with.

Personally, I get the most enjoyment out of riding twisties as hard as I dare (for me), occasionally dragging pegs. My highway pegs are set so that they are basically an "early warning system" and foot pegs are next.

Do you like to go fast or slow through the corners?

What techniques do you use to "corner" your bike quickly?

Do you like riding with riders that go a lot faster or a lot slower than you do?


For me, I keep the bike in a lower gear to keep the power up, this helps keep the bike upright when it wants to fall. I take an outside-inside-outside track to make the corner as big as possible. I don't hang off the side of the bike, but I do let the bike rotate underneath me, keeping my body mostly upright and in the center so that I can quickly switch back to the other direction. (sort of like skiing where you only rotate the skis from your waist down). And I keep my eyes on where I want to go.

[..]

From what you have written I can respond don't keep your body upright.

Try to keep the bike upright and move your body.

If going around a left bend roll your weight off your right butt cheek and keep the bike upright a degree or two. Right bend, left butt cheek. You'll go as fast around the bend.

[rrmdeuce]

Watch a little Motogp and take Britmans advise. My floorboards are missing about 25% of there width.

[cookiedough]

I'm probably more of a chicken than most Valk riders while cornering with the few Valk riders I have been with corner much faster than me or are inclined to do so.  Not that I can't keep up, but choose usually not to scrap pegs since most corners where I live have tons of gravel in the middle of the road and have been known to slip the front wheel a tad while cornering because of the gravel on the road. 

I like to keep my feet on the hwy. pegs upfront most of my riding and to do that,  I cannot, as most here as well assuming,  can't corner as fast with feet high upfront vs. normal stock pegs underneath you. 

[BF]

I like to smell the roses.  

However, on this morning's ride home from work after a loooong midnight shift, I came up behind a Victory Cross Country (nice bike IMHO).  I take the long way home when I'm on the bike.....big four laned highway for the most part. 

For some reason, he started to nail it.  Just for fun I decided to keep up.  I did that pretty easy...even when he turned off on a two laned sweeper when he seemed to gun it even more. 

I surprised myself this morning.   

[Jess from VA]

I love fast mountain/twisty riding.  Lower gears and higher revs give you more precise control, especially slowing power thru corners without touching brakes.  These bikes can go 3-4K+ all day (not that you need to do it all day).... it only sounds like it's working hard.

I have no set technique in cornering (other than smooth, estimating my best speed going in which will allow me to complete the turn without touching brakes), but tend to always run the inside of all blind corners (which is most of them) because there can be John Deere or trucks or an old mattress across the yellow right in front of you.  On the other hand, between corners, I prefer the center because I can see everything better, and may have that one extra second before a deer rams me.  But I am usually moving back and forth because the roads are much smoother when you miss all the holes and repairs (many of the best beautiful back riding roads around here are not in top condition).  I also have a healthy respect for sand and gravel in the corners.  Scared the poop out of myself enough times to inspect each road ridden to determine if I have to worry at every corner, or hardly at all.  And most of that gravel and sand is on the inside of the corners where I like to take them.  I've had my bike sliding sideways several of times (I think only on motorcycle rear tires) and always pulled it out, but I prefer to never practice it.

I never do technical riding on my hwy pegs (I often overestimate my speed and actually do need the rear brake, as well as the front)...... maybe Skyline Drive at 35, but even there you can get in trouble (multiple decreasing radius turns).  And I do not leave my hwy pegs down in technical riding either.  My 4050s will not touch before my boards, but the other bike's engine guard hwy pegs will touch first, and drag or maybe go in a hole.  So they're up.  And if you do fall, they will get less damage if folded up. 

[donaldcc]

   I think the techniques are pretty basic for any motorcyclist with experience.  Enter wide with speed under control to evaluate upcoming problems, counter steer, late apex, accelerate after apex to lift bike from lean.  Be careful about frightened braking if going too fast in entry, don't be afraid to counter steer and lean more  because most times bike will stay in control rather than freaking out and hitting brakes.  Practice prepares you for the unexpected.

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

I love fast mountain/twisty riding.  Lower gears and higher revs give you more precise control, especially slowing power thru corners without touching brakes.  These bikes can go 3-4K+ all day (not that you need to do it all day).... it only sounds like it's working hard.

I have no set technique in cornering (other than smooth, estimating my best speed going in which will allow me to complete the turn without touching brakes), but tend to always run the inside of all blind corners (which is most of them) because there can be John Deere or trucks or an old mattress across the yellow right in front of you.  On the other hand, between corners, I prefer the center because I can see everything better, and may have that one extra second before a deer rams me.  But I am usually moving back and forth because the roads are much smoother when you miss all the holes and repairs (many of the best beautiful back riding roads around here are not in top condition).  I also have a healthy respect for sand and gravel in the corners.  Scared the poop out of myself enough times to inspect each road ridden to determine if I have to worry at every corner, or hardly at all.  And most of that gravel and sand is on the inside of the corners where I like to take them.  I've had my bike sliding sideways several of times (I think only on motorcycle rear tires) and always pulled it out, but I prefer to never practice it.

I never do technical riding on my hwy pegs (I often overestimate my speed and actually do need the rear brake, as well as the front)...... maybe Skyline Drive at 35, but even there you can get in trouble (multiple decreasing radius turns).  And I do not leave my hwy pegs down in technical riding either.  My 4050s will not touch before my boards, but the other bike's engine guard hwy pegs will touch first, and drag or maybe go in a hole.  So they're up.  And if you do fall, they will get less damage if folded up. 

Nearly identical to how I like to ride including lane choices and sometimes coming into corners too hot and having to brake to the apex. I prefer to enter corners a little slow and accelerate though them but I don't always manage it. I think it's easier to maintain my line when I can get on the throttle.

I'm a far less aggressive rider after breaking my leg a few years ago due to sliding in some road debris. But, I still don't like to ride the corners slowly and I get bored quickly when traffic forces me to.

Concerning the original question. It's been my experience that keeping your body upright while cornering will force your bike to lean more than necessary. I do sometimes keep my head somewhat upright when cornering but I think even that affects your lean angle.

[Former BMW Guy]

My nic-name on one of the LD forums I frequent is Late Braker.
I like to steam into the curve, downshift, dive in pushing hard on the bars and let the motorcycle do the rest as I accelerate out.
I'm not a big fan of scraping pegs or what-not.

JP

[Chrisj CMA]

That technique you (OP) describe as letting the bike rotate and you stay upright is a great technique for VERY slow riding, its called counter leaning.  For the twisties at speed you are better off counter-STEERING but leaning INTO the curve.  you dont have to hang your butt off the seat like you are on a sport bike but leaning into the curve with positive pressure forward on the lowside grip.  Eyes looking through the curve will tend to keep your head a tad upright, this is a good thing, you see more that way.

[Gryphon Rider]

My path of travel is to enter wide and stay wide until I can see the exit, then clip a late apex while rolling on the gas. Entering a blind corner on the inside is the best way to be surprised by the unexpected. I'd rather see it while there's time to deal with it.

I used to keep my body in line with the bike when leaning, but now I'm trying to train myself to shift my weight to the inside of the bike, giving myself more ground clearance for the same speed in the corner. I love to scrape pegs, but I have to ease into "the zone" by cornering progressively faster. I keep my head level as I find it increases confidence.

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

I just gas on it and stay in my lane The Fat Girl is only going to go over so far then you're draggin' hard parts.  I've followed T-Bird through the north Georgia mountains and we was rollin' ... He had his feet on the highway pegs     That dude is either good or crazy maybe both 

[al v]

Ok, wasn't my intention to    make this posting about me, but that's fine. All good advice.

I forgot to mention that I do press the bike into the corners which from what I can find online is called "counter steer".

Doing some searches on google I do find that counter steering and leaning maximizes the speed through the turn. I agree.

I suspect I make up for less body leaning by pressing harder, leaning the bike more, and going slightly slower than max. I'm going to practice adding more body lean. Might help save on foot pegs. Probably a habit I picked up from riding dirt bikes.

[al v]

I just gas on it and stay in my lane The Fat Girl is only going to go over so far then you're draggin' hard parts.  I've followed T-Bird through the north Georgia mountains and we was rollin' ... He had his feet on the highway pegs     That dude is either good or crazy maybe both 

Had a great time following Reb last year in Jasper, IN. He showed me these big bikes can go much faster than I originally thought. And I think he had his feet on the highway pegs the whole way as well...

[old2soon]

When i'm working the twistys I have the feet on the regular pegs. I moto crossed years ago and did a little road racing again years ago.  And I am the furthest thing from an expert. I don't charge as hard as I used to but I have had the pavement readjust my boots on the pegs a time or three.  The Valkyrie is way more capable than I am these days. And having confidence in what you are riding helps when you do decide to check out the rolling lean angles available to us.  Makes me wish I had gotten one 16 years ago when they were first offered to the public.  RIDE SAFE.

[..]

Ok, wasn't my intention to    make this posting about me, but that's fine. All good advice.

I forgot to mention that I do press the bike into the corners which from what I can find online is called "counter steer".

Doing some searches on google I do find that counter steering and leaning maximizes the speed through the turn. I agree.

I suspect I make up for less body leaning by pressing harder, leaning the bike more, and going slightly slower than max. I'm going to practice adding more body lean. Might help save on foot pegs. Probably a habit I picked up from riding dirt bikes.

Body upright and dirt bike riding can be seen a lot in road riders. One way works for the dirt. The other way for the road.

As mentioned by others keeping the head upright is best practice. Watch track riders. Don't copy their fad of removing a foot from a peg and using the leg as a makeshift air brake.

Practice rolling off a butt cheek on a long sweeping curve where you can move around on the bike and feel what happens. You'll be able to keep the bike in a constant position in your lane whilst increasing, decreasing the angle of lean a LITTLE bit.

http://www.superbikeschool.com/machinery/lean-bike.php

How low can you go ! (motorcycle extreme cornering) 

[Jess from VA]

Entering a blind corner on the inside is the best way to be surprised by the unexpected. I'd rather see it while there's time to deal with it.

I don't think being near certerline in a blind curve lets you see all that much more or sooner than over on the inside in a blind curve.  It does leave you much less room for error if the turn suddenly gets much tighter, or a vehicle is 2-3 feet over the yellow in your lane.  I'd rather be surprised with 8-10 feet of my lane between me and the yellow, than only 2-3 feet from the yellow.  What ever is bad around the corner, it is more likely to be in the middle of the road, than all the way over on the right edge of my lane.  Cars worry me much more than deer.

Anyway it is what I have done for many years and it works for me.  


EDIT:  I am mainly talking right turns here, not left turns. 

[pitbull]

This might help some people about body positioning. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSz2edKnu78

[hubcapsc]

I wore out my pegs. From the top. The bottoms are still shiny. 

When I first got the Valkyrie, I know I was "doing it wrong", I was trying too hard,
getting too tired, and going too slow. This thing is definitely no dirt bike. Now I just
sit on my bike and push on the left or right side of the handlebars as needed...

-Mike

[Hooter]

   Knowing the road is an advantage. But, if you don't that is another ball game. All of us have found ourselves going into a corner too hot and scared the hell out of ourselves. Well, maybe not everyone but I have. In areas I know I'm more fluid and "ride the bike". Its when I'm in unknown territory that I'm more apprehensive.
   I let the bike do the dictating so to speak and don't fight it. There is a difference between riding a motorcycle and operating one. Anyone can set on the seat and go down the road but to "ride one" is to be in control of what you are doing and understanding / knowing your scooter. Every bike is different and requires different techniques.
  Get to know you bike. Relax, but be aware of your surroundings. In other words pay attention but enjoy what you are doing. MSF courses are extremely helpful to newbies but riding and learning is the best teacher. Newbies seem to think that cornering requires turning the handlebars and immediately end up in trouble. Parking lots help a bunch if cornering is an issue. That way you learn the bike and how to handle it. I'm rambling, time, practice and experience will be the best teacher.

[..]

   Knowing the road is an advantage. But, if you don't that is another ball game. All of us have found ourselves going into a corner too hot and scared the hell out of ourselves. Well, maybe not everyone but I have. In areas I know I'm more fluid and "ride the bike". Its when I'm in unknown territory that I'm more apprehensive.
   I let the bike do the dictating so to speak and don't fight it. There is a difference between riding a motorcycle and operating one. Anyone can set on the seat and go down the road but to "ride one" is to be in control of what you are doing and understanding / knowing your scooter. Every bike is different and requires different techniques.
  Get to know you bike. Relax, but be aware of your surroundings. In other words pay attention but enjoy what you are doing. MSF courses are extremely helpful to newbies but riding and learning is the best teacher. Newbies seem to think that cornering requires turning the handlebars and immediately end up in trouble. Parking lots help a bunch if cornering is an issue. That way you learn the bike and how to handle it. I'm rambling, time, practice and experience will be the best teacher.

"Knowing" the road can lead to complacency and generally higher speeds than a rider would normally use.

Shouldn't a modicum of caution be foremost?

Parking lots are good for slow speed manouvers. Difficult to find a parking lot where you can sustain 40 - 50 - 60 mph speeds.

[Hooter]

   Knowing the road is an advantage. But, if you don't that is another ball game. All of us have found ourselves going into a corner too hot and scared the hell out of ourselves. Well, maybe not everyone but I have. In areas I know I'm more fluid and "ride the bike". Its when I'm in unknown territory that I'm more apprehensive.
   I let the bike do the dictating so to speak and don't fight it. There is a difference between riding a motorcycle and operating one. Anyone can set on the seat and go down the road but to "ride one" is to be in control of what you are doing and understanding / knowing your scooter. Every bike is different and requires different techniques.
  Get to know you bike. Relax, but be aware of your surroundings. In other words pay attention but enjoy what you are doing. MSF courses are extremely helpful to newbies but riding and learning is the best teacher. Newbies seem to think that cornering requires turning the handlebars and immediately end up in trouble. Parking lots help a bunch if cornering is an issue. That way you learn the bike and how to handle it. I'm rambling, time, practice and experience will be the best teacher.

"Knowing" the road can lead to complacency and generally higher speeds than a rider would normally use.

Shouldn't a modicum of caution be foremost?

Parking lots are good for slow speed manouvers. Difficult to find a parking lot where you can sustain 40 - 50 - 60 mph speeds.

Always, and I agree that we tend to become complacent on known roads. Critters, car parts and someone farming in the middle of the road are always present on any road.  I pay a bunch more attention in unknown territory than I would on a known road. Its like riding in the middle of the day versus early evening. I pay more attention to the sides of the road in the evening than I would in the middle of the day. DEER, and they are always a possibility.  There are some things that we all do automatically after time and this is one of those  "things". Depends on the area you live in and I guess I'm at an advantage here because we have some pretty big lots, an empty airport, and a fair grounds that you can reach those 40 mph speeds in. I think after years of riding most of us are or become complacent to an extent anyway? I for one tend to think about other things than riding while I'm out, but I pay attention. Do I let my guard down, absolutely not.

[3fan4life]

I try to enter the corner as close to the inside as possible (centerline for left handers and shoulder for right handers) Then I allow the bike to drift to the outside as it progresses through the corner.

This series of PICS taken by Killboy as I passed through the Dragon on May 12th bears this out:

http://www.photoreflect.com/store/photocard.aspx?pc=E4C341CA15697C1322375B6A0F9EBB77

http://www.photoreflect.com/store/photocard.aspx?pc=E4C341CA15697C139A1114280F5C86CC

http://www.photoreflect.com/store/photocard.aspx?pc=E4C341CA15697C1317B70F92E7D9AE9D

http://www.photoreflect.com/store/photocard.aspx?pc=E4C341CA15697C132FFDFCCDEF54BBC1

http://www.photoreflect.com/store/photocard.aspx?pc=E4C341CA15697C138E96936A41796EC4

Sorry about the links, I couldn't find a way to post the PICS without buying them.


These PICS also show me that I need to lean off the bike more as I go through the turns.

When I was in my 20's riding a CB750F I would lean so far off the bike that my friends thought I was nuts.

I guess that I have gotten lazy in my old age.

I will just have to go out later and make myself practice. 

[..]

I try to enter the corner as close to the inside as possible (centerline for left handers and shoulder for right handers) Then I allow the bike to drift to the outside as it progresses through the corner.

This series of PICS taken by Killboy as I passed through the Dragon on May 12th bears this out:

http://www.photoreflect.com/store/photocard.aspx?pc=E4C341CA15697C1322375B6A0F9EBB77

http://www.photoreflect.com/store/photocard.aspx?pc=E4C341CA15697C139A1114280F5C86CC

http://www.photoreflect.com/store/photocard.aspx?pc=E4C341CA15697C1317B70F92E7D9AE9D

http://www.photoreflect.com/store/photocard.aspx?pc=E4C341CA15697C132FFDFCCDEF54BBC1

http://www.photoreflect.com/store/photocard.aspx?pc=E4C341CA15697C138E96936A41796EC4

Sorry about the links, I couldn't find a way to post the PICS without buying them.


These PICS also show me that I need to lean off the bike more as I go through the turns.

When I was in my 20's riding a CB750F I would lean so far off the bike that my friends thought I was nuts.

I guess that I have gotten lazy in my old age.

I will just have to go out later and make myself practice.  

I'm not a perfect rider by any means but I do constantly analyze why not.

Flame suit on.

1st photo you are right on the center line with your footpeg. If you do this on a corner with poor through visibility you will not see the dually pickup mirror that's going to take your head off. Or the oncomign vehicle that's drifted over the center line. Especially at Deals GAp where too many are riding beyond their skill level to show how manly they are.

Remaining photos. Why do you cross the center of your lane at maximum lean? Any road debris collects in the center of a lane. Any diesel, oil spill collects in the center of a lane cause it don't get picked up by other vehicles. As you approach the right white line what room for manouver do you have if you need to move to the left to avoid a hazard? Not much without grounding something.

The biggee I missed.

Going round a left bend keep to the right on entry to see further thru the bend.

Going round a right bend keep to the left on entry to see further thru the bend.

Please do some research on this.

[3fan4life]

I try to enter the corner as close to the inside as possible (centerline for left handers and shoulder for right handers) Then I allow the bike to drift to the outside as it progresses through the corner.

This series of PICS taken by Killboy as I passed through the Dragon on May 12th bears this out:

http://www.photoreflect.com/store/photocard.aspx?pc=E4C341CA15697C1322375B6A0F9EBB77

http://www.photoreflect.com/store/photocard.aspx?pc=E4C341CA15697C139A1114280F5C86CC

http://www.photoreflect.com/store/photocard.aspx?pc=E4C341CA15697C1317B70F92E7D9AE9D

http://www.photoreflect.com/store/photocard.aspx?pc=E4C341CA15697C132FFDFCCDEF54BBC1

http://www.photoreflect.com/store/photocard.aspx?pc=E4C341CA15697C138E96936A41796EC4

Sorry about the links, I couldn't find a way to post the PICS without buying them.


These PICS also show me that I need to lean off the bike more as I go through the turns.

When I was in my 20's riding a CB750F I would lean so far off the bike that my friends thought I was nuts.

I guess that I have gotten lazy in my old age.

I will just have to go out later and make myself practice.  

I'm not a perfect rider by any means but I do constantly analyze why not.

Flame suit on.

1st photo you are right on the center line with your footpeg. If you do this on a corner with poor through visibility you will not see the dually pickup mirror that's going to take your head off. Or the oncomign vehicle that's drifted over the center line. Especially at Deals GAp where too many are riding beyond their skill level to show how manly they are.

Remaining photos. Why do you cross the center of your lane at maximum lean? Any road debris collects in the center of a lane. Any diesel, oil spill collects in the center of a lane cause it don't get picked up by other vehicles. As you approach the right white line what room for manouver do you have if you need to move to the left to avoid a hazard? Not much without grounding something.

The biggee I missed.

Going round a left bend keep to the right on entry to see further thru the bend.

Going round a right bend keep to the left on entry to see further thru the bend.

Please do some research on this.

No Flame suit needed Britman.


First off, every corner is different.

I have found that some work better if you start on the inside and drift out, others work better if you start on the outside, come to the inside and drift back to the outside.

Every corner needs to be "read" as you approach it.

The turn in the PICS actually had good visibility so I chose to enter it hugging the centerline and drift outward.

In tighter turns with less visibility I tend to enter it on the outside, come to the inside as I progress through the turn and drift back to the outside as I exit the corner.   

The outside, inside, outside thing I picked up after watching how racecar drivers attack the turns.

I typically don't worry about crossing the center of the lane on a dry road (wet roads are a different story).

This has served me well over the years, so I'm not likely to change it.

Loose gravel is my main concern when cornering, I have found that it usually gathers near the inside shoulder. My theory is that larger vehicles drag it back onto the pavement after their wheels drop off the shoulder.   

I do need to work on getting my BUTT off of the seat a little more and let my body lean more through the turn.

I think that maybe riding cruisers has made me a little lazy in this area.

[MarkT]

Entering a blind corner on the inside is the best way to be surprised by the unexpected. I'd rather see it while there's time to deal with it.

I don't think being near certerline in a blind curve lets you see all that much more or sooner than over on the inside in a blind curve.  It does leave you much less room for error if the turn suddenly gets much tighter, or a vehicle is 2-3 feet over the yellow in your lane.  I'd rather be surprised with 8-10 feet of my lane between me and the yellow, than only 2-3 feet from the yellow.  What ever is bad around the corner, it is more likely to be in the middle of the road, than all the way over on the right edge of my lane.  Cars worry me much more than deer.

Anyway it is what I have done for many years and it works for me.  

Good points.  But here in the twisties in the front range foothills, surprises around the blind corner are usually bicycle riders.  Though it's easier to swing wide when you're close to the shoulder on a right-hander, than to be surprised near the centerline and have to tighten it up when you're already scraping.  There are TONS of pedalers in the foothills, especially in Deer Creek Canyon.  Well actually pretty much all of the foothills twisties.  And of course going uphill is the problem.  Downhill the maniacs are likely to be doing 40 or better.  I personally can't imagine going that fast on tires with a contact patch less than an inch wide with a hundred pounds pressure and a pebble likely to pop the tire - and nothing to save your skin when you go down.

[fantsybikr]

I try to go fast enough not to fall over and slow enough not to fall over...lol

[old2soon]

Living in farm and ranch country and with the hay season approaching more than once I have been in my set for a curve and had loose hay right where it SHOULDN'T be.   THAT truly increases the pucker factor way the hell off the chart.   And the bicycle people on the 2 lane are usually in the center of the lane which makes it interesting to say the least.    Staying alert and staying alive-and I really don't see it getting any easier anytime soon.   RIDE SAFE.

[Valkorado]

I try to go fast enough not to fall over and slow enough not to fall over...lol

Guess that about sums it up!  Gotta admit that after many years of riding I still consider myself an intermediate biker and I generally try to remember that.  There are so many variables that can lead to danger, I try not to add to them by riding beyond my skill or not wearing decent gear head to toe.  I have much respect for the peg scrapers and I fully understand the fun that goes along with pushing the edge.  Usually if sparks fly for me I know it's time to ease up a bit.  I really love the sweepers, and respect tight twisties.  Ride safe, ride your ride and have fun out there!

[F6BANGER]

And dont forget about trail braking...

[Michael K (Az.)]

I KNOW I haven't gotten it down perfectly yet so this spurs me to just ride more and more, no, really! No need to ride for fun. Must. Learn. Technique. I'd better go out and fire her up, need more mad skills. My story and I'm stickin to it!

[KSDragonRider]

I go slow, i read the signs and the first time through it, im under the posted limit.  Sorry if that is to slow for some of you.  I have two pretty girls at home that call me daddy.. im going to see them at the end of the ride.

Willow asked me one time if i got a thrill out of riding the corners as fast as i do.  I told him yes, i thought it was a great rush.  He then told me to keep going that speed as long as it gave me a thrill. He said the feeling that im getting is the same as smokin joe is getting by draggin through the dragon. 
Leave it to Carl to come up with something like that. But i have stuck to it as well. I go through them at the speed i feel is safe and feels good to me. 

[..]

I go slow, i read the signs and the first time through it, im under the posted limit.  Sorry if that is to slow for some of you.  I have two pretty girls at home that call me daddy.. im going to see them at the end of the ride.

Willow asked me one time if i got a thrill out of riding the corners as fast as i do.  I told him yes, i thought it was a great rush.  He then told me to keep going that speed as long as it gave me a thrill. He said the feeling that im getting is the same as smokin joe is getting by draggin through the dragon. 
Leave it to Carl to come up with something like that. But i have stuck to it as well. I go through them at the speed i feel is safe and feels good to me. 

Absolutley right.

Too many can't keep a lid on the testosterone jar. Especially when riding in company.

[Gryphon Rider]

This article is a good read:  The Good Rider: Cornering Basics by David L. Hough http://www.soundrider.com/archive/safety-skills/Good_Rider-pt4.htm



I realize that no amount of sound reasoning is going to change the minds of those set in their ways and unwilling to consider anything else, but there you go.

[Jess from VA]

I understand delayed apex completely Gryph.  My chart would show me hug the inside all the way round the bend. Granted my speed may be bit less, and lean harder and longer, but I avoid the centerline in most all turns because they are often busy with gawkers, sunday drivers and farm equipment where I ride.

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

Something else to consider is "big, extended pickup mirrors". Everybody owns trucks here and most of them have extended mirrors. It's something I try to be constantly thinking about in blind corners and at night. In a hard fast left corner on a narrow Indiana road it's easy to have your tires in safe territory but you head close enough to the centerline to get it removed by a pickup mirror. Bad Juju to be sure and it needs to be considered before you enter the curve.

[fudgie]

I found some off ramps where I can drag 3/4 of the way thru them. I like it. I walk funny due to my uneven heels of my boots. 

[Detn8er]

This article is a good read:  The Good Rider: Cornering Basics by David L. Hough http://www.soundrider.com/archive/safety-skills/Good_Rider-pt4.htm



I realize that no amount of sound reasoning is going to change the minds of those set in their ways and unwilling to consider anything else, but there you go.

In 1980 when I went to the South Carolina Criminal Justice School of hell driving the instructor preached all day about outside inside outside.........When it came my time to drive the course he asked me what we were doing......I replied we are going through these turns.WRONG. This earned me the privilege of writing him 3 pages describing the proper way to take curves.I NEVER forgot it. 

[rrmdeuce]

Good entry speed and smooth acceration through the turn to un-load the front tire and load the back tire.
[/URL][/img]

[0leman]

I guess I have gotten old.  I don't feel the need to scrap any part of my Valk on the curves.  That said I do tend go thru most curves about 15 mph indicated over the suggested limits.   I have found I am most comfortable in seeing a line around the curve and staying with the line rather than going from outside/inside/outside method.  I do ride a mountain road with lots of 40/45 mph curves a lot (visit my Mom about 80 miles away).  As I have gotten to know this road pretty well and do ride 20 mph over the suggested limits when traffic allows.

BUT in the area where I live, I have found that not all 25/35/40/45 mph curves are the same.  Some of the 45 mph curves can be taken faster then others.  Road surface and the exact degree of curve play a part in the speed the curve may be taken.