Corners

[Lutin]

Seconded.
Every now and then I seem to forget this little rule and start looking at what's in front of my tyre, and as soon as I kick myself awake and start looking through the corners again, I speed up a lot and the number of turn-ins per corner drops.

Yep, definitely! Always find that my cornering confidence drops when I'm not looking far enough ahead. It does take some will-power, but the gains to be made really are worth it. It might seem odd at first, but once you get used to it, and your cornering improves, it makes the ride so much more fun.

Which is what it's all about.

[Sharribee]

Thanks for all the tips guys, I think I do look ahead but I wonder if I think a little too much about what I am doing rather than just getting on and riding.

[Lutin]

Thanks for all the tips guys, I think I do look ahead but I wonder if I think a little too much about what I am doing rather than just getting on and riding.

Thinking, what's that???


Must be a girl thing.

[Dee Duble Yuh]

Some practical suggestions:

1. Find a big empty car park (in the dry).

2. Experiment with counter-steering. You've probably heard about this already, but there's plenty of stuff on the web if you need a reminder. (Keith Code is pretty good, but some other stuff is garbage!!!) Ride in a straight line and push forward on the left hand grip; the bike will go to the left (opposite of natural intuition). Try it again pushing on the right.

3. Now experiment with a push on one side and a pull on the other - the effect will be even stronger.

4. Ride around in circles and ovals trying to lean further and further. You'll have space to bottle out at any time. Imagine your body weight going down through the saddle so that you're pushing the back tyre firmly into the tarmac. (This is far preferable to the feeling of tippy-toeing around a bend!)

5. Now try circles/ovals plus counter-steering (pushing on the inside bar). Work out where you thought you'd go and where you actually went. You should find that the bike turned more sharply than expected, and completely without drama.

6. Trust the tyres. If your footpegs aren't scraping the ground they will have grip to spare!

7. Now find a nice big roundabout, and repeat the above (no oncoming traffic). The pair of roundabouts at M4 Junction 34 and Pyle are good.

There's also a whole load of advice about positioning for bends. Again, search the web. I find it's useful to approach wide (e.g. towards the curb when approaching bends to the right), stay wide most of the way round, then pull in tight (towards the centre line for bends to the right) on the exit. Why?

If the bend tightens unexpectedly, pulling in tight means you'll end up in the middle of the lane rather than the inside - disaster averted. If the bend opens up unexpectedly it's pretty easy just to straighten up. (Sorry if that doesn't make an sense.)

Maybe you need more time on your own rather than riding in a group? You'll be able to concentrate on your riding rather than where everyone is going. Just a thought.

[Sharribee]

Dave I think you could be right there, even though I ride every day it's a pretty easy ride, down the M4 into cardiff then back again, I have only ever gone for a ride just for fun on my own once. Every other time I am with J, MoM or a group.

I know a few good roundabouts so I am going to try those too.

[Farmboy]

this is what I do and it works for me:

When approaching a corner look as far round it as you can see and dont take your eyes of this point, keep your elbows out and counter steer gently, keep looking until your round and you straighten up.

Hard to describe but when you do it right you just flow round corners without ever having to correct your course mid corner, makes everything smooth as silk.

I regularly get my boots down round corners and its always a suprise as I never try to, it just happens when I do the above.

Best idea is to go to Norway and practice, after 2 weeks on their roads you will be an expert on the bends

You could try and get a video of yourself to help:
After seeing a video of me GOING FOR IT round a corner I realised that there was at least another 40% to go, so after that I dont worry about it as I am nowhere as near to the edge as I thought

[TWIN BURNER]

Hi Sharri

As DEE DUBLE YUH said it all about positioning and reading the road ahead
Assuming your looking far enough ahead, you can look at the vanishing point to tell if the corner tightens or opens out, Vanishing point I hear you ask? that the point the two curbs meet.
If the point the two curbs meet seem to get closer to you the corner is tightening if the point seems to get further away then the corner is opening out therefore you can go faster.

If that make sence!

[Krtek]

Don't concentrate on speed, concentrate on smoothness (and on enjoying yourself!) and the speed will follow.

[AlanH]

Book a track day and use the race track to overcome the fear of going around corners.

That is a superb suggestion. I've done Cadwell and Mallory on their track school bikes and can thoroughly recommend it. I just tucked in behind the instructor and did what he did. Even with years of experience including courier work and instructing, I was a little surprised at how fast it is possible to get a bike to take a bend without crashing There is far more grip than you think.

[Recycler]

Lots of good advice there. Advanced training is the answer (IMO) as there are so many variables in cornering that may dictate you don't, for example, run near the kerb for a right-hander - e.g. gravel, diesel spill, junction on nearside with car waiting, cyclist, immediately followed by sharp nearside bend, nearside layby with car waiting to pull out, etc, etc.

Just my opinions but:
Bikesafe is good but only a part day - not enough.
RoSPA good. Spread over plenty of time and the test is graded Bronze/Silver/Gold. Plus the examiners are Police advanced or equivalent.
IAM - haven't done it but it's just a pass/fail test.

How about paying for advanced lessons? Much better VFM than a new end can and infinitely more enjoyable. Some 'schools' are staffed by Police trainers on days off, so you benefit from the highest standard. There's one in Milton Keynes area for instance (bit far for you), can't remember it's name but those guys are amazing and taught me how little I knew beforehand.