Looking where you want to go

[StillTry'n]

Shorts

So true, and insightful.

If you are very young all of this (and French, too) come real easy.

Once you are past a certain age most of this is still possible to learn.....but it won't be like falling off a log!

Start young if possible.

Dan

[Shorts]

lol agreed


Prime time to learn new information is early in life. Physiologically, the body is fresh...organs are fresh, tissues are fresh, pathways are fresh, the mind is fresh, bones and muscles...everything is fresh and strong an in prime condition to take on new tasks.


You can teach an old dog new tricks, it'll just take longer

[blues2cruise]

If you had blinders on, you could go straight easily....but unless you turn your head you won't see past your blinders.

Try it with your open hand against the side of your head....it may sound stupid, but it gives the idea of having to actually turn your head.

[Gunslinger]

Good posts by all. I think the only way to correct this is through practice. Buy some cones and set up a course in a parking lot. It doesn't have to be anything elaborate. There's nothing natural about turning your head almost 180 degrees in a sharp turn but it really does work. Don't give up on it. It's something that comes naturally to some people while others seem to struggle with it.

[goodies]

This is a REALLY REALLY hard thing to "coach" online.

You say you "finished" the BRC. Did you pass? What notes did your instructors make on your riding evaluation sheet (you should have that).

I'm certain that your instructors gave you some specific pointers based on what THEY saw you doing. How do you FEEL your cornering skills were at the end of the class (for a beginner)? "getting it, need practice" or "fail"? What do YOU think is the biggest obstacle to "getting your head around" in a corner?

Take a break, and try to think back on what they were telling you to do differently.

P

I did pass. Actually they did not not give us a evalutation sheet and never went over anythng. There was no one on one. They read out loud to the class what we were given points for on the test and the total points. Other than tell me time and time again, head and eyes up...your not looking where you are going...you looked down. Other than be scolded, they never told me how to fix it or what to do differently other than don't do that.

I actually felt my corner was pretty good, but I did lose points for "looking" and decelerating. I don't know what the obstacle is...that is my problem, I am thinking about it the whole time, and trying to look at the right place and turning my head usually. I can tell a difference if I don't.

I will keep practicing.

[RocketGirl]

I passed the BRC in March and keeping my head up and looking a few seconds ahead in the curve is something that just recently clicked for me. This summer, I've been working on some other bikes skills. Two weekends ago (after 1300 miles), I found myself with some extra time before an engagement and a large parking lot and decided to try my hand at doing figure eights using the parking space outlines. Remember the exercise where they had you do u-turns in a box. I had to really turn my head (my chin over my shoulder) and shifted my weight to the outside (if needed). This is a tough exercise because what also clicked for me was the use of throttle and rear brake too.

I'm not sure if my bike handles so much better than the one I used in the BRC class, but what a difference 20-minutes made for me. Give yourself some time to develop those basic ride skills you are comfortable with and gradually focus on areas that need work. I take my corners and one off-ramp in particular (with a rising incline) a lot more smoothly and find them more manageable. Ride safely and don't forget to have fun with it too.

[ofblong]

This is a REALLY REALLY hard thing to "coach" online.

You say you "finished" the BRC. Did you pass? What notes did your instructors make on your riding evaluation sheet (you should have that).

I'm certain that your instructors gave you some specific pointers based on what THEY saw you doing. How do you FEEL your cornering skills were at the end of the class (for a beginner)? "getting it, need practice" or "fail"? What do YOU think is the biggest obstacle to "getting your head around" in a corner?

Take a break, and try to think back on what they were telling you to do differently.

P

our instructors never gave us an eval sheet....

[RockBottom]

Geez--this forum makes me believe I'm the only person who has ever flunked the BRC. I'm depressed. And it's raining, so no miles for me today!

[StillTry'n]

RockBottom

Cheer up rider.

I didn't pass it either

But I will: after a lot of riding on my own. I learn much better one on one, then "competing" in a class setting.

I'd rather not pass the course than just barely pass it, and still not know what I'm doing.

Dan

P. S.

A little rain ain't so bad.

[RockBottom]

RockBottom

Cheer up rider.

I didn't pass it either

But I will: after a lot of riding on my own. I learn much better one on one, then "competing" in a class setting.

I'd rather not pass the course than just barely pass it, and still not know what I'm doing.

Dan

P. S.

A little rain ain't so bad.

I had 600 miles when I took it. I now have a bit over 3400--a combination of country roads, interstates, town traffic, and cones in parking lots. Did 250 last weekend, including mountain traverses. Will do a couple of overnights later in the autumn. But still on a learner's permit.