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CYNWAGON wrote:

What? Ever hear of a man purse? Gawd...

I think it's called a "murse"

Ohhh that just makes it sound dirty.

Do it.

I don't know nuthin' bout no stats or safety figures, but I truly believe dirtbikes are the best teacher for any type of riding.

It really is best to start as young as possible, learn how to crash without injuring yourself (like when rolling can save pain and when it will add to it) and it tends to stick with you forever. But it's never too late to get out and get dirty.

Leaning = Good.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sukd3fV6reg

I would offer that your tire shows clearly that there's PLENTY of room to lean that big boy over further. I'd look for a mentor--someone you can TRUST and follow. Bikes will lean more than we expect they can. Practice is really a key thing here.

how aggressive were you with the Ninja? One of these days I should just find and follow you on your bike...

Did I mention I off-roaded my Vulcan? I may look calm and safe while riding but I can be a sick son of a b...

Slowly break the unused tread in, I just remembered that new tires need to be broken in for optimal grip and since you haven't used a nice portion yet just slowly lean further and further, even if you have softer compound on the sides vs. center.

So, I experimented a little today with some turns.

I noticed that when I lean the bike, I'm leaning the bike, only. My torso is actually fighting the lean and keeping my torso perpendicular to the road.

On the occasions I kept my body flat with the bike - I leaned faster and had to back off a bit.

I can't say I leaned or made my turns faster, but I can say that I made the bike wobble a bit adjusting my body through the turns.

So, perhaps finally I am starting to learn more about riding my bike. We'll see.

RhadamYgg

RhadamYgg wrote:So, I experimented a little today with some turns.

I noticed that when I lean the bike, I'm leaning the bike, only. My torso is actually fighting the lean and keeping my torso perpendicular to the road.

You are actually focusing too much on the leaning of the bike instead of getting it around the corner more effectively.

Try hanging one cheek off the seat, sticking your knee out (you are a long way from touching it down - don't worry), leaning forward and looking forward through the turn. The first few times it will feel wierd but then you will start to get more comfortable cornering. You will be keeping your c of g low while keeping more tire on the ground by having the bike more upright. Go in slow in and a gear too high and use the throttle to maintain your line by increasing your speed through the corner (learning this on a B-King has got to me more difficult than using a more balanced low powered bike). As you gain confidence the lean angle will come. And remember: Chicken strips are not important - gaining skills and confidence is.

Do you ever do any parking lot practice? I know NJ is crowded but surely you can find a nice empty (or empty area) of parking lot somewhere around there. Get yourself a few cheap cones - just 1 will do but if you have like 5, better. Go do some circles - start out slow and move up in speed until you're leaning over more and more. Keep conscious of your body as you've been advised, and you'll figure it out.

Oh, and I'm sure I have big chicken strips but I don't really give a damn. I go quickly enough through turns to keep me happy (and traffic off my "O Ring") and that's all that matters to me.

High_Side wrote:

RhadamYgg wrote:So, I experimented a little today with some turns.

I noticed that when I lean the bike, I'm leaning the bike, only. My torso is actually fighting the lean and keeping my torso perpendicular to the road.

You are actually focusing too much on the leaning of the bike instead of getting it around the corner more effectively.

Try hanging one cheek off the seat, sticking your knee out (you are a long way from touching it down - don't worry), leaning forward and looking forward through the turn. The first few times it will feel wierd but then you will start to get more comfortable cornering. You will be keeping your c of g low while keeping more tire on the ground by having the bike more upright. Go in slow in and a gear too high and use the throttle to maintain your line by increasing your speed through the corner (learning this on a B-King has got to me more difficult than using a more balanced low powered bike). As you gain confidence the lean angle will come. And remember: Chicken strips are not important - gaining skills and confidence is.

Hmmm... I really hate going in to turns in too high a gear. The bike feels too 'light' if that makes any sense. But I definitely can try it. Check off, knee out, higher gear.

Just need time to practice.