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I've got a light bike - GN 400 Suzuki and when I ride it on curves 45-55 (posted 45) mph on dry pavement I still have to watch my speed or I'm suddenly going too wide and heading off unless I slow down and take it tighter.

I've found that if I set back a little and shift my weight into my left hip (turning left) I can keep the line without drifting wide and keep the speed up. Is this what other people are doing or is it just because it is a light bike?

Feels almost like I'm on a horse and using my seat. My other thought is: I read once that road bike racers like Lemond and (tour de france etc)keep their roadbike on the line in their downhill turns by shifting their weight to the outside low pedal -and no brakes.

Do people shift their weight around on their motorcycles as they ride? Why? and when? Or is this just for the smaller bikes?

Thanks- seems simple but I always have something to learn!
:|

search for "countersteer"

You should consider taking the MSF course in your area as they will teach you all about this kind of stuff.

It sounds to me like you need to build a little more confidence in your ability to lean the bike over in a turn. You don't really shift the weight of your body on the bike so much as press down (towards the road) on the handlebar on the side you are turning (counter-steering).

The other thing you heard about shifting your weight to the outside low pedal is called counter-balancing and is used, normally, to do tight, low speed turns. Racers use this technique to increase the lean of their bike (therefore the degree of turn) and to offset the effects of centrifigal force at high speed.

You are kind of experiencing the same thing when you are "suddenly going too wide" ...centrifigal force is pulling you towards the outside of your turn. Increase your lean to offset it. Of course, there's the other side of that coin where, if you lean too much, the bike will simply keeping tipping right over or slide out from underneath you ...and you will low-side.

As above - do the MSF, it will explain all the problems you have been having, and show you how to counter them.

Perhaps having a prictice in a deserted car park or something might not be a bad idea, too - get used to getting that bike over in a turn.

" still have to watch my speed or I'm suddenly going too wide and heading off unless I slow down and take it tighter."
I'm pretty sure your problem is that you are looking at where you are going rather than where you want to be at the end of the turn or curve. When turning you must learn to look at some object like a road sign, tree, bush, etc, way down the road (100 yds) When you look at the edge of the road when turning the bike will surely go in that direction. Example: In a right hand turn or curve turn your head (not just your eyes) as far to the right as possible and NEVER look at the side of the road or yellow line in front of you or the bike will surely go a few feet in that direction. Counter steering is also a requirement...Push right to go right ...push left to go left.
I have written a short piece on this very subject on our blog on motorcyclediary.com You may want to check it out.

You may be going into the curve too fast or too far to the inside.

I highly recommend getting the book Proficient Motorcycling (both volumes). It gives some great tips on turns and curves.

+ 1 to what Kim says.

If you haven't the time or opportunity to take MSF, get a copy of David Hough's "Proficient Motorcycling". Contains lots of info and discussion on turns and turning.

I found my turns got alot tighter when I started looking where I wanted to go rather then where I was going.....that doesnt sound right does it? *L

NorthernPete wrote:I found my turns got alot tighter when I started looking where I wanted to go rather then where I was going.....that doesnt sound right does it? *L

It sounds right to me since it was one of the first things I had to learn when coming off dirt bikes. It's important to turn the entire head, not just the eyes, as far to the right or left as possible just before. entering the turn

I just meant it kinda sounds like I dont look where Im going...nm...long night...