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Some questions on "spirited" cornering...

Posted: Sun May 21, 2006 4:05 pm
by fiveoboy01
I've been getting more comfortable on my bike and taking corners at a quicker pace. But, still being pretty new, I've been taking it easy and I have a few questions.

Let's say I'm in the middle of a fast corner and rolling on the throttle as I start to pass the apex of the turn.

What are some warning signs I'd see here that the front or rear tire is about to lose traction? Does the rear start to slide, or wiggle? In a car it's easy to tell, but I'm not sure what to feel for with a bike. And I'd guess I have much less room for error here than I would with a 4-wheeled car.

What is the proper way to correct such a condition? Get off the throttle, get on it more? Less counter-steering pressure(reducing lean angle)?

Which has a tendency to lose traction first, the front tire or the rear tire? This is assuming that throttle input is steady, and NOT too excessive as to be the cause of the rear tire sliding out.

Is the general rule to get back on the throttle as you're passing the turn's apex, or would it be before/after?

Also, do I want to shift my butt around on the seat when cornering at speed? I see that it's done, but I'm not sure what the reason for it is.

Re: Some questions on "spirited" cornering...

Posted: Sun May 21, 2006 6:50 pm
by Skier
Go read Hough's Proficient Motorcycling and More Proficient Motorcycling books. It will answer dang near all those questions. As for this one:
fiveoboy01 wrote: Is the general rule to get back on the throttle as you're passing the turn's apex, or would it be before/after?
You should be on the throttle immediatly after initiating a lean for a corner. This settles the bike's suspension and actually increases ground clearance. Don't romp on the gas, but give it enough to at least keep your entry speed.

Posted: Sat May 27, 2006 7:52 am
by CMGS5
Be smooth on your throttle especailly when rolling off the throttle, if you need to break make sure you are not leaning

Posted: Sat May 27, 2006 2:10 pm
by Mag7C
CMGS5 wrote:if you need to break make sure you are not leaning
you can brake in a lean, just use the rear brake only and do it really smooth and easy. It's better to not enter a curve too fast in the first place, but sometimes the situation arises that you need to slow down.

Posted: Sat May 27, 2006 2:16 pm
by Sev
Mag7C wrote:
CMGS5 wrote:if you need to break make sure you are not leaning
you can brake in a lean, just use the rear brake only and do it really smooth and easy. It's better to not enter a curve too fast in the first place, but sometimes the situation arises that you need to slow down.
It should be pointed out that you can only gradually apply it, and doing so will cause your bike to stand itself up slowly. Do not fight this inclination.

Posted: Sun May 28, 2006 3:57 am
by zarakand
Mag7C wrote:
CMGS5 wrote:if you need to break make sure you are not leaning
you can brake in a lean, just use the rear brake only and do it really smooth and easy. It's better to not enter a curve too fast in the first place, but sometimes the situation arises that you need to slow down.
Yes, much to my dismay there's a hard blind curve near O'Hare where the speed limit's 45mph. Those no good @#@, recently added a signal in the middle of the curve just past the blind corner. So you're in your lean, having a great time, reving to increase, not quite obeying that 45mph sign, and BAM all of a sudden roughly 50 feet ahead there's a red light.

ya

Posted: Wed May 31, 2006 1:04 pm
by nahonix
I agree with CMGS5, be smooth on throttle or traction will be lost.

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