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Just wondering if any other new riders experience this same issue. For some reason when I am taking a left curve I can't help but to hug the middle of the road. Right curves are no problem, but I can't seem to stay off the yellow line on left curves. I remember having a similar problem when I first began driving. I was constantly worrying about clipping mailboxes on the right side of the road with my mirrors, so I would hug the yellow line.

That is soooooo common, and the mark of a poor driver or rider. I think it's the optical illusion of driving toward the edge of the road that causes it. I learned to move to the right-side tire track when making left curves, especially if there was somewhat limited visibility. I wish I had a dollar for every time I was going around right-hand curve and some idiot was coming the other way partially in my lane. I'd go out and buy myself a Gold Wing. Maybe two.

qwerty wrote:I'd go out and buy myself a Gold Wing. Maybe two.

Now you're talking

As for the original question. You want to create as much arc as possible. Giving you the most visibility going around a left hand sweeper. To do so, you would actually give up on your blocking position and move over to the right tire track or right of centre. This will create the most visibilty for you sweeping around that left hander. Also as mentioned by the last poster, many times you will encounter cagers over the yellow line. Be prepared for them. You know, they're not prepared to see you.

Good luck.

I can't say I've ever had that problem in a car or a bike.

It was hammered into our heads during MSF that you should never hug the inside of a curve. It reduces your visibility around the curve and leaves you screwed if the curve suddenly tightens up on you.

You should really take an MSF and buy the book Proficient Motorcycling to get a handle on proper curve geometry and lines. It very well could save your life.

If you're riding scared, you need to fix that *yesterday*.

If you take the apex of the curve later, then you'll have less chance of having to hug the inside to make it. Then you'll have a bigger picture of the curve ahead.

I just reviewed your posting history and it appears obvious to me that you have not taken the MSF class. Sign up for one *now* and I'd suggest not riding again until the course is completed.

Between this post and the post where you stated you ride the clutch through a turn, it's apparent that you know *nothing* about how to properly ride. MSF class will teach you to slow down *before* the turn, and roll on the throttle all the way *through* the turn. Coasting or braking through turns is asking for a lowside.

I'm a newbie too. Don't think I'm some old motorcycling god or something.

Take MSF. Please.

jonnythan wrote:Take MSF. Please.

+1

The technique discussed above is called "delayed apex cornering". It is clearly presented in "Proficient Motorcycle" by David Hough, as jonnythan pointed out.

BTW, though you titled your thread "for other newbies" (and gotten some excellent advice from a newb on this thread), this is the kind of question to ask experienced riders. That's what TMW is for, sharing and learning.

I do consider myself new as new can be, but I like to think I know what I am doing slightly past "nothing". I took a motorcycle course before I began riding. Having the knowledge and actually putting it into practice while breaking habits are two different things. Right now I ride at night so there is no traffic so that I can practice the things I have learned.

jonnythan wrote:It was hammered into our heads during MSF that you should never hug the inside of a curve. It reduces your visibility around the curve and leaves you screwed if the curve suddenly tightens up on you.

Last time I hugged the inside of a curve, it did just that and I ended up off roading, luckily I kept it up, never have since, haven't ridden on grass since