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This is my 3rd season riding. I started with a CB750 S Nighthawk. While it was a great bike I had always wanted a v star but thought that might be a little much to start with. Anyway, I've finally aquired an 1100 v star. I find it very comfortable and actually easier to handle than the nighthawk....except for the curves. This is where i'm seeking advice from those with expierience on larger bikes. I have a tendency to overshoot the curves and take them way to wide, dangerously at times. Even making right or left turns from a stand still I tend to overshoot. Is there some thing I'm missing here? Should I be using more steering input? Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

Some bikes, just take a little more muscle on the countersteering. But its also possible its shaken your confidence in yourself a bit too, and you're being a little more cautious on steering inputs than you usually are

My advice would be to drop your speed a little more on entry, and rebuild up the confidence in your skills

At the moment, I'm on a new bike too, and learning the bike, and rebuilding that confidence too. So its not just you

My experience with a Triumph Bonneville vs. a Suzuki Marauder 800 (a standard vs. a cruiser, both 450 lb 800cc bikes): the Marauder requires quite a bit more counter-steer to initiate a lean. Once leaned over, the Marauder is light on the controls to maintain the turn. Just the initial push needed more.

The key to making turns from a standstill is too ride S-L-O-W-L-Y. then wait until you've almost completed the turn to hit the throttle. This will keep you from overshooting.

As previously stated, if you're overshooting "normal" turns then your entry speed is too high.

Give yourself some time for you and your reactions to get used to the new bike.

jetmech727 wrote:This is my 3rd season riding. I started with a CB750 S Nighthawk. While it was a great bike I had always wanted a v star but thought that might be a little much to start with. Anyway, I've finally aquired an 1100 v star. I find it very comfortable and actually easier to handle than the nighthawk....except for the curves. This is where i'm seeking advice from those with expierience on larger bikes. I have a tendency to overshoot the curves and take them way to wide, dangerously at times. Even making right or left turns from a stand still I tend to overshoot. Is there some thing I'm missing here? Should I be using more steering input? Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

I know what you're going through. I have to push my 750 lb. bike through those turns too. I used to laugh at my buddy with his full dresser Guzzi being left behind because he was so slow in making turns, but now I know why.
You have to slow down with a big cruiser. You go too fast and you'll either overshoot the turn or scrape the pegs. Either one isn't very pleasent.
Better slow and safe than sorry.

BTW: You'll always have the power, to catch up to, who ever you're riding with.