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I recently started riding just a few months ago and on my first group ride, the guys told me that my rear tire would be good enough to last the rest of the season (wasn't exactly brand new). Once all the snow melts and I regain my bearings (and new tires of course), how will I know when it's time to push my limits? My weak point is in turning at high speeds. I always lose my riding group on turns and have to make up for it on straightaways. I always hear the whole "just wait until you're ready" but when is that? I've never dropped my bike or been in an accident (on my bike) and I don't want my first spill to deter me away from riding all together:(

Have you ever thought of doing a track day? The street is no place to push your limit.

If you have to ask, you're not ready. As your skills improve, you'll know when your ready... If your group leaves you in the dust, they're pushing you too hard and you're an accident looking for a place to happen. Take your time, practice in empty parking lots, and you will get better. Slow speed exercises translate into high speed skills, believe it or not...

Good luck and keep the rubber side down, and welcome to the forums... )

I agree with dr_bar. You're a noob on a sport bike, pushing yourself to keep up with experienced riders. That's a recipe for disaster.

If you have trouble with turns, you have no business chasing other riders at high speeds on public roads. Take it to the track where it belongs.

Joe

Take some classes & find some new friends to ride with!

The group you currently ride with sound like a bunch of twats!!

I haven't had a chance to ride with anyone yet, so I don't know if I'll be able to keep up or not, but honestly, I'm not worried about it. Ride your own ride, and if you're not with them the whole way it's not the end of the world. I'm more interested in becoming a better rider, becoming smoother on corners and shifting and learning to control the bike. I'm very aware of my limits and working to improve my skills, and from one new rider to another, I'd say focus on riding within your limits and building your skills rather than trying to keep up. If they leave you behind it's very likely that they're not concerned with how you're riding and you're not ready to ride with them yet. In both cases you're better off focusing on your own ride

just my opinion

Well I remember the course I took very well. In fact I was titled the best rider in the group (our class was split into 2 groups, so i guess i was one of the 2 best in the course). We were taking some pretty tight turns and I was very comfortable with it. The thing with my confidence waivering with my ability to take tight turns is that my bike is bigger than the one they use in the course so even when i walk a turn as tight as it'll go, it's still much wider. One of the instructors said that if we can ride at a snails pace without touching our feet to the ground, we're golden, but i sometimes need to do that for those tight turns. As for high speed turns, I took a nasty spill on a bicycle when I was younger so I think I'm slowing down more than I need to on turns which makes me feel very unexperienced and i tend to worry about what the person i'm slowing down behind me is thinking:(

I've noticed already with my riding that I'm a bit more confident in corners now, and can go a bit faster in them. Not speeding or reckless mind you, just a bit faster. I would assume as I get more experience and work on my skills that I should become more comfortable with cornering at a bit higher rate. I think it's just going to take practice and experience. I wouldn't worry about it, I'd just keeping riding as you are and get more comfortable and let it come to you. Maybe one of the more experienced riders can offer more info or advice, I'm still very green

Google "The Pace" there are many articles written on the subject, but it works well. Reading the post leads me to believe that you are entering corners too hot. The statement about catching up on the straights tells me your skills are not up to scratch and one of the basics of cornering is not there. I am not being harsh here, just telling it as I see it.

Your entry speed into a corner is critical, the basic is that you should be under power coming out, you can only do that if you get the entry speed right. Get a hold of Twist of the Wrist and read carefully.

Ride well
Stay safe