Going round corners on a bike

[nicholab]

How get your self going round corner at the proper speed on a motorbike? I am going too slowly so making the corner hard to take. Edited April 26, 2023 by nicholab

[3s-gtech]

Are you sure that’s a good idea?

[nicholab]

Are you sure that’s a good idea?

 

Well I am only doing half the speed every corner so making the turn harder to do?

[localzuk]

Is it me or is there only half the message in the first post?

[3s-gtech]

Well I am only doing half the speed every corner so making the turn harder to do?

 

It was more the mental image that, as your message cut off abruptly, that you were asking how to do so while approaching a corner on said motorbike with potentially disastrous results 🫣

[Andrew_C]

IPSGA* - Information Position Speed Gear Acceleration.

 

I - Start with working out how sharp the bend is - clues from signs, hedge lines, street lights you might see around it. Set your expectation here, but NOT set in stone.

P - Position yourself to get (and give) maximum visibility. Practically in the gutter for aright hander. Possibly (if safe) the other side of the middle for a LH.

S - Get your braking done here. You can always go in slower, and accelerate later.

G - Appropriate gear for acceleration. I struggled with my observer here, as I ride a very torquey V2 and don't need to drop gears as often as many bikes.

A - Acceleration will tend to tip the bike upright again.

 

To initiate your turn (somewhere after G) push forward on the end of the handlebar on the INSIDE of the turn. Called "counter steering". Best description I've heard is that it "trips the bike up, and it starts falling into the turn" Then a combination of pressure and balance to keep it on the line you need. Once you can see around the bend, return to your position on the road; about where cars' outside wheels run. Maximum visibility again.

 

If you are really struggling, booking a couple of hours with an instructor would be a plan, or maybe if the local Plod do a "BikeSafe" day, that is DEFINITELY worth doing.

 

*Institute of Advanced Motorists - and police bike mindset

[Davit2005]

Limit points and remember to be able to only ride/drive so fast that you can still stop on your side of the road in the distance you can see, half that on a single track road. Remember that you are a lot more vulnerable on a bike than in a car.

 

As @Andrew_C mentions, get involved with either a local IAM or RoSPA group and get some observation rides. Typically on a bike they might ask you to cover for their fuel but I've found in a car with RoSPA they don't as they are in your car. And get yourself a copy of roadcraft.

Edited April 26, 2023 by Davit2005

[nicholab]

I was observed by an IAM observer.

[foofighterjim]

You do have to build confidence with the sort of thing, @Andrew_C and @Davit2005 have pretty much nailed the best advice. Ultimately, you will only know the appropriate speed for a corer with experience, you capabilities, the bikes characteristics, weather conditions, hazards (seen and unseen) will all play a part. If you are more of a visual learner; Motorcycle PWR have some very good tutorial videos on YouTube, but remember, just because they did something in the video doesn't mean you can (or should) just be able to do the same thing immediately after watching it:

[Dos_Box]

As others have said, it's about experience, and every motorcycle is different in the way it can corner at varying speeds.

Once you get the hang of your bike than it may be worth your looking at techniques such as counter steering (already mentioned by @Andrew_C). Another tip is to go into a corner in a lower gear than you think you need so you generate traction and then allows you to acellerate easily once through.

It also helps, again, once you have got a bit more experience, to look at where the road goes around the bend i.e. you are looking well into the corner and you will find your body will steer the bike in the correct path. It's hard to explain, but does work very well when used in conjuction with the other techniques.

I miss my bike

Edited April 26, 2023 by Dos_Box

[dmj]

yeah riding experience is really difficult to describe in words.

Especially counter steering - it's interesting to try on a bicycle or motorcycle at low speed though. Just slightly push the handlebars in one direction and you'll see it steers in the opposite direction. So when you're turning into a corner, you're actually pushing the handlebar counter to the way you're turning.

 

My only 'advice' would be that you COMMIT to a corner. Once you've decided the gear, speed and the path you'll be taking you don't change. If you've made a mistake and are going too fast you have to commit further and lean in harder 99/100 you'll make it*. If you slam the brakes on and try and right the bike 99/100 you'll crash.

 

*unless you have a square tyre trail bike, when it will run out of tyre and spit you off backwards. Been there.

[Andrew_C]

to look at where the road goes

Yeah, I missed that one. Look where you WANT to go. If you look at the ditch, that is likely where you will end up.

[Garacesh]

I may not be the best to reply as my bike doesn't see all that much use at the moment (owing to there being naff all to do in rural Somerset), and it is only a 125, but personally I:

 

Knock off the the throttle (or feather the brake, if needed)

Lean in

Open the throttle again to keep momentum*

Upright when applicable.

* As long as the throttle is open, and you're still moving forward, your momentum will keep you in the turn.

 

Of course mine is an auto, so gears isn't something I need to worry about, YMMV.

 

The important one is to drop your speed and get your positioning right before the turn. It's much better to go in too slow than too fast. My bike does not like me braking whilst leaning.

 

As for speed, I tend to still be a little slow in them, on a 30mph road I'll probably be taking corners at 25. at 50, I'm doing around 40-42.

 

Also look where you want to be. Instinct does a lot of the work. If you're fearfully looking at the edge of the road because you're scared to go into it - you're gonna!

Edited April 26, 2023 by Garacesh

[sigma]

and you will find your body will steer the bike in the correct path. It's hard to explain, but does work very well when used in conjuction with the other techniques.

I miss my bike

 

Was described to me when I first started riding as stearing with your bum.

 

I usually try to choose a line that avoids manhole covers which are often positioned on corners and can be slippy.

[Dos_Box]

Was described to me when I first started riding as stearing with your bum.

 

I usually try to choose a line that avoids manhole covers which are often positioned on corners and can be slippy.

 

Nothing like comitting to a corner to find your path contains a manhole cover or pothole part way round!

Truly a moment that makes you wince internally!

[TechMonkey]

Nothing like comitting to a corner to find your path contains a manhole cover or pothole part way round!

Truly a moment that makes you wince internally!

 

That's when the steering with your bum comes in!!!

[arwen]

It's all in the hips ;-)

 

Point your hips where you want to go, and the bike will more than likely go (unless you are pushing the bars the other way.) Press down with one hip to "tip" the bike over on that side when going round corners.

Also, slow down and take the corner at the speed that you feel is safe to go round it. Then accelerate out of the corner. Never accelerate into a corner. Sharply slowing down (either engine braking or brake) mid corner will cause the bike to sit upright an force you to go straight ahead rather than round a corner.

[RedwayNetworks_Calum]

I thought I could add that California Superbike School have some videos online and on Youtube that explain some of the science and basics behind 'counter steering'. I found with practice though, and lots of speaking with friends on motorbikes, that it eventually clicked. It's quite a strange feeling at first though.

[Andrew_C]

One way to "experience" the effect, without the risks involved in a bend, it to try to gently push the bar away from one side, and keep the bike going in a straight line. Somewhere safe, obvs, and GENTLY!

[nicholab]

I thought I could add that California Superbike School have some videos online and on Youtube that explain some of the science and basics behind 'counter steering'. I found with practice though, and lots of speaking with friends on motorbikes, that it eventually clicked. It's quite a strange feeling at first though.

 

I reading a twist of the wrist 2 and the author was connected to th California Superbike school.

[RedwayNetworks_Calum]

I reading a twist of the wrist 2 and the author was connected to th California Superbike school.

 

Yes that is right, I believe it's Keith Code.

When I had just started riding I found it quite fascinating seeing the pillion just touching the end of the bars, and the bike moving

[DaveTheTech]

To add on to what others have said:

Counter Steering - you have already been ding this. But to re-enforce it, take one hand off the bar and place it on the tank. Then push with the other. Push left, go left - but you're turning the bars the opposite way - its counter steering.

 

As a side note, its why push bikes with stabilisers can be a bad thing, the kid needs to relearn how they steer.

 

Other things that may help:

When you turn the bars try to not push down, but straight away.

Keep your weight off your wrists

Body position - think about trying to kiss your mirrors

 

slow is smooth, smooth is fast

Dont go barrelling into the bend heavy on the brakes. Get yourself set up for the bend early. - ipsga, git, tug and other acronyms are available to use here.

 

 

No one will remember you going slowly round a bend.

They WILL remember you falling off.

[Davit2005]

T

No one will remember you going slowly round a bend.

They WILL remember you falling off.

 

That's a good one :-) . Even falling off at 30MPH can be painful, I've gone through a layer of thick clothing even at 10MPH, was only riding a 100cc Yamaha RXS100 in the 90's as I could back then with not any training till they changed the law, lol, and before I got more sense.

Edited April 27, 2023 by Davit2005

[nicholab]

I am making the bike less stable as I am going slow and not looking properly. I got city driver syndrome as well constantly looking at my speed. How if I am so rubbish did I pass my test?

 

I also not over taking enough so sat behind a lorry rather than gassing it.

Edited April 27, 2023 by nicholab

[TechMonkey]

I also not over taking enough.

 

Which mandatory overtaking minimum specification are you using?

Do not feel you have to overtake, only ride to the level you are happy to. If another bike appears and you feel you are hampering them, move over so they can proceed, do not feel pressured to speed up to fit them.

 

Overall, ride for yourself, not some arbitrary ideal or to please others.