Cornering and going wide
- Thread starter kelso
- Start date
ScottRNelson
Mr. Dual Sport Rider
I consider Total Control to be the best of half a dozen riding books I've read to learn how to best control a motorcycle. But A Twist of The Wrist 2 is still aimed at race track skills even if it claims to be more street oriented than the first book.
Personally, I thing Proficient Motorcycling is the best book of all to learn how to ride safely. We shouldn't always be trying to go faster. I just want to enjoy the ride and get back in one piece every time.
Personally, I thing Proficient Motorcycling is the best book of all to learn how to ride safely. We shouldn't always be trying to go faster. I just want to enjoy the ride and get back in one piece every time.
Last edited:
ThinkFast
Live Long
Not to beat a dead horse, but I couldn’t help but throw in my $0.02 (mostly a summarization of what’s already been said).
1. Props to OP on thinking about this; asking about this; and being open.
2. What went wrong (my take only - I wasn’t there)
- failure to look far enough ahead prior to entry
- too fast going in
- improper throttle control once in the corner
- failure to maintain visual focus on desired direction
3. What you might want to work on/learn about
-SLOW DOWN! On the track the mantra is, “if you’re scaring yourself, you’re going too fast. Slow down until you’re comfortable.” Same thing applies in a street environment.
- looking as far ahead as possible will help you adjust your speed prior to the corner, and stay on desired line once in corner
- trust your equipment - your tires and your motorcycle have waaay more capability than a new rider does.
- be careful about trying to apply advanced skills before you’re ready to. The traditional cornering advice about rolling on in the corner works great - if you’ve done all your braking before you get to the apex and have set your speed and your line for a good line through. All that goes out the window if you’ve “overcooked” the corner! Your tires have way more grip than you are using, so you can safely roll off *a little* mid corner with little risk of losing the front. Mainly, you’ve gotta be looking where you want to go - your brain will figure out what else is needed to get you there.
4. Do a track day with an instructor. Everything above will come into focus very quickly in the safety of a track environment, and translate directly into your street riding.
Good luck and have fun!! That’s why we ride!
1. Props to OP on thinking about this; asking about this; and being open.
2. What went wrong (my take only - I wasn’t there)
- failure to look far enough ahead prior to entry
- too fast going in
- improper throttle control once in the corner
- failure to maintain visual focus on desired direction
3. What you might want to work on/learn about
-SLOW DOWN! On the track the mantra is, “if you’re scaring yourself, you’re going too fast. Slow down until you’re comfortable.” Same thing applies in a street environment.
- looking as far ahead as possible will help you adjust your speed prior to the corner, and stay on desired line once in corner
- trust your equipment - your tires and your motorcycle have waaay more capability than a new rider does.
- be careful about trying to apply advanced skills before you’re ready to. The traditional cornering advice about rolling on in the corner works great - if you’ve done all your braking before you get to the apex and have set your speed and your line for a good line through. All that goes out the window if you’ve “overcooked” the corner! Your tires have way more grip than you are using, so you can safely roll off *a little* mid corner with little risk of losing the front. Mainly, you’ve gotta be looking where you want to go - your brain will figure out what else is needed to get you there.
4. Do a track day with an instructor. Everything above will come into focus very quickly in the safety of a track environment, and translate directly into your street riding.
Good luck and have fun!! That’s why we ride!
Last edited:
Gravisman
Aspiring Racer
The main advantage Twist of the Wrist 2 offers is that you can watch it in video form, which is sometimes nicer than a book. And the video is aimed at "canyon carving" riders.
LakeMerrit
*Merritt
just look where you want to go (not at the rail) and force more lean angle (push the inside bar forwards, weight the inside foot). Unless you're dragging peg/muffler, you've got more lean available.
If you're already scraping a lot (out of lean angle), move yourself further off the bike to put more weight on the inside tire edge, and slow down next time because this was a close call and a sign you were out of your depth on this one.
If you're already scraping a lot (out of lean angle), move yourself further off the bike to put more weight on the inside tire edge, and slow down next time because this was a close call and a sign you were out of your depth on this one.
Thanks, and you too! I cannot disagree with any of your points.
Eventually it's my intention to attend a track day. Should I look into one while I'm still getting down the fundamentals? Do they have courses for noobs? Can you make any recommendations?
thepretender
Well-known member
I suggest you read as many books as you can also watch Twist of The Wrist several time until you hear the commentary in your head while riding.
Proper technique will go along way and practice will keep you doing the right things. It's easy to get lazy and not THINK while you ride and one of the easiest habits to go especially if your on freeways and streets most of the time is not looking as far into the turn as you can. Just looking at where you want to go instead of right in front of you will make you safer and faster.
When in the canyons I often get motion sick because what I'm looking at and the motion my body is out of sync my brain doesn't compensate. I take anti motion pills before I ride (most of the time) when I forget and start feeling sick I force myself to look straight ahead this syncs my brain and also slows me down. Yes I use bad technique to slow down. Sometimes this means I'm in a corner and my brain goes whoa but I know that at anytime I just look into the turn farther and handle it no problem.
The big 3 all will have an instructor to work with you. Z2 is very newbie friendly. Pacific track time and carters at the track are excellent as well.
Slow Goat
Fun Junkie
Track for newbs? Yes...
Absolutely, preferably with one of the three mentioned.
The track environment is smooth with no road hazards or blind corners (per se) or damn cars. The other riders will not bother you, you can have an instructor lead you or follow you and give you lap to lap critique and instruction. Bring a little notebook to tuck in your jacket if you want.
You will be a better rider by the end of that one day.
Absolutely, preferably with one of the three mentioned.
The track environment is smooth with no road hazards or blind corners (per se) or damn cars. The other riders will not bother you, you can have an instructor lead you or follow you and give you lap to lap critique and instruction. Bring a little notebook to tuck in your jacket if you want.
You will be a better rider by the end of that one day.
ThinkFast
Live Long
Z2 has a lot of upcoming track days. Awesome, they're local to Sac! I think I'm gonna shoot for the end of August.
Thanks!. :thumbup
I was going to say the same thing using different words, but when the OP stated the curve was downhill, that is the first thing that came to my mind when the topic of acceleration came up. I learned how downhill roads can mess with your conventional thinking a long time ago.
ThinkFast
Live Long
Just read this today. Check it out if you’re hesitant about a tack day: https://www.rideapart.com/articles/360365/took-wrong-bike-track-awesome/