OP, get a copy of Total Control. There's a LOT of good info on this.
A Twist of the Wrist 2 is also a great intro to basic cornering skills. It can be found in print and video form.
I 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.
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.
Thanks, and you too! I cannot disagree with any of your points.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!
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.
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.
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?
Eventually it's my intention to attend a track day. Should I look into one while I'm still getting down the fundamentals?
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.
downhill + light acceleration == more acceleration. adding speed while not being comfortable with the line is your primary mistake.
this
doing this without addressing speed is misguided. adding lean angle while also adding speed is one of the riskiest things a rider can do. not adding speed is far safer than adding lean angle.
of course, this depends on the situation and some information we are missing. if the rider never attained a turning radius that would make the corner, more counter steering is absolutely necessary (or more brake before the turn). if the rider was on the correct turning radius and ruined it with acceleration, the safest fix is to not add that acceleration. I read the OP as the latter.