Noob to sports bikes

[frozenpenguins]

Just got my first sports bike recently, so I'm pretty much a noob... I only know how to go straight and change gears properly only... cornering still buay zai...

 

What I'd like to ask is the proper techniques for cornering (fast)... i.e. the weight shiftings, leaning, lean angle, etc. techniques...

 

Would any kind bro like to give a brief (or concise) tutorial?

[Metal_Heart]

Just got my first sports bike recently, so I'm pretty much a noob... I only know how to go straight and change gears properly only... cornering still buay zai...

 

What I'd like to ask is the proper techniques for cornering (fast)... i.e. the weight shiftings, leaning, lean angle, etc. techniques...

 

Would any kind bro like to give a brief (or concise) tutorial?

 

You can try googling "keith code superbike school" there's a cornering forum. But reading will only get you so far. Don't worry about cornering fast it will come eventually when you're confident and have gotten used to the bike.

 

Don't push yourself to corner fast before you are used to your bike.

[frozenpenguins]

You can try googling "keith code superbike school" there's a cornering forum. But reading will only get you so far. Don't worry about cornering fast it will come eventually when you're confident and have gotten used to the bike.

 

Don't push yourself to corner fast before you are used to your bike.

 

woooo.... ok thanks bro

[Raptor]

Please go to a race track like PG.. if you want to learn how to corner fast on your bike. Public roads is definitely not the place to try.

[Oil Changer]

practice braking first. find the spot to brake and release the brakes. always take a clean smooth line. Dont care about power first. The hallmark of a good racer is very good timing. timing of whne to brake. when to release. when to hit apex, when to full throttle.

 

One word to sum it all. SMOOTHNESS.I've seen 125cc chase bigger bike through south buona vista and you can tell they are smooth from corner entry to exit. If the big bike riders are smooth, small bikes stand little chance.

 

Of course this are all reckless riders la. Dont push it to the limits on the streets. Please go to the track for ur practice. U can practice being a smoother rider on the road. just dont speed.

[frozenpenguins]

I totally understand that the roads are not a race track... don't want to risk other peoples' lives and my own insurance while I'm at it...

 

all in all, the key to a good corner attack is smoothness aye?

[Oil Changer]

I totally understand that the roads are not a race track... don't want to risk other peoples' lives and my own insurance while I'm at it...

 

all in all, the key to a good corner attack is smoothness aye?

 

smoothnness and understanding the relationship between lean angles and grip. U start hanging off the bike because u want the bike to be as straight as possible. Alot of riders dont understand that. I see many mats rempit take a corner real fast and scrape the footpegs with sparks flying out. Its totally not cool. Thats why many "racers" slide out. When u are nearing the limits of contact patch and going to scrape pegs. lean ur body more into the corner to offset that. hang out furthur to get less lean and more grip!

 

If you noticed.. some riders corner with a static body. Like glued to the bike. Dont. Ride more athletically, move around. lean into the G forces. Look where u wanna go. If u do it nice, its like poetry in motion.

 

See this rider.

I think he is smooth. At 59sec he fixated on the guardrail, see how he turns his head into the coner exit and saves himself. Thats how important of looking where u wanna go.

[Metal_Heart]

smoothnness and understanding the relationship between lean angles and grip. U start hanging off the bike because u want the bike to be as straight as possible. Alot of riders dont understand that. I see many mats rempit take a corner real fast and scrape the footpegs with sparks flying out. Its totally not cool. Thats why many "racers" slide out. When u are nearing the limits of contact patch and going to scrape pegs. lean ur body more into the corner to offset that. hang out furthur to get less lean and more grip!

 

If you noticed.. some riders corner with a static body. Like glued to the bike. Dont. Ride more athletically, move around. lean into the G forces. Look where u wanna go. If u do it nice, its like poetry in motion.

 

See this rider.

I think he is smooth. At 59sec he fixated on the guardrail, see how he turns his head into the coner exit and saves himself. Thats how important of looking where u wanna go.

 

Very true! :thumb:

[frozenpenguins]

smoothnness and understanding the relationship between lean angles and grip. U start hanging off the bike because u want the bike to be as straight as possible. Alot of riders dont understand that. I see many mats rempit take a corner real fast and scrape the footpegs with sparks flying out. Its totally not cool. Thats why many "racers" slide out. When u are nearing the limits of contact patch and going to scrape pegs. lean ur body more into the corner to offset that. hang out furthur to get less lean and more grip!

 

If you noticed.. some riders corner with a static body. Like glued to the bike. Dont. Ride more athletically, move around. lean into the G forces. Look where u wanna go. If u do it nice, its like poetry in motion.

 

See this rider.

I think he is smooth. At 59sec he fixated on the guardrail, see how he turns his head into the coner exit and saves himself. Thats how important of looking where u wanna go.

 

I see.... but it kinds of takes some balls to get the butt off the seat while the bike's in motion aye?

[frozenpenguins]

double post

[Oil Changer]

I see.... but it kinds of takes some balls to get the butt off the seat while the bike's in motion aye?

 

Not really, thats how bikes are meant to be ridden. It takes more balls to have ur ass foolishly glued to the seat and take a fast low corner if u understand the physics behind it. Its actually more stable when u shift ur weight. U have less lean angles, more tyre contact patch and ur weight is countering the G forces. Of course having said that, how much to hang out depends on how fast u take a corner. If u are going 20km/hr and hang ur butt out its equally dangerous as the tyres have no contact pressure.

 

The goal here is to find the best contact presssure, most traction out of ur tyres. You can try sliding ur ass a little to get a little idea. Soon you wont fear it.

 

Here's a very good video that shows what happens when u coner fast with a static upper body. Do compare the first rider's posture and the 2nd.

Edited March 21, 2013 by Oil Changer

[frozenpenguins]

Not really, thats how bikes are meant to be ridden. It takes more balls to have ur ass foolishly glued to the seat and take a fast low corner if u understand the physics behind it. Its actually more stable when u shift ur weight. U have less lean angles, more tyre contact patch and ur weight is countering the G forces. Of course having said that, how much to hang out depends on how fast u take a corner. If u are going 20km/hr and hang ur butt out its equally dangerous as the tyres have no contact pressure.

 

The goal here is to find the best contact presssure, most traction out of ur tyres. You can try sliding ur ass a little to get a little idea. Soon you wont fear it.

 

Here's a very good video that shows what happens when u coner fast with a static upper body. Do compare the first rider's posture and the 2nd.

 

I see... thanks for the advice... shall view the video when I go home.

[HimQQ]

Not really, thats how bikes are meant to be ridden. It takes more balls to have ur ass foolishly glued to the seat and take a fast low corner if u understand the physics behind it. Its actually more stable when u shift ur weight. U have less lean angles, more tyre contact patch and ur weight is countering the G forces. Of course having said that, how much to hang out depends on how fast u take a corner. If u are going 20km/hr and hang ur butt out its equally dangerous as the tyres have no contact pressure.

 

The goal here is to find the best contact presssure, most traction out of ur tyres. You can try sliding ur ass a little to get a little idea. Soon you wont fear it.

 

Here's a very good video that shows what happens when u coner fast with a static upper body. Do compare the first rider's posture and the 2nd.

 

Good info for sharing

[Oil Changer]

I alwasy feel that riding itself is art in motion. the bike and the rider becomes one with each other. The bike is not controlling the rider and the rider is not fighting the bike. If we stiffen up or grip the handlebars too tight, all the bumps and shocks will be absorbed by the rider and the rider will in turn transfer the unsteady inputs to the bike.

 

Just by relaxing your whole body, your whole riding style will change. Listen to the bike, (yes i know it sounds cheesy) let it run like your horse, you'll be surprised how often the bike will correct itself. If you do get a tank slapper, Do not fight it by gripping the handle bars tight. You'll only make it worse by transferring more "tank slapping inputs"back to the bike. If we just relax the grip a little, 90% of the time the chassis will absorb and disperse the oscillations on its own.

 

See how the bike manages to run off-road and stay upright on its own. Relax and go with the flow. turn left lean left, accelerate lean front. brake lean back. Haha abit like taichi.

 

Oh yes! Found the very useful video on body positioning:

link on more videos from there to learn more!

 

For those experienced track junkies and experienced road riders please share here with us newbies!

Edited March 22, 2013 by Oil Changer

[Limhg]

wah.. penguin wants to go racing already ah..

[frozenpenguins]

wah.. penguin wants to go racing already ah..

 

no la... just want to go reasonably faster around corners

[Limhg]

same like how u play the car racing games lor. Take a wider line and know where u want to apex. even on small narrow roads, you follow "racing lines" can reduce how much u need to lean dramatically. Means u can gas with more confidence.

 

u got feel ur tyres losing grip meh?

[frozenpenguins]

same like how u play the car racing games lor. Take a wider line and know where u want to apex. even on small narrow roads, you follow "racing lines" can reduce how much u need to lean dramatically. Means u can gas with more confidence.

 

u got feel ur tyres losing grip meh?

 

bikes different from car games lei... generally I understand the lean angle ****... but my balls still not up there yet to go lower haha

 

and yes my stock tires aren't really that grippy

[Heathx]

smoothnness and understanding the relationship between lean angles and grip. U start hanging off the bike because u want the bike to be as straight as possible. Alot of riders dont understand that. I see many mats rempit take a corner real fast and scrape the footpegs with sparks flying out. Its totally not cool. Thats why many "racers" slide out. When u are nearing the limits of contact patch and going to scrape pegs. lean ur body more into the corner to offset that. hang out furthur to get less lean and more grip!

 

If you noticed.. some riders corner with a static body. Like glued to the bike. Dont. Ride more athletically, move around. lean into the G forces. Look where u wanna go. If u do it nice, its like poetry in motion.

 

See this rider.

I think he is smooth. At 59sec he fixated on the guardrail, see how he turns his head into the coner exit and saves himself. Thats how important of looking where u wanna go.

 

Let me just understand the theory behind what you have posted. I'm very keen to understand more about this as i plan to go track one day, and knowing the theory beforehand will make on-the-ground practice easier and faster to learn.

 

Basically, while cornering, if the rider were to maintain static on the bike, to clear the corner, rider will need to go at a lower angle just to get a lower cg to counteract the centrifugal force. However, if rider were to lean out, like right butt cheek only contacting the seat, while left butt cheek out and left knee down, the CG is now shifted away from the bike towards the inside of the bend, thus the bike does not need to lean as low as if the rider is static both butt cheeks on the seat, yes?

 

I understand the part about leaning angles, whereby a lower lean angle will mean less contact surface btn tyres and road and so easier to lowslide.

[Oil Changer]

Let me just understand the theory behind what you have posted. I'm very keen to understand more about this as i plan to go track one day, and knowing the theory beforehand will make on-the-ground practice easier and faster to learn.

 

Basically, while cornering, if the rider were to maintain static on the bike, to clear the corner, rider will need to go at a lower angle just to get a lower cg to counteract the centrifugal force. However, if rider were to lean out, like right butt cheek only contacting the seat, while left butt cheek out and left knee down, the CG is now shifted away from the bike towards the inside of the bend, thus the bike does not need to lean as low as if the rider is static both butt cheeks on the seat, yes?

 

I understand the part about leaning angles, whereby a lower lean angle will mean less contact surface btn tyres and road and so easier to lowslide.

 

Yea.. Nailed it...Looking foward to see you setting a new lap record on ur sp!

[Heathx]

Yea.. Nailed it...Looking foward to see you setting a new lap record on ur sp!

 

Swee! Another new understanding gained! Currently sometimes when i take a corner fast, i tend to remain static. Maybe if the opportunity arises again, i can try shifting out a bit just to get the feel of shifting my butt around the seat so it feels more natural.

 

New lap record in PG, very hard. I'm a newbie, not a seasoned rider, still much to learn! And i'm pretty sure there are other titanium balls riders out there!

[Limhg]

Swee! Another new understanding gained! Currently sometimes when i take a corner fast, i tend to remain static. Maybe if the opportunity arises again, i can try shifting out a bit just to get the feel of shifting my butt around the seat so it feels more natural.

 

New lap record in PG, very hard. I'm a newbie, not a seasoned rider, still much to learn! And i'm pretty sure there are other titanium balls riders out there!

 

Another good point. On the streets, in some situations it may not be wise. Dont shift ur butt out in heavy traffic. Its difficult to make fast mid corner corrections if the need arises. Cant reach the rear brakes in time and cant shift to the other side fast enough too. Anyway, on the streets u shouldnt be going fast enough to drag knees in the first place..

[frozenpenguins]

lol... I don't think it's wise to butt out in traffic jams either...

 

thanks for the new understandings :3

[Oil Changer]

Swee! Another new understanding gained! Currently sometimes when i take a corner fast, i tend to remain static. Maybe if the opportunity arises again, i can try shifting out a bit just to get the feel of shifting my butt around the seat so it feels more natural.

 

New lap record in PG, very hard. I'm a newbie, not a seasoned rider, still much to learn! And i'm pretty sure there are other titanium balls riders out there!

 

New personal record lor.. =) Nice to see someone refurb a sp. =D keep these good on the streets and one day it'll become an icon

[Oil Changer]

lol... I don't think it's wise to butt out in traffic jams either...

 

thanks for the new understandings :3

 

U're welcome... What new bike have u? How come you find the need to go faster round corners?