How many does perfect cornering skills(Bending and Leaning)?
I am trying to perfect Cornering skills in Motorcycles, ofcourse in free roads
. Remember I'm driving a Indian Bike(Apache 180); not a SBK.
this thread started Me Trying to Achieve this skills.
[xBhp Universal Thread]: Bending and LeaningThread - xBhp.com : The Global Indian Biking Community
As someone mentioned Keith codes twist of the wrist DVD is great source. I am no expert at cornering but you can try few things that helped me better cornering.
1. Look through the turn- you go where u look. I was f*ing up even if i look through the turn. actually you should turn your head towards the corner and look through. Just eye balls wont help. Only Rossi can do it!!
2. Learn about counter steering.. you do this but you dont realise
3. Inner elbow pointing to ground
4. no death grip - dont hold handle bars too tight. relax
5. select good corner entry speed.. dont chop the throttle in the turn or brake. be in 2-3d gear=good torque.
6. ride with your balls of feet on peg.. in india we mostly use place center of the foot on peg (at least i used to)
Leaning /bending/ knee dragging whatever (you really dont have to drag knees on road) -- well this is the skill i still have to master. But safe place is to do it on Track. I have done couple of track days but still i got log way to go. may be i shud sign up for keith codes $uperbike $chool.
Here are few tips. apart from all the above steps you have to
1. get ur butt off the seat - start with ur butt crack on inner edge of the seat..
2. stick ur knees out - if u making left corner. imagin ur toe pointing to 12'oclock .. now turn the knee to 9 o'clock.. thats where ur knee should be to begin..
3. align your head with inner mirror..
4. this is far most difficult for me - supporting your outer legs on the tanks. if u making lef turn u r supppos to suppport right legs on to tank. I just forget about what i am doing with outer legs while in corner!!
5. all of above while not chopping throttle - constant speed through out the corner.. while exiting corner just open the throttle..
All above tips are for improving rider skills. You can also do something to your bike. especially tires.
- reduce air pressure tad little.. you have play around for right combination. but BE CAREFUL!!!
- warm the tires before doing any agressive cornering
- if available in india change the tires to dual compound.. they are little xpensive but it gives you good confidence in cornering.. if its not available dont worry.
All of these skill can be bettered on track. but in india theres only one track in chennai. i hope this sport will pick up and u can do more track days.. and become better rider.. Good luck ..ride safe.. and "takeiteasy" !!