Cornering

Mister James · I want to believe! Joined: 10 Aug 2004 Karma :

A thought struck me today as I rode home from work after a long hard day of (allegedly) being 'racist', 'oppressive' and 'worse dan de nazis'.

When I go round a tight corner, I tend to crouch into the tank, and push my weight slightly forward over the front wheel. It feels quite natural and stable to me, but is this what I should be doing according to best practise?

Also, could some bright spark explain high and low siding to me, I see them mentioned quite often, and nod and chuckle knowledgably along with the rest of you, but haven't a clue what they mean!

Many thanks in advance,

James

Jrod · Page 3 Girl Joined: 02 Aug 2004 Karma :

Low side Is when the bike slides from beneath you.
Highside is when the back wheel Is spinning or you lock It up, grips and suddenly the bike flicks upright and chucks you off the top........ I think. Razz

CBRPETER · Scooby Slapper Joined: 29 Sep 2004 Karma :

yeh thik so.. i think if you find it natural to put your weight forward then just do it. Don't try and change unless your having troubles with it. I think i do the same thing occasionly.
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Silver · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Oct 2004 Karma :

Going round a bend...

Lowside: back wheel loses traction and slips away from you, taking the bike with it.

Highside: like a lowside, except... the back wheel gains traction, instantly flicking the bike upright. More often than not this will fire the rider out of the seat and sometimes over the front bars.

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

I move my weight forwards too. Holds the front down as you accelerate out of the corner, loads up the front tyre so you get more grip so it is more likely to loose the back-end (which you have more chance of getting back) should things go wrong.

From a riders eye view:

Lowside: Ohshittheresgravelallovertheroad I'mgonnafalloff. CRUNCH.

Like this
https://www.cdnsuperbike.com/news/03/images/picotte_crash_0720.JPG

Highside: sweet corner, banked over, hang off, feed in the power Smile

. SKY EARTH SKY EARTH SKY CRUNCH. OW! Why am I lying in the road?

Like this
https://www.superbike.co.uk/images/for_web/racing/20_10_3/XAUS_CRASH.jpg
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craigT19 · Jolly Green Giant Joined: 09 Feb 2002 Karma :

lowside...your arse is normally the first thing to hit the road...well your body anyways Laughing

High side normally results in you landing on your head Mad

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CBRPETER · Scooby Slapper Joined: 29 Sep 2004 Karma :

just wondering, in gp races you see racers sorta loose grip and have a bit of a wobble only for the bike to grip again and for them to go on riding, is this highside and them luckily escaping being thrown off or is it just like they say wobbles?
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california_rookie · World Chat Champion Joined: 08 Aug 2004 Karma :

I tend to sit up pretty straight (as one can on a Gixxer) up to and through a fast turn, not so much so on lazier turns, but especially on near hairpins, etc. Then, start leaning forward as I phase the throttle back in. Still working on it, though. Thumbs Up

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stryker · Brolly Dolly Joined: 30 Aug 2004 Karma :

Hey mister james, I'd made a similar post about cornering a little while back. I found exactly the same as you, although I go forward and over a little bit more into the turn so my head is no long over the centre of the bike but more in line with the handle bar grip of the inside of the bend. I then find I'm kind of holding the bike down as opposed to sitting bolt upright (in relation to the bike) and holding the handle bar back...... erm, if you get me.

It does indeed feel a lot safer and firmer cornering like this. Also as you've moved your weight over a little it reduces the amount of lean you have to do to take the corner, although quiet naturally you'll not reduce your lean but increase your speed in corners.
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Now what?

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Silver · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Oct 2004 Karma :

BLOFLY 636 · Brolly Dolly Joined: 18 Aug 2004 Karma :

has anybody seen that short moto gp video clip that shows all those action scenes of guys passing, crashing, doing wheelies and having near misses? there is one scene in particular that I just can't get my head around Confused

it is a clip of Vallentino Rossi coming into a corner in the wet, but it looks like the rear tyre is sliding out like a motard, however he looks like he is in full control?? it just amazes me every time I see it Surprised

how does he not drop it??? he truly is an amazing man to watch him do the type of cornering that we can only dream of doing
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CBRPETER · Scooby Slapper Joined: 29 Sep 2004 Karma :

Alot of that is to the bikes credit, If you had slicks on and a setup like his you'd be amazed at what you can do. Then again he is a very good rider and alot of the credit has too be giving too him. Its the mix of a excellent bike, with an excellent rider which makes him soo good.
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