Leaning your bike over...

[thewhyoffry]

Sorry if there is already a topic on this, had a look but couldn't find it!

Been riding for about 2 years now, currently on a er6F. I ride aprox 220 miles a week mainly as a commuter. I seem to have a mental block on chucking the bike over. Although I like bikes, I am not a massive sports fan and never watch GP or the TT or anything. I just seem to feel like the bike will slip underneath me if I lean too much. I have PR4's on the bike so decent tires but although I know the bike is capable of anything I throw at it I guess I have a mental block in place.

Anybody have any good tips on overcoming this? I know going to a bike school would help but I don't really have the time or money.

Ta!
____________________
The why of fry

[SteveSmith]

[Monkeypony]

All of the above, combined with a healthy dose of MTFU.

But to be honest, this really isn't the ideal time of year to be pushing outside your comfort zone in the bends!
____________________
Current bike - 2018 H2-SX, 2004 SV1000s, 2016 Aprilia RSV4 RF, 2017 Sherco SERF 300, 2003 Suzuki DRZ400 (stolen - AY53 JUU)

[barrkel]

[rideslikean00...]

I'm a newbie to this whole riding thing but I believe that a decent bike with good tyres will warn you when it's nearing the edge of grip when leaning into bends. Mine usually gets a little back wheel wobble before it'll skew, easily sorted by letting the throttle out slightly and gently bringing the bike back towards upright again, sometimes just a matter of a few degrees. Done about 16,000 miles this year and no serious trouble yet, I aim to keep it that way. Helps that on most of my regular routes I know where the gravel traps and overly smooth edges of tarmac are.
____________________
.
Previous/Current Bikes
2013 Yamaha YBR-125ED -> 1997 Yamaha YZF-1000R Thunderace -> 2009 Yamaha XJ-6 Diversion -> 2007 Yamaha FZ6 Fazer S2

[_Iain_]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAXtO5dMqEI

Basicly, you know how to do it, you know how far you can lean it but getting scared of shit is making you tense up, making the bike unstable and fucking you up.

Mind games man, mind games.
____________________
Please be aware that the above post may be full of complete nonsense.
Riding: '07 KTM Duke II, Baotian BT49QT-20 Driving: '88 Volvo 340

[Rogerborg]

How much time do you need to shave off your commute?
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[stinkwheel]

If it feels like you're leaning the bike over a long way, you are leaning too far.

A balanced turn doesn't feel like you're leaning at all, even when it's WAY over. The centrepetal force remains on a vertical line through the centre of the bike. As such, you are probably a lot further over than you think you are.

Anyway. The trick to riding on the road, especially greasy winter roads, is to keep the bike as upright as possible for a given corner speed.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[chris-red]

Check your tyres, if they aren't very new chances are not being a leaner and commuting means they are at least slightly square (worn in the middle), this make leaning feel horrible.

Extreme example

https://www.xbhp.com/talkies/attachments/motorcycle-ownership-experiences/101121d1368500558-honda-cbr-250r-bridgestone-bt45-tire.jpg

Imagine leaning on that, the contact patch (amount of tyre touching the road) is small when partially lent over, so even a little lean will give you less grip and you will feel that. I doubt yours is that bad but it has the same effect.

Lob some new tyres on in the spring and try again. Square commuting tyres and winter are not conducive to trying to lean more.
____________________
Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

[thewhyoffry]

[Musketeer]

[thepuma]

On a commute, why do you feel the need to be having 'knee downs'?
____________________
YBR125 (SOLD) - CBR250R(SOLD) - CBR650F(SOLD) Current - Street Triple
765 RS

[Nash GT]

To break the routine maybe?
Right at the end of my commute there is a nice long bend as I come of the M25, I find my self pushing it a little more every time, it will soon stop when I scare my self or wipe out
____________________
Suzuki GSF600N

[talkToTheHat]

Can and do scrape pegs regularly on my much mocked bike complete with crossply tyres. Occasionally catch one on wet roundabouts. Surprisingly have never spilled misjudging a corner.

Find some mates that don't crash much and observe them on corners, or do bikesafe/IAM/RoSPA thing. Much cheaper than retaining an instructor. My plan for next year is do IAM skills for life.
____________________
Bandit. does. everything.

[hellkat]

Lean just by moving your hips.

That way you are moving with the bike, the bike is moving with yoiu - and you get a better feel that you and the bike are one machine, rather than you are a person fighting with a machine. It shouldn't feel like a mechanical motion, it should feel fluid. The more fluid it feels, the more confidence you gain to lean further.

/poetic licence


____________________
Not nearly as interesting in real life.

[Snowdonia Rider]

What are you scared of most? Hurting yourself? Or damaging the bike and paying for repairs?
____________________
I want your clothes, your boots and your motorcycle.
Suzuki GP125 Suzuki GSX600F Suzuki SV650S KTM EXC250F SkyTeam Bongo 125
My YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/SnowdoniaRider

[Rogerborg]

[Eddie Hitler]

[Fladdem]

[Monkeypony]

[Rogerborg]

Oh, good one, I missed that.

[Fladdem]

[Wull]

Just give it the berries and chuck it in there
____________________
"Scooters are for men who want to ride motorcycles but prefer to feel the wind on their vaginas"

[Andy9934]

It might not be necessary to quite go to the extent of getting ones knee down on a commute but it’s never a bad thing to have more control over the bike and leaning into a turn is a very good technique to retain traction in a turn.

As for getting past the psychological barrier – learn about the theory, understand why it’s done and how it works. Then check out some techniques, then start gently trying it out for yourself. I remember when I first started I was pretty poor at cornering but after a few thousand miles of mostly commuting I am a lot better and I feel a lot happier about commuting in all weathers.
____________________
Surrey
Honda Varadero XL125

[thewhyoffry]

Thanks for the replies all.

Don't get me wrong, I can take a corner and wouldn't say I am scared to take a sharp corner, as others have mentioned its not about getting a knee down or anything like that, its just me wanting to wear my tires evenly and feel more of an accomplished and complete rider.

That plus if shit did hit the fan and I had to take a corner a lot faster than I would normally do so, it would be good to know what I am doing!

Nothing wrong with a bit of self improvement!
____________________
The why of fry